Sunday, 20 December 2009 19:38

This section of the website contains a collection of our favorite recipes. We have prepared and enjoyed all of these menus. The vary in complexity, but the instructions are quite good, even for beginners. So...go ahead...take a risk and have some fun trying new foods!

When possible, we provide links to take you to the original source of the recipe. Otherwise, we will credit the source (when known) with the recipe.

Appetizers

Deviled Eggs: A Southern Favorite, and a terrific recipe
Dried Fruit and Almond Haroseth: A very excellent spread, and healthy, too!
Muhammara: Serve  this spread with pita chips.  Smokey roasted peppers and other wonderful ingredients!
Pomegranate Guacamole:  Actually, you could probably use lemon juice instead of pomegranate juice.  We didn't have fresh pomegranate to add; it was still delicious!!!  Honestly, I think this is the best guacamole recipe I've ever tasted.

Soups

Chili Verde Pork: We enjoy this as a stew
Carrot Sour with Star Anise: A very delicious soup!
Peach and Tomato Gazpacho: This combination of sweet and tangy makes an excellent soup
Hot and Sour Soup : Vegetarian, wonderful flavor, easy to make

Entrees

Carolina BBQ Pork (Crockpot Recipe)

Feta Burgers: We've grilled these several times now; a very delicious blend of flavors, and easy, too!  ...still a favorite in 2011!

Salmon with Grits and Caper-Cream Sauce

Standing Rib Roast with Rosemary-Thyme Crust

Pork Tenderloin Churrasco with Aji Amarillo-Pineapple Salsa: Spanish and fantastic!

Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Sauce : Very excellent, and an interesting approach to cooking the tenderloin.  Absolutely delicious.  Make 2x the sauce recipe!

Ropa Vieja: This is a braised beef stew.  Use any cut of meat (inexpensive will be just fine!) as braising tenderizes even very lean, otherwise tough, cuts.  It is hard to believe that so many vegetables go into this, but they cook down and the flavor is absolutely wonderful.  I was a little worried when I tasted the sauce about 1 hr into cooking ... but by the time the meat was tender, the flavor had really developed into something scrumptious.  It is our newest family hit!  We served this over rice, and since we like "hot", we used green olives that had been marinated with red pepper flakes and oil ... was just the perfect amount of zip for us.

Side Dishes/Vegetables

Roasted Beets with Horseradish Cream
Roasted Root Vegetables with Green Onions
Piperade Salad with Olives
3-Cheese Potato Gratin
Lemony Potato Salad: Excellent, fresh, light on the mayo.  Super side salad for the BBQ meal.
Butternut Salad with Polenta and Candied Pumpkins Seeds:  A bit of prep time is involved, but provides abosulutely amazing results and taste!!!  Serve this with the Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Sauce.
Pomegrate Molasses:  Made from fresh pomegrate juice, this is delicious as a base for salad dressings, or add a tablespoon to your iced tea or sparkling water.

Desserts

Peach Cobbler
Flourless Chocolate-Orange Almond Cake
Alsatian-Style Apple Pie
Quick Pecan Tart:  Even better than the treasured family recipe! I do use my own crust recipe, and have not tried their crust idea.
Three Cities of Spain Cheesecake: My first ever attempt at cheesecake, and a TOTAL winner!
Guava-Swirled Cheesecake:  My second ever attempt at a cheesecake, and absolutely delicious.  Excellent combination of cream and fruit.  Matt (a cheesecake expert!) supervised me and talked me through knowing when to turn off the oven for final baking.