Here’s a healthy version of the traditional deep fat fried onion rings. These are dipped in egg whites instead of a rich batter, then they are baked instead of fried. They bake up crisp and golden and are almost as addictive as the original high calorie version. Baked onion rings are light, low-fat, low-calorie and [...]
This Israeli Seven Layer Mosaic Spread has become my new go-to dish when I’m looking for an hors d’oeuvre or appetizer that’s fun and festive and visually appealing. It features two popular Middle Eastern spreads: Hummus—made with mashed chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic—and Baba ghanoush, made with baked or grilled eggplant, [...]
This is the time of year when the prevailing image is a cornucopia overflowing with the bounty of the harvest. In keeping with the concept of abundance and plenitude, stuffed meats, poultry, fruits, and vegetables are ubiquitous. A colorful medley of bell peppers, filled to the brim with brown and wild rice pilaf is the [...]
Here is a tasty recipe for a quiche-like vegetable pie that lends credence to the saying “easy as pie.” Once you’ve prepped all the ingredients, you simply place them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until smooth. The mixture is then poured into a prepared pie plate [...]
A cheese ball is a real crowd pleaser and the perfect appetizer/snack to have on hand for the holiday season. Place it on your open house holiday table; bring one along to a potluck dinner; serve it as an appetizer on New Year’s Eve. This festive, tasty cheese ball will even tide you over to [...]
I am often asked for suggestions for Thanksgiving side dishes. This recipe for roasted autumn vegetables is one of my favorite side dishes to make for Thanksgiving and other festive autumn and winter get-togethers. It has a beautiful array or autumn tastes, textures, and colors and is a great accompaniment to turkey, chicken, or beef. [...]
We Americans are an independent lot. Imbued with free spirits, we embrace individuality, creativity, and self reliance. Since we so admire the self-made, do-it-yourself attribute, a burger bar is the way to go for your July Fourth festivities. Essentially, you will provide your guests with burgers and all the fixings, so that they can create [...]
Halibut is my go-to fish for grilling season. It is a mild white fish with a firm, meaty texture that holds up well on the barbecue. I marinate the halibut in a soy honey mixture infused with citrus juices, and brush on the reserved marinade to glaze the fish while grilling. I like to serve [...]
Here’s a tasty, fun and colorful recipe for salmon cakes with a melon salsa that may get some of your most finicky fish eaters on board. What I love about this recipe is its versatility and simplicity. For those who find salmon too strong, you can substitute a milder whitefish such as cod or halibut. [...]
Caponata is a classic Sicilian eggplant relish. It has a delightful medley of flavors—sweet and sour, salty and nutty--and is refreshing and delicious especially when it is served during the hot and hazy days of summer. There are as many variations of this dish as there are cooks and recipes may include such ingredients as [...]