Zucchini with Almonds (it’s good)

My zucchini hater likes this.  She tells me it’s because the zucchini is in such tiny pieces, not in big chunks, so it’s a texture thing.  I suspect that it’s because it has shaved Parmesan cheese scattered on top (she’s been known to go to the fridge to hack chunks off of the block for [...]

Green Lentil Kulebyaka

This is a bit of a fiddle to make, but it is very delicious…leftovers disappear way too quickly!  

1 cup green lentils, soaked for an hour
2 bay leaves
2 onions, halved lengthwise, then sliced (keep each separate)
5 cups chicken stock, divided in half (use vegetable stock or vegetarian “chicken” stock cubes for vegetarian version of this [...]

Tandoori-ish/Indianish Yogurt Marinade for Chicken

1 cup yogurt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons crushed or minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (2 tablespoons if you like) — I like Aeroplane  or Tamcon brand that comes in a [...]

Urad Dal

This recipe is supposedly a family favourite of actor Anil Kapoor (his wife’s recipe):
* 1 cup split urad dal (black lentils) — Pick over very carefully, then soak in cold water overnight, and drain before using
* 2 large onions, thinly sliced (each onion is used separately)
* 3 green chilies, halved lengthwise
* Pinch of asafoetida
* Coarse salt
* [...]

Baked Chicken Thighs (like wings)

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp fresh grated gingerroot
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp hot curry powder
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Mix all of the marinade ingredients together into a bowl. If desired, cut the thighs into [...]

Grandma Ruth’s (my Mom’s) Cabbage Rolls

My Mom makes her mom’s cabbage rolls; here’s her delicious recipe!
“Large head of cabbage…freeze for a week.
Thaw completely and cut out core.  The leaves will peel easily and pliable.
If they are too large I cut them in 2 pieces.  Cut out a V to remove the spine.
Place the outside green leaves on the bottom of [...]

Amy’s Pasta

This is the recipe that we use at our swim club’s annual fund raising pasta dinner; a local family of Italian heritage is in charge of the kitchen, and teaches everyone how to cook their recipes (which just come out of the tops of their heads!):

2 cups flour
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon (or more) [...]

Tuna Noodle Casserole

2 Tbsp olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2  pound wide egg noodles
1 cup finely chopped fresh broccoli (more if desired)
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 -3  6 oz. tins of tuna, drained
5 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly oil an 8-inch [...]

Grandma’s Stuffed Peppers

This is one of those evolving family recipes that has no written recipe — it is one that we just watch and learn, and then “do”, each with our own twist. My grandmother, who was of Hungarian/German descent made them, so my mother made them, and now I make them.  Of course, I don’t use [...]

Chicken Stir-fry

Serve on top of your favourite Chinese noodles.  This can also work well with a block of extra firm tofu, instead of chicken.

Sauce*:

2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp Hoisin Sauce or Plum Sauce (made with plums, not pumpkin or “something else”)

1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp (or more) hot chilli paste
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp [...]