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 [...]

Cauliflower with Green Onions and Seeds

This is not an “old” recipe for us, but it is so good; it is also remarkably simple!  Supposedly it comes from a chef by the name of Julie Sahni, who I understand is the owner of a couple of Indian restaurants, is a cookbook author, and has a renowned cooking school.

1 head cauliflower
2 small [...]

Cheddar Dill Muffins

These are rather like a scone or fluffy tea biscuit, but in muffin form.  Add three crisply fried and crumbled strips of bacon if you wish.

2 cups all purpose flour (or substitute whole wheat)
1 Tablespoon white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup Old Cheddar, shredded
1 to 1 ½ teaspoons dried dill weed

1 egg, lightly [...]

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 [...]

Lower Fat Chocolate Cake

One layer, a little heavier than most chocolate cakes.  Not even remotely like a boxed-style cake.

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/3 cup hot water
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
½ cup milk

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease a 9” [...]

Blue Cheese Dip

•    1/3 cup real mayonnaise
•    1/4 cup light sour cream
•    1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
•    1 tsp sugar
•    1/2 tsp minced garlic
•    1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
•    1/4 tsp salt
•    Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
•   1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Whisk all ingredients together, mashing up blue cheese until you have a consistency that [...]

Grandma Robertson’s Shortbread

This dough is meant to be rolled, cut, and baked at 350F, until slightly browned:

1 lb butter
pinch salt
1 cup brown sugar
4 cups + 1 cup flour

Cream butter, sugar, and salt.  Add flour, one cup at a time, using four cups.  use last cup for roll out.  Dough should not be too stiff, but should be [...]

On the Fly (In the Bowl) Salad Dressing

Drizzle once around the salad with:

olive oil

then:

vinegar of choice, or squeeze a half a lemon

Then sprinkle once around the bowl with a big pinch of each of:

salt
garlic powder (alternatively, rub a cut clove of garlic around the inside of the bowl before putting salad in)
sugar (make this one tiny)
dried dill*
dried tarragon*
dried basil*
dried thyme*

Grind a pepper [...]

Completely Plain, but Delicious Croutons

For salad, especially Caesar, these are amazingly good, when made with good bread!

Day old crusty bread (good bread, NOT from-a-plastic-bag-bread!)
olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper*

Cut the loaf into small cubes; about 1.5cm is a good size.  Place into a large bowl, drizzle lightly with olive oil, sprinkle on some salt and pepper, tossing to [...]

Quick Curried Lamb or Beef Stew with Chick Peas

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces, ground lamb or beef
1 Tablespoon hot Madras curry
1 Tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon each:  ground coriander, salt, and pepper
1 carrot, sliced
1 sweet green pepper, cut into chunks
1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained (19 ounce)
1 can tomatoes, chopped (19 ounce) [...]