Category Archives: Vegetables
Mock Spring Vegetables
Although these are all genuine vegetables, they are not exactly all spring vegetables. The beans are not fava beans, they’re soybeans (edamame) and they are found in my supermarket freezer. The peas are also frozen, although I use fresh peas when … Continue reading
Fava Beans with Leeks, Arugula and Mint
Tonight, I’ve decided to serve fava beans alongside lamb meatloaf (see post below). Fava beans are a spring labor of love. They require shucking from their pods, then each bean requires peeling. This can be a fun activity for the … Continue reading
Asparagus Milanese
It’s now the season–this is a favorite brunch dish or appetizer in the spring when asparagus are at their peak. Last night I made asparagus with our dinner and I made an extra-large amount so I could make this dish for brunch. I … Continue reading
Oyster Mushrooms with Mint
The wild mushrooms have been looking irresistable at my produce market lately–not only are there morels ($79/lb), fresh porcini ($59/lb), but equally impressive giant oyster mushrooms ($8/lb). Oyster mushrooms have a wonderful assertive flavor that I would describe as briny, and a meaty texture. They need … Continue reading
Quinoa and Swiss Chard Cakes
Leftover grains of almost any kind are–to me–an occasion for fritters! The green quinoa from the other evening’s dinner is the perfect nutty backdrop for some fritters made with swiss chard and parmiggiano cheese. You need not have made the whole quinoa … Continue reading
Pollo e Carciofi
My friend in California couldn’t have planned a better weekend for us culinarily . . . one great restaurant after another–each offering a bounty of local and artisanal ingredients which Californians (like Italians) accept as their birthright. Without a doubt, the … Continue reading
Mustard Greens with Bacon
This is very similar to my collard green recipe of a month ago, but the mustard greens tend to have more delicate stems than collards, so tonight I’m keeping the stems. Like swiss chard, I begin by cutting off the … Continue reading
Sweet Potato Farro
Tonight’s main course is calves’ liver with caramelized onions. I try to buy calves’ liver whenever it looks great at the market, since it’s a potent source of iron and relatively lean and light, while tasting rich and luxurious. I’m … Continue reading
Broccoli di Rapa with Chorizo
The main course in tonight’s dinner is actually pork shoulder (yes, another bag of the same pork shoulder that I made and froze about a month ago). Once again, I’m serving the braising liquid over Fettucine, but this time, I’m brightening it … Continue reading
Potato with Fennel and Green Olive
Since I’ve gotten back from Florida it seems that winter is still upon us, so I was in the mood for some meat and potatoes (Italian-style, of course). The meat is simply my favorite juicy Italian pork sausage (from Citarella); … Continue reading
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