Author Archives: karllueck

by | May 19, 2014 · 10:18 pm

Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce

Miriam was specific on what sauces she wanted for her kofta. When I looked up recipes for pomegranate chili sauce, I did not find any that really appealed to me. I decided to go whole California fusion on this one. I know the kids like Shiracha and two weeks ago Jan and the kids bought some pomegranate syrup. The syrup is already a well balanced sauce, so simply combining the two seemed just the ticket.

Karl's Three Kofta Sauces

Karl’s Kefir, Lime and Mint Sauce                                   
                                    Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce
Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce

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by | May 19, 2014 · 10:10 pm

Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce

Miriam was specific on what sauces she wanted for her kofta. The third sauce she requested was a sour cream and lemon sauce.

Karl's Three Kofta Sauces

Karl’s Kefir, Lime and Mint Sauce                           
                                      Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce
Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce

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by | May 19, 2014 · 9:51 pm

Karl’s Tomato Cucumber Salad with Quinoa

Miriam has requested a quinoa (kin-wa) salad for her birthday dinner. I have tried to make quinoa before without success; it came out gummy and bitter. I know I have been saying this a lot recently, but Cook’s Illustrated had an article about quinoa a few months ago.

Karl’s Tomato Cucumber Salad with Quinoa

Karl’s Tomato Cucumber Salad with Quinoa

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by | May 19, 2014 · 4:44 pm

Claudia’s Chocolate Mousse 2.0

Miriam requested my mother’s chocolate mousse for her birthday dinner. Jan has experimented with variations over the years, but Miriam wanted the original “plain” chocolate mousse. Jan chaffed at this restriction, until she thought of using Strauss milk.

Claudia's Chocolate Mousse 2.0

Claudia’s Chocolate Mousse 2.0

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by | May 15, 2014 · 5:31 pm

Karl’s Curried Leek and Lentil Soup with Karl’s Chicken Tandoori Meatballs

This morning Jan asked for my potato and leek soup with chicken. I have done that and this blog always pushes me to try something new. What could I do that both answered Jan’s desire, but also be completely new and different?

Karl’s Curried Leek and Lentil Soup with Karl’s Chicken Tandoori Meatballs

Karl’s Curried Leek and Lentil Soup with
Karl’s Chicken Tandoori Meatballs

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by | May 12, 2014 · 11:07 pm

Jan’s Apricot Pistachio Baklava

Adapted from a FineCooking.com recipe

I am allergic to walnuts, so I cannot eat regular baklava. Jan decided that she would make pistachio baklava as the desert to go with the Middle Eastern feast I am making for Mother’s day.

Jan’s Apricot Pistachio Baklava

Jan’s Apricot Pistachio Baklava

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by | May 12, 2014 · 9:23 pm

Karl’s Alder Wood Smoked Middle Eastern Game Hens

I am planning barbequed Cornish game hens for this Sunday, Mother’s Day. The question remained how should I season the birds? The whole world does chicken, so how do I narrow the field to make a choice?

Karl’s Alder Wood Smoked Middle Eastern Game Hens

Karl’s Alder Wood Smoked
Middle Eastern Game Hens

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by | May 12, 2014 · 4:54 pm

Karl’s Tabouleh Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

I was shopping with Jan and she saw these mini bell peppers. She wanted them stuffed for her Mother’s Day meal. I decided that I would fill them with taboulah.

Karl’s Tabouleh Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Karl’s Tabouleh Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

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by | May 12, 2014 · 3:18 pm

Roasted Artichokes

My family really likes artichokes. Normally, I steam and serve them with a dill sauce. Cook’s Illustrated this month had a baked artichoke recipe that would go nicely with the Middle Eastern Feast I am making for Mother’s Day. It is so simple and hands-off; it is perfect for finishing off in the oven while I am concentrating on the barbequing the game hens. For once, I actually followed someone’s instructions.

Roasted Artichokes

Roasted Artichokes

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by | May 12, 2014 · 2:43 am

Karl’s Za’atar Crackers with Harissa Humus

Earlier this week I made some raspberry crackers. This led Jan to thinking about: What other unexpected things you could you add to crackers?  Her answer was the spice blend za’atar. She asked me to make these crackers for Sunday’s dinner.

Karl’s Za’atar Crackers with Harissa Humus

Karl’s Za’atar Crackers with Harissa Humus

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