Writing this blog really pushes me at times. It makes me feel that I am failing if I do not do my best at every meal. Once upon a time I could make a regular meal, now I am constantly thinking, “What can I do to make this meal different?”
Author Archives: karllueck
Karl’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Tomatoes
Since wife Jan is limiting her carb intake I knew that she would want something in addition to a pasta dish. I had bought a tomato, thinking I would add it to my pesto dish, but I changed my mind. I had bought some small Brussels sprouts, one of Jan’s favorite vegetables, at the farmer’s market on Saturday. However, I had only bought a half a pound, not quite enough for a full side dish. Putting these two things together and roasting them seemed like a good idea.
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Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables
Karl’s Yankee Come Home Pot Roast
“There’s no place like home.” Click-click
Dorothy
Nothing will bring an ex-pat back home faster than a desire for the cooking of home. Miriam and Chris have been doing a lot of traveling recently, so I have not done a Sunday dinner in several weeks. This is my variation on a Yankee pot roast.
Filed under Beef, Main Dishes, Uncategorized
Karl’s Cauliflower and Spinach with Garlic au Gratin
I am making a pot roast this week, but my son-in-law is still on his Ketogenic diet and my wife Jan is also watching her starch intake. These restrictions means that I cannot add potatoes to the roast as would be the normal accompaniment to the savory meat. Man does not live on meat alone, but I know a few who have tried.
Filed under Side Dishes, Vegetables, Vegetarian MD
Karl’s Guinness Beer Bread II
Jan wanted my Karl’s Guinness Beer Bread as her carbs for dinner tonight. Looking at the recipe I posted in December I realized I had made a significant change since that time. I found that instead of white sugar my orange infused sugar makes this bread even better. With the strong beer flavor you do not taste “orange,” but the orange zest in the sugar adds a depth that is nonpareil.
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Filed under bread, Side Dishes
Karl’s Sweet Pepper and Fennel Soup with Italian Sausage Meatballs
Last Sunday we visited out friends in Fresno, Pat and Jim, who own a farm. With a large kitchen garden, it is risky to stop by their house or have them visit you. Last year, Pat showed up on our doorstep with a twenty pound bag of tomatoes. This year we got pepper bombed and a butternut squash literally the size of a baby. What am I going to do with a big bag of mixed peppers?
Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Soups
Karl’s Spinach Side Salad
My sweet pepper and fennel soup was a bit shy on green vegetables. I did not want to add them to the soup, because it would muddle the flavors. I decided that I needed a small side salad. Some baby spinach, some sweet red onion that I happen to have on hand and maybe a sprinkle of parmesan with a balsamic/vinaigrette would be nice.
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Filed under Salads, Vegan, Vegetables
Karl’s Broiled Salmon with Honey Lemon Glaze
I have been craving salmon lately. So I went out to get some. The question is what to do with it.
Filed under Main Dishes, Seafood
Karl’s Jewel Yam Rice
Jan made sweet potato pie recently and she only used two of the three jewel yams she had bought. One small yam is not enough for three people, but I did not want to run out and buy more. What could I do to stretch it into a side dish?
Filed under Side Dishes, Starches
Karl’s Garlic Thyme Green Beans II
I am always experimenting with quick ways to spruce up plain steamed green beans. Even when I am using most of the same ingredients I will switch up cooking techniques. This technique uses one fewer pans. I made this side dish to go with my broiled salmon.
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Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables









