Jan’s brother is still visiting and Jan wanted Crawdaddy Corn Chowder. On Sunday the Crawdaddy restaurant does not open until noon. This would push lunch to 2 PM, the time they should start thinking about makeing the drive back to Fresno. I talked her into a variation that does not require a restaurant purchased starter.
Author Archives: karllueck
Karl’s Shepherd’s Pie
Adapted from Rachael Ray and Cook’s Illustrated Recipes.
I am feeding a crowd today. Jan’s brother and cousin are coming, both with +2, so nine diners in total. The last time I did a shepherd’s pie it made enough for 6 diners. I will have to scale up my recipe and use a large baking pan, rather than my usual casserole.
Filed under Beef, Main Dishes
Karl’s Mesclun Salad with Fig Balsamic Dressing
Our garden produced another spectacular cucumber and a few red and yellow tomatoes. I went to the farmer’s market and picked up some mixed baby greens (mesclun). We are having company this week end, so I did not want to use a bottled dressing. A few weeks ago Jan had bought fig balsamic vinegar at the farmer’s market, a few herbs, some olive oil and garlic and you have a dressing.
Filed under Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables
Jan’s Elderflower Spritzer
Jan came back from England in love with the taste of elderflowers. She decided what this weekend’s meal needed was a spritzer.
Filed under Uncategorized
Karl’s Chicken, Kale and Farro Soup
My brother-in-law is coming to visit and he is having trouble with his teeth. So I am planning a soft, low-chewing soup for dinner. This side of the family also likes their food pretty American standard, so heavy spices are out as well. However, I can work with that.
Filed under Main Dishes, Poultry, Soups
Karl’s Tofu and Chinese Broccoli Stir-fry
It is a constant struggle to keep week day meals interesting. My mother, Claudia, was a strict budgeter; with 5 kids to feed she had to be. However, the result of this budgeting was that frequently you could tell what day it was by what was on the table. I had the same problem when I worked off shore, “If it is Tuesday it must be T-bone steaks.” No matter how good the food is, it gets boring if it is predictable.
Filed under Main Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian MD
Karl’s Chicken Pesto with Angel Hair Pasta
A week ago the basil in the garden was beginning to look sad. I harvested what I could and turned it into pesto to preserve it. Jan saw it in the refrigerator and asked for something made with the pesto tonight. I came up with this dish.
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Filed under Main Dishes, Poultry
Karl’s Pesto
We have had a lot of trouble with bugs and pests in the garden this year. The basil was beginning to look sad. I salvaged what I could and made pesto to preserve what was left.
Filed under Sauces and Spices
Karl’s Garlic Oregano Green Beans
I am always experimenting with quick ways to spruce up plain steamed green beans. This one was to go with my Chicken Pesto with Angel Hair Pasta.
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Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables
Karl’s Orange-Infused American Scones with Currents
I am still trying to perfect my scone recipe. The last time I made scones I was half asleep and I added four cups of flour instead of four teaspoons of baking power. Fortunately I realized my mistake before I had added the butter. To recover I simply doubled the dry ingredients and then saved half in a plastic bag in the freezer for the next time I fancied scones.
Filed under bread, Breakfast, Side Dishes









