It is just Jan and me for a Saturday night. Eilene is off at a party, so Jan asked for something with mushrooms, like mushroom soup—something Eilene does not like. Soup calls for a salad and crackers.

Karl’s Sichuan Pepper Crackers
It is just Jan and me for a Saturday night. Eilene is off at a party, so Jan asked for something with mushrooms, like mushroom soup—something Eilene does not like. Soup calls for a salad and crackers.

Karl’s Sichuan Pepper Crackers
Filed under bread, California Fusion, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
When I make my Sunday meals, I usually make enough for one to three leftover meals. Sometimes this means just the same meal again. Other times I use whatever is left over as the basis for a new dish.

Karl’s Leftovers: Corn Beef Hash
Filed under Beef, Breakfast, Broiling, Main Dishes, Potatoes
When I make my Sunday meals, I usually make enough for one to three leftover meals. Sometimes this means just the same meal again. Other times I use whatever is left over as the basis for a new dish.

Karl’s Leftovers: Eilene’s Bento
Filed under Main Dishes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
Jan is going to another pot luck organized by NUMU Los Gatos. She and her students have been interviewing relocated American Indians who live in the South Bay—having moved to the city from various reservations in the 1950s, ‘60s, and 70s. Last time, I made a big pot of ham and beans. To switch things up, I decided to do larger than usual Mac & Cheese this time.

Karl’s Mac & Two Cheeses
with Bacon & Leeks for a Crowd
Filed under California Fusion, Casserole, Main Dishes, Pork, Vegetables
Everyone has their own ideas about chili. A wide variety of dishes fall under the general heading of “chili.” Some think this dish should be only beef slow cooked in chili sauce. Others use a wide variety of meats—chicken, pork, turkey—in their chili. Still others say that it should include beans as well. Vegetarians get rid of the meat all together and still call it “chili.”

Karl’s Quick Beef Chili with Beans
Filed under Beans, Beef, California Fusion, Main Dishes, Sauces and Spices, Stews
We are having cracked crab and crackers this Sunday. Meat and starch needs vegetables. A salad is a good compliment.

Karl’s Arugula and Spinach Salad
Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Before I left home for the first time, I sat down with my mother’s recipe box and wrote down my favorite dishes. I had a hankering for chili this week end. I dug out my mother’s recipe and I was amazed to find that her “chili” did not actually include any chili! Continue reading
Filed under Beans, Beef, Main Dishes, Stews
Jan is having another potluck with her students. San Jose anthropology students present papers at the SWAA conference every year. To prepare them, the professors have them present before each other and two professors for feedback and suggestions. Since they come in on a Saturday to do this, food is usually involved.

Karl’s California Fusion Hummus Wraps
Filed under California Fusion, Main Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Many times, the inspiration for one of my Sunday dinners is a food challenge by the family. Other times, I look for an untried world cuisine to make my own variation of a traditional dish. This week, I started with a bottle of hot sauce.

Karl’s Lemon Chicken Habanero
with Sautéed Spinach and Fingerling Potatoes
Filed under California Fusion, Chicken, Main Dishes, Potatoes, Poultry, Side Dishes, Vegetables
I had bought some broccolini earlier in the week and I had not used it. I could have just steamed it and tossed it on a plate with my roasted chicken, but Jan and Miriam have been liking blended vegetables soups lately. Checking my vegetable bin, I found some other things to add to the soup.

Karl’s Broccolini Soup
Filed under California Fusion, Side Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian