Category Archives: Vegetarian

Jan’s Chocolate Mousse, the Father’s Day Variation

For me Claudia’s Chocolate Mousse is the mousse by which all others are judged. It is however, not a health food. It has replaced cakes as the birthday/holiday treat in our house. Jan has spent years perfecting the techniques of making my mother’s mousse, but it took her years before she dared to tinker with mom’s recipe. This weekend, I am making Israeli couscous with almonds, Jan decided that chocolate mousse with Amaretto would be a good dessert for my Father’s Day dinner.

Jan’s Chocolate Mousse, the Father’s Day Variation

Jan’s Chocolate Mousse
the Father’s Day Variation

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Filed under California Fusion, Desserts & Treats, Holidays, Treats, Vegetarian

Karl’s Israeli Couscous With Almonds and Mint

Lamb calls out for a starch of some kind—potatoes, rice, or couscous. Since I am doing Middle Eastern lamb shanks, I decided I would use ptitim. This Israeli couscous was invented in the 1950’s as a substitute for rice.

Karl’s Israeli Couscous With Almonds and Mint

Karl’s Israeli Couscous With Almonds and Mint

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Filed under Pasta, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Karl’s Middle Eastern Stuffed Artichoke Hearts

I needed a vegetable to go with my Middle Eastern Lamb shanks. Stuffed artichoke hearts came to mine as a good and tasty solution. However, after gentle criticism of my tapas dinner, I have tried to move away from my overpowering urge to stuff meat into vegetables.

Karl’s Middle Eastern Stuffed Artichoke Hearts

Karl’s Middle Eastern Stuffed Artichoke Hearts

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Filed under Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Karl’s Tapas: Tortilla Española (Spanish Potato Omelette)

Adapted from a Mario Batali recipe

I am making a Spanish tapas dinner for this Sunday. Tortilla Española is a traditional Spanish tapas. In simple recipes, with only a few ingredients, technique can be all. It is important to precook the potatoes and onions before adding the eggs. With Jan’s dietary restrictions, I have reduced the amount of oil and eggs. This is a tapas that you may make ahead and serve cold.

Karl’s Tapas: Tortilla Española (Spanish Potato Omelette)

Karl’s Tapas
Tortilla Española
Spanish Potato Omelette

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Filed under Breakfast, Potatoes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Karl’s Tapas: Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)

I am making a Spanish tapas dinner for this Sunday. This whole meal started because Miriam wanted this cold tomato soup. Gazpacho may be served as a tapas. I made this gazpacho a bit simpler than my last, simply because was making so many other dishes. Jan thinks of this dish as salsa soup.

Karl’s Tapas Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup)

Karl’s Tapas
Gazpacho
Cold Tomato Soup

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Filed under Side Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Karl’s Tapas: Garbanzos Picantes Asados (Roasted Spicy Chickpeas)

Adapted from an Eating Well recipe

I am making a Spanish tapas dinner for this Sunday. Knowing my family as I do, I knew that I needed one or two hors d’oeuvre tapas—that I could make well ahead—to keep them in check while I finished the other tapas. While some tapas have a fairly set ingredients list—like Tortilla Española—others allow for more creativity. Roasting chickpeas into crunchy “nuts” lends themselves to creative variations.

Karl’s Tapas: Garbanzos Picantes Asados (Roasted Spicy Chickpeas)

Karl’s Tapas
Garbanzos Picantes Asados
Roasted Spicy Chickpeas

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Filed under Beans, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Jan’s Irish Whiskey Ginger Sauce

I had used alcohol in my mulled port tri-tip and brandied mushrooms, so Jan thought she would use Irish whisky in a sauce to pour over ice cream for dessert.

Jan’s Irish Whiskey Ginger Sauce

Jan’s Irish Whiskey Ginger Sauce

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Filed under California Fusion, Desserts & Treats, Sauces and Spices, Treats, Vegetarian

Karl’s Brandied Mushrooms and Green Beans

Since I was using alcohol in my main dish—port—I thought I should keep it up and add some brandy to my vegetables. Mushrooms and green beans are very popular at our house. They also go very well with barbecued beef.

Karl’s Brandied Mushrooms and Green Beans

Karl’s Brandied Mushrooms and Green Beans

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Filed under California Fusion, Green Vegetables, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Karl’s Memorial Day Potato Salad

This salad is based loosely on my mother’s potato salad. Although I remember my mother’s salad having celery, it was not on her 3×5 card. I also could not conceive of potato salad without black pepper.

Karl’s Memorial Day Potato Salad

Karl’s Memorial Day Potato Salad

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Filed under Holidays, Potatoes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Karl’s Oyster Mushrooms and Chive Stems in Black Pepper Sauce

For Miriam’s birthday dinner, she asked for Spicy chicken and pan fried noodles. This is a dish that takes an hour of “mindful” frying and—while it is a wonderful dish—I make it less than my kids would like—like maybe every day. This is a one dish meal by itself, but I decided to add another favorite of Miriam’s and make a mushroom side dish.

Karl's Oyster Mushrooms and Chive Stems in Black Pepper Sauce

Karl’s Oyster Mushrooms and Chive Stems
in Black Pepper Sauce

Note: I actually used one pound of mushrooms for this dish. It was popular enough that it left people wanting more—even though Eilene would not touch it. I added another half pound of mushrooms to the ingredients list. Continue reading

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Filed under Sauces and Spices, Side Dishes, Stir-fry, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian