I made ham steak the other day and, after the meal, I had half a pound of ham left. By itself it was not enough to feed three people, but with some creativity I could make a meal of it. Stretch the meat with some vegetables—add an interesting sauce and some rice—and you have something new and different.
Karl’s Leftovers:
Karl’s Ham and Baby Bokchoi Stri Fry
Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Sauces and Spices, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
A while ago, Jan went to Napa and came back raving about Pica Pica’s arepas. She demanded that I learn how to make these South American pocket breads. I did my best, based only on her description and what I could find on the internet. Last week, we went up to San Francisco and I actually got to try one of Pica Pica’s arepas. I decided to try to make them again.
Karl’s South American Slaw
Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Jan really liked the last mushroom soup I made. She asked for a soup just for the two of us, Eilene—who hates mushrooms—was off on an overnight. Reworking that recipe actually improved it quite a bit.
Karl’s Mushroom and Barley Soup
Filed under California Fusion, Main Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian MD
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
I have been making marmalade the same way for years for a Christmas giveaway. I bought a microplane zester that produced very fine bits of rind. Over time I have been experimenting with the recipe— no extra water, fine bits of zest and less and less sugar. This has produced an intensely flavorful marmalade.
Karl’s Caramel Mandarin
Micro Marmalade
Filed under Breakfast, California Fusion, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian
Adapted from an Ina Garten recipe
When I was a child my mother, Claudia, would make strawberry jam every strawberry season. With five kids and a tight budget, it was one more way to stretch a dollar—even then commercial jelly was expensive. Whenever she did this, she would also bake bread—the smell of fresh bread and jam would fill the house. We would all gather around anticipating the treat of hot jam on warm bread just out of the oven.
Karl’s Strawberry Jam
Filed under Breakfast, California Fusion, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian
A common weekday dinner at my house is Chinese chicken salad. I have done it often enough that it has become a bit boring. I thought about what I could do that was similar, but in a different culture. When I make tacos, Jan uses the leftovers to make a taco salad for her lunch. I thought: “That is a starting point!”
Karl’s Chicken Taco Salad
with Hot-Pan Salsa
Filed under California Fusion, Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian
Every year, my sister Karen renews my subscription to Cooks Illustrated at Christmas time. Over the years, I have tried and usually adapted many of their recipes—I am frequently at odds with some of their philosophies of cooking. In the October 2006 issue, they presented a recipe Stir-Fried Chicken with Bok Choy and Crispy Noodle Cake.
Karl’s Spicy Chicken
with Pan Fried Noodles
Filed under Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Stir-fry, Vegan, Vegetarian
One of Jan’s friends has a sweet lime tree. She gave Jan 6 limes from her current crop. I decided that a small batch of marmalade was the best way to preserve this bounty. I have learned over time that you can make marmalade out of any citrus fruit.
Karl’s Sweet Lime Micro Marmalade
Filed under Breakfast, California Fusion, Desserts & Treats, Treats, Vegan, 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: Eilene’s Bento
Filed under Main Dishes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
karllueck
Miriam
Jabberwocky Stew 