Tsukemono means “pickled things.” The Japanese make many different pickles in many different ways, from a quick pickled cucumber that in ready to eat in one hour to Takwan— whole pickled daikon radishes that take months to ferment. Most Japanese meals include some form of pickle.
Karl’s Hakusai
(Napa Cabbage Pickle)
Filed under Pickles, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jan, Miriam and Eilene are all going out for a girl’s massage evening. This is part of Miriam’s birthday week. After work, Jan has 20 minutes to eat dinner before she has to take Eilene to meet Miriam at the spa. Jan asked for soup and Eilene asked for minestrone.
Karl’s Chicken Minestrone
Filed under Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian
I had planned to make a fresh pea and rice dish for Miriam’s birthday dinner yesterday. After I had bought the peas, she told me she really didn’t like peas. Not a problem, Jan and Eilene love peas, so I agreed to make them fresh pea soup.
Karl’s Fresh Pea Soup
Filed under California Fusion, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian
Miriam wants lamb for her birthday dinner, but because of her TMJ she would like tender meatballs (kofta). Variations of kofta are found over most of the Middle East, the Balkans, and throughout Central Asia and India. Miriam has asked for one of the simpler ones with various sauces.
Karl’s Lamb Kofta
Filed under Barbeque, California Fusion, Lamb, Main Dishes
Miriam was specific on what sauces she wanted for her kofta. She wanted a sauce with kefir, mint, and lime. The recipes on-line were either too simple or had way too many ingredients. I wanted something that was cooling, clean, and fresh.
Karl’s Kefir, Lime and Mint Sauce
Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce
Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce
Filed under California Fusion, Sauces and Spices
Miriam was specific on what sauces she wanted for her kofta. When I looked up recipes for pomegranate chili sauce, I did not find any that really appealed to me. I decided to go whole California fusion on this one. I know the kids like Shiracha and two weeks ago Jan and the kids bought some pomegranate syrup. The syrup is already a well balanced sauce, so simply combining the two seemed just the ticket.
Karl’s Kefir, Lime and Mint Sauce
Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce
Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce
Filed under California Fusion, Sauces and Spices
Miriam was specific on what sauces she wanted for her kofta. The third sauce she requested was a sour cream and lemon sauce.
Karl’s Kefir, Lime and Mint Sauce
Karl’s Pomegranate Chili Sauce
Karl’s Sour Cream and Lemon Sauce
Filed under California Fusion, Sauces and Spices
Miriam has requested a quinoa (kin-wa) salad for her birthday dinner. I have tried to make quinoa before without success; it came out gummy and bitter. I know I have been saying this a lot recently, but Cook’s Illustrated had an article about quinoa a few months ago.
Karl’s Tomato Cucumber Salad with Quinoa
Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian
Miriam requested my mother’s chocolate mousse for her birthday dinner. Jan has experimented with variations over the years, but Miriam wanted the original “plain” chocolate mousse. Jan chaffed at this restriction, until she thought of using Strauss milk.
Claudia’s Chocolate Mousse 2.0
Filed under Desserts & Treats, Treats
This morning Jan asked for my potato and leek soup with chicken. I have done that and this blog always pushes me to try something new. What could I do that both answered Jan’s desire, but also be completely new and different?
Karl’s Curried Leek and Lentil Soup with
Karl’s Chicken Tandoori Meatballs
Filed under California Fusion, Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Soups, Vegan, Vegetables
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Miriam
Jabberwocky Stew 