One thing that son-in-law Chris requested for his birthday meal was corn on the cob. I am making beef and beans, so I though some chili powder would be the spice to use. Since I was making a big pot of Santa Maria beans, I did not want a whole ear per person, cutting them into quarter seemed the solution.
Karl’s Grilled Chili Corn
Filed under California Fusion, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
While I like slow cooked chili with tender chunks of beef, I sometimes just want a quick meal for a weekday. While I have been known to simply use a brand name chili, sometimes I like to go just a step further. This may take a few more minutes than simply opening a can, but the flavor is worth the effort.
Karl’s Weekday Quick Beef Chili
Filed under Beans, Beef, Main Dishes
Chili powder—as a blend of spices—is composed chiefly of chile peppers and mixed with other spices including cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and salt. While there is some agreement about which spices this blend should contain, the amount of each is a matter for debate. This is not improved by the linguistic confusion between “chili powder”—as a blend of spices—and the “chili powder”—as in powdered dried chilies—used in those blends. In addition to the basic ingredients, some add other herbs and spices and still call it “chili powder.”
Karl’s Quick Chili Powder
Filed under Sauces and Spices, Vegan, Vegetarian
For weekday meals I sometimes take shortcuts, like buying pre-seasoned meat from an ethnic market. Being Californians, tacos are very popular in my house, but when I take short cuts I usually do not post about it. However, this one has been requested. If you happen to have a Hispanic market near you, like Chavez Market, these tacos are worth a few short cuts.
Karl’s Weekday Tacos al Pastor
Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Sauces and Spices
Jan has asked me to make a chili for a potluck with her new half-brother. The last time I made chili, I made a pot with beans and it was pretty hood, but I knew I could do better. Instead of ground beef I would use beef chuck and some rib meat. Last time, I also used canned broth as my braising liquid, this time I would braise pieces of marinated beef—to tenderness—and then use the braising liquid to re-hydrate and cook the beans.
Karl’s Chili California con Carne Suprimo
Filed under Beans, Beef, California Fusion, Main Dishes, Stews
I am doing a Cal-Mex barbecue for labor day and I decided to make beans to go with my tri-tip. Moro Beans are a Mexican heirloom varietal. When Jan and I went to Napa, she bought me a package of these beans from Rancho Gordo. They describe Moro beans as a cross between pinto and black beans. They say that these beans are flavorful enough to stand on their own with few additional flavors. I decided to take them at their word and keep it simple.
Karl’s Moro Beans
Filed under Beans, Holidays, Side Dishes, Starches
Adapted from a Serious Eats recipe
I like marinated artichoke hearts, but they get a bit pricy for a tiny little bottle. When I saw baby artichokes for 5 for one dollar, I thought I would try making them for myself. It turned out not to be a simple task, but it was well worth the effort.
Karl’s California Fusion Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
At four o’clock today, Eilene told me that her friends were coming over for dinner. She suggested florescent mac and cheese, trying to make it easy on me. I just could not do it. This meal was really almost as easy, and so much better for them.
Karl’s Mexican Rice with Beef
Filed under Beef, Main Dishes, Rice, Vegan, Vegetarian
As I was at the Mexican store, picking up some things for my fish tacos, I saw some jicama on sale. I usually do not make a side salad when we have fish tacos, but I thought why not? I was sure I would think of something to do with it.
Karl’s Chili Lime Jicama Salad
Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Fish tacos have become a weekday meal at our house. If I do not have a lot of time, they can be simply topped with some cilantro, guacamole, and diced onion. If I have more time, I will make pickled red cabbage and a salsa to go with the fish.
Karl’s Corn Salsa
Filed under California Fusion, Fish, Sauces and Spices, Seafood
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Miriam
Jabberwocky Stew 