Tag Archives: Philosophy of Cooking

Karl’s Curried Sweet Potato Soup with Apple Crème Fraîche

I went to the dentist today, so I have joined Jan’s soft food diet for the day. Despite last night’s yam fail, she sent me a Martha Stewart recipe she wanted me to try. It is not really in my nature “to do” Martha Stewart. I did not change everything about the recipe, but just about. This is more of a “inspired by” rather than an “adapted from” recipe.

Karl’s Curried Sweet Potato Soup with Apple Crème Fraîche

Karl’s Curried Sweet Potato Soup
with Apple Crème Fraîche

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Filed under Main Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian MD

Karl’s Mashed Yams II

Jan is still on her very soft food diet from her oral surgery. She is having some of the vichyssoise for dinner, but she has been craving something with a bit more bulk. She asked for mashed yams. Last month, I made some that she really liked, but I think I can make them better.

Karl’s Mashed Yams II

Karl’s Mashed Yams II

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Filed under Side Dishes, Starches

Karl’s Scallop Soup with Bacon

Jan has had oral surgery, so she is still eating only cool blended foods at the moment. By now she is getting tired of smoothies, so I thought I would make her some vichyssoise. This is a fancy name for a potato and leek soup that can be served either hot or cold.

Karl’s Scallop Soup with Bacon

Karl’s Scallop Soup with Bacon

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Filed under Main Dishes, Pork, Seafood

Karl’s Sesame Crackers (or Karl don’t make these crackers II)

About a year ago. I made some fresh crackers that Jan named “Karl Don’t Make These Crackers.” This was not because they were so bad, but because they were so good. These crackers were just too tasty and addicting to just leave laying around tempting you to eat them. Because of this, I have really made these crackers only a few times in the past year. Once you eat a fresh cracker you will wonder why you ever eat the things out of a box.

Karl’s Sesame Crackers

Karl’s Sesame Crackers

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Filed under bread, Side Dishes

Karl’s Lembas Bread

Adapted from a recipe by Derek C.

Lembas Bread is travel bread; it should be nourishing, compact and sturdy. In quick breads the point is to knead the dough as little as possible, so that your bread soft and crumbly. For travel bread you want just the opposite. You want to knead the bread as much as you can to create the gluten that will make the bread tough, dense, and transportable without falling apart.

Karl's Lembas Bread

Karl’s Lembas Bread

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Karl’s Greek Broiled Lamb

A visiting sister gives me a good excuse to bring back some of my best dishes from the year. The Greek barbequed lamb, and Karl’s Greek Lemon Pilaf that I made for Easter were really successful. However I was sure I could make them even better. A cold green bean salad would complete the meal.

Karl’s Greek Broiled Lamb

Karl’s Greek Broiled Lamb

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Filed under Lamb, Main Dishes

Karl’s Greek Lemon Pilaf II

Adapted from anonymous 

Usually when I make Greek lamb I make potatoes. Last Easter, I decided to try a Greek lemon rice pilaf recipe. It was good, but for my sister Karen I thought I could make it better for this Christmas Eve’s dinner.

Karl’s Greek Lemon Pilaf II

Karl’s Greek Lemon Pilaf II

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Karl’s Ham and Six Beans

My sister, Karen, and her husband are coming for Christmas and staying a few days. With my sister visiting I will be bringing back some of my best dishes of the year to see if I can make them even better.

Karl’s Ham and Six Beans

Karl’s Ham and Six Beans

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Filed under Main Dishes, Pork

Karl’s Dijon Ham

This weekend we are going to see the second installment of the Hobbit. This leaves me with a dilemma, what am I going to make if I am going to a three hour movie just before dinner? This is that sweet spot between Thanksgiving and Christmas when the left over hams are half price.

Karl’s Dijon Ham

Karl’s Dijon Ham

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Karl’s Beef Stew with Porcini and Ruby Port

Adapted from a Dirk Niepoort recipe

Jan is meeting her knitting group for their yearly holiday knitting and gift exchange party, so no fancy Sunday dinner this week. Eilene is off to have dinner with friends, so it is just Jan and I for dinner tonight. Jan has requested beef stew because it makes such good leftover for weekday lunches.

Karl’s Beef Stew with Porcini and Ruby Port

Karl’s Beef Stew with Porcini and Ruby Port

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Filed under Beef, Main Dishes, Stews