Favorite Dishes: The Cooking Thread

[keltheimpossible]

Crispy fried polenta with a lentil and tomato sauce. For extra nutritional value I threw in some greens. I wanted the sour/sweet ang of pomegranate molaases but couldn't find any so made a balsamic vinegar and honey concoction which served quite well.

[keltheimpossible]

Please pardon typos. I'm having a hard day. :) 

[keltheimpossible]

North Africa squash salad with a cumin dressing.

[keltheimpossible]

A Lowcountry Chicken Bog-full of good things!

[keltheimpossible]

Wu Xiang Qie Zi (Sichuan-style braised eggplant with pickled chilies and garlic):

[keltheimpossible]

A fusion meal: Southern summer squah casserole (no eggs but a bit of parmesan so it's vegetarian but not vegan) and oi sobagi (a Korean cucumber kimchi)! Everything is locally grown.

[keltheimpossible]

My take on gheymeh bedemjan: I added garlic, a balsamic honey mixture, and seasoned it with a mixture of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Served over salted toasted basmati rice.

[keltheimpossible]

It's getting cooler here. That means it's time for shchi (Jewish cabbage soup)! My version of Bubbe's soup soup has chicken broth (not beef), no meat (no flanken), balsamic vinegar (not cider), honey (not apples), and garlic and red pepper flakes for seasoning (not black pepper). Hmmm, looking at that, I'm not sure Bubbe would recognize this soup...but I know she would like it!

[keltheimpossible]

I haven't posted a pic of this in awhile so...it's fall. That mean's it's time for my world famous beef stew! It's rich, spicy, and has a secret ingredient that really makes it stand out from other beef stews. Recipe shared on request but you must agree to follow it faithfully the first you make it. After that, knock yourself out with variations, lol.

[keltheimpossible]

Another fall stew: andouille and collard greens!

[keltheimpossible]

Kimchi jigae: spicy, warming, and definitely not for the faint of heart! This is a more basic version than the one previously posted. I must say that I like it better! (Thumbs nose @NYTs!)

[keltheimpossible]

Pan-seared brussel spouts with garlic and parmesan:

[keltheimpossible]

Roasted chicken with blackened garlic and brown sugar/chili-glazed acorn squash:

[keltheimpossible]

It's all about that borscht, 'bout that borscht, 'bout that borsch....and 

борщ вкусный!

[keltheimpossible]

Spiced glazed nuts: a fall tradition! Were I still in Mississippi, I would have used pecans. But since I'm now in SWVA, I used black walnuts! Don't let the evil look fool you-these are irresistible!

[keltheimpossible]

Vampire-killer kale chips:

[keltheimpossible]

What's better than pan-seared brussel sprouts? Pan-seared brussel spouts with BACON!

[othela]

Talk about getting a persons attention. Ill admit that those Brussel sprouts look pretty darn good but that bacon seems to have put a whole other spin on a veggie that honestly wouldn't be my first choice. Very creative chef. Might I add, that bacon is cooked beautifully! Thanks for the visual. 

[keltheimpossible]

Ty! Pan-searing or alternately roasting brussel spouts will make even those who have hithertofore hated them rethink this vegetable. For the vegetarians, I tempt them with garlic and parmesan (for the non-vegans). And for those that do eat meat, the recipe depicted above does the trick nicely. Definitely not your mother's brussels sprouts!

[keltheimpossible]

I've been craving migas for two days now:

[keltheimpossible]

Balsamic-glazed roasted beets, equally good hot or cold:

[keltheimpossible]

[keltheimpossible]

Pot roast! Not Mississippi roast, just a good, old-fashioned pot roast! (Well, I DID do a bit of tinkering with the recipe, I'll admit. It IS me, after all. It's a bit spicier than the one "Mom" -not MY mother, she loved all things hot and made her corned beef brisket using Zatarains Crab Boil, lol-had in mind.) 

[keltheimpossible]

My cure for the winter doldrums: Spicy quick pickles! One is cucumbers with onions; the other is turnips (yes, turnips). Both have a definite kick and are guaranteed to brighten up your dreary afternoon! 

[LizzieLou]

One of the best things about this thread is getting to see what Keltheimpossible currently has checked out from the library!  :) 

I'm going start experimenting with quinoa. Any suggestions out there?