Poor leeks—more often than not, these overlooked veggies get passed over for their cousin, the onion, or wind up as background notes to more familiar specimens, like potatoes. Despite being incredibly versatile and downright delicious, they really don’t get enough top billing, at least in this neck of the woods. Adding to the trials the […]
Tag Archives: healthy recipes
23
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis A friend and I were talking about this the other day. My oh my—we had the same recipe for a church function, and we both followed it precisely. But mine was a disaster while hers was so good. I don’t enjoy cooking, and perhaps I fail at it because for me it’s […]
22
May
May
I’ve written many times about my years as a pastry chef, my first dip into the professional culinary world, and how those years molded the chef I am today. This was an incredibly formative time, provoking in me a profound love of food in general, and allowing me an ideal outlet to feed both my […]
08
May
May
A traditional French concoction of shredded meat, fat, spices, and herbs, rillettes are similar to pâté, but with a more rustic texture and appearance. If you are familiar, then you likely know your food; if not, prepare to be amazed at the beauty a simple preparation, of seemingly humble ingredients, can create. Traditionally made with […]
03
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis I’m confused about noodles—egg noodles, no-yolk noodles, soba noodles, udon, ramen, rice noodles? There are even restaurants called “Noodles” to further confuse me. Are there any noodles that are wheat-free or gluten-free for sure? It seems to me that cooking noodles at home should be easy. Mine don’t taste as good as […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Asparagus-Ricotta Flan with Pecan-Parmesan Crust:
Simplicity Meets Style in a Make-Ahead Mother’s Day Brunch
01
May
May
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and that means a time to demonstrate our appreciation for all the special mothers and mother surrogates in our lives. I’ll be frank; I have never much enjoyed huge displays of excess on Mother’s Day (or any holiday, for that matter), but it is nice to have a […]
26
Apr
Apr
This may sound cliched, but there are some journeys you have to go on alone. Widowhood is one of them. And if you think widowhood isn’t easy, neither is chapter two: the Time of Adjustment. In my personal life experience, there’s never been a time when I’ve learned so much. What if I told you […]
24
Apr
Apr
I’ve been a condiment person as far back as I can remember. Unlike many youngsters, I never went through the “ketchup-on-everything” stage (a preference I am grateful my daughter inherited from me), but I always liked an array of choices with which to smear, dip, and drizzle. I almost think of condiments as an extension […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Creamy Ham and Cabbage Chowder:
Leftover Ham Makes a Quick, Comforting, Family-Friendly Meal
17
Apr
Apr
Like many families, mine often has surplus ham after our Easter celebrations. And every year, I’m on a mission to try to repurpose it in unusual ways, outside the standard “ham sandwiches.” I use the leftovers for all manner of things: omelets and frittatas, pasta, Chinese fried rice, and, of course, the classic split-pea-and-ham soup. […]
11
Apr
Apr
Ask Chef Phyllis: All I’ve been reading about—and hearing about on food TV shows—is that we should eat less sugar and cut out all artificial sweeteners. The new sugar-free products I don’t understand. I drank Diet Coke for years thinking it was good. What can I do to begin making healthy choices in my life? […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Grain-Free Crepe Pinwheels with
Smoked Salmon and Herbed Cheese:
Brunch and Beyond
10
Apr
Apr
Wow, it’s hard to believe that we’ve passed yet another month; at long last, we are through the dregs of dwindling winter vibes, and all the bountiful colors, heavenly scents, and lovely animated sounds of spring are finally in full-swing! This season always calls for celebration and transformation at my house. Windows opened wide, closets […]
05
Apr
Apr
Ask Chef Phyllis: It’s popular today to make pizza crust out of cauliflower rice, and I’ve seen it for sale in the produce section of my supermarket. I’ve tried sneaking vegetables into many of my children’s favorite foods, such as mac and cheese, with some success. Though cauliflower rice worked, cauliflower pizza crust didn’t fool […]
03
Apr
Apr
I am constantly on the lookout for exciting, innovative ways to broaden my palate and my culinary knowledge. Sure, I have my favorite fallback flavors, for which I will always hold a special fondness, but branching out of my comfort zone with unusual spices, meat cuts, and produce keeps things interesting, and more times than not, winds up creating new favorites. Such is the case with this Jamaican oxtail […]
28
Mar
Mar
Ask Chef Phyllis Our neighbors stopped by recently around lunchtime, and all I had in the house was eggs. I know that frittatas are so popular today, but what proportions make a good one? What kind of pan is best? My guests said that a cast-iron skillet is a good choice. Can you help? —Christine […]
27
Mar
Mar
The transition between winter and spring can often be a little challenging for the home cook. Market shelves are unpredictable, and the quality and taste of produce is heavily dependent on whether the season cooperates in prime growing areas. Not to mention, at this time of year, it can be hot and sunny one day, […]
13
Mar
Mar
The road to more healthful eating can often feel daunting. Less-optimal temptations beckon us from every corner: refined and adulterated ingredients, toxic quantities of sugars, and questionable additives abound. And to top it all off, even when you think you might be making a healthy choice, much of the information out there is conflicting, misleading, […]
08
Mar
Mar
Ask Chef Phyllis: Many years ago, my grandmother and great-aunt Theodora made a southern dish they called Deviled Autumn Pork Chops, For lack of more information, I know they used spicy mustard (maybe even more than one kind), country ham, and collard or mustard greens in it. In late autumn, when the pigs were slaughtered, […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Lebanese Spiced Lamb Shoulder Chops with Sumac-Onion Relish:
Fundamental Middle Eastern Flavors
06
Mar
Mar
I’ve been rather enamored with the bold, exotic flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean regions for quite some time. Growing up, I was fortunate to experience the influence of Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cultures, though I barely ventured outside my comfort zone—pita, hummus, shawarma, and the like. As I’ve matured, I’ve discovered just how many other […]
27
Feb
Feb
Those who have been reading my blog for some time now, might know that one of my favorite things to do is revamp classic recipes, to make them more wholesome and fitness-forward, and to suit restrictive diets and alternative lifestyles. Those who are new to the site, welcome! I hope you find a wealth of […]
20
Feb
Feb
Fresh, Fast, and Family-Friendly I always start getting a hankering for spring towards the end of February. Funny, because we really haven’t had much of a winter this year (though there is presently snow on the ground…finally!). I think this is simply hardwired into my brain from growing up in the Pacific Northwest, where the […]