Crunchy Thai Cashew Salad

The undeniable simplicity of this salad is astounding! The crunchy astringent taste of cucumbers, the sweet crisp edge of carrots, cashews and red peppers, the pungent, licorice notes of  cilantro and basil and the spicy, salty, sweet and sourness of lime, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and chili produces a memorable flavor explosion that you…

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Thai Week’s Chicken Satay: Simply Classic

Today we begin our week into the exploration of Thai Cuisine. Thai fare simply bursts with flavors; sweet, sour, salty, astringent and spicy; which according to Ayurveda are vital components to completely satisfy our senses including the palate. Today, we start with a classic appetizer; satay. This recipe uses chicken, but feel free to substitute…

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Amish Baked Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal with Toasted Pecans

Baked oatmeal is a traditional, comforting Amish breakfast casserole served warm or at room temperature with copious amounts of cream or milk. Unlike regular oatmeal; made on the stove-top or microwave which has a porridge-like consistency, baked oatmeal is made in the oven and in many ways is similar to bread pudding. There are never-ending…

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Crema Greek Yogurt Pane: Big Flavor with No Biga!

According to Wiki, Biga is a type of pre-fermentation used in Italian baking. Many popular Italian types of bread, including ciabatta, are made using a biga. Using a biga adds complexity to the bread’s flavor and is often used in breads that need a light, open texture with holes. Apart from adding to flavor and…

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Got Milk? Then You Got Ricotta in Less Than an Hour!

What happens when you find the perfect ricotta recipe and there’s none to be found? Solution! Make your own! Yes, you can do it! I’ve done it several times and actually prefer the creamy texture and smooth, soft, rich taste to any store bought. I’d like to share a simple recipe courtesy of one of…

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Cioccolato e Caramello Gelato Affogato

What a big name for such a simple decadent treat! Serve affogato as a dinner aperitif—one won’t spoil your appetite. Or as an after dinner treat in place of dessert.Anytime you wish to experience the harmonious blend of coffee, cream and chocolate. Let your imagination run wild with the additions: Kahlua, chocolate fudge, sprinkles, Frangelico, caramel…

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Grandpa Louie’s Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes Carciofo

Few things ignite the deep flames of the fondest memories of my childhood than spending moments with Grandpa Louie and Grandma Lena at my parent’s cottage by the lake. If my siblings and I were fortunate enough, we would experience one of these three, rare occurrences; a sample of a freshly plucked purple fig from our…

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Pasta Sauce: The Nectar of the gods? a little history

Spaghetti or pasta with tomato sauce, also known as marinara, is a staple of southern Italian cookery or almost anywhere that southern Italians live today. However, spaghetti with marinara hasn’t always been a pillar of southern Italian cuisine. It’s actually a relative newcomer. Let’s briefly touch on pasta. Once upon a time every school child…

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