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Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
Have you been outside lately? I am sitting indoors at the computer with the AC blowing full blast. Just looking out the window makes me glisten. How do I remedy this thermal warfare? Cucumbers. Cucumbers are magical. They have the power to cool you in the deepest of heat. But in this salad, paradoxically, they are also the source of deep heat as they are drenched in piquant oils and chiles. The vinegar + red pepper flakes provide a surprisingly potent punch of fire + tang to the cucumber ribbons, making this Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad one of our favorites. About cucumbers: The recipe calls for either 1 large cucumber…
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Tangy + Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad
Do you have 30 minutes? Good! That means you have time to throw together this refreshing Tangy + Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad! It’s a rainbow of colors + textures bolstered by a silky peanut dressing—a flavor explosion, I guarantee. I have compiled a scrumptious conglomeration of typical Southeastern Asian ingredients including sesame oil + cilantro + ginger (for flavor) and chopped peanuts + cabbage + carrots (for crunch). You could always add crispy wontons for extra toothsomeness. I’ve also included a zinger: green papaya. Most Asian markets carry green, or under ripe, papayas either whole or shredded in a bag. Adding green papaya among this salad’s gorgeous vegetables + flavors…
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Quick + Easy Blackened Shrimp
A gold star on my forehead. There was nothing I treasured more than that sticky foil star, smack dab between my eyes. I intended to wear it the entire day, as a trophy, a distinction. Unfortunately, within the hour my forehead was glistening with perspiration and the star lost its grip. Such is life in New Orleans where the weather is either balmy, hot, or ooh-wee chile’ scorching. What had I done to receive such a high honor? I cleaned my plate. Almost to the point of licking. I was at K-Paul’s, Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant, experiencing blackening seasoning for the first time. On redfish, I recall. Redfish seasoned and seared…
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Shrimp + Scallop Ceviche
It is already hot as Hades outside. Who in Augusta can fathom turning on the oven for dinner? I.can’t.even. So it was a no-brainer that we would have crisp + cool Shrimp + Scallop Ceviche for dinner. I was much younger when I had my first experience with ceviche. It was on a trip to Chile, and I remember being intrigued when the waiter said the lime juice cooked the fish. What he wanted to say was the fish was denatured by the citric acid, but the easy translation for the gringo he was serving was “cooked.” As you can imagine, the weather in Chile was quite balmy, so eating…
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Creamy Coconut + Curry Chickpeas
As I gorged myself on the test run of these Creamy Coconut + Curry Chickpeas, I heard a constant nag in my head, “Girl! Slow down! Make it last!” Good advice, but not very realistic. I couldn’t.stop.eating. Seeing the bottom of my empty bowl was the saddest thing to happen to me in a long time. Obviously, this recipe is a WIN. Here’s why… Because even Indian-spice newbies can create this amazingly absolutely delicious yet quick and simple dish and their own signature House Blend Curry Powder. It will take me a while to come down from this achievement-high. It was an exciting Indian-Thai fusion spice adventure. Making such a…
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Cioppino
I recommend making the red sauce a day ahead to meld together the flavors. Cool uncovered, then chill, covered. Bring to a simmer before adding seafood. It will make a big difference! Cioppino. In Italian it translates to heaven in a bowl. Well, not really. But it is so droolworthy it should translate that way. Cioppino is the American name for zuppa di pesce, or “soup of the fish.” While you are likely to find local seafood stewed in a tomato-wine broth on any coastal menu in Italy, you’d be hard pressed to find it referred to as cioppino. Its genesis is rooted to the docks of San Francisco where…
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Chunky Mediterranean Hummus
This recipe is one of the reasons I am invited to parties. For years I thought it was my irresistible charm or my clever wit that was so alluring, but no. “Hey, we’re having a get-together Friday. We hope you can come! Around 7PM?” “Sounds great!” “Oh, and can you bring your Chunky Mediterranean Hummus?” My hummus. That’s the caveat. But who can blame anyone for loving this dish? My recipe takes hummus, a Middle Eastern staple, and loads it up with Mediterranean goodness. Hummus is like a beautiful neutral palette that complements anything that…
