December 2009

Sichuan-Style Tofu with Mushrooms

Recipe Photo: Sichuan-Style Tofu with Mushrooms
Source of Recipe
EatingWell Magazine February/March 2005
Serves/Makes/Yields
Makes 4 servings, about 3/4 cup each

Because of the high moisture content of tofu, it can go from a stir-fry to a braise in seconds. We also recommend salting and drying the tofu in paper towels so oil doesn't splatter during frying. 

 

Sichuan Sauce

Recipe Photo: Sichuan Sauce
Source of Recipe
EatingWell Magazine February/March 2005
Serves/Makes/Yields
Makes 1/3 cup, for 4 servings

Once you try this versatile stir-fry sauce it will become a staple in your weeknight dinner repertoire. 

Indian-Spiced Stuffed Eggplant

Recipe Photo: Indian-Spiced Stuffed Eggplant
Source of Recipe
EatingWell Magazine March/April 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
4

Lots of Indian spices flavor these stuffed eggplants. They can be a complete meal, but if you are feeling extra energetic, make this dish part of a multicourse Indian feast along with curried vegetables, basmati rice, yogurt salad and some Indian breads. As a side dish, plan on one-quarter of an eggplant per person.

Zucchini and Red Pepper Enchiladas

Recipe Photo: Zucchini and Red Pepper Enchiladas
Source of Recipe
Gourmet | August 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
4

Smoky grilled vegetables—not a cloying amount of meat or cheese—rule here. Instead of embellishing the enchiladas with a complex (and time-consuming) Mexican pipián (pumpkin-seed sauce), cook a few customary pipián ingredients and then purée them with cilantro for an easy enchilada that's herbaceous and fresh.

yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 50 min
total time: 50 min

Pumpkin-Seed Salsa (pipián)

Pumpkin-Seed Salsa (pipián)
Source of Recipe
Gourmet | August 2009

Instead of embellishing the enchiladas with a complex (and time-consuming) Mexican pipián (pumpkin-seed sauce), cook a few customary pipián ingredients and then purée them with cilantro for an easy enchilada that's herbaceous and fresh. 

 

Cantaloupe Grappa Semifreddo

Recipe Photo: Cantaloupe Grappa Semifreddo
Source of Recipe
Gourmet | August 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
6 to 8

A semifreddo is an Italian soft-frozen custard mousse. Grappa, which is floral and just a little edgy, bumps the musky, intoxicating sweetness of the melon up a notch.

Peasant Caviar (Eggplant Puree)

Recipe Photo: Peasant Caviar (Eggplant Puree)
Source of Recipe
Boston Globe - August 2, 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
Makes about 2½ cups

Best served at room temperature or lightly chilled, eggplant purees can fill many roles -- appetizer dip for toasted pita or fresh vegetables, anchor of a meze platter, relish to dress up simply cooked meat or fish, or hearty vegetable side dish.

Greek-Style Eggplant Puree with Yogurt

Greek-Style Eggplant Puree with Yogurt
Source of Recipe
Boston Globe - August 2, 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
Makes about 3 cups

Best served at room temperature or lightly chilled, eggplant purees can fill many roles -- appetizer dip for toasted pita or fresh vegetables, anchor of a meze platter, relish to dress up simply cooked meat or fish, or hearty vegetable side dish.

Grilled or Roasted Eggplant (for puree recipes)

Recipe Photo: Grilled or Roasted Eggplant (for puree recipes)
Source of Recipe
Boston Globe - August 2, 2009
Serves/Makes/Yields
Makes about 2 cups

The cuisines of most Mediterranean and Middle East countries include some type of eggplant salad. The purple orb is usually grilled or roasted, mashed or pureed, and seasoned with olive oil and lemon, at a minimum. In this most basic form, the dish is often called “peasant caviar,” presumably because after grilling or roasting, this pedestrian vegetable assumes a rich, lush -- patrician, if you will -- texture.