Lemon Orzo with Red Peppers and Scallions

Lemon Orzo

Cleaning out my cookbook shelf I came across Spur of the Moment Cook by Perla Meyers.  Being unemployed has it benefits, I have time to clean out closets and do all those things I meant to get to one day. The cookbook was from my early years of cooking.  My friend and cooking buddy Deanna recommended it and between us we cooked many of the recipes. One of my favorite yet simple recipes from this book was the Lemon Orzo with Red Peppers and Scallions.  Orzo is a pasta shaped in the form of a grain of rice that cooks [...]

Cherry Almond Couscous

Chill Grapevine This summer I have been looking for cherry recipes to try and Cherry Almond Couscous had been one I really wantied to try.  Every time I would go to make this I’d be missing one ingredient.  Yesterday, everything fell in place. This dish is super quick and easy.  It is sweet from the cherries and the almonds give the dish a crunch to the bite.  It would be great served hot or cold as a salad.  In this 100 degree weather, cold sounds pretty good. Cherry Almond Couscous by Steve Petusevsky Makes 6 servings 1 cup water 1 [...]

Mango Coconut Jasmine Rice

Something about turning our clocks forward, longer daylight and warm spring days made me go looking for summer recipes. Simple dishes that can be put together. Mango Coconut RIce is a dish I discovered a few years back and make often in the summer. This is a great side dish for any type of grilled fish or chicken even a stir fry.   The coconut milk adds a rich depth to the rice and the lime brings a subtle tang to the dish. This rice is moist, light and flavorful. The mango is a great addition to rice.

Meyer Lemon Risotto

At my local farmers market this weekend almost every stand featured Meyer Lemons. I bought a bag with plans to use them in several recipes. Meyer Lemons are sweet lemons that are thought to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange.         One of the ways I love to use them is in a Lemon Risotto. It is the mix of lemons, parmesan cheese and the fresh herbs that make it a great dish served with a salad or as a side to grilled chicken or beef. Last night I was teaching a cooking [...]