Spicy Miso Ramen

I got a text from my friend Barbee in San Francisco asking if she could substitute white miso paste for red. She was making this Spicy Miso Ramen that she found in an article titled Selena Gomez Dishes on Her Favorite 'Comfort Foods' and Learning to Cook in Quarantine in People magazine!
Miso Paste 101
Red miso is the saltiest, most pungent variety. You only need a little bit to add some serious umami to your dishes. It's typically made with fermented soybeans and barley or another grain and is saltier than white miso. It ranges from dark brown to red in color
White miso (which is actually light yellow in color) is made with fermented soy beans and rice. It's fermented for a short period of time, which makes it more mild and sweet in taste. Since it's the most mild kind of miso, it's also the most versatile. If you're buying only one miso to use in a bunch of recipes, this is the best choice.

Anyway, she said it was absolutely delicious!

By Leslie Blythe

Autumn Pumpkin Turkey Chili

I decided to make this Autumn Pumpkin Turkey Chili so that I could jumpstart my favortite time of year. I overheard my husband talking to my daughter on the phone saying that "Mom is making some kind of weird chili that invovles a can of pumpkin purée". I have to say when I was shopping for ingredients for dinner, I was on the fence as to whether to use chunks of pumpkin/butternut squash instead. I decided to try it. My husband said it was delicious and went back for seconds!

I have provided 3 different methods of making this dish - stovetop, slow cooker and Instant Pot. It's the perfect thing for a chilly night, which I can only dream about living in LA. It is supposed to top 100° F this weekend!

By Leslie Blythe

Sweetcorn Slaw

This Sweetcorn Slaw recipe is from Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi. It has shredded cabbage and carrots with plenty of fresh sweet corn that is chargrilled in a ridged pan to give it a hint of smokiness. I didn't have a red onion, so I substituted sliced green onions, which worked well.

By Leslie Blythe

Hot Honey Salmon

I have always liked anything that is spicy and sweet. This Hot Honey Salmon is the perfect combination. Dinner is ready in under 20 minutes, it can’t get any easier than this! 

By Leslie Blythe

Moonblush Tomatoes

This recipe is from Nigella Lawson's, Nigella Express cookbook. You simply halve the cherry tomatoes, sprinkle them with dried thyme, a little flaky salt, a pinch of sugar and a drizzle of olive oil. Then you put the sheet pan in a hot oven and turn off the heat immediately, leaving the tomatoes to cook in the residual heat overnight, hence “moonblush”. You can use them in salads, with charcuterie, on pasta or any way you like.

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Steak San Marino

I received a recipe in my inbox called Steak San Marino. I then proceeded to fall down a rabbit hole as I often do while researching this dish. San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is found in southern Europe and is fully surrounded by Italy (this is called an enclave, and only the Vatican City, Lesotho and San Marino are like this). Fewer than 30,000 people live there. It measures just 0.2 square miles, almost 120 times smaller than the island of Manhattan! I have lived in San Marino, CA and actually went to high school there. This Steak San Marino is made in a slow cooker and doesn't have many ingredients, but is very comforting and delicious. It's served on a bed of white rice and is very family-friendly, especially since online school has started for many. It only takes about 15 minutes to make and cooks all day and will fill your home full of wonderful aromas.

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Henry Winkler’s Mexican Salad

I recently went to a local Goodwill that has mostly books. I found this cookbook called The Hollywood Bowl Cookbook: Picnics Under the Stars. It's a fantastic book with so many things I want to try. Over the years I have made many meals for people to take to the Hollywood Bowl. I really miss going there! Anyway, I made Henry Winkler's Mexican Salad for dinner because it's so hot out. I did add a shredded up chicken breast, which is not in the recipe. The dressing is rather inspiring. It consists of mayo, ketchup, salsa verde and chili powder.

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Honey & Harissa Roasted Carrots

Our good friend Chris came for dinner last week and brought these Honey & Harissa Roasted Carrots. They were so good. The recipe is from Rachel Ray Magazine. They are meant to be sitting on top of Greek Yogurt. It also has a sprinkling of dukkah, which is an Egyptian condiment consisting of a mixture of herbs, nuts, and spices. It is typically used as a dip with bread or fresh vegetables. They do sell dukkah already made at Trader Joe's.

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Spanish Fideo with Chicken

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to one of our favorite Spanish restaurants to have a glass of wine, socially distanced outside. We were looking at the actual menu and my husband was curious about the Pasta Espanola con Pollo or Spanish Fideo with Chicken. I decided that I would make it at home. Fideo is a short, thin, vermicelli-like noodle used in paella-like Spanish and Mexican dishes. It was so good, that I will make it again. It was a taste of Spain in a dish!

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Marinaded New York Strip Steaks

Marinaded New York Strip Steaks are great for the grill or even seared in a skillet. The Marinade helps to tenderize and infuse the steak with flavor. Similar to brining, marinating is an effective way to introduce extra moisture into meat that can get too dry when cooked, as well as making what you marinate more tender.

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