Cooking Method: Boiling

Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar

I was home alone and rummaged through my pantry and made this Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar from Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook, Simple. Za'atar is a mixture of sumac, sesame seed and herbs used throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It was the perfect dinner channel surfing in front of the TV.

By Leslie Blythe

Cranberry Bean Soup

I bought these Cranberry Beans online from Rancho Gordo. They are amazing heirloom bean producers located in Napa, California. I decided to make this Cranberry Bean Soup. These beans are absolutely incredible, very creamy inside. These beans are versatile and velvety, this thin-skinned Borlotti bean produces a rich, indulgent bean broth, making it perfect for classic Italian dishes as well as simple pot beans. The soup was so easy to make. I actually made it in a slow cooker.

By Leslie Blythe

Braised Red Potatoes with Dijon and Tarragon

This Braised Red Potatoes with Dijon and Tarragon recipe is a simple, one-pot potato side dish that features the benefits of both boiling and roasting. The halved small red potatoes, butter, and salted water are simmered in a skillet until the potatoes turned creamy and the water fully evaporated. In the then-dry skillet, the potatoes and butter were left alone to fry and develop great flavor and color. Subtle aromatics like thyme and garlic balance well with last-minute additions like Dijon mustard.

By Leslie Blythe

Herbed Basmati Rice

This Herbed Basmati Rice is bursting with the flavors of fresh dill, parsley, and green onions and is a perfect side dish for meat, poultry or fish. Basmati rice is fluffy, not sticky, has a subtle nutty flavor, and cooks quickly, making it perfect for weeknight meals.

By Leslie Blythe

Persian-ish Rice with Tahdig

Tahdig is a special Iranian cuisine with a crispy, browned layer of rice at the bottom of the rice pot that everyone wants. The bottom layer of the rice gets pan-fried while the rice above it gets steamed. There are a few ways to make tahdig. The simplest is to use plain rice. This recipe mixes the rice with yogurt to give it a thick, pasty texture before spreading it in the pot. It comes from Samin Nosrat's, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking Netflix episode 4 - Heat.

By Leslie Blythe

Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce

My husband was out of town last weekend and I can never figure out what to eat. Usually, I buy something ready made. I can see your eyes rolling, but I do cook a lot and sometimes get tired of it. Though this time I decided to make myself an elegant lunch. Why not?

This Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce is quick to make. The dish relies on the leeks, tang of lemons with the richness of cream sauce for its flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

Black Eyed Peas for New Years Day

Eating Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day is a Southern Tradition for Luck and Prosperity in the New Year.  I think we could all use some luck in 2019!

By Leslie Blythe

Bundt Pan Spice Cake with Sticky Toffee Sauce

I know this Bundt Pan Spice Cake with Sticky Toffee Sauce is a bit over the top sweet, but I made it anyway. The gooey toffee sauce kicks it up a notch with a shot of rye whiskey. 

By Leslie Blythe

Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

This Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce is a fresh take on an old classic. It's really easy to make and it has so much more flavor than store-bought sauce.

By Leslie Blythe

Christmas Lima Bean and Mushroom Stew

I bought these Christmas Lima Beans online from Rancho Gordo. My friend Jennifer introduced me to these amazing heirloom bean producers located in Napa, California. I decided to make this Christmas Lima Bean and Mushroom Stew, which is a hearty vegetarian dish.

Christmas Limas are an intriguing variation on the traditional Lima. In Italy, you'll find them as Fagioli del Papa or "Pope's beans." Also known stateside as "Chestnut Lima" and sometimes even "Calico" beans. Whatever you call them, they've done a great deal to help fix the bad reputation of traditional Lima beans. They have a rich chestnut texture and an almost nutty flavor make this the most unusual Lima bean. A true revelation for those who believe they don't like Limas.

By Leslie Blythe