Cooking Method: Simmering

Swedish Creamed Potatoes

These Swedish Creamed Potatoes go really well with Swedish Meatballs and is a staple in most Scandinavian homes.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 40 mins
  • Yields: 8 Servings

Parmesan Crusted Swordfish with Lemon and Crispy Caper Sauce

My friend Mary Ann had an incredibly elegant dinner party and made this Swordfish. No on has formal dinner parties anymore. So many people put in "high-end" kitchens in their homes and never entertain. Mary Ann made everything seem effortless, but it was due to her advance planning and preparation. You could actually do this with different kinds of fish or chicken.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 35 mins
  • Yields: 6 Servings

Japanese Beef Curry

Curry was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912) by the British, at a time when India was under their administration. The dish became popular and available for purchase in supermarkets and restaurants in the late 1960s. It has been adapted since its introduction to Japan, and is so widely consumed that it can be called a national dish. Vermont Curry ready made curry roux is one of the most popular brands. Though, it is very good, it contains MSG. So here is a recipe from scratch.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Yields: 4 - 6 Servings

Kale & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing

Kale has been deemed the number one superfood, a nutritional powerhouse. The benefits of eating kale are too numerous to list. I was recently in a supermarket and notice a whole wall of kale in the salad section. There is some sort of kale salad on almost every restaurant menu these days. Quinoa (pronounced 'keen-wah') is another superfood, which is a complete protein. It has the perfect ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and is one of the best sources of protein you can get from a plant source. By pairing these two superfoods, you've now got an explosion of nutrition, not to mention flavor!

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yields: 6 Servings

Ham and Split Pea Soup

Every year I make some sort of soup using the ham hock from Christmas dinner. I happened to have a very large bag of split peas, which I like because you don't have to soak them overnight. Serve it with a loaf of crusty bread and a salad. You can just use chopped up ham, if you do not have a ham hock on hand.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 2 hrs
  • Yields: 8 Servings

Cheesy Potato & Ham Chowder

While surfing the web, found this recipe on an Indiana Farmer's site (yes, you know you are leading an exciting life when you are checking out farmer's websites!). I have no idea why I made it, because I generally hate soup of any kind. It was really delicious and my husband said we need to keep this recipe in the family archives. I added some white pepper to it, but the simplicity is what really makes this soup good. Some crumbled bacon bits would not go amiss as a garnish...

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Indian Cauliflower and Potatoes

Indian Cauliflower and Potatoes are so good, it has cumin, ginger, coriander and turmeric. Indian food is something I could eat every day. I love it. I started eating it after I got out of college in New York city. It was the cheapest possible meal. For $4 you could have a feast. I used to order Vindaloo and each time I would want it hotter and hotter. It got to the point that my friends told me to stop because it looked like I would have a heart attack! I did taper off, my stomach needed a break! After living in New York, I moved to London - a virtual Indian food mecca. Now we live in Los Angeles, where good Indian is scarce. This week my husband and I tried a new place - finally some stellar Indian food! We brought home leftovers and to bulk it out for the next day, I made this cauliflower dish. Cauliflower and potato are a perfect vehicle for the cumin, ginger, coriander and turmeric. By the way, the restaurant is called Nirvana in Arcadia, CA.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yields: 4 - 6 Servings

Curried Chicken and Basmati Rice Soup

This Curried Chicken and Basmati Rice Soup is probably the best soup I've ever had. I will be making this again and again. It's easy, unusual and delicious. My fellow catering colleague, Mary, gave me this recipe. I served it with naan bread and chutney.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Skillet

Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Skillet

Octoberfest arrived with a visit from my brother-in-law, Russell. He loves saurkraut like both his siblings. I don't mind it, but I could live without it. However, this recipe was outstanding and I even liked it. In fact, I had a second helping! He used 2 kinds of bratwurst.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 50 mins
  • Yields: 6 Servings

Noodles Romanoff

Noodles Romanoff is a recipe from the late 60's and early 70's, Betty Crocker sold a boxed Noodles Romanoff. My sister-in-law, Rhonda, used to love Noodles Romanoff. I have never had it, so it was a little tricky to find a recipe that would recreate the Betty Crocker version. I don't think it's made anymore. It was apparently missing the "orange glow" like the original, but otherwise was a hit. Warning - If you are lactose intolerant or on a diet, please step away!

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings