fruit & vegetable

Throwback Thursday: Eggplant Parmigiana

September 8, 2011
Garden Fresh Eggplant Parmigiana

A raging controversy exists in the Pittsburgh community regarding whether or not to peel our eggplants. This is a debate I knew nothing about until a passionate colleague tracked me down and, exasperated, rattled off the horrendous story about eating a friend’s Eggplant Parmigiana that still had the skin on. “Ugh! It was like a [...]

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Spice-Rubbed Sirloin with Fresh Banana Pepper Relish

August 10, 2011
Grilled Steaks with Banana Pepper Relish

Some of us just aren’t the canning sort. Any activity that requires forceps and a cauldron of boiling water is something that this clumsy cook should stay away from. Inspired by a bountiful harvest of garden peppers, this fresh relish mimics the flavor of gently pickled peppers in a fraction of the time. for the [...]

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Chiles Rellenos con Chorizo y Queso

July 28, 2011
Chiles Rellenos con Chorizo y Queso

These deep-fried, stuffed poblano peppers are often enjoyed with a cheese filling that excludes any meat. Even for a cheese lover like me, though, that can be a little much. So this recipe incorporates chorizo sausage. Adjust the balance of sausage and cheese to your own liking. Other fillings you may substitute include ground beef, [...]

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Zucchini Bread Two Ways

July 13, 2011
Zucchini Bread Two Ways

No self-respecting Hunky can grow up without a great zucchini bread recipe. This less-dense variation, made here in muffin pans, is outrageously moist. The recipe below yields about 24-30 full-sized muffins. When I make it, I divide the recipe in half just before adding any pecans and make half with nuts and half without. I [...]

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Summer Beets, Arugula, Bleu Cheese, and Lemon

July 12, 2011
Beet & Arugula Salad

I remember the days when I hated beets. They were cloyingly sweet and mushy, and as far as I knew, they were born in a tin can. But one day I ate a fresh roasted beet and that all changed. The skies opened – or should I say the earth opened? -  and I discovered [...]

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Independence Day Sweets

July 4, 2011
Independence Day Sweets

A photo tour of this year’s 4th of July goodies.  

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Spiced Blueberry & Peach Parfait

June 28, 2011
Spiced Peach & Berry Parfait

I managed to save the berries from our one urban-blueberry plant for a cool treat this summer. Cardamom and coriander have such an exciting aroma. Paired with a spicy gingered blueberry sauce and peaches, the ice cream pairings are limitless. Honey, vanilla, goat cheese, or lemon flavors would all work great, as would Jeni’s Backyard [...]

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Pennsylvania Dutch Red Beets & Eggs

June 16, 2011
Red Beets and Eggs

As a resident of Pittsburgh’s historic Deutschtown neighborhood, I’ve come to accept that my neighbors are going to keep saying Dutchtown as if we are all running around in our ancestral wooden klompen clogs. (Newer transplants to the North Ver-sayles area know what I’m talking about here.) Much to the chagrin of the Netherlands Society of Pittsburgh (NSOP), [...]

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Yard Lettuce with Sherry Vinaigrette

June 8, 2011
Yard Lettuce with Sherry Vinaigrette

One of the earliest harvests from a Zone 5 garden is the tender selection of salad greens. Today I’m making a simple salad of what I like to call yard lettuce (because I go out to the yard to get it, obviously!). Pictured from left to right above are (top row) Red Leaf Lettuce, Green [...]

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Mixed Berry Whole Wheat Pancakes

June 7, 2011
Mixed Berry Whole Wheat Pancakes

These pancakes are not only fluffy, light and delicious, they are also heart healthy. If you make your pancakes on a non-stick surface, like hard-anodized, you don’t need a drop of oil. If you must, try smearing the surface of your pan with a paper towel moistened with canola oil. If you can’t find whole [...]

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