Arugula-Laced Caramelized Onion Sauce

 

I love the bittersweet flavor of caramelized onions but on the stovetop caramelizing onions is a laborious process of slow, constant stirring. Made in the slow cooker, caramelized onions require almost no attention. In this recipe, I have added sugar to the onions to ensure deeper flavor. Serve this luscious sauce over whole grain pasta, polenta or grits. Complete the meal with a tossed green salad topped with shredded carrots for a splash of healthy color.

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Mixed Vegetables in Spicy Peanut Sauce

 

 

Here’s one way to get kids to eat their vegetables, so long as they don’t have peanut allergies – cook them in a spicy sauce made from peanut butter and add a garnish of chopped roasted peanuts. All you need to add is some steaming rice or brown rice noodles.

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Creamy Onion Soup with Kale

 

There is no cream in this delicious soup – unless you decide to drizzle a bit over individual servings as a finishing touch. The creaminess is achieved with the addition of potatoes, which are puréed into the soup, providing it with a velvety texture.

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Chilly Dilly Eggplant

This is a versatile recipe, delicious as a dip with raw vegetables or on pita triangles. It also makes a great a sandwich spread  or a wonderful addition to a mezes or tapas-style meal. Although it is tasty warm, the flavor dramatically improves if it is thoroughly chilled before serving.Continue reading

Poached Eggs on Spicy Lentils

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This delicious combination is a great cold-weather dish. Add the chiles if you prefer a little spice and accompany with warm Indian bread, such as naan, and hot white rice. The Egg and Lentil Curry variation  is a great dish for a buffet table or as part of an Indian-themed meal.

 

 

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New Orleans Braised Onions

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I call these New Orleans onions because I was inspired by an old Creole recipe for Spanish onions. In that version, the onions are braised in beef stock enhanced by the addition of liquor such as bourbon or port. After the onions are cooked, the cooking juices are reduced and herbs, such as capers or fresh thyme, may be added to the concentrated sauce. In my opinion, this simplified version is every bit as tasty. If your guests like spice, pass hot pepper sauce at the table.

 

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Cumin Beets

 

I love the simple, but unusual and effective combination of flavors in this dish, which is inspired by Indian cuisine. It’s my favorite way of cooking small summer beets fresh from the garden because I don’t have to heat up my kitchen with a pot of simmering water on the stove top. If you prefer a spicy dish, add hot pepper sauce, to taste, after the beets have finished cooking.

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