Tabouleh is a refreshing and nutritious Middle Eastern dish. Tabouleh's main ingredient is bulgur wheat, an ancient grain dating back to 2800 B.C. [feast_advanced_jump_to] It was once considered a sacred food due to its resistance to insect attack or spoilage. There are also biblical references of bulgur regarding the Babylonians and the Hittites. As...
Side Dishes
Sometimes the best thing about a meal are the side dishes because the possibilities are endless. I have a friend who is cray about side dishes. In this section there is a little bit of everything, although I must confess I want to add more especially with picnic season here.
In the summer I tend to go for the salads, and the lighter fare, while during the colder months I want something that is going to stick to my ribs. If you love salads, then you might enjoy my arugula and pomegranate salad. Looking for something a bit more substantial, then check out the saffron rice with cranberries and almonds.
There are of course a couple of Latin American favorites, but I want you to check things out. So, get going and look up some new and delicious side dishes to add to your menu.
Make one or make them all to transform your dining experience.
Yuca Fritters - Carimañolas
Panamanian food is delicious Here's another yuca recipe that happens to be one of my favorites: yuca fritters - carimañolas. But, before I go on, the correct pronunciation for this tasty tuber is you-kah, not yuck-ah(yucca). One is a root vegetable, the other a desert plant. Two similar spellings? Yes! This is where the similarities...
West African Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice hails from West Africa. It is one of the most common dishes and anything but commonplace; people take it seriously. The name is derived from Wolof, the language spoken in Senegal. Cultural tidbit, neither Gambians nor Senegalese call the dish jollof or even Wolof for that matter! Food and agricultural historians believe rice...
Indonesian Coconut Turmeric Rice with Cashews
Have you tried coconut rice? Indonesian coconut turmeric rice with cashews will liven up any meal. Turmeric is the trending ingredient that everyone is talking about. I love turmeric, the bright yellow color, and the pungent bitter flavor that adds a beautiful punch to all kinds of foods. Turmeric's color is similar to that of...
Naan: Grilled Flat Bread from India
Naan is a flatbread original to Northern India. One could say that it is a close cousin to pita bread. Naan is also prevalent in Central and South Asia where it is traditionally served as an accompaniment to stews. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Naan vs. Pita The history of naan can be traced to the 14th century, making...
Irish Soda Bread - Step by Step
Irish soda bread is a staple in Irish homes. This simple yet delicious bread is easy to make and full of flavor. All you really need is a few basic ingredients: salt, flour, baking soda and buttermilk. The "trick" to achieving a perfect texture is not to over knead it, as this will make it...
Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce
If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried green plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice! [feast_advanced_jump_to] Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They...
Arroz con Gandules
Arroz con Gandules is a Puerto Rican favorite and staple. You’ll frequently see it at special events such as holidays, baby showers, weddings, and more. Fun historical fact: Puerto Ricans brought this dish to Hawaii in 1900 as they went to work on sugar plantations. It's also popular in other Latin American countries. As an...
Marvelous Memorial Day Recipes
Yikes, picnic season is here without any warning other than the calendar telling us it's here. To make your life easier, I've come up with some marvelous Memorial Day recipes. They're really good for any picnic that lies in your future. As always, there's something for everyone. Let's start with dessert, why not? I...
Black Beans Salad with Feta, Onions, and Tomato
A delicious side dish for any of your summer meals. Black beans, feta, basil, red onion, and tomato salad goes great with anything and everything. I recently made it for a family gathering, and it went over really well. Having said that, I thought I'd share the latin fusion with all of you. Spread the...
Bacon Candied Walnut Scones with Maple Glaze
I love scones because you can do so much with them. Sweet scones, savory scones or both! Yup, absolutely! Today I get to make bacon candied walnut scones with maple glaze and I have a special ingredient: Little Creek Maple Farm Syrup. It is delicious. An old (well, younger than me) coworker now...
Mango Black Bean Salsa Recipe
Mango Black Bean Salsa is what I would call Fusion cuisine. It is neither Latin American or Caribbean, however, it utilizes ingredients that are native to that cuisine. Mango Black Bean Salsa works well as an appetizer, as a side dish, or even a relish. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Health benefits of mangoes Mangoes have the natural...
Cannellini Bean, Parsley, Tomato, Red Onion Salad
Not your average bean salad! Cannellini bean, parsley, tomato, red onion salad is perfect for a hot summer night or day. Serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips. Use it as a relish to top grilled chicken or just simply stirred in with your favorite greens. It is so versatile! Take this cannellini bean...
30+ Best Ever Easy Summer Picnic Foods Recipes
Picnics with friends and families are fun, there is no doubt about that. But, there is an aspect of picnics that in my opinion can be quite scary:food. I am speaking from experience. Face it not everyone is a foodie! Picnic foods don't need to be scary, especially with this great list of 30+ best...
Saffron Rice with Dried Cranberries and Almonds
[feast_advanced_jump_to] Let's face it, dried cranberries are just plain delicious Aaaaand healthy too because just ¼ cup equals ½ cup serving of fruit. It goes without saying that they also add great taste and texture to ANY recipe. So, what about those textures? Well, if you're anything like me, you'll love the texture varieties...