Skip to main content

Without cheese what are we? Really?


I received an email asking about delicious alternatives to serving veggies
smothered in cheese. Although this saddens me tremendously, I do
understand the challenges that folks face when “CHEESE” is the enemy. With
that in mind may I offer a few of these helpful (hopefully) hints:


For Steaming Veggies: substitute lemon juice for water and add a tsp of dried
sage leaves (if microwaving of course…) if steaming using conventional
methods pour 1/4 cup lemon juice in with the steaming water as it is boiling.

Once veggies are crisp-cooked (that place between not quite raw but not
soggy either), drain them in a colander then transfer to medium bowl, tossing
them with a crushed garlic clove, 1 tsp of dried sage, salt and pepper to taste.

I suggest sage, rosemary, oregano or try 1/8 tsp of cinnamon or ground
ginger because they pack big sensory wallop for a small amount of herb.


Grilled Veggies: Marinate or not marinate? That IS the question. I guess the
answer is a very personal one so I ask you, what is your preference? Do you
prefer the flavors of the veggie with a hint of “zing” or more “zing”? Don’t get
me wrong, “zing” is good! Here’s what I do… I put all my favorite veggies
(asparagus, eggplant, mushrooms, various peppers, red onion and even
brussel sprouts) in a large bowl and coat them with super wicked-good olive
oil and a couple dashes of balsamic vinegar, a clove of crushed garlic, a pinch
of salt and ground black pepper to taste then transfer them into my grill
basket and grill ‘em up! I prefer the freshness of the veggie on it’s own, with
just a smidge of help from the ingredients I tossed them with before grilling.


*Special note: There is always my old stand by to livin’ things up wickedgood
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tossed with some ground black pepper
and crushed garlic. Deeeeelish!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Summer comes 'round again.

As the evenings get warmer and the crickets song helps even the busiest of brains lull off to dreamland, I realize that it's summer, again. We barely had a winter here on the mountain and spring was about two full weeks, maybe.  Gardens are taking hold and my zuch plants are soon to overtake everything else in a matter of days. Summer to me means grilling pretty much everything, every day to keep the heat out of the kitchen. Working in the shop kitchen for hours on end this time of year is not just exhausting but dehydrating! What are some of your favorite things to grill?  Do you prefer marinates or dry rubs?  Do you wrap your baked potatoes in foil on the grill or just plop them directly on the grill (well olive oiled of course)? Then there are the summer desserts... fresh berries, stone fruit, homemade ice cream.  One of my go to sweet treats is this peach and citrus sour cream cake.  (recipe at the end of this entry). Of course the star of easy summertime fo...

Summer 2017... It's A Wrap!

Although it's topping 114ºF here in Shadow Hills, CA over this long, last-kick-at-Summer holiday weekend, I can't help wishing for that first sign of Fall.  Snuggly sweaters, big fuzzy socks, heavily spiked Hot Cocoa... mmmm, I can just taste it! When we were kids, the end of Summer was always marked by the Jerry Lewis Telethon (was it possible to stay up all night?), shopping for the last bits of things needed to start the new school year and one final Cook Out before Dad would cover up the grill and wheel it back into the garage until next Summer. There were always people visiting at one time or another over Labor Day weekend.  Friends coming back from Holiday up in Cottage Country would stop in, knowing full well the grill would be fired up, ice cold beer in the cooler and that final cannon ball into the pool before they head back to their respective homes in the City.    Man, I think back and smile. Remembering. SNAP OUT OF IT J...

The Best Sauce You'll Ever Want To Make!

I like taking pictures of food.  All food... anywhere, any time.  This obsession is made much easier with my handy, dandy iPhone of course.  I went home and made lunch the other day...sure it doesn't sound like that big of a deal. I was craving my gorgonzola sauce that I have made FOREVER (I actually sold the sauce recipe to the owner of a long standing, popular Studio City haunt after I "Guest Chef'd" there one evening, many, MANY moons ago). As seen here with Agent E, having the "time of our life" ... I really thought the hat was a "good" idea. Sigh. The key to a great gorgonzola sauce is patience.  You have to let the butter JUST BARELY start to brown then you pour in some delicious Pernod and reduce.  I like to set it on fire so you end up having dinner AND a show! It's super fast to make and happily compliments halibut, chicken, shrimp or any pasta.  I'll share the recipe with you.  Try it... I bet it'll become your "...