Recipes

Roast Turks Turban Squash and Duck Bacon Risotto

Sanura
Roasted Turks Squash and Duck Bacon Risotto garnished with Lemon Balm.
Roasted Turk Turban Squash and Duck Bacon Risotto garnished with Lemon Balm.

It’s initially confusing when the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share includes a turks turban squash. It’s mostly used as decoration in Fall displays surrounded by fiery golden-hued leaves. The winter green outer skin is mottled with warm colors of the season. Its shape is the namesake, for this squash resembles a scarf wrapped around a person’s head. Momentarily forgetting that the CSA doesn’t provide objects for interior design, the turks turban squash is placed on a kitchen counter as decoration. A couple days later, I remember “this decoration” is an edible vegetable. Read more →

Cornmeal-Crusted Flounder with Saute Swiss Chard, Tomato Salsa and Cilantro-Almond Sauce Tacos

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Cornmeal-Crusted Flounder with Sauté Swiss Chard, Tomato Salsa and Cilantro-Almond Sauce Tacos
Cornmeal-Crusted Flounder with Sauté Swiss Chard, Tomato Salsa and Cilantro-Almond Sauce Tacos

Tacos are a comfort meal that is close to my heart. Both Mom and Grandma made them, but eating Grandma’s tacos is a rare occasion. She lives five to eight hours by plane in California. Growing up, my family would visit her every couple years. To a kid flying for that long, it seems like an eternity. Back then; the airlines gave kids airplane pins, playing cards and other games to pass the time. Once the plane landed, Grandma with my aunt and cousins, would wave to us from the windows of the waiting lobby as our plane approached the airport. Read more →

Maple Rosemary Roasted Acorn Squash

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Maple Rosemary Roasted Acorn Squash
Maple Rosemary Roasted Acorn Squash

Fall’s squashes are oddly shaped vegetables with knobby textures and contrasting patterns. They’re placed on brownstone stoops, in front yard Halloween displays, or on kitchen tables as decorating pieces. The thought of preparing some varieties of squash is an idea that few people have attempted. After all, who wants to eat the centerpiece on the table? Sure, we’ve all carved faces out of pumpkins, in which the flesh is removed for the making of a pie, and the pumpkin seeds are roasted in a few spices. Besides pumpkin, there are additional varieties of squash, such as delicata, spaghetti, turks turban and acorn that few people try. Perhaps, they’re too beautiful to dissect? Did we forget it’s the inside that also counts? Read more →

Sweet Green Tea Latte

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Sweet Green Tea Latté
Sweet Green Tea Latté

Most people crave an afternoon (or late night) caffeine boost and a sweet treat, right? Even though studies mention sugary treats provide about 20 minutes of energy and afterward, the body deflates into a worst mental state of mind of low energy. Supposedly, it’s better to have a healthy snack, such as fruit, yogurt, cereals and so forth. Eating healthy 500% of the time doesn’t make the world a better place. So, if you want to soar for 20 minutes, here’s a recipe for a sweet drink. Flavor it with honey, stevia or whatever is your weakness. Read more →