Robin: It looks like pickle relish, right? Ed actually thought it was pickle relish when I offered him half a bagel dressed with this delicious zucchini/pineapple/ginger marmalade. Why he did not protest or even mention that it seemed strange, I do not know; perhaps he has just become that comfortable with trying unusual combinations of…
South American Beef Empanadas
Ed: These baked ground beef empanadas are one of my most beloved comfort foods. I remember my school days, when my mom used to put one or two empanadas in my lunch box, and I would enjoy them at recess. I don’t recall what other kids were eating, but I loved my lunch! Every time I…
Tuna (or Salmon) Loaf
Robin: I love tuna loaf because it calls for ingredients that I usually already have on hand, and because it is so versatile. In fact, this is what I chose to make when Hurricane Irma was about to hit us last fall. I knew that it would delicious and nutritious whether we ate it warm,…
Into the Limelight: Latin/Caribbean Limes 101
Robin: Few liquids pack more flavor punch per drop and are more versatile than freshly-squeezed lime juice. Non-Latinos in the U.S.A. may be most familiar with the Persian or Tahitian lime—the large-ish, thicker-skinned one that looks like a green lemon. Those plastic lime-shaped bottles full of juice are the cutest things, are they not? I…
Peruvian Chicken Cau Cau
Ed: Here is a very special recipe for an old, yet still very popular, authentic Peruvian stew. Cau cau is one of my favorite foods in the vast domain of my native land’s cuisine. More than a rigidly-defined specific dish, it is a certain style of cooking a protein (most traditionally tripe, but also chicken,…
Fresh Pineapple and Bean Salsa
(c) Ed Valdizan Ed: This is a funtastic, refreshing salsa for when you have the craving for something savory and sweet, cool, and delicious, but with relatively few calories and plenty of fiber. I am so happy to share the recipe with you because I know that you will enjoy preparing this pineapple and black…
Chili Powder vs. Ground Chile
(Robin:) Are chili powder and ground chile the same thing? The short answer is a resounding NO. While they both add flavor and “heat” to a recipe, chili powder and ground chile are very different things, and it’s important to know the difference. The two ingredients are definitely not interchangeable in recipes. Chili Powder Chili powder…
Cilantro Chicken
Robin: Though cilantro is usually used raw (sprinkled onto or stirred into a salsa or salad, for example), this chicken recipe brings out the herbs´s “star power” and makes it shine as one of the main ingredients in a hot entree. With cilantro, there is usually no middle ground—people either love it or hate it….
Watermelon and Strawberries Salad
Ed: For every moment of summer relaxation and recreation there are always one or two dishes that go very well, and I have one of them for you today. This simple, fresh, delicious salad is made with chunks of watermelon, romaine lettuce, and slices of strawberries. It is finished with the delicious help of a…
Gelatin Marshmallow Spirals
Robin: Don’t you just love it when something is super easy to make but looks like it took great skill and all day to do? This is one of those things. You start with just a box of jello powder (any brand and flavor) and some mini marshmallows, and end up with attractive two-toned spiral…