(I used oil-packed tuna, but the original recipe calls for water-packed tuna) In 1986, Carol gave me Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain by Penelope Casas for Christmas, and we have been cooking out of it ever since. Most recently we made a tuna ball tapas for Carol’s sister and her pescaterian husband and they Read More …
I spotted an article in a Southern magazine on Sam Talbot’s version of the Southern classic, Pimento Cheese, while staying in an historic B&B in Savannah. Here is my adaptation, which mainly consists of halving the quantities. It is an interesting sign of the internationalization of food in the US that Sam Talbot would prefer Read More …
This fish, potato, and olive oil spread is a variation on a Venetian classic Baccala Matecato and similar Italian and French spreads. The key difference is using smoked trout instead of dried cod as the fish element. This version is adapted from a recipe in Saveur. Since olive oil is a key ingredient, it is Read More …
Pimento Cheese is a Southern classic. This version is taken from Southern Living in November 2019 and used Farmhouse Cheddar – First Try , which was rather crumbly and thus quite suitable for a cheese spread. This was quite tasty, but more saucy than I expected. The next time I would start with less mayonnaise Read More …
This classic Middle Eastern dip can be made in a variety of ways with a wide range of spiciness. This version is based on Israeli Soul by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook and is not spicy. It added some good variety to a set of dips to accompany Grilled Flatbread. 1 cup walnuts 4 roasted Read More …
These tasty pickles can be eaten within a day or so of making them. This version is adapted from a recipe in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and makes about a pint of pickles. 1 lb. English or Persian cucumbers, cut into ¼ inch slices 2 Tbs. salt ½ cup sugar ½ cup white vinegar 1 Tbs. Read More …
After taking apart two ducks to make breasts for duck prosciutto and legs for confit, I had two duck livers. In the true peasant spirit, that represented some food which should not be wasted, so I made paté out of them following a recipe in The Essential Pepin. The paté made a nice lunch on Read More …
Basturma is an air-cured dried beef which is very popular in Armenia. It is like a spicier version of the Italian bresaola or the Spanish cecina. I spotted recipes for how to make it in Saveur.com and in the cookbook Lavash, and decided to make a batch. It was relatively easy and fun to make. Read More …
This is a very easy tapa which makes a nice dinner with some good bread and a salad. I have made this many times over the years. This version is adapted from one of my oldest and most used cookbooks, Penelope Casas’ Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain. 1 lb. Spanish chorizo, in ¼ inch Read More …
This is the simple way that I have been making a smoked salmon spread lately. 4 oz. hot smoked salmon 4 oz. cream cheese 1 tsp. horseradish 1 tsp. mustard Mash all the ingredients together in a bowl. Spread on good bread and top with sliced onions and capers.