Ma Po Tofu, a classic dish from the Sichuan province of China, inspired this recipe. The original is made with soft tofu and ground pork or beef with plenty of heat from dried chile peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Portobello mushrooms stand in for the meat in our vegetarian version and convenient jarred chile-garlic sauce gives it plenty of kick. Serve with brown rice.
Italian ragus tend to be long-simmered dishes, but a French ragout is a quicker affair, a thick, cheesy stew. Tossed over pasta, this one is a true fusion, a halfway point between ragu and ragout.
We used whole-grain bread to make this sandwich, but the combination of fresh vegetables and cheese also works well tucked inside pita bread or a whole-wheat wrap.
This never-fails pear recipe turns out moist, firm and fruity every time. Some members of our family request these rich squares instead of cake for their birthdays.
I made these for a church function once and they turned out to be a big hit. There was barely a crumb left on the platter after everyone dug in. I love this dessert because it tastes light, smooth, and nutty.
Brown the pork tenderloin on all sides before baking–this gives the meat a nice sear and seals in the rich flavor. Top with apricot chutney, made from store-bought jam, rice vinegar, mustard seed, and fresh ginger.
Bring out the subtle, earthy flavor of pork tenderloin with dried fruits and apple juice. The port in the sauce adds extra sweetness that balances the kick of the kick of the Dijon mustard. Best of all, the pork cooks in about six minutes.
This was the best cookie that I have had. And so worth the tiny bite. Soft, chewy, and packed with amazing flavor. They baked perfectly and stayed soft.
