General

Moroccan Couscous

Ingredients 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced 1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 zucchinis, halved lengthwise and cut into 3/4 inch pieces 1/2 cup golden raisins 1 teaspoon kosher salt grated zest of one orange 1 (14.5…

Apple Parsnip Soup

Ingredients The Soup 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup sliced garlic 1 yellow onion, sliced 1 shallot, sliced 1/4 bunch sage, tied with string Kosher salt to taste 2 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into large pieces 3 apples, peeled and quartered Vegetable stock to cover (roughly 2 quarts) 1/2 cup heavy cream The Sauteed Apples 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 crisp apple, peeled and cut into wedges Coarse salt 10 sage leaves 1/4 cup canola…

Southern Italian Braciole

Ingredients A good slice of beef, cut thin (no more than 1/4 inch) and in slices about the size of a chicken cutlet. Parmesan cheese Bread crumbs Parsley, chopped Pinole or pine nuts Olive oil Garlic, chopped 2-4 cans imported Italian tomatoes with basil, between chopped and pureed Process Lay out slices of beef and douse with parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley and pine nuts. Roll up meet and use a toothpick to hold it together. In a big pot, heat…

Pumpkin Scones

Ingredients Scones 2 cups all-purpose flour 7 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/2 cup canned pumpkin 3 tablespoons heavy cream 1 large egg Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons milk Process Scones Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine dry ingredients in large mixing…

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients 3 frozen, unbaked 8- or 9- inch single-crust pie shells 4 pounds uncooked and unpeeled sweet potatoes 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 1/2 cup pure finely granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)> 3 large eggs 2 cups whole milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Process Hand wash sweet potatoes. Boil until tender. Drain and allow to cool. Peeling and mash potatoes. Blend in mixing bowl with a blender to remove strings. When…

Baklava

Ingredients 1 package (16 ounces) phyllo dough 1 pound chopped walnuts 1 cup melted butter 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup water 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup honey Process Preheat oven to 250. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Chop nuts into small bits. Toss with cinnamon and half of the honey. Unroll phyllo. Cut in half so it can fit in the pan and cover the dough with a dampened cloth…

Spanakopita

Ingredients 1 box frozen phyllo (filo) dough 1 package frozen chopped spinach ~8 oz crumbled feta cheese ~2 sticks of butter 2 eggs handful chopped mint handful chopped parsley (optional) 4-6 chopped green onions (optional) Process Move the dough from freezer to refrigerator 12 hours in advance of using it, and then move it from the refrigerator to room temperature 3-4 hours in advance (specific instructions on the dough box, usually). Rinse and thaw spinach. In a large mixing bowl,…

Waterfront restaurant hosts Thanksgiving for homeless

There’s something about Menbere Aklilu. Maybe it’s the way she calls everyone bella. Maybe it’s the affection she pours onto her friends and customers. Or maybe it’s the way her honest eyes well with tears when she talks about her past, and the fruitfulness of the present. Whatever it is, she is a woman who is not easy to forget once you’ve met her. Aklilu is the owner of Salute E Vita Ristorante, an upscale Italian restaurant located on the…