Ethiopian Style Chickpea Stew

It's cold, dark and rainy outside, but my kitchen is filled cozy aromas. A comforting Ethiopian stew is simmering on the stove. Assertive spices infuse this recipe with fall flavor. Roasted chickpeas, creamy potatoes and caramelized onions make it so delicious and satisfying.

Thai Chickpea, Vegetable And Potato Curry

Lately I've been hearing a lot about Blue Zones. Regions of the world where vegetable and bean dishes are consumed regularly. These areas are populated by healthy humans who live very long lives. Since I love chickpeas, I thought I'd create my own variety of a Blue Zone dinner tonight.

This Thai inspired vegetable and bean curry is mild and mellow. Creamy coconut milk and hearty potatoes make it very satisfying. Everything is simmered in one pot for ease of preparation. 

Three Indian Inspired Chutneys

I've got three Indian-inspired chutneys for you. Bright and summery...the bomb diggity spooned over salmon. Serve them with chicken or your favorite protein. Think of them as chopped salads or salsas to enjoy with warm chapati, tortilla chips or pita bread. Toss some beans into them for a light vegan meal. The mango chutney is spiked with creamy coconut milk.

A welcome addition to Indian meals as well as backyard bbq's, each one has its own character. They all share the warmth of sesame and the heat of chili in common. Cool and crunchy, the chutneys are a nice choice during the warm weather months.

Summer Squash With Thai Coconut-Chil Sauce

Fresh, light, easy and tasty....this is summer eating at its best. Quickly roasted to bring out the sweet flavors, a generous platter of patty pan squash and zucchini is served with a cool and creamy coconut sauce. The Thai-inspired sauce is spiked with chili, lime, ginger and basil. Enjoy this lovely dish over rice for a light lunch or dinner. Serve it alongside fish or chicken. The sauce alone is great on almost anything.

Sesame-Sriracha Turkey Meabtalls

I enjoy cooking all kinds of juicy, light and flavorful turkey meatballs. They're easy, healthy and tasty. Everyone loves them. This recipe weaves some favorite Southeast Asian flavors into a quick and satisfying meal. Thai basil (or regular basil), sesame seeds, soy sauce and ginger show up here. A drizzle of sriracha and a squeeze of lime juice finishes the meatballs off with citrus-tang and chili-heat. I serve them with my Chopped Salad and steamed Jasmine rice.

Thai Red Curry Wings

Crispy Thai wings can be on your table without the hassle of deep frying. This five-ingredient recipe (not including salt) is easy and delicious. Golden-brown wings in a creamy coconut milk sauce that's spiked with red curry paste is what's for dinner. They're a nice choice for summer when we need something perky and fresh. They're equally good in winter when we crave something spicy. Best of all, they're baked, not fried. If you love Thai curries, give them a go. I imagine they'd taste great grilled too.

  

Thai Red Curry Noodles

I've hit a roadblock with embroidery designing. My last larger pattern was Madame Butterfly. Since then, I've done some small freebies, which people enjoy. But the bigger ideas aren't coming to me. When that happens, I put my needle and thread away and head to the kitchen. Recipe ideas flow without any effort. They continuously pop into my head, before I go to sleep, on long walks with my beagle, while brushing my teeth. I write them down because I can't keep up. I cook up a storm. That's my process. It's a bit insane with lots of messes in the kitchen. But I am not one without the other. My cooking and sewing fuel each other.

Green Curry Meatballs With Creamy Coconut-Basil Sauce

Every once in a while a recipe comes along that's stellar and special. A culinary idea is formed and then something magical happens. The ingredients surprisingly combine into a delicious dish that's more than you imagined. You're not really sure how it turned out so good. But you're thrilled it did! Oh mercy, these easy, Thai turkey meatballs make me thank the Good Lord for coconut, lime & ginger.

Crispy Breaded Lemon Chicken

Crispy, breaded chicken is what's for dinner a lot around here. It's a no-brainer recipe that's a big hit with everyone. There's something so simple and irresistible about juicy chicken coated in golden- brown, crunchy breadcrumbs. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is the perfect finishing touch. Some fresh basil is nice with it too.  It's great hot or cold, meaning you can make it in the morning and keep it in the fridge until dinner. Perfect for summer picnics and dinners on the patio.

Quick Chicken Pho

If you've visited me before, you may have noticed my deep devotion to Asian noodles, especially big brothy bowls of them. Oh how I love pho! The aroma of it alone can brighten my day. I've been making this quick and easy version for a while now. It mimics the slow-simmered flavor profile of the real deal. It's just delicious! 

Honey-Lime Baked Chicken with Fresh Basil

My husband and I have been making this easy roasted chicken for years. We enjoy it at least twice a week, sometimes swapping lemons for limes. It's a foolproof dinner that everyone loves. The crispy and juicy chicken is lightly seasoned with honey and chili pepper, giving it a sweet and spicy vibe. Lime adds a fresh finish. Simple baked potatoes, Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Dressing, French Peas or Coconut Rice  are nice side dishes. This homey meal is one of life's deliciously simple pleasures. If you're interested in roasting a whole chicken, I provide instructions for that too.

Vietnamese Vegetable Soup with Coconut Rice

By now, you know how much I adore soup. My Vietnamese vegetable soup is a quick take on traditional slow simmering pho ga. Chicken is added for protein. Tofu or shrimp work well too. Here, a light and flavorful broth is loaded with lots of tender-crisp Asian vegetables, spicy ginger and a finish of fresh lime. Soft hints of warm spices lend an authentic taste to the soup. Earthy mushrooms and soy sauce give it an umami flavor. 

This glorious soup leaves me feeling restored and content, especially during cold and flu season. It's a deliciously nutritious meal. It's ready in under 30 minutes and you control the sodium level. As the rice cooks and the soup simmers, the kitchen fills with sunny aromas. If you're in need of a reboot, put on your PJ's, line up your favorite movies, make a big pot of Vietnamese soup and slurp your stress away.

Thai Chicken Coconut Soup With Sweet Potatoes

There's five feet of snow on my balcony here in New England and it just keeps on coming. This spicy, restorative soup is a necessary escape from the Arctic-like weather. A big bowl of hot soup makes my heart happy. There are many simple soup recipes here. If you're interested, check the Recipe Index to view all of them.

My Thai chicken coconut soup is brimming with colorful veggies. The right amount of heat makes it warm and inviting. Sweet potato counters the spice and gives it substance. It's filling, but not at all heavy. The delicious broth is spiked with creamy coconut milk, red curry paste and a squeeze of fresh lime. Steamed Jasmine or sushi rice is the perfect add-on. Think fluffy rice and luscious soup and you'll get the picture. This soup is better and much more nutritious than my favorite Thai restaurant version. The taste is authentic and pure. It's is ready in under 30 minutes. Best of all, it's easy to cook. Even if you've never made Thai food before, you can do this. You'll be happy and proud that you did.

French Peas

On a cold Sunday in Boston we wandered down  alleys, into our favorite used book stores, hot beverages in hand. I spied "The Constance Spry Cookery Book" sitting on a shelf.  This pink, circa 1956 British cookbook came home with me.

Constance starts her cookbook with a chapter called "The Cocktail Party." She writes that it may be "frivolous" to open with party fair, but she wanted a "light-hearted" beginning. The cookbook is over a thousand pages, with chapters on scones, souffles, chutneys, wine and even kitchen equipment. She really knows her stuff. I enjoyed reading it under cozy quilts.  Do you read cookbooks like novels too? 

Corn Cakes with Wasabi-Lime Dipping Sauce

Yesterday, Ellie and I bundled up to do our three mile walk around the river path. The sky was slate gray.  After our trek in the arctic tundra, which is wintertime in New England,  I whipped up something deliciously summery. I needed sunshine on my plate.

Reboot Soup

After all the holiday feasting, we're in need of something fresh, green and clean. Cue my reboot soup. This soup tastes like you made your own vegetable stock. But it comes together in less than 30 minutes, thanks to my go-to secret ingredient. It rescues us with a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Crisp peapods are tossed in at the last minute, remaining springtime green. Chewy elbow pasta and creamy white beans provide substance. Corn and peas lend their subtle sweetness. You know you're eating something good for you, but it doesn't feel like you've jumped on the diet wagon. It's pretty to look at too. The soup is customizable with your favorite veggies. Toss in a few chopped mushrooms if you're in the mood. It would be great with asparagus in springtime. A little grated Parmesan or gruyere cheese is a nice finishing touch. 

This weekend, my husband and I drove to a lonely Cape Ann beach with our beagle, Ellie. It was surprisingly mild and we walked and enjoyed the sunshine. The long walk and this fresh soup for lunch was just the thing.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and happiness in the New Year!    

xo ~ Jilly

Thai Noodle Soup

Is there anything better than a big bowl of Asian noodles? It's up there on my list of favorites, along with chocolate, mashed potatoes and fresh baguette. When I was working as a young social worker in Philadelphia, I had lunch every single day at a no-frills Vietnamese noodle soup (Pho) house. They only served soup and they did it right. I slurped soup there so much that the wait staff insisted that I learn to use chopsticks properly. I love the contrasting textures and flavors of these kinds of soups: tangly noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, tender-crisp veggies and flavorful broth.  

Thai Red Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk

Coming home to a bowl of lentil soup is cozy. Here, the humble red lentil is elevated to new heights. Made with coconut milk, the soup has a creamy texture and a healthy dose of omega 3′s. The flavors of ginger and chili work beautifully with the mellow lentils, perking them up. Thai basil and lime are fresh finishing touches.

Being Middle Eastern, I’ve eaten my share of lentil soups. This time, I ventured out of the box, wanting something a little different...something smooth and luxurious with a more lively flavor. 

Fresh Pea Soup With Coconut Milk & Thai Chili

When you’re in need of warmth and brightness, turn to this soup. If you find yourself yearning to see and taste something fresh and green it will come to your rescue. 

A stop at the market to pick up some flowers, frozen green peas and a few other ingredients is an easy plan to cure the blues. This creamy soup has a beautiful mellow flavor. It’s healthy, but you’d never know it by the rich taste. A scattering of whole peas, tossed in at the end, create a bright pop in your mouth. This dish is particularly good in winter, when you need a fast-green-fix. It’s equally welcome during spring.

Thai Inspired Corn Fritters

This is a Southeast Asian take on an American classic. A little sweet with some heat and a whole lotta flavor. The corn kernels pop in your mouth against the fluffy, moist centers and crispy exteriors.