Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup peanut, vegetable, or corn oil
• 1/4 cup finely shredded bamboo shoots
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Preparation

1. Wash spinach leaves thoroughly under cold running water, drain well.

2. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet. Using a medium-high flame, cook the bamboo shoots in the oil approximately 45 seconds, stirring constantly.

3. Add spinach and stir until wilted.

4. Add salt and sugar, and cook, stirring, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer.

5. Transfer to a hot platter, but do not add the liquid from the pan.

Epicurious, January 2001

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or pimentón de la vera)
• Coarse kosher salt
• 2 pounds broccolini, rinsed, stalks cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Sherry wine vinegar

Preparation

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add almonds. Stir until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and paprika. Sprinkle with coarse salt; sauté 1 minute. Transfer to small bowl. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet. Add broccolini; sprinkle with coarse salt. Add 1/3 cup water. Cover and boil until crisp-tender and still bright green, about 4 minutes. Pour off any water. Stir in almond mixture. Season to taste with coarse salt and pepper. Mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons vinegar. Transfer broccolini to bowl and serve.

Bon Appétit, November 2009

Ingredients

• 1-2 TBSP butter
• 3 TBSP olive oil
• 3 small Yukon gold potatoes, halved and sliced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 large fennel bulbs, halved, cored and sliced
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 3 TBSP shallot, chopped
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated white cheddar or other white cheese
• S & P

Preparation

Heat 1 TBSP each butter and oil in heavy soup pot. Add potatoes, toss to coat, and season with S & P. Cook over medium-low heat until tender and beginning to caramelize, adding more butter or oil if they seem dry. (Aim for some browned potato bits on bottom of pan.) Add wine, and stir to deglaze.

Meanwhile, put fennel on cookie sheet, lightly salt, and toss with 1 TBSP olive oil. Spread in a single layer and bake at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until tender and brown around the edges. Add to soup pot with stock and cook over low heat.

Meanwhile - again - saute onion and shallot in remaining olive oil until edges start to brown. Stir in garlic and cook a few minutes more. Add to soup pot.

Add milk, cream and cheese and continue cooking for about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Puree either in batches in blender or with boat motor. Thin with water or stock to desired consistency. Serve hot garnished with fennel fronds.

Variations: Top each bowl with 1 TBSP cooked, crumbled spicy Italian sausage (we did this – sooo good) or chiffonade of raw baby kale. For vegan, omit milk, cream, and cheese and use vegetable stock.

Ingredients

• 3-5 red bell peppers, roasted and peeled
• 2-4 cloves garlic
• vinegar (sherry or balsamic work well)
• olive oil

Preparation

Seed the peppers and slice into strips, roughly 2"x4". Spread in an even layer on a plate or low baking dish. Mince garlic and sprinkle over the top. Sprinkle with a healthy amount of vinegar and olive oil.

Ingredients

• 1 c. fine- or medium-grain bulgur
• 1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
• 1 c. boiling water
• 1 c. chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 c. shelled chopped pistachios
• 1/3 c. olive or pistachio oil
• 3 tbsp. orange juice or white wine vinegar
• 1/4 c. minced red onion
• 2 tbsp. thinly sliced green onion
• 3/4 tsp. coarse salt
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Preparation

Combine bulgur and apricots in a bowl. Add boiling water and let stand 30 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Add remaining ingredients and toss gently to mix.

Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

Ingredients

• 1 block soft tofu (about 1 pound), drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons peanut oil
• 6 ounces ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 leeks, thinly sliced at an angle (or a handful of scallions can be substituted)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chili bean paste
• 1 tablespoon fermented black beans
• 2 teaspoons ground Sichuan pepper
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 6 tablespoons cold water

Optional garnish: 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallions, or 1/2 teaspoon crushed roasted Sichuan peppercorn

Preparation

1. Heat peanut oil in a wok over high heat. Add pork and stir-fry until crispy and starting to brown but not yet dry. Reduce heat to medium, then add the garlic and leeks and stir-fry until fragrant.

2. Add chili bean paste, black beans, and ground Sichuan pepper, and stir-fry for about 1 minute, until the oil is a rich red color.

3. Pour in the stock and stir well. Mix in the drained tofu gently by pushing the back of your ladle or wok scoop gently from the edges to the center of the wok or pan; don’t stir or the tofu may break up. Season with the sugar, soy sauce, and salt to taste. Simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the tofu has absorb the flavors of the sauce. Then add the cornstarch mixture in 2 or 3 stages, mixing well, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. (Don’t add more than you need).

4. Serve while still hot in a deep plate or wide bowl. Garnish with optional scallions or crushed Sichuan peppercorn.

Serves 4 to 5 as part of a multi-course meal, or 2 to 3 as the main entree

Appetite for China

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced very small
• Salt
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium onions, very finely chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 red bell peppers (or one red and one green), peeled, seeded and sliced in thin strips or diced small
• 1 medium zucchini, peeled and finely chopped
• Black pepper
• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped, or a 14-ounce can, drained

Preparation

1. Lay eggplant pieces on two layers of paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. After 30 minutes, squeeze out liquid and pat dry.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in an earthenware casserole over a flame tamer or in a Dutch oven. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until they soften, about 8 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic, and stir for about 30 seconds. Add the remaining olive oil along with the eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini and black pepper. Turn the heat to low, stir, cover and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tomatoes, season with salt, cover again and cook until the mixture has reduced to a thick relish, 2 to 3 more hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings. Before serving, allow to sit for at least 1 hour, or better yet refrigerate overnight.

Yield: 6 servings.

New York Times

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 1/4 cup chopped dill
• 1 large eggplant, halved lengthwise and sliced about 1/3-inch thick
• 4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to taste
• Salt
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 4 Italian frying peppers or 2 green bell peppers, cut in 2-inch slices
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly crushed
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced about 1/2-inch thick
• Black pepper
• 1 pound tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped, or a 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 2 bay leaves
• Chopped fresh herbs, for serving
• Yogurt, for serving

OPTIONAL:

• 3 artichoke hearts, quartered
• 1/4 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 pound small okra, ends trimmed

Preparation

1. Stir together the tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, fenugreek, paprika and half the parsley, mint and dill.

2. Heat a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and salt to taste. Lightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes, as much eggplant as will fit in one layer in the pan, then turn and lightly brown the other side. Remove to a Dutch oven or earthenware casserole. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. (Alternatively, toss the eggplant with the olive oil in the casserole, cover and roast at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.)

3. Turn the heat down slightly and add a tablespoon of oil and the onions to the skillet. Stir often until they soften, about 5 minutes, and add the peppers. Stir until the peppers and onions are limp, 5 to 8 minutes, and stir in a generous pinch of salt, half the garlic and the coriander seeds. Stir until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to the casserole with the eggplant. Add another tablespoon of oil and the zucchinis to the skillet. Cook, stirring or turning the zucchinis often until lightly colored on both sides and translucent, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add the remaining garlic, stir for 30 seconds to a minute, and transfer to the casserole.

4. Add the tomato paste mixture to the skillet and bring to a boil. Deglaze the pan, stirring and scraping with a wooden spoon. Pour into the casserole, and add the tomatoes, bay leaves, 2 more tablespoons olive oil, if desired, and the artichoke hearts, green beans and okra, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer (over a flame tamer if using earthenware). Cover, reduce the heat and cook gently, stirring from time to time, until the vegetables are very soft, about one hour. Stir in the remaining herbs and simmer for another 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. If possible, refrigerate overnight before serving warm or at room temperature, with yogurt and chopped herbs.

Yield: 6 servings.

New York Times

Ingredients

Makes: 6 servings

• 9 cups water
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 white onion
• 2 1/4 pounds pumpkin or winter squash, peeled, seeded, cut in 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 pound tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs epazote

Toppings: Crumbled queso fresco, chopped onion, chopped green chilies, lime quarters

Preparation

1. Combine water, 2 of the garlic cloves and salt in a stockpot. Cut one slice off the onion half; add to pot. Heat to a boil; cook 5 minutes. Meanwhile, chop remaining onion; reserve. Add pumpkin to the pot; lower heat to medium. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard onion slice and garlic.

2. Finely chop remaining 2 garlic cloves. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and chopped onion; fry until translucent, 1 minute. Add tomatoes; fry until reduced, about 5 minutes.

3. Place about 1 cup cooked pumpkin in a blender with some broth; puree. Return to pot. Add tomato mixture to soup. Season with salt if necessary. Add epazote; simmer over low heat, about 10 minutes. Set aside to season, about 30 minutes. Heat through; serve with toppings as desired.

Diana Kennedy, Chicago Tribune

Ingredients

• 1 box okra
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 lg. can tomatoes or 1-2 lg. fresh tomatoes
• dried basil or oregano (optional)

Preparation

Cut the stem tips off the okra (but don’t cut off the top of the pod)

Saute sliced onion in olive oil or butter until translucent.

Add chopped fresh or canned tomatoes.

Add okra, salt and pepper.

Add enough water to keep it from sticking.

Simmer until it looks like it’s supposed to. (Taste before done and if the tomatoes are too tart, add a pinch of sugar.)

If you want, you can and an herb of your choice. Oregano is good. Basil, too.