Parmesan Roasted Zucchini: How to Make Them Juicier, SweeterBy foodjoyaVery often, cooked zucchini turn out soupy and bland. And that is no wonder, since this vegetable is about 96% water. The secret to a better tasting zucchini, then, is to eliminate excess water while concentrating the juices. And that's exactly what this recipe is about. By cooking the vegetable at a high temperature, our recipe for Parmesan Roasted Zucchini helps avoid this undesirable result. Much of the water evaporates at high temperature, and the remaining juices pleasantly caramelize and release the signature floral flavor. In addition, browned savory Parmesan creates a beautiful contrast to naturally sweet zucchini. As always, we are roasting in a convection oven. If you are using a non-convection oven, be sure to increase the temperature by about 20 to 25F. Polish Borscht Recipe: Beet Elixir You Will Delight InBy foodjoyaThis rich, savory borscht takes only 10 minutes of your active cooking time. Are you skeptical? Don't be. The Polish Borscht recipe is a traditional, time-tested and beloved way of cooking the festive beet soup in Poland, where my husband hails from. Of course, this borscht has a secret: it requires an extraordinary amount of brightly colored beets and a reduced cooking time. The borscht will not turn out if the beets are not brightly colored. Similarly, when cooked longer than suggested here, it will lose its scarlet color and flavor. Richly infused with simmered vegetables, the borscht is a delightful elixir of health. It is no wonder that my toddler demands his red beet soup every time, and happily sips it from a cup or devours it spoonful after delicious spoonful. Crema di Ceci e Rapini: herb-infused Italian chickpea pureeBy foodjoyaThis velvety dish is inspired by a traditional and beloved Italian dish of mashed chickpeas with dandelion greens. (If you understand Italian, take a look at the original here. In essence, Crema di Ceci e Rapini is a rich, velvety chickpea puree with a touch of Japanese sweet potato drenched in fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil. The Italians traditionally serve Crema di Ceci e Cicoria with bitter dandelion leaves (i.e., “cicoria”). But we chose broccoli rabe (“rapini”), which is more widely available in our grocery stores and less bitter than dandelion leaves. For maximum taste, we recommend using fresh chickpeas, and for this reason, the cooking times appear long. In reality, much of the cooking is passive, and you are free to do anything you like while the chickpeas are cooking. For a heartier meal, Crema di Ceci e Rapini pairs wonderfully with shrimp, calamari and halibut. Cabbage and Leeks: Unexpectedly Decadent, Sweet, TenderBy foodjoyaEver wondered what to do with the seemingly boring white cabbage? Ever thought you could turn it into a decadent dish? This recipe accomplishes just that: In 50 minutes of rather passive cooking time, you will have unexpectedly tender and decadent sautéed, semi-caramelized Cabbage and Leeks. With plenty of parsley and thyme, you will be biting into a mouthful of delicate spring flavors. Best yet? This dish is easy (and inexpensive). Did you know that leeks-cabbage-thyme are a well-established triad? Jamie Oliver roasts Leeks with Thyme. The New York Times Cooking column offers a splendid recipe for a Cabbage, Potato and Leek Soup. Lastly and before you get to cooking, note that the recipe calls for fresh herbs; no substitutes please! Flourless Eggplant Parmesan: Here is the Perfect RecipeBy foodjoyaLayered like a cake, with caramelized tomatoes and gooey, stretchy mozzarella for the cake’s icing, our Flourless Eggplant Parmesan is perfect. Dare we say, you’ve never tried anything like this Flourless Eggplant Parmesan. And that is true even if you hail from Italy. Bite after bite, eggplant and cheese melt in your mouth. Without even a dash of sugar, tomatoes are deeply sweet. Roasted only with oil, eggplant slices are luscious. Not only is the Flourless Eggplant Parmesan irresistibly delicious; it is also nourishing. No flour, sugar or eggs. Want to know how we attained the perfect taste and texture, without sacrificing the nutrition? Of course, we hid the secret in the recipe. Fine … we’ll whisper the secret into your ear: We double-caramelize the tomatoes, slice the eggplants and mozzarella paper-thin, and add fresh herbs. Red Lentil Zucchini Balls: How to Savor SpringBy foodjoyaThese Red Lentil Zucchini Balls taste delicate and fresh, reminiscent of spring. They make a wonderful spring-light meal with salad or avocado. They also make a satisfying side for fish and vegetarian entrees. Here’s how we developed this recipe: My Mom grew fascinated with herbs, just as both of us rediscovered legumes and root vegetables. The Red Lentil Zucchini Balls were a way to put together all of our favorite ingredients. To choose the right combination of herbs for this recipe, we’ve tried many variations. This one won every time. Please try and enjoy! This recipe makes 18 to 20 pieces.
