This spread, which is Greek in origin, is unusual and particularly delicious. Although fava beans do figure in Greek cuisine, for most Greek people fava is synonymous with yellow split peas, one of the major indigenous foods of the island of Santorini. In Santorini, they make many dishes using yellow split peas, including this spread. Serve this with warm gluten?free flatbread, such as Yogurt Flatbread (page 62), plain brown rice crackers or celery sticks and wait for the compliments.
Caramelized Apple Upside Down Spice Cake
This old-fashioned favorite has terrific caramelized apple flavor, not only from the apples but also from the apple butter in the cake batter. It’s great for a potluck or a party because people can help themselves from a warm slow cooker. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect finish.
Published in 1927, La bonne cuisine de Madame E. Saint-Ange, which contains over 1,000 recipes, became a bible of cooking for French housewives and inspired culinary superstars such as Julia Child. Here I have adapted her variation of pots de crème, which contains the delectable combination of chocolate, coffee, caramel and vanilla. Serve this with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
Serves 4 to 6
This is a great side dish. A particularly mouthwatering combination of flavors, it makes a perfect accompaniment to grilled meat, fish or seafood. Leftovers make a delicious filling for an omelet.
Serves 6
I love the combination of flavors in this dish, which makes a great accompaniment to just about anything. Served glazed (see Variation, below), it is perfect for a special occasion meal.
Serves 6 to 8
Here’s a perfectly luscious side dish that makes a great companion for grilled or roasted fish and meats or a splendid topping for hot whole grains such as wheat berries, barley or brown rice. The gratin variation, which adds a fancy finish and nice texture, is particularly attractive on a buffet table.
Braised in a light tomato sauce and finished with lemon gremolata, these lamb shanks have Mediterranean overtones, which is why I like to serve them with buttered orzo or polenta. That said, a bed of mashed potatoes is pretty good, too.
Serves 4 to 8
Great for buffets! Freezes well. Serves 8-10.
Many a woman marries a man for life and then finds out he doesn’t have any.