makes 6 Domes 8      filo dough sheets, covered with moist kitchen towel to prevent drying 1/2   cup coconut oil 2       tablespoons coco powder 2       tablespoons  sugar 3       tablespoons chopped candied orange peel or orange marmalade 1       cup coarsely chopped toasted [...]

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I had set December 1st of each year as the beginning of a month when I would throw food caution to the wind.  I pledged that I would not worry about calories, fat, or other ruinous pleasures.  During December, I refuse no invitations, nor desserts.  I didn’t care.  I stayed away from the scale in [...]

Filed under: General Posts, Seasonal, Uncategorized, Vegetarian, vegetable | 4 Comments »

I had never eaten porcini mushrooms before 1995.  That winter, we went on a vacation and stayed in the Florence suburb of Fiesole. There was a restaurant not too far from the guest house that we went to for dinner one evening.  The restaurant served all kinds of Italian food, but we decided to have [...]

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Zucchini, as most gardeners know, is one of the most prolific vegetables.  Knowing this, I usually plant only one zucchini plant, with the intention of sharing the squash with friends and neighbors.  But I’ve discovered my friends and neighbors have the same idea, which results in a vast oversupply of this wonderful vegetable, as well [...]

Filed under: Main Dishes, Seasonal, Uncategorized, Vegan, cooking, vegetable | 2 Comments »

When I worked for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program in Rapid City, part of my job was to analyze the food inventory for each family that came in.  I would list everything the children ate so I could tell the family what was mission in their diets. By growing up in Syria, attending [...]

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I love to entertain but I also love to enjoy the party. I hate to stay in the kitchen cooking while everyone is having good time.  The way  I look at it, if my guests are having good time I am a good host. If I am having a good time too I will entertain [...]

Filed under: Appetizers, General Posts, Salads, Side Dishes, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian | No Comments »

According to Wikipedia Cottage pie or shepherd’s pie is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potatoes.. The term cottage pie is known to have been in use in 1791,when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor. The term “shepherd’s pie” did not appear until 1877, and since then it has sometimes  been [...]

Filed under: Food Allergies, Gluten Free Series, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian, gluten free | 2 Comments »