Baked Fennel Au Gratin with Orzo and Onion

I ate fennel nearly fifty years ago when my husband and I were in Zurich, Switerland in the mid-seventies where we studied Jungian psychology. I didn’t like this vegetable much back then because of its potent licorice flavor. Also, I wasn’t familiar with how to cook it. I only baked it with a sprinkle of…

Cabbage, Potato, Zucchini, Mushroom, Barley soup with Bacon

INGREDIENTS Serves 8-10 9 slices bacon, cut into 1-2 inch pieces 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut in 1/2 -inch pieces 1 small head cabbage – savory, green or Napa variety, cored, cut into 2 inch pieces (1 1/4 lb) 8 oz fresh mushroom, crimini type, brushed cleaned, or a variety you have –…

Zucchini Patties

As gardeners and cooks know, zucchinis, especially in summer, present a cornucopia of this green goddess fruit. There are even cookbooks devoted to  zucchinis, mixed with other ingredients. Plus with the internet, cooks are flooded with selections of zucchinis for steaming, frying, boiling, baking, roasting, just to mention some. Other dishes mix this vegetable, shredded…

Chicken Noodle Casserole with English Peas

I love chicken like mom did.  I like it cooked just about any way, however, mom liked it simply boiled, very plain, her thin fingers picking meat off warm bones, which happens to be  a method that is not a favorite of mine; there are so many savory recipes that top that. She was big…

Chinese Style Roasted Chicken Thighs: Cabbage, Garlic and Vegetables

I ate chicken often as a child;  my mother did too, but not because she cooked it, we were fortunate and had a housekeeper who cooked and shopped for our family. Mostly I recall eating chicken as a leftover in such dishes as chicken a-la-king over rice, probably served  with a variety of canned veggies…

Stuffed Jumbo Shells, 4 Cheeses, Layered with a Meaty Marinara Sauce, Baked

Pasta for lunch, usually curly kinds  or other  elbow shaped varieties were common in my childhood.  That’s what our live-in maid/housekeeper cooked for us, ( my 3 younger siblings and I) often with butter swirled in,  plus  a smattering of American cheese scattered from above. As an adult I’m still fond of that meal, but…