easy dinners

I rarely measure, I often experiment, try new flavor combinations. To create this dish I sautéed several cloves garlic, coarsely chopped, in oil–I use olive for just about everything. I peeled and cubed 1/2 sweet potato and finely chopped approximately two tablespoons fresh ginger. I added these to the olive oil. When the garlic and sweet potatoes were tender, I added 1/2 coarsely chopped red bell pepper and several handfuls of baby bok choy which I had sliced into large pieces. When the bok choy was tender, I added peanuts and Thai sweet chili sauce. I served this over Jasmine rice.

Purple Cabbage with Poblano Peppers, and Garbanzo Beans

I had some left over cabbage and decided to create a new dish. Once again I coarsely chopped several cloves garlic and sautéed them in olive oil. When they were tender and slightly browned, I added coarsely chopped purple cabbage and poblano peppers, sautéing only until they were barely tender. To this mixture I added basil essential oil. Then I added the garbanzo beans. Do not add them too soon because it makes them mushy. I served this over conchiglie pasta from Italy.

Note: I use several essential oils in cooking–basil, fennel, lemon, cumin, thyme, rosemary, cardamon. However, they are intense so if using essential oils, use only a little, taste, then add more if necessary. It is easy to over do it.

For more recipes like this, see my most recent book, “You’re Gonna Eat That?!” It is filled with many simple pescatarian and vegetarian recipes.

My stove top quit a couple of weeks ago. No repairman is available until after Thanksgiving. To cook anything, I must use the oven, microwave, or electric roaster. Last night a friend came over for dinner. Decided to try something I had never tried before: roasting the pork chops in the oven with vegetables.

4 pork chops

3 medium red skinned potoates, sliced

2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped

2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped (optional)

1 medium sized red onion, chopped

2 apples, cut into slices–I used Jonathan

5 medium sized baby portabello mushrooms, sliced

Olive oil

Rubbed sage

Dried thyme

I used a cast iron enamel roasting pan. Use whatever you have so that you can layer the ingredients. Pour enough olive oil into the bottom of the pan to cover the bottom. Layer the chopped onions with potato slices on top. Place the pork chops on top of the potato slices. Sprinkle rubbed sage to cover lightly the pork chops. On top of the pork chops, layer the poblano and jalapeño peppers, then the apples. Sprinkle thyme over the top of this layer. Finally, place the sliced portabello mushrooms on top and pour olive oil over the layered chops and vegetables. Place the roasting pan in a 400 degree oven. Bake until pork chops are done, approximately 45 min. to an hour. Serves four.