Zingiberis in the Kitchen.

I love the bread pudding at Golden Corral.  It's rich and decadent and I am sure thousands of calories.  I found a copycat version and subbed out some ingredients.  While it isn't the exact same thing, but it's delicious and very rich.  And excellent for reheating the next day. 3 cups hawaiin sweet bread , cubed 1/2 cup melted margarine of choice (I used smart balance) 2 cups fat free  milk 2/3 cup of egg whites/beaters 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup brown sugar (dark) White Sauce 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons margarine of choice 1 cup fat free milk 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Scald milk with butter in a saucepan, let cool.  (Don't skip this step)  Once cool add rest of ingredients except bread.  Mix well.  Spread bread cubes in a well greased pan, pour milk mixture over it.  Smoosh it down a bit to ensure it's all soaking up.  You should have liquid in places which is fine....

I recently had the pleasure of my aunt's company this week.  She made a radical lifestyle change in her diet several months ago to address several health concerns all at once.  She eats no meat, no oil and no dairy.  I offered to host her for dinner and she tried to mention that she would bring her own foods as to not put me out.  I told her she was silly and it would be an adventure to cook for her.  Remembering our conversations over the last several months about her "journey" as a Vegan, I know she missed having sweets and eating certain comfort foods.  So I did a ton of research and trial and error and came up with several dishes.  Interesting about these dishes that my entire family ate these same dishes.  So it isn't full of "fake" meats etc.  All natural ingredients and very easily adaptable. Eggplant/Squash Lasagna with homemade marinara and garlic "cream" sauce. Eggplant, 2 large ones Zuchini, 2 regular sized Yellow S...

Trying to eat healthier, I made these bean patties that is influenced by my Cuban heritage.  Hope you enjoy! A can of black beans OR 2 cups of cooked black beans A small onion, chopped finely 1 garlic, chopped finely 1/2 red pepper, diced finely About 1-2 tbsp of cilantro, chopped finely OR parsley if you don't like cilantro Packet of Goya seasoning, con azafaron 1 tbsp of Badia Complete Seasoning 1/2 tsp of smoked spanish paprika. 1 tsp of Oregano 1/2 tsp of Cumin Salt/Pepper to taste Juice of one lime Plain bread crumbs, about 1/3 cup Saute onion and pepper till just softened, set aside. Get all the ingredients and mash together.  (I did mine in a food processor).  Taste for seasoning.  I tended to add a touch more salt sometimes.  Form into patties and place in fridge to firm up a bit.  Meanwhile you can heat up a touch of olive oil and cook on medium heat till crispy on both sides.  About 3-5 minutes.  Serve on soft crust...

I know real Barbecoa is a whole head simmered till tender and shredded out of it and put into tacos etc.  I am so not doing all that. But instead I have found a ridiculously easy recipe using the crockpot.  There are of course endless variations but here is mine with a bit more of a bent to healthy. 3 pound bone in chuck roast.  (I have seen sirloin, flank etc.  Chuck is best for this) 1 cup of beef stock 1 chopped onion 5 cloves of garlic smashed 1 tbsp of chipotle powder OR chili powder 1 tbsp of cumin 1 tbsp of oregano salt/pepper to taste 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar OR red or white vinegar will work fine. A few sprigs of cilantro, optional. For freezing sauce: Chipotle in adobo sauce 2 tbsp or so of chopped cilantro (optional) salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup of mojo (bottled or homemade) Cumin Oregano 3 peeled cloves of garlic 1 small chopped onion 1 small tomato, chopped 1/2 cup of water Rub the meat with the spic...

I have been slacking so badly.  But now I will promise myself to post at least a recipe a day.  I discovered a few new ones and will be adding them today.  My apologies!

I made a quick crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe.  It was so delicious.  This is the "healthy" version and loaded with flavor. Healthy Crockpot Chicken 4 flash frozen breasts of chicken OR regular chicken breasts 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 2 stalks of celery, sliced 4 carrots, sliced 1 pkg of sliced mushrooms OR a pound of mushrooms, sliced 1 red pepper, julienned 4 cups of chicken stock 3 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper (optional for a warmth) 1 cup of milk mixed with 3 tablspeoons of corn starch.  (or more if you like it very thick) 1 tbsp of vinegar Salt/Pepper to taste (the red pepper and carrots will sweeten the soup considerably) Biscuit dough, your choice. See below for ideas  Throw all ingredients except the milk, vinegar etc to the crockpot.  Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8.  When done, take lid off, turn on high.  Remove chicken with a slotted spoon.  If...

Since I had such great success with the Spanish Garbanzo Soup, I decided to recreate another childhood favorite of mine.  Caldo Gallego.  This is a white bean soup from Spain with a Cuban twist.  I am limited in obtaining locally my typical cuban ingredients so this is my "version".  If you want to use an authentic version and able to get ingredients easily, try this one  Three Guys from Miami Recipe .  Mine is loosely based on theirs.  There are alot of sites out there that have their versions but they are a bit too out there and away from the original flavor profile I am used to.  Their site is the most consistent and closest to the Miami cuban flavor profile I grew up with.  Onward to the soup.  A note here on Chorizo.  I use the dry/cured chorizo specifically from Spain.  They make theirs with wine and paprika.  Other versions, especially from South America isn't the same or remotely similar.  Especially the fresh...