Serves 4 to 6 (more as a tapa). • 1 lb. eggplants (5 or 6 small) • 2 large green bell peppers • 2 large pimiento peppers • 2 Tbs. olive oil • 2 Tbs. lemon juice • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed salt to taste • fresh-ground black pepper to taste 1. Roast the...
Barcelona white bean salad with black olives – A tapa
Serves 6 to 8 • 1 cup dried white beans, washed • 1 large onion • 1 large green bell pepper • 2 ripe tomatoes • 2 hard-boiled eggs • 10 cured black olives • 3 Tbs. olive oil • 5 Tbs. wine vinegar • salt to taste • pepper to taste • minced garlic (optional) 1. Cook the...
Liptauer cheese 2
Here is yet another version of Liptauer Cheese, for which so many variations have been devised. The rich flavor of this one is largely owed to the camembert, but don’t use a Camembert that is too ripe, or the mixture will be runny. Serves 10 to 12 • 8 oz. Camembert...
Lecas (Basque-style green beans)
Serves 4 to 6 • 1 lb. fresh green beans • ¼ cup olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 lb. peeled tomatoes, coarsely chopped • ½ to ¾ tsp. salt • fresh-ground black pepper to taste • large pinch of oregano 1. Wash and trim the green beans and...
Mushroom stroganoff
This dish is made with both dried and fresh mushrooms. The dried mushrooms can be the wild black or dark brown ones that are imported from Italy or Eastern Europe, but I’ve also had success using the Japanese forest mushrooms—a wonderful, pungent flavor. Serves 6 • 2...
Filled cantaloupe salad
Serve as a first course with thin, buttered slices of bread or crisp Cheese Pastries. Serves 4 • 1 large cucumber • 1 medium-sized avocado • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries • ½ cup lemon juice • 2 Tbs. vegetable oil • 4 tsp. sugar • ¼ tsp. salt • 2 medium-sized...
Beet and pineapple celery
Serves 8 • 4 large beets (about 1½ lbs. or 3½ cups when cooked and diced) • 1½ cups chopped, drained fresh pineapple • 1 cup thinly sliced inner celery stalks • ¼ cup minced onion • 2 Tbs. olive oil • 6 Tbs. red wine vinegar • salt to taste 1. Boil the beets,...
Cold broccoli mousse
Serve the mousse with hot Cheese Pastries. Serves 6 to 8 • 2 lbs. broccoli • ½ lb. mushrooms • 2 Tbs. butter • 1½ tsp. salt, and more to taste • fresh-ground pepper to taste • 2 packages (2 Tbs.) unflavored gelatin) • ¼ cup cold water • 1 cup light cream • ¾ cup...
Asparagus mousse
A rather rich salad that works best as a first course. Serves 8 • 2 cups puréed cooked asparagus (about 1½ lbs. fresh asparagus, trimmed) • 2 packages (2 Tbs.) unflavored gelatin • ½ cup cold water • 1½ cups hot milk • ½ cup water from cooking asparagus • 2 Tbs....
Avocado-stuffed zucchini
Serves 6 as a first course • 6 plump, evenly shaped zucchini (about 1¾ lbs.) • 2 medium-sized ripe avocados (about ¾ lb.) • 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice • 1 Tbs. olive oil • 1 Tbs. wine vinegar • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • ½ small onion, finely...