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Okra Soup
The key to the flavor of this soup is called "kitchen pepper." This is a traditional spice blend that dates back to the 17 and 1800s. This recipe is based on a recipe from Mary Randolph's The Virginia Housewife (1824) Okra Soup Ingredients 1 pound sausage, 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups good quality broth 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes, or one large can diced tomatoes 2 cups fresh okra, sliced crosswise into stars 2 cups potatoes, chopped 1 teaspoon of kitch
George Zaras
Sep 222 min read


Zucchini Cornbread with Tomato Compound Butter
This cornbread recipe is adapted from Victuals by Ronni Lundy. This is a Sunday afternoon cornbread recipe. I say that because it's a good idea to make bacon at some point ahead of time so you have plenty of bacon grease. It's also beneficial to shred and drain your zucchini a day before. So, on Saturday, make some bacon and eggs to fortify you for shredding a couple zucchinis and by Sunday you'll have everything you need. 4 cups stone ground cornmeal (density to taste, I do
George Zaras
Aug 172 min read


Summer Squash and Zucchini Frittata
A simple, summery frittata that looks far more impressive than the effort it requires. Ingredients 1 medium zucchini 1 medium yellow squash 12 eggs Generous pinch of salt Splash of milk Fresh dill, chopped Paprika Any other seasonings you like Butter or oil, for greasing the skillet Goat cheese Directions Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a cast-iron or other oven-safe skillet. Using a mandolin, slice the zucchini and squash thinly—but not paper-thin. They'll need to
George Zaras
Jul 221 min read


Halal Street-Cart White Sauce
Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 lemon juiced 2 tsp white vinegar 2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley or mint 1 tsp sugar 1/4 tsp black pepper Instructions Whisk together the mayonnaise and yogurt until smooth. Add the lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, parsley or mint Add sugar and salt to taste - this will be determined by the mayo you use. If you are (appropriately) using Duke's, don't add more salt, can use a litt
George Zaras
Jun 191 min read


Cottage Cheese Egg Cups
Ingredients 8 eggs 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup chopped greens (spinach, kale, chard, whatever is threatening to wilt in the fridge) ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, feta, parmesan, etc.) Optional additions: chopped onion or a couple scallions cooked sausage or bacon roasted mushrooms herbs hot sauce cherry tomatoes Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a muffin tin well. Sauté onions and any sturdier vegetables for a few minutes until softened. If using greens, cook just u
George Zaras
May 261 min read
Saag
Ingredients 2 tbsp ghee, or neutral oil 1 large onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, grated 1-inch knob fresh ginger, grated 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp garam masala Pinch red pepper flakes 1 tbs tomato paste 1 medium tomato, chopped (or a small can of crushed tomatoes) 3 large bunches mixed greens, roughly chopped 1 cup water or broth Salt to taste ½ cup plain yogurt or a splash of cream (optional) Squeeze of lime Instructions In a large pot or Dut
George Zaras
May 82 min read


Roasted Beets with Horseradish Yogurt, Pickled Fennel & Walnut Gremolata
Ingredients For the Horseradish Cream 2 cups full-fat plain Greek yogurt (Fage brand recommended by the resident Greek) ½ cup freshly grated horseradish (or start with ¼ cup jarred horseradish and adjust to taste) Zest and juice of 1 lemon For the Roasted Beets 2–3 bunches mixed beets (any color), peeled and quartered For the Pickled Fennel 1 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced White vinegar Salt For the Walnut Gremolata ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely c
George Zaras
Apr 232 min read


Pakistani "Old Clothes" Beef Curry
Traditionally called Nihari, slow cooked beef falls apart like old clothes. This recipe is adapted from The Indian Slow Cooker by Anupy Singla Ingredients 2 medium onions, sliced 2 pounds stew beef, chunked 1 inch piece ginger peeled 2 heads of garlic (about 10 cloves) 1 tsp ground ginger 3 cardamom pods 3 bay leaves 1 cinnamon stick 2 tbsp high quality garam masala 2 tbsp ground fennel 1 tbsp red chile powder 1 tsp nutmeg 1tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp salt (and a pinch of black
George Zaras
Apr 91 min read


West African–Inspired Sweet Potato, Kale & Peanut Stew
Ingredients 2 tbsp oil 1 large onion, chopped 3–4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp African Curry spice mix (turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, black pepper, cayenne, ground mustard, fennel, allspice, and cloves) 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable) 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 can crushed tomatoes (or ~2 cups fresh cooked down) 1/2 cup peanut butter (the good kind, not too sweet) 1 bunch kale, stems removed, chopped Sa
George Zaras
Apr 22 min read


Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients Dry 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup cornmeal (optional but highly recommended for texture) ¾ cup sugar 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ¾ tsp salt pinch of fresh ground nutmeg Wet 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk 1 cup whole greek yogurt ½ cup sour cream 1 stick unsalted butter, melted Lemon zest from 1 whole lemon 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Add-ins 1½–2 cups blueberries Top raw sugar or coarse sugar extra blueberries (optional) light streu
George Zaras
Mar 261 min read


Classic Deviled Eggs (plus a few upgrades)
Ingredients 6-12 large eggs (look, I make like 20 at a time. You do you. However many fits in your pot. Just make sure you are making at least 1-2 more than your platter holds because they will be eaten immediately by anyone in the vicinity) 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1–2 teaspoons yellow mustard 1 teaspoon relish 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar Instructions Boil the eggs. There are a lot of strategies here, I will tell you what works for me 90% of the time. The
George Zaras
Mar 193 min read


Congee
Ingredients 1 cup rice total - we use a combo of: ⅓ cup short-grain rice (like sushi rice) ⅔ cup medium or long-grain rice (like jasmine) 8 cups broth (we use our Souper broth recipe here that already has the benefit of turmeric and ginger flavoring) https://www.kestrelhollow.com/post/souper-broth 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced finely 2 cloves garlic, mined finely 1–2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari 1 teaspoon salt Classic congee toppings Shredded cooked po
George Zaras
Mar 21 min read


Kilt Winter Collards
These greens are treated more like a warm salad than a slow-cooked green. It only works when you have very tender collards, tear of a corner and check how waxy/tough they are before trying. They are quick, hot, and glossy, with just enough richness to feel special, perfect for a winter salad. Ingredients 1 bunch collards, washed and sliced into fine ribbons 1–2 tablespoons schmaltz (or butter, bacon fat, or olive oil) ½ onion, finely minced A small handful golden raisins A sm
George Zaras
Jan 81 min read


Mussels in White Wine Arugula Sauce
Ingredients 2 lb fresh mussels 1 small shallot, finely minced 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ¾ cup dry white wine 3 packed cups arugula 1 bunch cilantro, parsley 1 tbsp butter 1 lemon Optional but excellent 1 anchovy fillet (for depth, not fishiness) Pinch red pepper flakes (I like a spicy, peppery mussel) Instructions Build the arugula base In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and toast, add anchovy and red pepper flakes if using, letting the anchovy dissol
George Zaras
Dec 18, 20252 min read


Turkey & Dumpling Soup
Ingredients For the Soup 2 tbsp butter or olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 2–3 carrots, sliced 2–3 celery stalks, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced Preferred herbs - thyme, sage, and rosemary 1 bay leaf 6 cups poultry stock 2–3 cups leftover cooked turkey, shredded or chopped 1–2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Salt & pepper to taste For the Dumplings 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tbsp melted butter ½ cup milk Instructions 1. Sauté the Vegetables In a large
George Zaras
Dec 4, 20252 min read


Chocolate Mousse
A healthy, high protein version! Makes 4 small ramekins, size up as needed 4 boiled eggs - chilled 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup honey 2 tsp vanilla extract Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Once everything is combined, smell and taste. If it's super eggy, add another teaspoon of cocoa powder and blend again. Pour into individual ramekins and refrigerate. That's it! Notes: I would highly recommend using the best quality cocoa powder and honey yo
George Zaras
Nov 13, 20251 min read


Old-Fashioned Cornbread
Made with fresh milled cornmeal and local honey. Ingredients 1 cup flour 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup honey 3 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt...
George Zaras
Oct 10, 20251 min read


Gochujang Potato and Bean Stew
Ingredients 1½ lb potatoes, washed and cut into large bite size pieces 1 large onion, half sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced (Add whatever...
George Zaras
Oct 2, 20252 min read


Chicken Tikka Masala
Ingredients 1 ½ chicken breast cut into cubes 3 tbsp butter or ghee 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, grated 1 tbsp fresh ginger,...
George Zaras
Sep 11, 20252 min read


Tomato Puff Pasty Tart
Ingredients 1 sheet puff pastry 2 medium onions, thinly sliced 1 tbsp olive oil 1–2 tsp balsamic vinegar 4 oz goat cheese (soft,...
George Zaras
Sep 3, 20252 min read
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