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Peas, Potatoes and Yuerba Buena Harissa
Serves 4 An accidental combination of the best kind, this dish is inspired by Salatata Batata al Tunis (Tunisian Potato Salad), and uses some of the fresh and vibrant local ingredients that I found here in Ecuador;  baby potatoes, peas , spicy red chilies and yerba Buena. The spice mixture is a little plainer in…
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Tunisian Potato & Herb Salad with Harissa and Yogurt
Serves 6 Ingredients 2 pounds yellow potatoes, cooked and cubed or cut in approx ½ inch cubes (peels on or off) 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped 1 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon salt Cracked black pepper ¼-½ cup extra virgin Olive Oil Yogurt Fresh Mint Harissa (…
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Fresh Mint Harissa
Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 dried guajillo chilies, stems removed, broken 2 dried red chilies, stems removed, broken 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, toasted 2 teaspoons rainbow peppercorns, toasted 3 garlic cloves 1 bell pepper, roasted & peeled 2 red (fresh) jalapeno peppers, roasted & peeled 1 tablespoon…
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Yemini Zhug
Makes 2 cups Ingredients ½  teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted 1 teaspoon rainbow pepper corns, toasted 1 cardamom pod, cracked and toasted 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted ½  teaspoon caraway seeds, toasted 2 teaspoons salt 3 cloves garlic2 cups cilantro leaves 4 -6 hot green chilies, chopped (any type is fine- Serrano, jalapeño, cayenne a combination…
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Roasted Tomato & Red Lentil Soup with FIRE HOT Yemini Zhug
Serves 6 Ingredients ½  teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoon rainbow pepper corns 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1-2 cups red cherry tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, chopped course 1 medium shallot, chopped fine 2 teaspoons smoked paprika ( Turkish variety if you can get your hands on it!)2 teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups…
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Spicy Peruvian Cilantro Sauce
Makes 2-3 cups Ingredients 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves 2 cloves garlic, chopped ½ small white onion ¼ cup avocado oil ¼ cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste Juice of 1 lime ¼ cup hot water (more as needed) Directions Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and…
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Nissa’s Gumbo Z’Herbes
When Jimmy’s No. 43 came-a-calling with their Gumbo contest in celebration of Mardi Gras and benefitting Chefs for the Marcellus, an organization of food professionals who are fighting against hydrofracking for natural gas in NY in order to protect food and water supplies, I knew I needed something special. Certainly it is “my thing†to…
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Thai Style Spicy Vegetables
Serves 6 Ingredients 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 1 to 3 Thai red chile peppers (more=spicy), minced 1 medium shallot, chopped 3 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot 3 tablespoons canola oil 1½ pound fresh green beans, trimmed Fresh cilantro, chopped Dry roasted peanuts, chopped (optional) Directions In a…
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Roasted Spicy Moroccan Chicken with Figs & Carrots in Spicy Brown Butter Sauce
Serves 4 Ingredients 6-8 pieces of chicken, drumsticks, wings, legs or breasts Salt 2 tablespoons ros al hanout, traditional or modern recipe, plus 1 tablespoon 6 medium carrots, cut in half 12-16 dried figs 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 medium red onion, chopped large 1 tablespoon orange zest ½ tablespoon lemon zest Juice of 1…
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Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Serves 6 Ingredients 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1⁄8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 teaspoon garam masala Kosher salt to taste Lime wedges Directions Preheat the oven to 400°F. Rinse and drain the chickpeas and dry by rolling them around in a kitchen towel. Combine the oil,…
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Garden Baked Beans
Serves 12 Ingredients 2 pounds dry beans or 3 pounds fresh (cranberry, navy, yellow, eye, heirlooms in general are best) 2 sprigs fresh thyme Olive oil 3 cloves fresh garlic 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 red onion, chopped 1 green onion, chopped 2 teaspoons salt ½ cup molasses 1 cup dark amber beer ¼…
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Spicy Italian Sausage Baked with Tomatoes & Potatoes
Serves 6 (makes 6-9 sausages) INGREDIENTS For the Sausage 2 pounds pork butt, cubed into ½-inch cubes ½ pound pork fat, slab bacon, or fatback 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped fine ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped fine ¼ cup fresh marjoram, chopped fine 1…
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Spicy Moroccan Cauliflower Latke with Preserved Lemons and Mint Marmalade
These are Moroccan inspired latkes with a tangy mint sauce adds interest and an exotic twist.