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mangotomato

Weekend Cook and Tell: Put an Egg on it!

Weekend Cook and Tell: Spring Holiday Spectacular

I made a matzo brei over the weekend, but instead of your usual eggs/cinnamon/sugar, I did something a bit different: Matzo Brei with Roasted Pepper, Olives and Parsley.

7 Brunches We Love in Washington, D.C.

May I also add a few? Blue Duck Tavern, Tabbard Inn, Birch & Barley, and Agora (all you can eat/drink!).

Weekend Cook and Tell: Cabbage Patch

None of these recipes are Irish ;) Just thought I'd let you know upfront.

1) Russian Stuffed Cabbage (aka Golubtsi)
2) Russian Crescent Rolls with Cabbage
3) Russian Cabbage Soup
4) For something other than Russian (LOL), Kimchi Soup

Weekend Cook and Tell: Pancakes Anytime

the latest pancake recipe I made and loved was buttermilk pancakes with boozy pesimmons and mangoes, but I also like them from a mix! I know shocking.

What I do is just add a few extra ingredients to kick them up :) If you are not into it, make these from scratch mascarpone pancakes. They are rich and decadent.

And of course don't forget chocolate chips. Here's a recipe for pancakes with peaches and chocolate.

Weekend Cook and Tell: Romantic Respites Revisited

Weekend Cook and Tell: Romantic Respites Revisited

all I have to say, is do NOT buy chocolate covered strawberries. they are so overpriced! Make them at home instead!

Weekend Cook and Tell: Chips and Dips

Weekend Cook and Tell: Get Back to Your Roots

beeing Russian, I love beets in soup, salad, or even as a dip.

As far as carrots, I love them in soups: roasted with a bit of cayenne, or with Indian flavors , or with sweet potatoes and pumpkin seeds.

BBQ in Savannah, Ga.?

I loved the BBQ in a little tiny Angel's BBQ during my visit to Savannah. It's definitely a casual place, but the food was outstanding.

Weekend Cook and Tell: Cookie Season

Cookies: what's not to like? There is such a large variety of them: everyone would be satisfied!

Here are some of my favorites: Dry Tart Cherry, Nuts & Chocolate Chip, pistachio butter cookies, Milano cookies, and hamentashen.

Ethopian Food in DC

you are in for a treat! there are so many Ethiopian places in DC. I wasn't blown away by Ethiopic. I much rather prefer some of the older and smaller places. And of course, there is always Etete, Dukem or Roha.

Enjoy!

Weekend Cook and Tell: Cranberry Confidential

Love cranberries. I mostly use the dried variety, but I've made Challah French Toast stuffed with Boozy Cranberries with the cranberry sauce I made from the fresh berries.

The dried cranberries were great in the brown rice dish that also had maitake mushrooms and beets.

And for dessert, how about a gorgeous Cranberry, walnut & chocolate tart?

Weekend Cook and Tell: Thanksgiving Post-Game Roundup

Weekend Cook and Tell: Thanksgiving Post-Game Roundup

this year I went to a friend's house and she made EVERYTHING. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, brussels sprouts, roasted root vegetables and several desserts: good time!

I could not come empty handed, so brought mushroom/barley soup for her to have in the coming days.

I also made boozy cranberry sauce and used it in a stuffed challah french toast for breakfast over the weekend. SO good!

anyone have a different version of pecan pie?

ok, so this is not exactly a pecan pie, but I think it's even better! I received this recipe for turtle tart from Art & Soul restaurant in DC and it's DIVINE! Same ingredients as in the pecan pie, but a lot more elegant and tasty.

Weekend Cook and Tell: Legacy of the Lentil

Love lentils. Orange, brown, those pretty green little French lentils, love them all.

I use them in soups, salads etc.

Here's the recipe for Marc Samuelsson lentil coconut soup. To spruce it up, I added pickled onions.

How about a quick cooking lentil soup with home made croutons? It's perfec for the cooler weather we'll be having soon.

Or you can make this lentil salad with tomatoes, celery, onion, etc and serve it cold or warm. For something a bit more substantial, make this warm bulgur & lentil salad.

Vegan sandwich ideas

I've just posted a sandwich today that HAPPENS to be vegan: whole wheat bread, avocado, cucumber, watercress, cilantro and hearts of palm. it's pretty and delicious and filling! I called it Green Goddess Sandwich ;)

let me know if you give it a try.

Weekend Cook and Tell: Winter Greens

I've made a great beet, apple, carrot, etc salad from Vegan Holiday Kitchen cookbook. It's colorful, filling and great for you.

I also like this marinated eggplant salad, which can doble as a sandwich topping or mixed in with pasta.

and finally, if you are lucky to have persimmons in your stores already, you have got to make this persimmon, avocado & pistachio salad .

Empanadas

I've had some empanadas with scrambled eggs, beef, olives and raisins. So I think you can go either way. Just leave some of the eggs uncooked for brushing the dough.

Fresh Black Figs...Now What?

I've made a pizza with plums, gorgonzola and pine nuts once. It sounds a bit odd, but it's great. You could absolutely sub figs!

http://www.mangotomato.com/2008/07/pizza-plums-onions-gorgonzola-pine-nuts.html

Baked Garbonzo Beans

LOVE chickpeas. Here's my recipe for Roasted Indian Chickpeas: http://www.mangotomato.com/2011/01/roasted-indian-chickpeas.html

Easy, healthy, inexpensive and people love them. My recommendation: make them right before serving. As they sit, they tend to sort of soften and are not as good.

Sauced: Chimichurri Sauce

I've never made the sauce, but have used the prepared variety to marinade mozzarella for panini! Full recipe here.

Frozen Shelled Edamame Recipe Ideas

Weekend Cook and Tell: Foods on a Stick

I tried to come up with something creative, but just could not think of anything other than meat on a stick or these plum popcicles

http://www.mangotomato.com/2010/08/plum-popsicles-healthy-no-sugar-added.html

Challah disaster

I decided to make challah last week because it was Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year. I've made challah before, but this time it was a disaster. It did not rise, baked to be dense and chewy and ended up in the garbage.

have a foolproof recipe? Please share.

Or look at the photos of mine and let me know what I did wrong.

Nashville, TN

Hi!
I'll be visiting Nashville, TN for the first time for 4th of July. Looking for casual/authentic fun places to eat. Cuisine doesn't matter: I love all food! :)

April in Madrid

I'm traveling to Madrid in the middle of April. I'm excited b/c I rented an apartment with a friend, so we'll be able to cook a few meals. But I'd love to hear your recommendations for inexpensive, authentic restaurants in the city.

Gracias :)

Food Photo classes in DC, Philadelphia, NYC

Hi!
I'm looking for in-person (as opposed to on line) food photography or styling classes (preferrably a workshop) in Washington DC, Philadelphia or NYC area.

If you know any, could you please share?

I was thinking about taking one at the Washington School of Photography in DC, but changed my mind.

Thank you!

Seafood on display

Just curious, how would you feel if you came into a restaurant and saw a display of fresh seafood on ice? I guess it might be similar to seeing fish swimming in a tank?

Here is a photo of what I'm talking about.

Freezing kugel

Question for y'all :)

I'm making a noodle kugel for a friend (she's the only one in her family who likes it), and was thinking about making it in a muffin tin. Do you think it'd be possible/smart to freeze some of the cooked kugel? Or is it weird to freeze dairy things?

here is the recipe I'm using.

Thank you for your advice!

Do you twitter?

Do you twitter? Looks like everyone is doing it.

I've been saying forever that I will not be joining Facebook or twitter, but actually might possibly try out twitter for a bit :) (just for my food stuff).

Question: what name should I use?

1) my actual name? Olga
2) my blog name? Mango & Tomato
3) or my email name, which I use to leave comments sometimes? orchidgirl1979

Any advice as to how to proceed from those of you who already use twitter?
Thanks!

Healthy snack for your kids

I don't have kids, but if I did, I think they would love this simple popsicle recipe I came up with (I know I do!).

Puree together 1/2 melon and 1 mango. Pour into ice cube container. Stick toothpics into the individual "popsicles" and freeze. DELICIOUS. And you can use whatever fruit/berry combination you want.

Want to see photos? click here.

Gourmet Marshmallows...what to do?

Hi, all!

I received a gift of 3 gourmet marshmallows: caramel, chocolate and lemon flavored. Other than eating them on their own, adding them to hot chocolate (in this weather??), what can I do with them?

Ideally looking for something I can make and either share with others or freeze for the future.

Thanks!

Egg in a Hole

Hi!
Last weekend I made egg in a hole and although it was tasty, I feel like it could have been better.

Anyone has a better technique that they are willing to share that will result in a runnier yolk?

Thanks!

Hamentashen Help

I know Purim is over, but I failed at making hamentashen again! (http://mangotomato.blogspot.com/2009/03/hamentashen-another-disaster.html)

Do you have any fail proof recipes? Thank you!

Who knew I liked fennel?

For the longest time I've been saying that Idon't like fennel. Then yesterday, after testing a recipe for fennel salad I discovered that I was wrong!!!

What foods have you thought you did not like, only to discover that you actually liked them (or at least did not hate them)?

Pasta Primavera

I made Pasta Primavera earlier this week...and something was just missing.

Any ideas on how I can improve it? Thanks!

http://mangotomato.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-so-perfect-pasta-primavera.html

Savannah, GA

Hi!
I'm traveling to Savannah, GA for the first time for MLK weekend.
I would love to hear your recommendations for places to see, visit, restaurants to try out, etc.

I'll be staying in the Historical District and be car-free.

Thank y'all in advance :)

Food Photography/SLR Camera

Hi,
Not sure if this is the right board, but I'm thinking I might need to invest in a SLR camera to improve my photo skills and to possibly try to turn this hobby into a food styling/magazine career.

Any recommendations? I cureently have a Cannon PowerShot 1000, but all the classes seem to require an SLR. Thank you!

feel free to email me directly.

Restaurant Week in DC

Just had a great lunch in Rasika
http://mangotomato.blogspot.com/2008/08/restaurant-week-rasika.html

What are your favorite places for Restaurant Week in DC?

Tomorrow is Equinox!

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