Vegetarian Stuffed Red Pepper Halves

Sukkot, which begins at sunset September 29th, is a harvest holiday, which means that in addition to all the ritual and religions traditions, there’s lots of food, especially stuffed foods which are proof of the harvest bounty of fruits and vegetables.

Like stuffed peppers.

I have made stuffed peppers many times for Sukkot, but in recent years have found it easier to cut them into halves. The halves are still filled, but easier to cook and to eat. They are also easier to tote to a Sukkah.

This is one of the versions that my family has loved. I’ve made it with both Israeli and Moroccan couscous and also with rice and barley. The point is to include a starchy pasta or whole grain.

Btw, I cut the peppers in the middle, into top and bottom halves but obviously you can cut them from the stem down and have two top-and-bottom halves.

Vegetarian Stuffed Red Pepper Halves

• 4 red bell peppers

• 1/2 cup couscous (or use rice, barley, etc.)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes

• 1 cup thawed frozen peas

• 2 beaten eggs

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven broiler. Cut the peppers in half. Discard the stems and seeds. Place the pepper halves, skin side up, on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Broil the pepper halves for 4-5 minutes or until the skin darkens and blisters. Remove the peppers, wrap them in foil or place them in a bag and let them cool. When cool, remove the skin and place the pepper halves, hollow side up, on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Set aside. Turn the oven to 425F.

Cook the couscous. Place the cooked couscous in a bowl and set aside. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 2-3 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas and cook 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to the cooked couscous. Pour the eggs into the pan and cook, stirring, until the eggs are set. Place them on a cutting bord and chop them into small pieces. Add them to the couscous. Spoon equal amounts of the couscous mixture inside the pepper halves. Sprinkle with equal amounts of mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 12-13 minutes or until the cheese has melted and begins to turn golden brown.

Makes 4-8 servings

The Easiest Eggplant Parmesan Ever

It’s that time of year, when my garden has produced just about all it’s going to. Some leaves and stems are already wilting and yellowing.

We’ve been feasting on tomatoes and eggplants.

I’ve made my annual hoard of pepper jam.

I’ll make tomato chutney with some of the dark green tomatoes (and let the ones that have a vague pink color ripen on the vine for a few days).

Last night I made Eggplant Parmesan with one of the gorgeous eggplants and San Marzano tomatoes I planted this year. It was the easiest version I’ve ever prepared.

Also the most delicious.

And light — I roast the eggplant slices rather than bread and fry them.

Do you think this was so good because the produce was fresh from my garden?

Maybe. But I think this recipe — so easy and so simple — would also be wondrous with store-bought stuff.

THE EASIEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN EVER

• 1 medium eggplant

• salt

• 4 tablespoons olive oil, approximately

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 large clove garlic, chopped

• 8-10 plum tomatoes, sliced

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the eggplant about 1/8-inch thick, sprinkle with salt and let rest for 20-30 minutes. Wipe the eggplant slices dry and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each side of each slice of eggplant with a film of olive oil (you will need about 2 tablespoons of oil). Roast the slices for about 15 minutes, turning them once, or until they are softened. Remove from the oven. While the eggplant is roasting, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes and basil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened. Place the eggplant slices on the bottom of a baking dish (overlap the slices slightly). Spread the ricotta cheese on top of the eggplant slices. Spoon the cooked tomato mixture over the cheese. Cover with the mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is beginning to turn lightly brown.

Makes 4 servings

Fig, Cheese and Caramelized Onion Pizza

Can you tell I bought a truckload of fresh figs this week?

This is my third recipe so far — I can’t resist fresh figs when I first see them in the market. So, we’ve had two versions of salad (with figs of course) and one pizza — I’ve made this pizza numerous times since I first posted about it last year.

One of us, as usual, added some fresh arugula on top and one of passed on that.

Fig, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Pizza

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

• cornmeal

• about 15 ounces of pizza dough

• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese

• 5-6 fresh figs, cut into quarters

• 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (or 1/3-1/2 cup crumbled blue type cheese)

• arugula, optional

• Balsamic vinegar, optional

Preheat the oven to 450F. Preheat a pizza stone if you have one. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over low-medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 15-18 minutes, stirring frequently or until the onions and beginning to turn golden. Add the Balsamic vinegar, stir and cook another 10 minutes or until the onions are soft, well glazed and golden brown. Set aside. Place some cornmeal on a board or on parchment paper and stretch/roll the dough into a circle (Mine was 12-inches but you can make it 11-13-inches depending on how thick you like the crust.) Spoon the ricotta cheese evenly over the dough surface, leaving about 1/2-inch at the edge. Cover the ricotta cheese with the onions. Top with the quartered figs, placing them evenly round the surface. Scatter the mozzarella cheese over the top, then the Parmesan or blue cheese. If you have a pizza stone transfer the pizza to the stone using a pizza peel; or, transfer to a large baking sheet with the parchment paper underneath. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is crispy and browned to taste and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Makes one large pizza

Veggie Frittata

When it’s time for a meatless meal I often go for a frittata. It’s quick and easy to cook and, accompanied by a salad and a hunk of bread, is filling enough for dinner.

I’ve made this veggie-cheese frittata many times, using different veggies (about 2 cups worth) and other meltable cheeses (cheddar, havarti, mozzarella) and if I have any, sometimes throw in some crumbled feta, blue or goat cheese.

This is a dish that works no matter what the season, but is especially good in summer when most of us want lighter food. Also — perfect during the Nine Days and for other meatless fast days.

Veggie Frittata

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 tablespoons chopped shallot

• 10-12 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut into pieces

• 3-4 large mushrooms, cleaned and chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional

• 6 large eggs, beaten

• 2 ounces grated Swiss cheese

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to broil. Heat the butter and olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the shallot, tomatoes and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add the spinach and parsley, if used, and cook briefly, until the spinach has wilted slightly. Pour in the eggs and scatter the cheese on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the liquid egg to get to the bottom, until the eggs are still slightly liquid but nearly cooked. Place the pan under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until the top is crispy and lightly browned.

Makes 2-3 servings

Spaghetti with Fresh Puttanesca

We were on a cruise recently and the ship we were on had a separate pizza restaurant! So of course we had pizza a few times. The varieties were extensive — the chef made pizzas with all sorts of toppings. Mostly I like (and ate) plain pizza Margherita, sometimes topped with arugula, but one time I chose Puttanesca. It was an OMG moment.

Puttanesca is not for everyone. It’s salty and very tangy.

But I absolutely love it.

I’ve made Puttanesca sauce for spaghetti many times, usually with canned San Marzano tomatoes. But the plum tomatoes at the market recently were too good to pass up, so I went to my trusted recipe drawer, “sauce folder” and found my fresh tomato version. It was as good as I had remembered.

Here it is:

Spaghetti with Fresh Puttanesca Sauce

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 medium cloves garlic, chopped

• 3 anchovies, chopped (or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste)

• 4-5 large plum tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• pinch or two of crushed red pepper

• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2-3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained

• 12-15 mixed pitted black and green imported olives, cut coarsely

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook briefly. Add the anchovies (or paste), mix briefly, then add the tomatoes, basil and red pepper. Cook, over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 7-8 minutes. Stir in the capers and olives and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until it has reached the desired consistency (use 2 tablespoons of capers if you want it less tangy).

Makes enough for 1/2 pound pasta

Chick Pea, Dried Fruit and Vegetable Pilaf

We have been eating more vegetarian dishes recently — somehow just in the mood and don’t have as big a yen for meat.

Besides, vegetarian dishes are traditional for Purim, which begins at sundown on Monday, March 6, 2023, so the casserole recipe below is something for you to consider this year.

We had this dish a few times (variations) and loved the combination of tangy and sweet (dried fruit), the savory chick peas and the seasoned but just gently spicy flavors in the rice.

It’s also a good way to use up rice and chick peas if you don’t eat them during Passover.

And — it’s a good bet for Break-the-fast if (as we do) you have a dairy or vegetarian feast instead of the traditional smoked fish.

Chick Pea, Dried Fruit and vegetable Pilaf

• 1 15 ounce can chick peas, drained

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• salt, paprika

• 3-4 medium scallions (or use a yellow onion), chopped

• 1 large clove garlic, chopped

• 2 medium carrots sliced 1/2-inch thick

• 1/2 cup halved dates, preferably medjool

• 1/3 cup cut up dried apricots

• 1/3 cup golden raisins

• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

• pinch or two of Aleppo pepper (or use crushed red pepper or cayenne)

• 1 cup white rice

• 2 cups vegetable stock

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chick peas on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, pour one tablespoon of the olive oil over them and toss to coat them. Sprinkle with salt and paprika. Roast for about 20 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, or until the chick peas are lightly crispy. When they are done, remove the chick peas from the oven, set them aside and turn the oven heat to 350 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large heat-proof, oven-proof pan over medium heat. Add the scallions, garlic and carrots and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the dates, apricots and raisins. Sprinkle with salt, cumin, coriander and Aleppo pepper, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the rice and chick peas. Stir to distribute the ingredients evenly. Pour in the stock, bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover the pan and place in the oven. Bake for about 45 minutes. Let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

Grilled Cheese (Egg, Avocado, Pepper. Tomato)

When I was growing up my Mom occasionally made sandwiches for dinner. She was a really good cook and, with rare exceptions, I loved and ate everything she made. The sandwich dinners were invariably after a busy day or when we had leftovers —shnipzels she called them — and she wanted to use them all up.

And so, I learned that a sandwich is just as worthy a dinner as anything else. Especially when I have shnipzels to use. Or when I’ve been busy and don’t want anything fancier. Or when I was able to buy fabulous avocados that weren’t outrageously priced. Or when my garden finally burst with a few ripe tomatoes.

It all came together last night when we had these wonderful sandwiches for dinner. One of us added some hot sauce to the mayo.

Summer sandwich days are really lovely. No meat, just cheese and veggie goodness.

Grilled Cheese, Egg, Roasted Pepper and Avocado Sandwich

• 1/2 sweet bell pepper, deseeded

• 2 teaspoons butter

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise

• A few drops of hot sauce or 1 tablespoon chopped basil (or both), if desired

• 4 slices homestyle multigrain bread

• 3-4 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella cheese

• 4-6 tomato slices

• avocado slices

• 1 tablespoon butter

Preheat the oven to broil. Place the half pepper on a piece of foil and broil for 3-4 minutes per side or until crispy and tender. Remove from the oven and wrap the foil around the pepper to enclose it. Let cool, then peel the pepper, cut it in half and set it aside. Melt the 2 teaspoons butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the eggs and cook until set. Dish out, cut in half and set aside. Spread equal amounts of mayonnaise on each of the bread slices (mix the mayonnaise with optional ingredients if desired). Top two of the bread slices with equal amounts of cheese, tomato, avocado, egg and roasted pepper. Cover with second piece of bread. Melt half the remaining tablespoon of butter in the sauté pan over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan. Place another, heavier pan on top. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the underside is crispy. Remove the heavier pan, lift the sandwiches with a spatula and add the remaining butter to the pan. When the butter has melted, place the sandwiches in the pan, uncooked side down. Weight down with the heavier pan and cook for another minute or so or until second side is golden brown. (If you have a panini grill, use it!)

Makes 2 sandwiches

Mushroom Pot Pie

If you’re looking for a fabulously delicious meatless meal, it doesn’t get better than Mushroom Pot Pie.

No more needs be said. Try it and see for yourself.

Mushroom Pot Pie

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1/2 cup chopped shallots

• 2 medium garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 pound mixed fresh wild mushrooms, chopped

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or dairy sour cream

• 1 cup vegetable stock

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 sheet puff pastry

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the olive oil and butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook briefly. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook for 4-6 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and all the liquid has evaporated. Add the flour and stir it to dissolve it completely. Add the yogurt and stir it into the mushrooms until completely incorporated as a sauce. Pour in the stock and lemon juice and mix the ingredients thoroughly. Add the parsley and thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the sauce has reduced has thickened. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cook for another 1-2 minutes and remove the pan from the heat. Spoon the mixture into a 6-cup casserole dish. Roll the puff pastry slightly thinner and cut it to the shape of the casserole used. Place the puff pastry over the mushroom mixture. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the dough is puffed and golden brown.

Makes 4 servings

 

Vegetable Croquettes (Passover)

I was once in a pub in the west of England and ordered a dish called Bubble & Squeak. It’s simple, unfancy food, tasty and nourishing, consisting of mashed potatoes and cabbage fried to a crispy brown and topped with an egg.

It was magical.

So I made it many times at home, and, me being me, and this recipe being the kind that allows for endless variation, I added this and that to the potatoes, depending on what leftover vegetables I had. I used Brussels sprouts instead of cabbage (as do many restaurants in England); I’ve added corn, peas, carrots, spinach, broccoli and such. Once or twice I included cheese (feta, Parmesan) but I prefer the all-vegetable version best.

I don’t call it Bubble & Squeak (so named for the sounds it supposedly makes while being cooked), so I’ll just say: Vegetable Croquettes. We’ve eaten them as a side dish with meat but most of the time they are dinner, topped with a fried egg.

This is my Passover version. At other times of the year you can add beans/peas and coat the patties with bread crumbs.

Vegetable Croquettes

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, approximately

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

•  1 cup chopped cooked cabbage

•  2 chopped, cooked carrots

• 10 ounce package frozen spinach, thawed

• 3 cups mashed potatoes

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1/2 cup matzo meal, approximately

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened. Spoon the onions into a bowl. Add the cabbage, carrots, spinach, mashed potatoes and some salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and shape the mixture into 1/2-inch patties. Place the matzo meal on a plate. Press both sides of each patty into the crumbs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Heat 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil in the sauté pan over medium heat. Fry the patties a few at a time (leave plenty of space between each) for 3-4 minutes per side or until crispy and golden brown, adding more vegetable oil to the pan as needed.

Makes 8-10

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

During the run-up to Purim, the media is loaded with recipes for hamantashen. (Of course!)

But, because historians have speculated that the heroine of this holiday, Queen Esther, was a vegetarian, meatless meals are also traditional.

A vegetarian version of classic Shepherd’s Pie is hearty and filling enough to convince even a hardcore meat eater. And it’s also a festive dish worthy of a celebratory meal.

Note to self: this dish also makes a splendid choice for Break-the-Fast after Yom Kippur.

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie*

•  6 medium all-purpose potatoes such as Yukon Gold

• 1/3 cup vegetable stock

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1 cup lentils, preferably French green

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 12-14 ounces mushrooms, chopped

• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 medium zucchini, cut into bite sized pieces

• 2 cups vegetable stock

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 cup frozen peas or cut up cooked green beans

• paprika 

Peel the potatoes, cut them into chunks and cook them in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and mash them with a ricer or potato masher until the lumps have disappeared. Stir in the stock, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.  

Cook the lentils according to package directions. When the lentils are tender, drain them and set them aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, mushrooms and garlic and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened slightly. Add the zucchini and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Add the cooked lentils, vegetable stock, thyme and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Mix the cornstarch with enough water to make a smooth paste. Add to the vegetable mixture. Stir and cook for 2-4 minutes or until the pan liquid has thickened. Stir in the peas. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.

Place the vegetables in a lightly oiled baking dish. Cover the top with the mashed potatoes. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika (can be cooked ahead up to this point).

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pie is hot and bubbling around the edges and the crust has browned lightly (if you make this ahead and refrigerate the dish, it may take 25-30 minutes to reheat).

Makes 8 servings

*a version of this dish appeared in The Jewish Week Food&Wine.