Mexican-spiced potato oven fries

• 4 medium sweet and/or white potatoes*, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick strips, lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

preheat oven to 425 degrees F. combine all ingredients in a large bowl, tossing to coat potatoes evenly. place potato strips on parchment-lined baking sheets in a single layer, leaving a little room around each strip so they can brown and crisp. cook for 15 minutes, flip the pieces over and cook for another 15-20 minutes, until nicely browned.

*note: you can use any kind of potato you want. a combination of sweet potatoes and russets is particularly good.

bright & citrusy braised, shredded Mexican beef for tacos

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• pinch of kosher salt
• 2 pounds boneless beef for braising (chuck roast, flank steak, boneless short ribs, or other suitable cuts)
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bunch cilantro (save a bit to chop for garnish, if you wish)
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 orange, juiced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup water or stock

preheat oven to 325 degrees F. heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large French or Dutch oven (or other burner- and oven-safe pot that's big enough to hold everything) over medium-high to fairly high heat, add the onion and pinch of kosher salt and saute until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. you're not caramelizing the onion; you're actually searing it a bit to get lots of good flavor, so let the pieces get nice and dark around the edges. you don't have to worry about softening them; they'll cook nicely with the beef.

while the onion is frying, cut the meat into large (1-2 inch) chunks. combine the paprika, cumin, chili powder, 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, pepper, cilantro, garlic cloves, citrus juices, olive oil and water (or stock), and puree in a regular blender or with an immersion blender. add the meat and the pureed mixture to the pot and stir. bring to a simmer, cover with an oven-safe lid (or cover tightly with aluminum foil) and place in the oven. cook for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, until meat is very tender.

when it's nice and tender (shreds very easily with a fork), turn off the oven. using a slotted spoon, scoop the meat out onto a plate. place the pot on a medium-low burner and reduce the cooking liquid, uncovered, until reduced by about half (you just want to reduce it enough so the finished mixture isn't watery). while the liquid is reducing, shred the meat using two forks, then add the shredded meat (and any accumulated juices) back to the pot. combine and adjust seasoning, if needed. serve with hot flour and/or corn tortillas, and accompany with crumbled cotija cheese, chopped tomato, shredded lettuce, guacamole or avocado slices, sour cream (or crema fresca, or Greek yogurt) and wedges of lime. very good when served with Mexican-spiced oven fries (that recipe is coming next)!

best ever flour tortillas

make them; they are fabulous. a food processor fitted with an "s" blade works perfectly for the dough.

http://thecafesucrefarine.com/2013/08/best-ever-homemade-flour-tortillas/

mango salsa

very good with fish tacos. would also be excellent with grilled or roasted chicken, or chips.

• 1 mango (ataulfo is best, but ripe green mango is fine, too), peeled, and diced in about 1/4" cubes
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced finely
• 1 medium ripe tomato (or a couple of handfuls of grape tomatoes), diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced finely
• 1/2 green bell pepper (or 1 small jalapeno), seeded and diced finely
• 1/2 small red onion, diced very finely
• juice of 1 fresh lime
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• a small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

chop it all up and combine in a bowl. make at least 30 minutes ahead of time, to allow flavors to marry.

recipe development: a customizable Thai coconut-chicken soup loosely inspired by Tom Kha Gai

it's high time for some creative recipe tinkering! I've been craving Tom Kha Gai in a big way, but 1) I need to accommodate the varying tastes of the folks who eat with me (one hates cilantro; two of them truly cannot handle anything spicy/hot, but they're all pretty adventurous eaters within those constraints), and 2) I have some lovely little butternut squashes that I'd like to add to the soup, but not in a puree (because that would make it a completely different dish). so...

the goal: to create a flexible Thai coconut & chicken soup template that can accommodate different tastes, seasonal ingredients and capricious whims.

the non-negotiable: I'll start with a saute of minced shallots, chunks of chicken thighs and quartered fresh mushrooms, to add to a base of ultra-rich chicken stock, coconut milk, fish sauce and fresh lemongrass. I'll add just a touch of palm sugar to sweeten it slightly.

the variables: while I prefer fresh kaffir lime leaves, when I can't get them, I'm fine with fresh lime zest. likewise, galanga (a.k.a. "kha,") is the authentic choice, but fresh ginger is delicious and still makes an excellent soup.

the totally optional: I'm going to roast some thin slices of peeled butternut squash, to caramelize the exterior a bit, and will add those in to the soup this time; we'll see how that works.

the garnishes, so we can each customize our own bowls of soup: a big plate with wedges of lime, fresh Thai camphor basil (for the cilantro haters, and because it's wonderful in its own right), fresh cilantro leaves and thinly sliced fresh chiles, plus the bottle of fish sauce, so we can each doctor our own bowl of soup to make it truly "ours."

if this succeeds, I'll have to come up with a good name for it -- although it might be inspired by Tom Kha Gai (one of the finest soups ever), it definitely won't be authentic in anyway.

I'm planning to serve it with side dishes of jasmine rice for some, cauliflower "rice" for me, and a cucumber salad with minced raw scallions, rice vinegar and a bit of honey.

if I get the cookbook-worthy results I want, I'll write it up into a real recipe!

perfect fall butternut squash bisque

a rich, delicious squash bisque, redolent with the flavors of Fall. this would be wonderful served at the beginning of a Thanksgiving dinner, or anytime during the Fall/Winter seasons.

• 2 butternut squash, ~ 2 pounds each?, cut in half from stem to blossom end, seeds removed
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced finely
• 3-5 stalks celery (depending on size -- ideally, 5 of the paler, more tender inner stalks), diced finely
• 1/4 teaspoon ground, dried thyme, or 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh sage leaves, minced (optional)
• pinch of kosher salt
• a few grinds of black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 quart good chicken stock
• 1-2 cups heavy cream
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

to garnish:

• 1 cup slivered almonds, squash seeds or pumpkin seeds toasted with a dab of oil (olive oil or ghee are ideal), salt, pepper and paprika until golden brown, set aside to cool
• (optional) a little bowl of fresh thyme leaves and/or finely slivered fresh sage leaves

preheat oven to 350. line baking sheets with parchment paper, lightly butter the paper and place squash on it, cut side down. roast in oven for 45 minutes - 1 hour, until done. remove from oven to cooling racks, flip cut side up and let cool while you prepare the onions.

while the squash is cooling, melt the butter over medium-high heat and saute the onion with a pinch of salt. add the celery after about 5 minutes. reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until onion is translucent and slightly golden brown on the edges. add chicken stock and bring to a simmer.

with a good-sized spoon, scoop the butternut squash flesh out and place in a bowl, discarding the skins. add the squash flesh to the simmering soup mixture on the stove and allow to cook together for 5-10 minutes, to marry the flavors. turn off the burner, remove the bay leaves and discard; they've done their job. either use an immersion (stick) blender, or remove soup in batches to a blender or food processor to puree until it's velvety smooth (it's much easier with the immersion blender; you will have to be very careful with a regular blender or food processor when pureeing hot soup, as it tends to expand the air in the blender and blow the lid off, making a big, potentially painful mess. you can get decent immersion blenders for $30 - $40 now; I recommend them highly if you can fit it in your budget). if you've used a regular blender or food processor, return all the pureed soup to the pot (if you've used the recommended immersion blender, it's already in there). add a cup of the cream and bring the soup to a simmer, stirring regularly. taste and assess. add more chicken stock or some water if it's too thick; add more cream if it needs more richness. adjust all seasonings; salt and pepper to taste. at this point, it should taste like much more than the sum of its parts; it should taste like a combination of the essence of Fall and Thanksgiving. serve with suggested garnishes and enjoy.

zucchini-based "hummus"

this tastes so much like garbanzo bean-based hummus, but is free of lectins, lower in carbohydrate, mostly raw, and it's delicious, so why not try it? we make this for guests, afternoon snacks, potlucks -- all kinds of occasions, and it always receives compliments.

adapted from this Primal Kitchen Chaos recipe:

• 1-3/4 cup peeled, cubed raw zucchini (about 2-3 medium zucchinis)
• 1/2 cup raw, unsalted cashews, sunflower seeds or macadamia nuts
• 2 tablespoons tahini (roasted sesame butter)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
• 1+ cloves of garlic, pressed (to your taste)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

puree it all in a food processor or blender until creamy. garnish with a sprinkle of paprika if desired. that's it! serve with raw veggies and/or paleo-compliant crackers to dip.

how to roast all sorts of vegetables

properly roasted veggies should have both golden and dark brown crisp bits/edges, without being burned. they should be tender, but never mushy, and bright in color. roasting concentrates the deep greens and bright oranges, yellows and reds in a way that stovetop cooking can’t replicate. it sweetens bitterness, caramelizes natural sugars and intensifies the aromas and flavors.

here’s how to do them right:

•  wash and dry in salad spinner or with clean towels
• cut into serving pieces, snap off tough ends, remove inedible parts as desired
•  toss with a bit of cooking fat (coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, melted butter, macadamia nut oil, etc.) and a good pinch of kosher salt
• spread out on a baking sheet in a single layer, with a bit of room between pieces
• move oven rack to about 6 inches below broiler element
• turn on broiler
• put sheet in oven, and set timer for approximately half the total cooking time. total cooking times for many veggies as follows: asparagus, whole cherry tomatoes, green beans, pea pods, sliced zucchini or summer squash: 7 minutes. broccoli or cauliflower florets, thickly sliced onion, sliced radicchio, whole green onions: 12 minutes. bell pepper strips, eggplant slices, cabbage wedges, halved (or small whole) zucchini or summer squash, quartered fresh mushrooms: 17 minutes.  whole fresh mushrooms, carrot, parsnip, sweet potato or beet chunks, quartered onions: 25-35 minutes.
•  at half-time, take sheet out of oven, and flip, stir, or shake veggies as appropriate, to ensure even cooking
• return to oven and set timer for remainder of cooking time

when done, remove to a bowl, and if desired, garnish with any of the following (combine toppings as desired): chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, basil), freshly ground black pepper, smoked or sweet paprika, a bit more melted butter or oil, a sprinkling of nuts (whole if small, chopped or sliced if larger), a small clove of pressed garlic, grated or crumbled cheese, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a drizzle of good balsamic vinegar. roasted veggies are delicious just as they are, straight from the oven, or cold in a salad or dipped in something luscious.

homemade ranch dip, from scratch!

easy and delicious, with just the right balance of herbs and tangy-ness; this is the perfect consistency for dipping crackers, chips and/or veggies. to use it for salad dressing, either substitute buttermilk for the Greek yogurt, or thin out the dip with a bit of buttermilk or plain almond milk. kids and adults alike love it! don't buy the powdered junk in packets (filled w/preservatives, sweeteners and the like) -- whip it up at home in your blender or food processor.

• 1/2 cup homemade mayo (preferably made with light olive oil, macadamia nut oil or another paleo-approved oil)
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt (or buttermilk, if making salad dressing)
• 1  clove garlic, pressed
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

snip the chives with kitchen scissors, or slice thinly with a knife into small rounds. roughly chop the parsley, then throw all the ingredients into the food processor or blender and process, scraping down the sides as needed.

honey-ginger barbecue sauce

oh, this is one of those recipes that's more than the sum of their parts. my father used to make his own barbecue sauce and it was so delicious. I decided to do a variation of his recipe that includes fresh ginger and honey, but the basic recipe is his. it smelled so heavenly right that I wanted to eat dinner the moment it was done!

this sauce can be brushed on meat before/after grilling (I tend to think it's best to do a dry rub before grilling, then brush with sauce during the last few moments), used in a crockpot or French oven with a roast to make shredded BBQ beef (that's what's happening with mine right now -- in the oven with a 2+ pound chuck roast at 300 degrees for 3-4 hours; when it's done I'll shred the meat into the sauce), or served alongside grilled/barbecued anything. it will keep in the fridge, in a jar or covered container, for at least a week or two.

• 1 stick butter, divided into 2 pieces: a 2-tablespoon chunk and the remaining 6 tablespoon piece
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup ketchup (the simplest kind you can find is best; either regular or unsweetened will work fine)
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons Pickapeppa sauce (if you have it on hand -- it's good stuff)
• 1 cup red wine vinegar (apple cider vinegar will be good here, if you'd prefer)
• 1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed
• 2-3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

in a large, deep saucepan or French oven, saute the onion in the 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until browned. add all the remaining ingredients, bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low (just enough to keep it bubbling). continue to simmer, uncovered (stirring from time to time) until thickened and glossy. remove from heat to allow to cool for a moment, then puree -- easiest to do with an immersion blender; if you're using a regular blender, be sure it's fairly cool so the heat doesn't blow the top off! do be sure to puree -- it brings out the ginger flavor and makes this beyond good.