Category Archives: SIDE DISHES

CJ’S CAFE and SWEET FRIED PLANTAINS

CJ’s Cafe on W Pico in Los Angeles is a long loved restaurant that serves a Mexican dishes, traditional American food and soul food. Their sweet fried plantains are about the best ever. Recipe included.

Ta-eem Grill, Hummus Fava Beans

Ta-eem Grill in Los Angeles draws a crowd for It’s kosher Mediterranean dishes. Owner Sylvie Kraizberger shares the recipe for authentic Hummus Fava Beans (Ful).

CRANBERRY SALAD FROM BARBARA GIBBS OSTMANN

Barbara Gibbs Ostmann and I have been friends for so long that I don’t remember how we met. I think it was when she first became food editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sometime in the mid 1970s. She interviewed me about my cooking school for kids and then subsequently hired me to freelance, not […]

FABULOUS FEAST FOOD FOR THANKSGIVING

In the spirit of Thanksgiving past, present and future, Sweet Leisure revisits a cornucopia of recipes so that you can fill your table with fun, festive and frankly fabulous feast food.   HARVEST VEGETABLE SOUP A simple, special, superb, savory soup that combines the best of the season’s harvest to jump start a sumptuous feast. […]

DOSA AND MAYURA INDIAN RESTAURANT

Dr. Aniyan, or Padmini as her friends call her, greets guests at the door of her south Indian restaurant with a smile as brilliant as the gold trimmed sari that she explains is her “work” uniform. The Ph.D professor of business management and accounting and her restauranteur husband, Aniyan Puthanpurayil, immigrated to the United States […]

SUNSHINE INN GARDEN OF EDEN SALAD

It’s been my favorite salad for at least 50 years. Through thick and thin; through Nouvelle, Fusion, California and New American Cuisines; through fast food, slow food, farm-to-table, ethnic and international cooking movements, I have loved the Sunshine Inn salad above all others. My sort of comfort food. My family thinks so as well. The […]

PORTO’S BAKERY & CAFE AND ROPA VIEJA

California’s iconic Porto’s Bakery & Cafes are now selling frozen goodies nationwide. These Bake at Home treats delight and we are grateful to have them available when not able to get to the bakery in person. On the other hand, the favorite Cuban dish, Ropa Vieja is only available in the cafe, but you can also make it at home as Porto’s gave us the recipe.

ANNIE FENN, BRAIN HEALTH AND WARM KALE BLACKBERRY SALAD

I first encountered Annie Fenn when she gave a video presentation, “Cooking in the Brain Health Kitchen” for the Aspen Brain Institute’s Expert series. Her talk charmed me, being not only down to earth, but also highly informative with many take away tips as well as some great recipes. Annie knows what she’s talking about. A […]

NATHALIE DUPREE AND TIAN

The extraordinary cook, cookbook author and food celebrity, Nathalie Dupree, shares her favorite recipe perfect for summer bounty.

KITTY’S KAFE FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Kitty’s Kafe in Gulf Shores, Alabama serves the best, wickedly delicious, fried green tomatoes. Here’s the recipe…