Pinto and Green Bean Fry with Millet

In my opinion, millet is an under-appreciated grain. Lately, I have been guilty of neglecting this nutty-tasting grain that resembles couscous but is packed with more nutrients and flavor. Here it comes together in a simple and zesty Mexican-style stir-fry that is well-balanced with the addition of pinto beans, crunchy green beans and sweet corn.

Classic Spices Poster and a Giveaway

I'm delighted to offer a copy of the classic SPICES poster designed by Chef and Spice Master Tim Ziegler and Tea King Brian Keating. The second edition of the SPICES full-color poster, measuring 24" x 36", illustrating 189 spices, herbs, capsicums and seeds, is now available through MondoFood.com. The good news for my readers is that one lucky winner residing in either Canada or the US has a chance to win a copy that normally retails at $19.99.

This would be an ideal gift for the upcoming Father's Day for those special dads who love to cook and explore a variety of spices and herbs in the kitchen. Many of you have likely seen this poster displayed around restaurants, kitchens and culinary schools around the world. Now you have a chance to get a copy for your own reference or as a special gift for the culinary inspired one in your life. It's designed for professionals and experienced home cooks and beginners too. It's an excellent resource.

And it is gorgeous in addition to having instructional and inspirational value. Just have a look. Think of that as a poster to adorn your kitchen.

To enter, readers only need to leave a comment on this post indicating their favorite herb or spice, or a combination if you choose. PLEASE DO LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS ATTACHED TO YOUR COMMENT SO THAT I CONTACT YOU SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE WITH ONE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada and will run until Sunday, June 8th, 2014. At the end of the giveaway, I will choose a random winner and contact them for their mailing details.

It would also be appreciated if you followed my page on Facebook and Twitter, but that is not necessary to enter for a chance to win.

Full disclosure: I have no affiliation with the company and was contacted to see if I would be interested in offering a giveaway to my readers. Apart from a complimentary poster for myself, I am receiving no monetary compensation for writing this post. The opinions here, as always, are my own.

Italian Lemon Cornmeal Shortbread

These little delights were part of a Mediterranean themed multi-course meal served up with some twists to celebrate a visit from a friend of mine who was visiting recently from New Zealand. This cherished friend of mine I have known for 20 years, and now I am pleased to have met his charming wife and, on this recent journey, his handsome and inquisitive young son. It was a bittersweet visit as oceans separate us physically now that they have returned home. All things sweet must come to an end, until another day.

Much like biscotti, only less sweet and softer, the cornmeal imparts a pleasant grainy texture to this shortbread and each lemony bite literally melts in your mouth. Very easy to prepare with little fuss or mess, they are a wonderful way to cleanse your palate after a rich meal with a myriad of taste sensations.

Gently Simmered Cauliflower in a Spicy Tomato Sauce

After deciding between a craving for broccoli or cauliflower, I settled on the subtler tasting cauliflower as I wanted a curry too and this vegetable is a perfect vehicle to carry a spicy bouquet. I've certainly been making a more concerted effort of late to come up with fancier vegetable sides to go along with meals needing an extra dose of veg. The advantage of this one is it comes together in hardly anytime at all once your prep is done. And it adds elegance and flare to the dinner table.

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Quesadillas with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

It is really not surprising that I adore Mexican-style dishes because I like to spice up the dining experience. As the weather gets warmer, finally, it is not so desirable to spend hours hovering over a hot stove. Accordingly, for my weekly weekend dinner feature, I served up some of my favorite food combinations that required little fuss with a Mexican theme.

Earthy browned mushrooms, creamy goat cheese, melted Fontina cheese and rich sun-dried tomatoes make up the filling for these golden brown tortilla appetizers.

Italian-Style Tomato and Herb Gigantes

For years I'd convinced myself of an intense dislike for lima beans — a dislike that was at odds with my fondness for pretty much every other kind of bean on the planet, but a dislike that I now think must have originated with the clammy blandness of canned lima beans that somehow manage to integrate their blandness into what would otherwise be tasty bean salads.

Chickpeas in a Creamy Coconut Tamarind Gravy

I suppose it is an obsession of sorts, but coconut in some form or other has been making it into plenty of both sweet and savory creations lately. Coconut milk in particular muscles into a number of curries lately, so that my pantry shelves are in constant need of replenishment. The creaminess, richness and slight sweetness it imparts to gravies and sauces is not to be matched and one that vegans may want to pay special attention to as it closely mimics the texture of yogurt and truly shines in its own right.

Here coconut partners up with plump, tender and buttery chickpeas and tamarind. The use of tamarind here might be considered optional, but I find it gives a unique sweet and sour citrus flavor to the curry. You can add some freshly squeezed lime juice at the ending of the cooking time if you don't have tamarind on hand or just want to skip a step. The richness and fullness of tart, sour and bittersweet tamarind, however, contributes to the whole culinary experience.

Moist Chocolate Date Cake

Dense, yet very moist and almost molten-like, the sweetness of this chocolatey, buttery and none-too-sweet simple loaf cake comes from puréed dried dates and cherries … oh, and a really nice bar of good quality high-cocoa dark chocolate. The dark cocoa chocolate ensures that the sweetness from the dates and cherries shines through. Health-conscious diners can be forgiven for thinking that there must be added refined sugars in the cake, but you'll be happy to let them know that it's a perfect and almost guilt-free dessert … a little good dark chocolate never hurt anyone!

Homemade Guacamole

To celebrate Cinco De Mayo, a Mexican holiday that is celebrated worldwide, especially in North America, I was recently treated to a lovely package that included some wonderful avocados, a beautiful silver serving bowl, and all kinds of other kitchen goodies. I'm not Mexican myself, but to celebrate this package I made — what else? — homemade guacamole. Every one loves it when I make this luscious dip, and it disappears in hardly more time than it takes to set out the bowl. It's excellent served with homemade quesadillas and tortilla chips or any other little bites asking for some creamy avocado goodness. Best to double the quantity here if a number of guests are expected and it keeps well for a few days besides.

Because you can never have enough guacamole in my opinion, I'm sharing this recipe again with updated photos.

Cuban-Inspired Black Beans

Bold is the word that immediately comes to mind when I think of this vegan version of "frijoles negros". This hearty stew, or chili if you please, featuring black beans dressed up with vibrant spices is just the dish to bridge the gap between 6 months of intensely unpleasant Canadian temperatures and a summer that hopefully will shine upon us unfortunate freezing northern souls sooner than later.

I'll be making this hearty dish again in future. It is certainly an ideal way to showcase the assertive character of black beans that are complemented here by vibrant chilies and spices and, yes, some fine quality beer. You won't need a whole can or bottle, but if you like beer, then that won't pose a problem as you prepare the beans. I should note that you really can't detect the beer, though it does add further depth to this flavorful creation that is a complete taste sensation for the palate. Coconut milk is, in my opinion, also essential because of the delightful creaminess it imparts to the broth.

Creamy Lentil, Barley and Mushroom Soup

On a quest to satisfy my frequent craving for mushrooms, I wanted something earthy and balanced, all in one bowl. Another requirement was quick and easy. This bowl satisfied all of the above. Although more salads have been appearing on the menu lately, this spring has been a cold one and even if you happen to live in warmer climes, do give this a try because soups are not just for chilly times, but comforting all year round, especially so when you serve them with some homemade biscuits.

Indian-Style Coleslaw

Although I enjoy cabbage, I do find that one head is often more than I really need for my immediate menu plans unless I want to serve cabbage for an entire week or longer — and usually that's not the case, as I desire a wide variety of foods. Thankfully, cabbage keeps well, so it's not often that it goes to waste. I can't always say the same for the head that rests upon my shoulders.

This refreshing salad addressed just that problem after I had over half a head left after making a mixed vegetable and avocado salad with almond herbed flatbreads. It so happened that I was serving an Indian-themed meal not too long after and wanted an additional vegetable component. My cabbage was still crisp and inviting. Perhaps not exactly what you might think of when the subject of coleslaw comes up, this Indian influenced preparation features plenty of crisp vegetables and a creamy yogurt dressing with some complimentary heat and tang. This twist on an old classic didn't last long enough for me to tire of. Not at all.