Author: Lorin Black

I'm Lorin, and I live in Duluth, MN with my wife and three cats. I cook professionally at a local restaurant and still come home with enough passion for food left over to tackle cooking projects on my days off. When not cooking I enjoy reading, playing games, exploring the world via Google Maps (and via actual travel when we can manage it), and spending time outdoors.

Arroz a la Valenciana

Arroz a la Valenciana is a rice dish, variations of which are found throughout the world in many former Spanish colonies. My version takes elements from Nicaraguan and Salvadorian recipes and combines them to make a tasty dish full of rice, chicken, vegetables, and hot dogs.

Asopao de Pollo Dominicano

Asopao is a popular type of rice soup across the Caribbean. This version uses chicken, and is based on Dominican recipes.

Farinata

Farinata is a type of flatbread or pancake from Genoa, made with chickpea flour. The thin batter is poured into smoking hot pans with lots of olive oil, and baked in a very hot oven, making a delicious crispy crust with a soft, custardy center and a earthy, vegetal flavor.

Onion Bhaji

Onion bhajis are crunchy fried fitters made with onion and spices in a chickpea flour batter. They’re popular across India, and especially in Indian restaurants across the UK.

Usal

Usal is a Maharashtrian curry made with sprouted beans. Versions are made with several different types of beans, and the consistency ranges from saucy to dry. My version uses moth beans, and is a fairly dry, “sabzi” style dish.

Misal Pav

Misal pav is a Maharastrian dish, consisting of a bean sprout curry, topped with onion, tomato and crunchy farsan, and served with fluffy rolls, known as pan, on the side.

Bikaneri Bhujia

Bikenari Bhujia is a type of sev, a fried noodle-like snack food from India. Made with chickpea flour and moth bean flour, these crunchy, spicy snacks are addictively tasty.

Navrangi Dal

Navrangi dal is a type of dal grown and cooked in Himachal Pradesh, in the norther, mountainous, part of India.

Panchratna Dal

Panchratna dal is made with all 5 of the popular varieties of dal across India.