Searching4Zen

Welcome to Searching4Zen, a recipe sharing and blog discussing adventures in Food & Wine, Travel and Cycling. We hope you will register with us and share your comments.

  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowls

    Comments Off on Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowls

    Ingredients 3 cups All purpose flour ⅔ cups Firmly packed brown sugar 1 tsp Vanilla extract ⅓ cup Granulated sugar ¾ tsp Baking powder ½ tsp Salt 1 ½ sticks butter 2 Eggs ⅔ cup Miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray pan with vegetable pan spray. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto

    Comments Off on Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto

    Ingredients ⅔ cup walnuts 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling Kosher salt 6 oil-packed anchovies, coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ½ ounce Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving 1 teaspoon […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Basil Vinaigrette

    Comments Off on Basil Vinaigrette

    This especially lively vinaigrette is perfect with tomatoes, but also could go with a variety of other things – spooned over burrata, fresh mozzarella, or feta cheese. It could also accompany grilled vegetables, fish, pork, shrimp, or chicken, or you could spoon a little over white bean dip or labneh just before serving. Toss it […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Roast Chicken With Couscous, Dates and Buttered Almonds

    Comments Off on Roast Chicken With Couscous, Dates and Buttered Almonds

    Ingredients 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Fine sea salt 1 large whole chicken, about 4 pounds 2 cups couscous (not instant) 3 tablespoons butter ½ cup sliced almonds ½ cup slivered dates 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • BLT Salad

    Comments Off on BLT Salad

    Ingredients ½ pound thick-sliced bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces Extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons minced shallot 1½ tablespoons sherry vinegar 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1½ pints cherry tomatoes, stemmed 1 large crusty sandwich roll, split 1–2 medium heads butter lettuce 2–3 scallions (white […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Caramelized Shallots

    Comments Off on Caramelized Shallots

    Ingredients 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter 2 pounds fresh shallots, peeled, with roots intact 3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons good red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Instructions Preheat the oven to 400° F Melt the butter in a 12-inch ovenproof saute pan, add […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Cashew-Coconut Rice

    40 minutes
    Comments Off on Cashew-Coconut Rice

    Ingredients 2 cups basmati rice 2 cups water Kosher salt, to taste 4 tablespoons ghee, divided ¼ cup cashews 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 teaspoon chana dal 1 teaspoon urad dal ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds 3 curry leaves 2 red Thai chiles 1 green Thai chile Pinch asafoetida ¾ cup unsweetened grated coconut Instructions In […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Beer-Can Chicken

    Comments Off on Beer-Can Chicken

    There’s quite a bit of lore surrounding beer-can chicken, and for good reason. Just look at that burnished mahogany bird. The steam from the brew flavors the meat and keeps it moist. The can props the chicken up, so it roasts evenly—no scorching, no flipping, no stressing. And you get to drink some beer. We’re […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub

    Comments Off on 4-3-2-1 Spice Rub

    Ingredients 4 tablespoons kosher salt 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons sweet paprika 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper Instructions Makes enough spice rub for two whole chickens. Double or triple the recipe and use it all summer. Source: Epicurious

    Avatar photo Recipe by

  • Layered Vegetable Torte

    1 hour
    Comments Off on Layered Vegetable Torte

    Getting this vegetable torte right takes a little time. You really must grill (or pan-grill) or roast all the vegetables well — they have to become quite tender — before assembling the torte. Ultimately, you want the vegetables to almost melt together. Grilling is the technique of choice because it gives the vegetables a hint […]

    Avatar photo Recipe by