Pickled Vegetables

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Ingredients

For the Pickling Spices (Makes Enough for 1 Version)

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
• 4 fresh bay leaves

For the Pickling Brine (Makes Enough for 1 Version)

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Coarse salt

For Cucumber Variation (Makes 3 Quarts)

• 3 pounds Kirby cucumbers, trimmed and sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rounds or 1/2-inch-thick spears
• Coarse salt
• 6 garlic cloves
• 9 dill sprigs

For Carrot Variation (Makes 2 Quarts)

• 8 bunches (3 pounds) small carrots with stems, peeled, stems trimmed
• 4 serrano or jalapeno chiles
• 6 garlic cloves

For Beet Variation (Makes 2 1/2 Quarts)

• 12 medium red or golden beets (2 3/4 pounds), trimmed and scrubbed well
• 1 piece ginger (1 1/2 inches), peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
• 4 strips orange peel (4 inches each), preferably organic, washed well
• 1 habanero chile, thinly sliced

Fried Pasta Snack

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Makes: 1 12-inch round

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound leftover cooked spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup prepared tomato sauce
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly lengthwise

Burger Salad

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Yield: Serves 2

Ingredients

• 6 ounces ground beef, formed into 2 patties
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Dash Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
• 1 small head broccoli
• Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
• 2 scallions
• Asian hot sauce, such as Sriracha

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Yield: Makes about 16 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 very ripe banana, slightly mashed
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Limoncello Spritzer

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Yield: Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

• Limoncello, chilled
• Dry white wine, chilled
• Seltzer
• Ice
• Lemon wedge

Beef Patties

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Makes 18 patties, 6 to 9 servings; 2 per person for lunch

Ingredients

FOR THE PASTRY

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup ice-cold water

FOR THE FILLING

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 whole scallions, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers (any color), seeded and minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

FOR THE EGG WASH

• 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water

Rum-Ginger Drink

Recipe courtesy Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn

Yield: Serves 2

Ingredients

• Dark rum
• Bitters
• 2 lime wedges
• 1 12-ounce bottle ginger ale