Soup Bagdad (adapted from Smart Shopper’s Cookbook, 1972)

Soup Bagdad is a warm and rich lentil-and-lamb soup punched up with a heavy hand of fresh herbs.   Despite the long simmer time this is still a tractable weeknight meal, and requires very little chopping or active time.   It’s also plenty hearty for a weekend meal.  This recipe comes to me by way of Smart……

Frijoles Negros con Sofrito (Cuba, adapted from Buen Provecho, New Jersey, 1995)

Years and years ago my local congregation held a Mexican-themed potluck.  I’m not talking about one of those discomfiting frat parties where everyone comes dressed like Speedy Gonzalez; this was more like large scale taco night.  Potluck dishes were supposed to be Mexican or at least Mexican-adjacent, and we had a members of the congregation……