These muffins are great a great way to use the abundance of zucchini that can be found in gardens and markets this time of year. They freeze well, and a frozen muffin tossed into a packed lunch will have defrosted to perfection by lunchtime, or even in time for a...

Solar braised lamb on a bed of polenta is about as good as it gets. I like to get the lamb done in the morning. That gives me time to let the sauce cool down making it easier to skim off the excess fat. Then I start the polenta later in the day and, during the summer...

I love trying new recipes. I especially love it when a new recipe inspires a spin-off of my own. Yesterday's soup was one of those. It was very good soup, but the best part was the caramelized onions. They were so good I wanted more. Today I sliced up a couple of...

Caramelized onions and cumin seed give an exotic twist to an old classic. Sun Oven Split Pea Soup with Caramelized Onions (Adapted for the Sun Oven from Gourmet magazine) Ingredients 2 cups dried split peas, picked over and rinsed 1 teaspoon dried basil 2 bay leaves 6...

Before I owned a Sun Oven I did very little baking and I still wouldn't call myself much of a baker. I've had more culinary disasters with cakes, cookies, and breads than everything else combined. I've managed to leave out everything from the leavening agent to the...

This simple, hearty, vegetarian dish is a meal on its own. Sun Oven Rice and Lentils Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for serving 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/4 cup strained tomatoes 5 cups water 1 cup dried green lentils,...

While it is possible to use the Sun Oven to make a decent risotto, click here to see how, it still needs to be served immediately. Which means either having it for lunch or a really early dinner. For this reason I usually prepare risotto the old-fashioned way - on the...

I finally got a chance to use my new baking dishes with the silicone lids and I'm very pleased. So pleased that I might have to make a non-birthday trip to Ikea to get the larger ones. I didn't make anything fancy. I drizzled a bit of olive oil on some asparagus,...

This traditional pasta sauce is popular in Rome. It's called arrabbiata (angry) because it's hot and spicy. Increase or decrease the amount of red pepper flakes according to how "angry" you like it. Covering the pot with a tea towel and the lid set ajar is a technique...

The chipotle pepper gives this luscious chili a nice kick and a hint of smoke. Serve it with a tossed salad and some whole grain rolls for a satisfying weeknight meal. Sun Oven Black Bean Chili and Squash Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 onions, finely chopped 4...