All posts filed under: Food

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pesto Pasta Is All I’ve Been Craving

Published by

I have a weakness for pasta – so, here we are, with me thinking pasta for dinner tonight. I mean, I have a wonderful bottle of organic cab sitting in my kitchen, ready to be consumed. So, here we go – this is the recipe I am  going for – even the ricotta cheese, or maybe I’ll go for Halloumi  cheese, seared in a pan – yes I think I will Halloumi this pasta: INGREDIENTS 1 large head of broccoli, roughly chopped 1/2 cup fresh basil 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil kosher salt 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 3/4 pound of your favorite pasta 1 tablespoon salted butter 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced zest and juice of 1 lemon black pepper 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, whipped in the food processor, if desired {more} My go-to wine these days – 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Quinoa Salad

Published by

I cooked quinoa last night – but it was too warm to make a salad out of it just yet. So I switched gears and went with sliders for dinner with a side of home-made coleslaw. But tonight, we are having quinoa salad with a side dish – open-faced grilled cheese baguette. Since this is my first attempt at quinoa salad, I found a recipe here to try. Except I realize, I should not have boiled the spinach leaves. May have to go to the grocers and pick up a fresh bag of spinach leaves. Ingredients For the Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove minced garlic 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 large lemon 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup or honey Kosher salt and black pepper to taste For the Salad: 2 cups cold cooked quinoa 2 cups fresh spinach leaves chopped 1 cup chopped cucumber 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 1 large avocado pitted, peeled, and chopped 2 green onions sliced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste  {more} {recipe and image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Szechuan Noodles with Chicken

Published by

This recipe is perfect and I plan to change nothing – for dinner tonight, on this rainy cold Wednesday – while I contemplate refreshing or enhancing my blog. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup peanut oil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek) 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional) 1 red onion thinly, sliced 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped {more} On another note, I was sad to have watched the last episode of Victoria Season 3 on Sunday, but the commercials for Beecham House after the finale got me feeling hopeful – will you watch it once a premiere date is set for the US? And if elsewhere offering up this show – have you seen it?   

Dessert: Cream Tart, You Bring The Fresh Fruit

Published by

This simple recipe grabbed my attention the other day, only because I was craving sweets, but not heavy in sugar or endless ingredients making the baking a chore instead of a wonderful project, especially on a rainy day. The only negative for me is citrus for the fruits used. I mean I do love lemon flavored most anything, but orange for some reason, I prefer to eat fresh. So, for this recipe, I am suggesting you add your favorite fruit – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, canned apricots, infused pairs, thinly sliced apples…well,  you get the point. INGREDIENTS 1 sheet frozen puff pasty, thawed 1 egg, beaten raw coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional).   {I prefer a sprinkle of cinnamon over sugar} 6 ounces creme fraiche, mascarpone, or cream cheese {mascarpone over creme fraiche}  1/2 cup plain greek yogurt 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice + 1-2 teaspoons zest, to your taste 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-2 tablespoons honey, plus more for serving 6-8 mixed color oranges, thinly sliced (I used all blood oranges) 1/2 cup fresh raspberries …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beef Brisket Burrito

Published by

I have a weakness for beef brisket, and would probably consume it every day if it was the best balanced meal. But as we know, eating too much of anything isn’t good for you – beef included, so I space out my consumption to every two weeks or so. So, I am glad to report tonight is the night we will have this IRISH beef brisket for dinner – in a form of a burrito – as my family would get excited about the idea of  “fun food” INGREDIENTS 2-3 pounds brisket 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste) 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 1 Guiness beer 4-6 large flour tortillas 1 cup leftover french fries or roasted potatoes 1 cup shredded Irish cheddar 1 cup shredded cabbage 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped CHIPOTLE SALSA 1 (14 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes 2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo juice of 1 lime 1/2 cup fresh cilantro kosher salt {more} …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vietnamese Beef and Rice

Published by

Although this recipe calls for crispy rice – I am going to go with the steamy brown rice. I am not a fan of crispy rice – it reminds of a time one summer, when I was staying with my aunt and she was busy on a telephone call and forgot about the rice cooking on the burner. Hence the crispy rice scraped from the bottom of the pot, she insisted was delicious. At seven I thought otherwise, and refused to consume another spoonful of ‘that stuff’ So, we are going with  steamed brown rice for this dish tonight: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin or flank steak, cut into 1 inch cubes black pepper 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated crushed red pepper flakes, to taste 1/4 cup sesame or extra virgin olive oil 3 cups cooked white rice 1 cup shredded radicchio or purple cabbage  {cabbage it is} 4 carrots, shredded or cut into ribbons 1 …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Garlic Butter, Coconut Milk, Shrimp and Noodles

Published by

I’ve stayed away from shrimp for the longest time now, and probably would have still, if I didn’t see this dish. I could immediately taste the wonderfulness  just by reading the ingredients – minus the fish sauce of course – not a fan. So I ran to the grocers and bought a pound of Jumbo Shrimp and the spinach and…well, you know what happens next: INGREDIENTS 8 ounces rice noodles 3 strips thick cut slices bacon, chopped 1 1/2 pounds raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/4 cup extra olive oil 2 tablespoons honey 4-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro OR basil, roughly chopped (use you personal favorite) 3 tablespoons salted butter 1 can (14 ounce) coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 cups baby spinach or kale, roughly chopped juice and zest from 1/2 a lime sliced jalapeño pepper and green onions, for serving {more} Are you making dinner at home for Valentine’s Day – but don’t know what to make for dessert? Here’s a list of 46 easy desserts   

Food: Valentine’s Breakfast Pancakes For Those Staying In

Published by

I saw this recipe a few weeks ago, and already knew the plans for Valentine’s Day or actually any other Sunday. I mean, this option is not only for those in love, but rather for anyone celebrating  – their independence, to a perfect friendship and even a newly purchased home. Double chocolate champagne pancakes is the way to go, I say: Ingredients: 1 cup AP flour 1¾ tsp baking powder 1/3 cup sugar 4 tsp cocoa powder, sifted 1 tsp salt 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup milk 1 large egg 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp champagne. {more}   {recipe and photo credit} Oh and yes for the mimosa champagne in lieu of coffee or a cup of green tea – plus more pink drinks here 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup and Here’s Why

Published by

I normally do an inventory of what’s in my refrigerator the night before to see what dinner I can create from the ingredients  within.   Simply put, I don’t like when fresh food items go bad or expire. So, I make do with what I have – even if it means altering ingredients suggested in a recipe. Plus the fact, I do not have a slow cooker – so stove top it is  for this recipe INGREDIENTS 6 cups low sodium chicken stock 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 onions, chopped 4 carrots, chopped    {Since I only have zucchini at home, and not carrots, I will substitute)  2 parsnips, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped  {Broccolini will have to do based on my inventory}  2 leeks, chopped 8 peppercorns 1 bay leaf 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken breasts or thighs kosher salt and black pepper juice + zest of 1 lemon 3/4 cup dry farro 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and or mixed herbs  – in my case parsley it is    {follow along here}  {Photo and recipe source here} Soup to be eaten with fresh baked …