All posts tagged: easy family dinners

Food: Dinner Tonight – Mac and Cheese

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I did an inventory this morning of all things in my kitchen pantry and otherwise for ingredients to create a variety of meals to satisfy my lovely mum’s cravings  – which is cheese, bread, cheese, more cheese and more bread and oh some jam. I found two boxes of organic mac and cheese and figured as a side dish 🙂 I’d make it with the leftover rotisserie chicken I picked up last night from the grocery store on my walk.  Then this recipe happened, and as we all know, I’ll improvise part boxed and part fresh ingredients and serve it up. Now I’m wondering if anyone will eat the chicken.  Here’s the recipe just in case you haven’t the boxed version of M&C. INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons salted butter 1-2 cloves garlic, grated 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers 1 pound your favorite short cut pasta 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed 2 cups milk 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Havarti or fontina cheese 4-6 ounces Brie, rind removed and chopped 1/4 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper use more or less to taste kosher salt and black pepper 1 cup cherry tomatoes, …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon

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I’ve been craving salmon almost every day and normally, I’d oven-grill one with ginger, butter/olive oil, salt/pepper and that’s it. This morning, I found this recipe I want to try, which is very close to the way I grill mine – except there is feta cheese and orzo and a whole bunch of other wonderful components. So, here you go – in case you want to attempt the same recipe for tonight’s dinner: INGREDIENTS 4 (5-6 ounce) salmon fillets 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano) 1 shallot, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1-2 lemons, sliced and seeds removed – use to your taste 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup fresh basil, dill, and or mint, chopped (I use a mix) ORZO SUMMER SALAD 3 cups cooked orzo 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 cup fresh basil, dill, and or chives, chopped (I use a mix) 1 roasted red pepper, chopped 1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas drained 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup green olives 1/2 cup cucumber 1 avocado, diced {more} {featured image and recipe full credit}

Food: How To Use Crushed Tomatoes

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Over the weekend, we had breakfast at one of my favorite cafe on Fillmore street in San Francisco. The place is so great, there is always a line and sometimes even a long wait to be served – meaning you stand in line, order your food, pay and then grab a seat and wait, and wait but it’s okay – because the hustle of the bustle of the small restaurant makes it all worth while. I veered from my usual and ordered baked eggs, because I saw someone having the dish and asked her what it was and then ordered it. Which I decided to duplicate at home – since just by looking at the ingredients I was sure it would taste equally amazing at home. Ingredients – two eggs, black beans, crushed tomatoes from a can, and cheddar cheese. four tablespoons of black beans, two tablespoons of crushed tomatoes, mixed together,  break two eggs over them and bake in oven /which I nuked in the microwave for 3 minutes – and stirred for the …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beans In Variation

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I care for my mother and cooking is part of that package – which I don’t mind. So every afternoon after work, I visit with her and help prepare her dinner. She’s always excited at the recipes I come up with, and the ones I find online where I add my own spin to the whole thing. Yesterday, while my head was spinning out of control, she asked about dinner and the quickest option I could come up with was a simple Cannellini bean dish which goes something like this – open two cans of beans. I use this one.  Bring to a boil, add finally chopped parsley, and sliced green onions, olive oil and lemon juice to taste and serve with toasted pita bread. Simple and easy. So today, I decided to expand on bean dish recipes since that is what we are having for dinner tonight. And here’s another middle eastern product my family has used for decades – and I sort of giggle now when I see it popping up in restaurant …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Lemon Butter and Orzo

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I love cooking or coming up with a different take on the same old protein. And for tonight, I am tasting lemony chicken, and this recipe will do the trick. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound chicken breasts or small thighs kosher salt and pepper 1 Meyer lemon, sliced 2 tablespoons butter 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 1 cup orzo pasta 1/3 cup white wine 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth 1/2 a bunch kale, roughly torn zest + juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken, Chickpeas and Sweet Potato

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A simple take on the old recipe with chicken. A funny story I had been turned-off of chicken recently, mostly craving beef instead for my protein intake. But I am back to serving meals with chicken in mind – and here’s a great one for dinner tonight: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs 1/4 cup olive oil plus, more for drizzling 2 lemons, juice and zest from 1 + 1 sliced 2 tablespoons Harissa seasoning 1 tablespoon honey kosher salt and black pepper 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks 1 sweet onion, sliced 1 can (14 ounces) chickpeas, drained 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1/3 cup green olives, smashed plain greek yogurt and fresh mint or cilantro, for serving {more}