All posts tagged: for the love of cooking

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Soup With Orzo Included

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On Monday, I announced to my family that I would be making chicken soup for dinner – except, when I got home from work, I realized I did not have the chicken broth in the cupboard as I imagined I did while on the commuter train. And since then, I’ve been too lazy to go to the supermarket and get the one important ingredient to make the soup I’d been craving for four days now. Yes, I do know I can make my own chicken broth simply by using the water the chicken was boiled in, which I do. But store bought chicken brought adds just the right zing or heartiness my taste buds crave. So, to the supermarket after work it is and home to make this delicious version of chicken soup: INGREDIENTS 2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound) kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 8-12 large cloves of garlic, smashed (use to your taste) 6 carrots, chopped  {my go to is parsnip, I prefer the taste more}  1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves kosher salt and …

Food: Cauliflower in Full Bloom

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I ordered a side of cauliflower the other day while lunching with a friend at Stanford Shopping Mall. We were aiming for a quick bite since we each had other engagements to attend in the evening. So we walked into my favorite eatery and in addition to a fried chicken sandwich, which I highly recommend, I opted for steamed cauliflower, which I didn’t realize until I took a bite, it was curry flavored. I don’t know about you, but although I love curry mixed with veggies, and some form of protein, I don’t care for it on cauliflower. Since cauliflower has a unique taste and one it takes time getting used to, adding the wrong flavors tend to play tricks on your taste buds and curry with cauliflower is just not the best of combo in my opinion based on decades of enjoying my family’s Mediterranean cuisine . But that’s me. You might think otherwise and that’s perfectly fine. But since Saturday, I’ve craved cauliflower, grilled to perfection in the oven and tossed around or …

Food: Dinner Tonight – White or Cannellini Bean Stew

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In Rome, for a mid day fuel, I searched for restaurants which served Cannellini bean stew and if they didn’t offer it, I kept on walking until I found the one place that did. Cannellini bean stew drizzled with olive oil and dusted with fresh Parmesan cheese – is probably the best meal I’ve had in Italy. Anyway, tonight, we are having cannellini bean stew in my household, and this recipe is one that sparked an interest because…1 tablespoon of tomato paste added to the beans. Which is something my mother used to do with the white bean stew she made centuries ago in her Mediterranean kitchen.   The other part I plan to do is instead of the meatballs, I will saute Italian sausage without the case in a touch of olive oil and garlic, and then add it to the bean stew. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of finally chopped Italian parsley and serve. This cuts down on time and tastes equally good.  Ingredients For meatballs 200 g (7 oz) of ground beef 100 g (3,5 oz) of fresh …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Coconut Curry

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Here’s yet another meal I can make for the family + my a portion for my dietary needs (Keto) if you just joined us here on RS&S.  It will go down like this in my household – INGREDIENTS 8 ounces rice noodles  (remove for hardcore Keto and add chicken instead)  2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 sweet onion, diced 2 zucchini, or summer squash, diced 2 ears sweet corn kernels, removed from the cob  (remove for hardcore Keto)  2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste 1 14 ounce can full fat coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce (soy sauce for vegan option)  – (or none for me – I am not a fan) 2 teaspoons honey  (remove for hardcore Keto)  juice and zest from 1/2 a lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro OR basil, roughly chopped (use you personal favorite) sliced jalapeño pepper and green onions, for serving {more} {recipe and photo source}    

Food: Dinner Tonight – A Twist On Chicken Sandwich

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Just a reminder, our household is one Keto and the rest, anything but – so I am always in search of recipe inspirations to create my own variation of a meal that suits the clan. In this case, tonight’s meal will be chicken sandwiches and chips for them and see below what my meal will look like from the recipe below: I love how easy dinner planning is – no matter the dietary restrictions. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup real maple syrup 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (spicy chili sauce) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil kosher salt and pepper 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped 4 ears corn, kernels removed from the cob (about 4 cups total) (remove this for Keto)  1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 2 green onions, chopped 1/2 cup shredded cabbage 1/2 cup fresh blueberries  (remove this for Keto)  4 ciabatta rolls, toasted  (remove this for Keto)  1/2 cup plain greek yogurt  (my cheat but you can remove it for hardcore Keto followers)  1/4 cup basil pesto 1 avocado, sliced {featured image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Eggplants and Italian Sausage

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I found this recipe, and decided since I am aiming to Keto my way through life – to change one ingredient to fit my dietary needs.  Instead of breadcrumbs I am going to add Italian spicy sausage from Trader Joe  to personalize the already perfect recipe. Simple as that. Ingredients 1 eggplant or 4 thin and long ones 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley 1 tablespoon of finely chopped capers either brined or in salt 1 clove of garlic 4 tablespoons of water 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling A few turns of black pepper Salt {more from the original recipe}

Food: Dinner Tonight Chicken and Roasted Potatoes

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Ah the simple pleasures of chicken and potato and although the chicken Coq au Riesling recipe I found here is a meal in itself, I felt the need to make a roasted potato side dish. What? I need comfort food with the lingering wintery weather. So here it goes: Chicken INGREDIENTS 2 pounds skin on, bone in chicken breasts (about 4 breasts) kosher salt and pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1 sweet onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 carrots, chopped 1 pound mixed mushrooms, halved 2 cups white wine 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 sprigs fresh thyme {more} Roasted Potatoes INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 pounds mixed potatoes, chopped into similar size chunks (I used baby Idaho potatoes and purple potatoes 1 lemon, juice plus zest 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and black pepper 1/4 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 8 ounces burrata cheese, torn {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pasta with Artichoke is in order

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Rain and more rain, which means I need comfort food paired with a good bottle of cabernet. I laugh because I never ask the family what they crave for dinner, I simply prep the meal and serve it.  Tonight we are having Pasta with artichoke and peas in a creamy sauce, something I haven’t made for a while, since watching my intake of heavy creams. But this one works just fine, especially when washed down with a glass of this cab. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained 1/4 cup green olives 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup white wine kosher salt and black pepper 1 pound rigatoni or other short cut pasta 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup grated parmesan cheese zest and juice of 1 lemon 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped fresh peas and pea sprouts, for serving (optional) {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Ricotta Naan with Eggs

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Also known as pizza to me. Actually I love Naan bread as the staple to pizza toppings and this one takes the dough 🙂 INGREDIENTS 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for cooking kosher salt and pepper 4-6 eggs 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 4 pieces fresh naan 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 pinch flaky sea salt zest from 1 lemon 1 tablespoon honey 1 cup arugula 1 avocado, sliced {more}