All posts tagged: learning to cook

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon Chicken and Mint Sauce

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Chicken is always a good idea – especially if its the only thing left in the freezer a day before the weekly grocery shopping.  So, this recipe is perfect for tonight’s dinner, paired with a glass of my favorite Cabernet. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size chunks 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 1 small shallot, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 2-3 cups cooked orzo or couscous, for serving 1 roasted red pepper, sliced 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled sliced avocado, Persian cucumbers, olives, and basil, for serving SIZZLED MINT GODDESS SAUCE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped juice from 1 lemon 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded 1 teaspoon cumin kosher salt {more} For dessert in case there is still room – consider this recipe     

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vietnamese Beef and Rice

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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 …