An Economical Yet Elegant Oscar Night Dinner

Our oceans rivers and streams provide us with so much nourishment,lets treat them with respect

     It’s a red carpet night at out house and it has nothing to do with the Oscar ceremony on television. We are preparing mussels in garlic white wine lemon butter sauce and serving it over homemade pasta. We saw some beautiful mussels in the market today and decided to put the regularly scheduled meal on hold. This afternoon I quickly prepared pasta dough that I rolled out just before dinner. It  cooked in minutes and provided the perfect complement to the fresh mussels. This simple and economical dish was truly an elegant feast for two. I donned my fanciest pajamas poured, a glass of wine, served our red carpet meal and settled in to watch, at least part of the Oscars.

Cook with wines you'd actually enjoy drinking, They don't have to be expensive

2 Tbs butter

1 Tbs olive oil

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1 large shallot (minced)

Red pepper flake

1/4 tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pot herbs

1 ½ cups white wine (a good bottle found on sale) 

1.25 Lbs Mussels 

Homemade pasta (flour egg oil water) 

Making pasta is easy and delicious

Add butter and oil to the pan

Lightly sauté the garlic and shallot

Add the white wine and lemon juice

Bring to a boil

Add the cleaned scrubbed mussels.

add pot herbs pepper & salt

(Make sure mussels are closed before cooking and review mussel safety)

(if they won’t close prior to cooking toss then out and don’t eat them)

Cover and let the cook/steam till all are open (about 5 minutes or so)

(If any mussels don't open throw away)

Fresh pasta cooks quickly and tastes terrific

Serve over fresh pasta and use plenty of wine garlic lemon butter sauce

Serve with crusty bread to mop up the leftover sauce

Total under $11.00 for this Oscar night feast

  red carpet comfort food

TIP OF THE DAY: If you see an ingredient that inspires you use it. Don’t waste what you have on hand but if possible put it on hold. The butternut squash risotto I had planned will easily keep till another day

Epic Valentinapalooza Cincinnati Chili Lasagna

 

      We all know that true Valentines gifts are not about how much money is spent or how extravagant the evening might be. If you asked most people, feeling cared for and cherished on Valentines Day tops their wish list. To show John how much I love him I have developed a twist on the classic Cincinnati Chili recipe. I’ve taken this special dish and turned it into a delicious lasagna. I hope it will remind him of his hometown and how grateful I am for his love in my life. The people we love are a product of all their history and experiences. When a piece of John’s history is this delicious I can’t help but want to share it with him on this special Day.

Preparing the ingredients

       One of the first things you learn about Cincinnatians is the love they have for their food traditions. When one asks a local for advice on what to do in town the answer will invariably be a list of the most amazing places to eat. These ice cream parlors, grocery shops, bakeries and butcher shops are described with pride and affection and are as much a part of their history as Riverfront stadium. A million memories of family, friends and growing up are tied to each one. When you see the smiles on their faces and the light in their eyes as they share these recollections you instantly understand who they are. It is the connection we all have to food memories and feelings and nowhere have I found it to be more evident than in Cincinnati.

Chocolate helps make this dish oh so perfect for Valentine's Day

     It was there I was first introduced to the glories of the delectable Cincinnati Chili. This is not the earthy sturdy Chili of Texas or New Mexico whose flavors fed the west. The Western Chili has a refined sophisticated Northern sister who has traveled the world picking up ingredients as souvenirs, hints of exotic flavors is so tantalizingly different that your palette is at once surprised and intrigued and you must have more.

I prepared homemade pasta try it once and you will always want to prepare it yourself  

 Cincinnati Chili Lasagna

½-3/4          Onion (diced)             

1/2 lb            Ground beef  

½ lb              Ground pork     

3/4 Tbs        Chili powder

2-4                Cloves garlic      

1/2 tsp          Allspice

3/4 tsp         Cinnamon

1/2 tsp          Cumin

1/4 tsp          Cayenne

1 ½ tsp          Salt

1/4 oz            Chocolate  (1-2 Tbs)       

½-3/4 Tbs   Cider vinegar

1/4 cup         Water

1 24 oz can   Tomato diced   

½-3/4 tbs    Worcestershire sauce

1                      Bay leaf

                    ~

This chili smells as good as it tastes

I sauté the onion beef till just about done

Add garlic & chili powder 

(I grated the garlic on a garlic grater)

Add allspice cumin cayenne pepper, salt, chocolate

Tomatoes, cider vinegar &

Worcestershire sauce

I add a bay leaf (remove before serving)

Simmer for about an hour

Begin the lasagna process by layering a small bit of the chili on the bottom of the dish

Lay out the cooked pasta sheets

Ladle chili evenly over pasta

Sprinkle finely grated cheddar on top

Lay next layer of cooked pasta sheets

Ladle more chili on top

Sprinkle more cheddar on top

Continue till done

Top with cheddar

Bake at 350 degrees till bubbly and hot

Ready to pop in the oven

Serve with grated cheddar

Diced onion and even red beans if you wish.
Happy Valentine's Day from home to yours.

My Summer Staycation

            "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

                                                           -- Albert Camus

 

     It is mid February and most of the country is covered in snow with frigid temperatures and biting winds that make the idea of a beach day almost inconceivable. The long gray days of winter can begin to wear on a soul when spring seems so far away. Most of us can not escape to a tropical island until spring comes along so I thought I'd serve up a little summer vacation in tonight's post.

     I took a ride to the ocean the other day and as I watched the seagulls soaring and the puppy dogs at play in the waves, I wished I could share this summer moment with those who are feeling the weight of an abominable snow season. How could I convey the spirit of such a day and remind my friends that summer will be here soon with flowers and vegetables blooming in the garden and a pitcher of lemonade to be sipped on the porch. 

Beginning to cook the veggies

     My solution is of course to provide you with a summer beach picnic in the midst of the depths of winter. So get out those Beach Boy records, lay a blanket on the floor make some lemonade and enjoy a taste of summer on a winter night.

I  sometimes use these. They are terrific

Crab Cakes 

Dice

½ onion

½ yellow pepper

½ red pepper

 Add

¼ -1/2 tsp hot sauce

½ Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp old bay

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

cook till soft

cool completely

When the veggies are cool 

add  

2 eggs

¼ cup mayo

½ cup panko bread crumbs

½ lb flaked crab

They look good so far

Blend the cooked (cooled) mixture with the eggs mayo and crab

Form into cakes

Pan fry in butter and oil
Total Under $7.00 
not bad for a summer vacation.

Crab Cakes transport ~ a dinner by the sea

I served the crab cakes with
a diced red onion and tomato salad
tossed in a blood orange vinaigrette 

Comfort Food For A Stormy Snow Day

For most of the country today is a day to stay indoors, put on your warmest comfiest clothes, select a few good movies and prepare this one pan turkey chili. This delicious adaptable recipe will accommodate just about whatever you have on hand. I suggest you make a big pot of it and enjoy the warm feeling it will give you throughout the stormy days ahead.

In my large pan

I added 1 Tbs olive oil

Then…

I sauté a large onion

A red Pepper 

A yellow pepper

1-2 Tomatoes

Several garlic cloves (to taste~we like garlic)

Parsley and raw garlic (minced combo I have on hand)

Some leftover roasted garlic cloves

I seasoned the mixture with salt, pepper, cumin, mixed herbs

When all the ingredients are cooked

I added

Cooked black beans ~about 15 oz. (If using a can I rinse them thoroughly)

Leftover turkey breast ( I had roasted the breast earlier and used the leftovers for this dish)

I served this delicious mixture on tortillas with avocado and salsa on top.

Use the above recipe as a guideline and adapt it to use what you have on hand. 

You could add jalapeños

Use chicken or pork instead of turkey

Use pinto beans if you have them on hand

Green chilies are a fantastic addition to this dish.

Use your imagination to create a snow day comfort food feast.

Stay indoor and safe while enjoying a fast easy hearty meal.

Spaghetti is your canvas~ Create My Friends~ Create

Tonight's Masterpiece ~ Spaghetti with chicken and vegetables

I love the versatility of a meal that lets me be creative. Spaghetti was my canvas this evening and I enjoyed the process of creating it.

Getting ready to create the pasta

When kneaded for ten minutes or so the pasta dough becomes soft and pliable. I love the beautiful color and texture of the fresh dough.

I love the way the spaghetti looks as it comes through the roller

There is definitely a technique to making fresh pasta. It will require some practice but, before long you will know the dough is ready by the way it feels as you knead it.

Nothing tastes like fresh pasta

 Fresh pasta cooks much more quickly then the dry version and the taste will tempt you to make your own from now on.

Use veggies you have on hand to create a colorful dish

I used vegetables I had on hand

1 leek

1 zucchini

1/2 onion

red orange and yellow peppers

garlic

Red pepper flake

Italian spices

Sun dried tomato 

Salt & Pepper

Adding the chicken to the veggies

  I roasted two bone- in chicken breasts, removed the meat from the bones and added the chicken to the veggies. Shrimp or scallops would work beautifully in this dish as well.

Total under $10.00 for a feast that includes the leftovers I will use for my husband's lunch tomorrow

Fast easy and oh so delicious

Give me A Quiche To Build A Dream On And My Imagination Will Thrive Upon That Quiche

The greatest delight the fields and woods minister is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable.  I am not alone and unacknowledged.  They nod to me and I to them.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 If asked to name a perfect, easy to prepare dish for a family brunch, a get together with friends or a fast and easy supper for busy nights like tonight I would have to say quiche. We are expecting company tomorrow so dinner can’t be to complicated or I won’t be able to finish getting the house ready.

Quiche used to be so popular and lately it seems to have fallen out of favor. I’ve tried to update and lighten up the recipe by using only half of the allotted crust and by using mostly 1% milk. I’ve chosen to prepare a veggie cheese quiche tonight. I really hate to waste food so, I am using bits and pieces of leftover vegetables and creating a delicious and economical meal.

I cut the ice cold butter before adding it to the flour

THE CRUST

I make my own crust because it’s easy to do and I know and trust the ingredients,

1.1/4 cups flour

1 stick of butter

½ tsp Salt

4-6 tbs Water

That is all, no ingredients you can’t pronounce and it took me all of five minutes to do.

I put the salt and flour in my food processor and pulsed once or twice

Added 1 stick of very cold almost frozen butter, which I cube to help the mixing along

I add the butter to the flour and process till the butter looks pea sized.

I slowly add about 4-6 TBS cold water till the dough forms a ball and then I stop

Don’t over mix.

I divide the dough in two and refrigerate for an hour before I roll it out to the size of the quiche dish.

Notice I’ve made two portions. One to use now and one to freeze for another meal.

I roll our crust thinly, which makes it a bit less caloric and works for us. 

 THE FILLING

1 tsp olive oil

1-cup kale (I sometimes use spinach or broccoli as well)

½ onion

1/4 cup leftover leek (cleaned and sliced)

5 sun-dried tomatoes 
(if packaged in oil~ blot them)

1 roma tomato (diced)

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan

I sauté the vegetables in the oil till softened

I then completely cool them

Whisking the egg mixture

Scramble four eggs

Add

 ¾ cup of 1% milk

¼ cup half and half

¼ tsp cayenne

½ tsp salt

Add the veggies and the cheese

Blind bake the crust for 10-15 minutes till firm but not brown

Remove from oven

Cool for a few minutes

Add the cooled veggies

Add ½ cup feta

¼ cup Parmesan

Gently pour egg mixture over the top

Bake for 30-40 minutes till done

Adding the filling

Total Under $6.00 for a meal with plenty of leftovers

TA-DA

John loved the quiche. We found it to be rich and flavorful despite the thin crust and the use of 1% milk.. He enjoyed the flavor of the sun-dried tomato in the dish and said it turned out to be one of the best he has ever had.

Lady And The Tramp Revisited

We depend on chickens for so many meals ~lets treat them properly with respect and raise them cleanly

I love the scene in Lady and the tramp where the pups share a string of spaghetti and a romantic moment. For me tonight’s dinner falls into that category as well. John and I will share a petite portion of pot pie. This is a rich dish so the servings will be more than enough to satisfy us as we share a romantic pot pie moment.

A couple of weeks ago I made a basic Pate brise dough and found I had a bit leftover. I didn’t have enough for a pie pan or a casserole dish but I did have enough for a small 5x5 circular pan. I decided it was the perfect size for a chicken pot pie built for two.

Nice to have this meal ready for a busy day

The pate brise recipe is a basic standard

 2 1/2 cups AP flour

¼  tsp salt

 1 tbs sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter chilled and cut into small pieces

I put it all in the food processor and slowly add

ice water till it all forms a ball

Note: this recipe will make more than you need for this dish

Remember the leftovers are what I used for this potpie.

I’d cut it in ½ for this dish or use half and freeze half.

(Or you could make cinnamon buns for breakfast the next morning)

Store bought pie shells will work as well use what you have on hand.

For the filling sauté

½ onion

2 ribs celery (chopped)

3 small chopped carrots

1 small potato cut in small pieces

 in butter and oil (about 2 Tbs total)

When softened 6-7 minutes I sprinkle with flour (about 1 Tbs)

Which makes it like a little roux keep cooking it  (1 minute more or so)

Then:

add  approx ½ cup 1% milk 

and ½ cup chicken stock

heat till it thickens adjust thickness to your liking by adding stock

add

½ cup thawed frozen peas

3/4 cup leftover chicken I had on hand

S&P to taste

poultry seasoning or sage to taste

Classic ingredients are so versatile ~ keep these on hand 

I add the mixture to the crust

I top with more crust

I cut air vents on top

I cook for 45 minutes-1 hour at 375 degrees
till the crust is browned and the potpie is bubbly 
Total under $5.00 for this treat for two

A whole bowl of Happy

TIP OF THE DAY: Even a small amount of leftover dough can be made into a tasty dish. If I hadn't had enough for a pot pie I would have made cinnamon bites or maybe Apricot jam filled treats. Use it all and save money in a delicious way.