what’s cookin’?

I really enjoy cooking. Not baking – cooking. There is nothing more satisfying than trying a new recipe and proclaiming it a success! Now don’t get me confused with a foodie – because I definitely do not qualify. I doubt my pallet is very refined and I certainly don’t make complex or complicated meals. I shy away from pretentious ingredients and have been accused of under-salting my food. Nonetheless, I do enjoy it and I think I’m getting better at it! I thought I’d share a few of my favorite cookbooks, food blogs and magazine subscriptions. Do you have any favorites you want to share?

 

Cookbooks

Everyday Cooking: Great Food Fast (Martha Stewart) – I love this cookbook because I’ve never been disappointed. The photos are great (a photo for every recipe), the directions are simple and the food is delicious. It’s also nice because the recipes require little time – perfect for weeknight dinners. My favorite thing about the book is that it’s organized by season – which is brilliant for those of us who like to use in-season produce.

 

Barefoot Contessa  (Ina Garten) – I have three of her cookbooks (The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Back to Basics and At Home)and I love perusing them and selecting my next triumph. The photos are gorgeous. The only issue with these cookbooks is that the Contessa’s recipes are really fatty and rich. Cooking too much out of these cookbooks will make you gain weight – fast.

 

The Food You Crave (Ellie Krieger) – This cookbook is the opposite of the Barefoot Contessa books. This book has very few photos and focuses on healthy eating. Living up to the name, Ellie showcases recipes that you love – but she focuses on maximum flavor with limited calories/fat. I’ve been impressed with these recipes, although I wish there were more pics!

 

Magazines

Fine Cooking – http://www.finecooking.com/

Cuisine at Home – http://www.cuisineathome.com/ (Thanks Kristina!)

 

Food Blogs

Smitten Kitchen – http://smittenkitchen.com/

101 Cookbooks  - http://www.101cookbooks.com/

 

Here are pics from dinner the other night – lamb shanks – nummers!

it was SO worth it.

The other day I was in the dentist office waiting to get my teeth cleaned. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I picked up a magazine (called Real Food) and started browsing the recipes.  It had at least 6 soup recipes I wanted to make – but one in particular: the smoky chicken, tomato, brown rice and corn soup. The photo was amazing; it was the perfect fall soup. Hearty, warm, cozy. I wanted the magazine. I NEEDED the magazine. And more importantly I needed the soup. I quickly assessed my options. I could either take the whole magazine or rip the page out, but I had to decide quickly. The rip approach would draw too much attention, so I opted for the entire mag. I very stealthily turned my shoulder and slipped the magazine into my purse. And then I looked up. The receptionist was staring right at me. CAUGHT! She saw the entire thing. And then she turned away and we both pretended like it didn’t happen. Talk about awkward.

During the fall season, Derek and I try to make a soup every week. I made this for our fall soup kick-off and I’m happy to announce that it was worth it. The soup was really good. I thought I’d share the recipe w/ my notes. It’s easy, it’s warm, it’s fall in a bowl.

Smoky chicken, tomato, brown rice and corn soup

Use cooked chicken leftover from a rotisserie chicken for this quick, easy and substantial soup.

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 can (28oz) peeled plum tomatoes with juices

3-4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

1 cup leftover brown rice, bulgur, quinoa or other grain

2 cup fresh, frozen or canned corn kernels

1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems, divided

¼ cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon minced jalapeño, or to taste

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

½ cup plain low-fat yogurt

·         Heat the oil in a large, broad soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add the onions and cook, stirring, until golden about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in the paprika and cumin.

·         Puree the tomatoes in a food processor. Add the chicken and pulse once or twice or until chopped into small pieces. Add to the pot with the sautéed onion and spices. Add 3 cups of the broth and heat to simmering. Stir in the rice, corn, half of the cilantro leaves, olives, and jalapeño. Heat stirring over low heat. Add the remaining cup of broth to the soup if desired.

·         When the soup is hot remove from heat and add lime juice. Ladle the soup into bowls and place a spoonful of yogurt in the center of each bowl. Sprinkle the remaining cilantro over the top, dividing evenly.

Kindra’s Notes: I used barley instead of brown rice – it was great! I added a teaspoon cayenne pepper. I didn’t have canned plum tomatoes, so I just used canned diced tomatoes – it was great and I didn’t puree anything. Next time, I won’t use kalamata olives and I’ll double the recipe so we have more leftovers.

quick fix.

I thought I would share my new favorite quick fix week-night dinner. I honestly can’t get enough of it. It’s easy, relatively healthy, inexpensive and most importantly, it’s delicious!  I’m estimating the entire dinner costs less than $14 for two people and takes about 30 minutes (but 20 of that is marinating and boiling). What is this miracle dinner?  Drumroll please….

Grilled Portabella Mushrooms (marinated in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, canola oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, sugar and fresh rosemary-if you have it. Marinate time: 20 minutes; Grill time: 10 minutes.)

Spinach Salad (baby spinach, grape tomatoes cut in half, diced red onion, walnut pieces, goat cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and spinach salad dressing warmed up. Mix the salad up.)

Potatoes (we like red potatoes, but any kind will do)

Try it. You won’t be disappointed. The meal just happens to be vegetarian, but it doesn’t seem like it because the portabellas are so meaty!

Tip: Don’t buy your portabellas from the grocery store – they are really overpriced. Try a local produce market or farmer’s market. We paid roughly $1.50 per mushroom at Pike Place Market.

vegetarian out of boredom?

Is it weird I’m considering being a vegetarian for few months because I’m bored?  Some people turn vegetarian because they have health concerns or feel a moral obligation, but not me. I’m just bored and I feel like it would be a fun challenge. It would force me to become more creative with my cooking and try new recipes!  I don’t want to do it forever – just for a month or two (it would be too hard over the holidays and I think my family would probably disown me). Just something I’m thinking about – I’ll let you know what I decide.

hummus please?

Does anyone out there in the blogosphere have a good hummus recipe? I have tried several recipes and can’t find one that I like. Help!

labor of love.

We enjoy many great meals throughout the year at my mom’s house; John and my mom are great cooks.  However, no meal stands a chance against Christmas Eve dinner. We spend 364 days of the year looking forward to Christmas Eve dinner and it never disappoints. It’s a production. A damn good production.  Although we all pitch-in that day, it’s really my mom’s labor of love. She learned from her mother – and someday hopefully my daughters will do the same. It’s elegant, yet relaxed. Gourmet and soothing. Thick with tradition.

I say this every year, but this year was the best yet.

’tis the season.

…to make hot buttered rum! I made some this weekend and it is DELICIOUS. The great thing about this recipe is that it’s easy to make and one batch will last you through the winter. Seriously, just make it. You won’t be sorry.

This recipe is great with and without rum. It’s also tastes wonderful in coffee.

Hot Buttered Rum Batter

1 pound butter

1 pound brown sugar

1 pound powdered sugar

1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Ok, I didn’t say it was healthy.

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and powdered sugar. Remove from heat, and whisk in the ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into a container, seal, and freeze. Store in the freezer. When you are ready for a cup, just scoop out what you need (like ice cream) and put the remaining back in the freezer.

In a coffee mug, measure 2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum Batter and 1 fluid ounce of dark rum, then fill cup with boiling water. Stir. Drink. Relax. Enjoy.

Happy Holidays!

just another wednesday.

I’m too tired to write a super thoughtful and in-depth post – but I’m feeling really guilty for being blogsent (get it? Blog-absent! I just made that up!) the last couple days. So, here’s a random update.

• Wednesday Night Dinners – Since it’s rainy and gloomy out, we decided to start “Wednesday Night Dinners” with Stacy and Andre. So far, it’s been really great; it gives us something to look forward to in the middle of the week. Last week they made pot roast, and this week we made French dips.
• Gym – My AM gym sessions have been going reasonable well. I went Monday and Tuesday, but I couldn’t drag myself out of bed this morning. I’ll hit it hard tomorrow…hopefully.
• Prop 8 – I’m absolutely sick about Proposition 8 in CA. People, we have to progress FORWARD. Not backwards. I do not understand how anyone feels it is within their rights to ban someone else from marriage. GAH!  On the other hand, congrats to Connecticut.
• Soup – Derek and I have been making a new soups on Sundays. So far, we’ve made a mushroom barely soup and chili. I’m open to suggestions if anyone has a good soup recipe!
• Thanksgiving – I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. This year, I’m spending Thanksgiving with Derek’s family (plus all four girlfriends) at a cabin on Mt. Baker. Good food, board games, puzzles, football, drinks and family – what more could a girl ask for?!?
• Tonight – I made some BOMB Chicken Massaman Curry tonight, although I had a hard time eating it because my mouth was still numb from my visit to the dentist. I had a cavity filled this afternoon. In two weeks, I get to pay $600 out of pocket for a crown – JUST what I wanted to spend my money on. My teeth suck.
• Perfect home – Today I stumbled on the most perfect home for me and Derek…then reality set in. Unfortunately, we just aren’t in a position to buy anything right now. We both agreed it was perfect for us though.
• Apology – I couldn’t quite bring myself to take a gift to my landlord (like the poll said), but I did apologize via email. This was his response, “…but you provided so much entertainment! Be sure to put new Year’s eve on your crashing calendar   It is not to be missed.  Classy attire.” I’m glad he had a good sense of humor about the whole thing.

I think that’s it. Over and out.

yummers

We had a delicious dinner last night at Stacy and Andre’s – I mean it was REALLY tasty. Derek and I were still talking about it this morning when we woke up. Pork Tenderloin, Risotto with Truffle Oil and Caprese-like Salad. Inspired by “Sunday Nite Dinners”, the four of us have decided to start “Wednesday Nite Dinners” to help get us through the long, rainy Seattle fall/winter. We haven’t decided if we’ll do it every week, or every-other week. I DO know that we’ve got some good meals ahead of us.

sunday nite dinners

A friend shared this blog with me yesterday; it’s called Sunday Nite Dinners. I love the concept, I love the photos, I love the recipes – I love the blog. Sunday night dinners are the best.

Thanks Kristina!

Guac-off.

It’s a guac-off! This weekend was the first annual guac-off. I think the name is pretty self explanatory, but if you haven’t already deduced it, a guac-off is a guacamole contest. The best tasting guac wins – and I won! See a few pics below. There were six contenders and six judges. Andre came in 2^nd and 3^rd place went to Gary Buckner! What was first prize you ask? What else but a $20 gift card for Taco del Mar – SCORE!

in a pickle.

Last weekend, Derek and I learned how to pickle. Our friend’s mother is an expert canner, and she was nice enough to show us the ropes. It was fun! Now we have 12 giant jars of pickles waiting to be eaten. Apparently they have to sit for 30 days before we can break into them – 23 days and counting!

two recipes

I had a few requests for the two recipes mentioned in my previous post. Here you go – enjoy!

Stir-fried Noodles With Shrimp, Chiles & Lime

3 oz. dried wide (pad thai) rice noodles
2 TBSP fish sauce
2 TBSP granulated sugar
1 TBSP soy sauce
1 TSP soy sauce
1 TSP hoisin sauce
1 TSP chile-garlic sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee brand)
1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 TSP minced garlic
6 oz medium shrimp (51 to 60 per pound), peeled & deveined (to yield 1 cup)
1 4 oz. can fire-roasted whole green chiles (such as Ortega branch), drained and sliced into long, very thin slices (to yield ½ cup)
1 ½ cups bean sprouts
2 TBSP crushed unsalted roasted peanuts
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
10 mint leaves, torn into small pieces
1 lime, cut into wedges for serving

Submerge the rice noodles in a bowl of very warm (110º) water and soak until pliable but still rather firm, about 30 minutes. Drain in a colander.

In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and chile-garlic sauce.

Once the noodles are drained, heat the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or stir-fry pan over high heat until very hot. Add the garlic, stir, and immediately add the shrimp. Stir-fry until the shrimp turn pink and firm, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the fish sauce mixture. Stir to mix for about 20 seconds, the add the chile slivers and the noodles. Stir-fry until the noodles are tender and the liquid is absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes. If the noodles are too firm, add 1 TBSP of water and cook another minute. Add the bean sprouts and stir-fry until they’re slightly limp, 1 to 2 minutes.

Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates, and garnish with the peanuts, cilantro, and mint. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.  Serves 2.

**Kindra’s notes: Recipe only makes two servings. Doubled recipe. Great flavor, but way too spicy.

Jasmine Rice-Stuffed Peppers

4 large bell peppers
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, minced
1/2 cup uncooked jasmine rice
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 cups tomato sauce, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2/3 pound ground sirloin, extra lean
1/3 pound ground turkey breast

Preheat oven to 400°.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes, leaving the stems intact. Place on a foil-lined jelly-roll pan, cut sides up.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until onion is lightly browned. Add rice, and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cool completely.

Combine rice mixture, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup cheese, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until blended. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture into each pepper half. Spoon remaining 1 cup tomato sauce evenly over peppers. Cover and bake at 400° for 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese; bake 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Serves 4.

**Kindra’s notes:I used red and green peppers-I liked the red best. I used pork sausage instead of ground turkey and sirloin. Added corn. Next time add more rice.

Top Banana

I’d like to share a little hole in the wall produce heaven that Derek and I just discovered. It’s called Top Banana and it’s located in Ballard right off of 15^th and 65^th. Now, I know many of you have probably been going to Top Banana for years but it is new to us. Top Banana has wonderful fresh and flavorful produce at great prices. Monday night, we bought the following: 5 ears of Corn on the cob, 3 large tomatoes, 1 giant jicama, 1 lime, 1 onion, 1 orange, 1 broccoli floret (is that the right term?), 2 avocados, 3 red bell peppers and ½ lbs of bing cherries . All of this for $18!!! Are you crazy?!? My only suggestion is to use your produce soon after purchasing it (as it’s pretty ripe when you buy it).

Here is what others are saying about Top Banana. My favorite comment is “I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Top Banana.I mean LOVE.  I would buy Top Banana a big ol’ diamond ring, take it out to Morton’s, and fly off to a romantic trip to Italy if it were possible.” Ha!

fruits of my labor

suggestions please

I’m looking to expand my weekday dinner routine. You know, the staple dinners. The dinners you make on week nights when you don’t have a ton of time or a ton of patience. My standard meals are getting a little old, and now that Derek is living here – I feel like I need to mix-it-up.

Please leave a comment and tell me what your staples are. Yes, I’m talking to you. As a reader, I usually ask nothing of you. I’m asking now, please leave a comment and tell me your weekday favorites. I’m going to have really hurt feelings if nobody comments – and then I’ll probably be embarrassed and want to pull down this post – but I won’t because I want my blog to be as uncensored as possible. See? Just leave a freakin’ comment.

sushi

If I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life, I’d choose sushi. I just can’t get enough of the stuff -Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Crab, Shrimp – yum! Friday, Derek and I attempted to roll sushi for the very first time. We had heard that making the rice was the hardest part, so we cheated and bought rice from the sushi bar at Whole Foods. I’m glad we did.

All in all, it was a lot of fun. It’s harder than it looks, but I think it turned out good for our first time. See for yourself!

treats, treats, treats

Tonight, I came home to a wonderful treat. Derek cooked up a fantastic dinner for me. He is a great cook and a top-notch griller. Tonight was no exception.

Drink: A cold gin & tonic

Appetizer: Cougar Gold Cheese and Rice Crackers

Main Course: Ginger – Soy Flank Steak atop Grilled Green Onions

Side Dishes: Sautéed Baby Bok Choy and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

I’m stuffed – it was delicious. And to top it off – the meal was mostly fresh and/or locally grown. The Cougar Gold was produced in Pullman, Washington. The Flank Steak was bought from a local butcher on Queen Anne – the beef was raised in Oregon. The green onions, ginger, garlic, lime, bok choy and the potatoes were all purchased at Pike Place Market. We are about to start a movie – but he tells me there is dessert too. Life is good!

salt & vinegar

The other day, a coworker bought me a much needed mid-day snack. She walked up to my desk and said, “I got these Kettle Salt & Vinegar chips because they perfectly describe you.” As you can imagine, I was anxious to read the description. What could I have in common with a bag of chips? Saturated fat? Makes loud crunching noise? Greasy? I did not like where this was headed.

I snatched the bag from her hands. On the bag, in big bold letters it said “unconventionally STRONG and tangy”. I honestly think it’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received – it’s perfect!

weekend recap

I had such a great weekend – it’s a shame we’re already back to Monday. The weekends just go by too quickly. Highlights include:

• Happy Hour at Dexter & Hayes Thursday AND Friday.
• A yummy sushi dinner at Kisaku in Tangletown. Limited roll selection, but good sushi and very reasonably priced. Sake bombs were fun too.
• Bustin’ a move in Queen Anne with Stacy and Richie – I think we may have made our own dance party.
• Watching Richie lose use of her legs and crawl into my apartment.
• A big group dinner Saturday night at the Old Town Alehouse in Ballard.
• Morning coffee and a card game on the ferry with my sister. Just call us the Golden Girls! J
• Breakfast (Streamliner diner) on Bainbridge Island with my mom, stepdad, sister and Derek.
• A visit to Grandma Lavee’s house (Derek’s grandmother).
• Visiting with Derek’s parents, aunt and cousin over a delicious lunch/dinner. Derek’s mom (Anita) is a fantastic cook!
• Derek for four full days. What more could I ask for?!

Lowlights include:

• Saturday morning…recovering from Friday night.
• A parking ticket on the top of Queen Anne.
• Running out of time this weekend – I really need to get my nails done – they are nastified.