Meals 338-344

12//05 i've been wanting to try my hand at welsh rarebit since i've returned from my journeys in the united kingdom. and now that i know it's "rarebit" and not "rabbit" (a mistake i had in my head as a child....which was somewhat horrifying). it's a candidate for a meatless monday meal! this classic is basically grilled cheese meets fondue. toast bread (i used pumpernickel) topped with a cheesy creamy sauce. the sauce starts with a roux of equal parts butter and flour. then a liquid is added (usually milk or a stout beer). finally a good strong cheese (like a sharp cheddar) and seasonings are mixed in. i used a pinch of paprika, garlic, salt, pepper and a few dashes of worcestershire  sauce. oh, and i threw in some diced scallions too. the whole thing is popped under the broiler just until it starts to bubble.  this and some tomato soup makes for an incredible meal!

12/06 i have no clue how i came across this recipe.....maybe in one of my searches for a low carb meal? all the same, it looked tasty and i was wanting something lighter for dinner. this is a baked nantucket cod fillet. tender cod topped with lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper. then covered with tomato slices and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. it was just enough cheese to not overpower the fish, but added a wonderful taste and texture when it melted into the tomatoes. i served it with a side of asparagus for a lighter meal!

12/07 i met some friends for happy hour at "barrel and bushel" tonight. it has the very trendy decor that seems to be popping up everywhere. blonde wood interior. exposed incandescent lightbulb. industrial fixtures. and a TON of craft beers, wines and bourbons! they also had a wonderful menu with twists on classic american foods. i had the chorizo sliders and cheesy jalapeño tater tots. and with the bar facing a seasonal out door ice rink? it made for some excellent people watching as well!

http://barrelandbushel.com

12/08 i've opened up the freezer to pull the hidden leftovers from thanksgiving. what to do with all that ham? being an ever-devote fritter fan, i decided to go through my tried and true fritter recipes and find one that would marry well with some diced ham. i opted for the cauliflower cheddar fritters. and it was the right choice! some shredded sharp cheddar and a little ground mustard in the mix made them a perfect vehicle for the sweet and tender ham. for a side i wilted some kale with caramelized onions.

*side note-these were even better the next day warmed up for breakfast and topped with a poached egg!

12/09 still digging through my leftovers, i stumbled upon the mashed potatoes. i was fondly reminded of having a wonderful dish of beef stroganoff served on a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes and knew that was the next meal to make! stroganoff is so easy, and so tasty! pan cooked pieces of steak simmered in a sauce of beef broth and sour cream. and never leave out the best part of the dish....the mushrooms!! even if you aren't a fan of mushrooms, they work wonders to add a rich earthy depth to the creamy sauce.

12/10 tonight's meal is a slight variation on one of the very first meals i taught myself to make. in one of my mom's cookbooks i saw a recipe for "macadamia encrusted chicken with orange sauce". i admit, it took a few tries before i really figured out what reductions sauces were all about. and very happy i did!!! the sauce is a equal parts chicken broth and orange juice reduced down to a glaze, and thickened slightly with a pat of butter. tonight i added thai pepper sauce and a dash of soy sauce to give it a little kick. over the years i found that i actually prefer pecans to macadamia nuts in this recipe. they're easier to find, cheaper and less of a hassle to chop! they're mixed with a few breadcrumbs, and used to coat chicken breasts that have been coated in beaten egg. i've cooked them in a pan, and also baked them in the oven. both turned out really tasty, but if you cook them in the pan? you can use the same pan to cook the sauce, and get all those lovely drippings!!!

12/11 so many leftover mashed potatoes!! i realize the irish aren't known for their cuisine. but they do know their way around a spud. "colcannon" is basically mashed potatoes mixed with your green of choice (kale, cabbage, swiss chard). and often colcannon is mixed with a little flour and beaten egg then formed into cakes and pan fried. which, yes, makes it a type of fritter!!! they are wonderful on their own. but they also serve as a wonderful base to top with fresh seafood. tonight i picked up a salmon fillet and oven baked it to go with my colcannon cakes!

Meals 331-337

11/28 tonight i went fully seasonal with my meatless monday and made a pumpkin and sage risotto. so satisfying!! i really do love the flavors of pumpkin. and it adds so many extra nutrients to a meal! i grabbed the last bit of the green beans in the fridge as a bright verdant side.

11/29 i had only a few pieces of turkey left over from thanksgiving, and was desperate for some veggies!! so tonight i diced that last little bit of bird with a little bit of ham, and threw it on top of a chef's salad.

11/30 i can almost see the back of my fridge again! tonight's meal called on a little creativity. i had some gouda leftover from my macaroni and cheese ingredients. a few apple slice from the appetizers i had set out. so i did what i do best, and stuffed a chicken breast!!! it paired perfectly with the leftover apple hawaiian bread stuffing i had. all those sweet, savory and tart flavors combing for a satisfying late november meal!

12/01 i had mentioned a while back that i've wanted to experiment more with mussels. i've also mentioned my love of thai flavors. so tonight combined the two!!! mussels cooked in a broth of coconut milk, red curry, ginger and garlic. garnished with scallion and cilantro. the mussels were good....but the broth? holy cow that broth was delicious. i had some bread to soak it  up. but let's be honest. i ended up drinking it out of the bowl. cause i'm classy. with a k.

12/02 just when i thought i had used the last of my thanksgiving leftovers......i see the bowl of cranberry relish hiding in the back of the fridge!!!! what to do with all those berries? after much thought i decided to use them as the base for a slow cooked pork loin. simple enough. i poured the cranberries into the crockpot. i placed a pork tenderloin on top. i sprinkled a packet of french onion soup mix over top. and a i added a few splashed of soy sauce. everything got choked on low for 4 hours. and that pork was falling apart tender!! tasty too!

12/03 i keep seeing recipes for "copy cat chick fil a chicken" on pinterest. and have been dying to try the out. who knew they put powdered sugar in the seasoning mix? it really does add that "something different". i opted for chicken tenders instead of full pieces. i figured they would make for a tasty salad with the leftovers! i also let them soak in buttermilk over night. it really does make a difference in the taste and texture. and i fried these pretty little tenders in the cast iron skillet. so good, they didn't even need sauce! though they did need a side, and it's been far too long since i've made my bleu cheese cole slaw....

12/04 tonight's meal was so much better than i expected! i decided to try my hand at loaded potato soup. i've had good potato soups. and i've had not good potato soups. but this potato soup? was great!!! i sort of combined and altered five different recipes i found, and was very happy with the results. thick, but not overly creamy. and full of veggies. of course the added toppings of bacon and cheddar didn't hurt!!!! the trick? i used the rendered fat from cooking the bacon to sauté my vegetables. so this recipe? not vegetarian friendly. but oh my, the difference it makes!!!

Loaded Potato Soup:

2 lbs red potatoes, diced to bite size
1 leek, sliced
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 stalks celery, chopped
4 Tblsp butter
4 Tblsp flour
2 c chicken broth
4 c whole milk
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c shredded cheddar
1 bunch scallions, chopped

-boil potatoes in salted water for 12 minutes (or until fork tender). drain and set aside.
-in rendered bacon fat: cook leek, onion, garlic and celery until translucent.
-in stockpot, heat chicken broth and milk over medium until steaming, but not boiling.
-in small pan, melt butter over medium heat.
-whisk flour into butter to form a medium blonde roux (keep whisking as it bubble for about 2 minutes).
-whisk roux into broth/milk until smooth.
-stir veggies into broth.
-add potatoes to soup and stir to combine.
-season with salt and pepper to taste.
-pour into bowl and garnish with bacon, cheese or scallions as desired.

**i've seen some recipes call for adding sour cream, if you want a thicker, creamier soup? but this was plenty thick enough for me**

Meals 324-330

11/21 as we are deep into soup season, tonight i made one of my go-to favorites. broccoli cheese! this creamy bowl of deliciousness has both broccoli and cauliflower in it. plus carrots, celery and onion to add some wonderful flavor and extra veggies! i use a combination of cheddar and pepper jack cheese to give this wonderful puree a creamy texture and a little spice!

11/22 with tony being in town, we had to make our requisite stop at ford's fish shack for dinner! they make the most amazing grilled salmon. a perfect sear on the outside that adds a little snap when you bite into it. with the center being an ideal medium rare. i am amazed at how they get this beautiful fish so perfect every time we come here!!! i had mine on their chopped salad. a bed of cabbage and romaine tossed with cranberries, corn and an herbed ranch dressing. i never would  have guessed this combination of flavors would be so delicious!

11/23 it's thanksgiving eve!!! i've been busy in the kitchen all day prepping for tomorrow's feast. and we officially have no room in our fridge. so tony and i skipped over to ice house to meet some friends for a pre-holiday meal. this place is old-school classy. dark paneling with forest green decor. live jazz bands. a manhattan that can't be beat. and oysters! i splurged and had the oyster's rockefellar. so wonderful!!! not the cheapest place in town, but definitely good for a night out!

11/24 oh the most blessed wonderful nigh of the year!!!! the night of giving thanks. of enjoying a meal with friends and family. THANKSGIVING!!!!! once again tony and i opened our doors to anyone who was looking for a night of good conversation and massive amounts of food!!  to keep people's stomach's from growling while the turkey was finishing it's roasting time, i laid out a table of appetizers. a cranberry cheddar cheese ball served with green apples. spinach stuffing bites. a spicy red pepper jelly and goat cheese dip. and my personal favorite this year? sweet potato tater tots with a bbq ranch dipping sauce. so tasty!!!

for dinner we had enough food to satiate a small army. which is how it should be! mashed potatoes, bourbon sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, corn, green bean casserole, apple hawaiian bread stuffing, a mushroom gruyere tart, brussels sprouts. and of course.....macaroni and cheese!!!! and those are just the sides!

a thanksgiving isn't thanksgiving without roast turkey. and i was so happy with how this year's bird turned out! tender and juicy. with a hint of sage and thyme. i alway panic that the turkey will be dry. so far i've had the best luck with brining the night before, and then rubbing herbed butter under the skin of the turkey while  it roasts. and this bird was definitely a success!!! as good as the turkey was though, i know my audience. and i know they are ham people. so we had tender slices of honey slow-roasted ham as well! oh and the fresh made yeast rolls. just to have that smell in the house when people walk in, makes it worth the trouble of making them!

i have to give my thanks for all this wonderful food, and for the joy i have sharing with my friends and family. those that were here, and those that were not!!!!

11/25 holy leftovers. my fridge is a mountain of tupperware. in trying to work my way through the chaos, i made a simple (and wonderful) meal tonight. dicing the leftover ham and mixing it with the leftover macaroni and cheese. such a perfect combination!

11/26 gluttony: habitual greed or excess in eating. see also: "luther fest". have you heard of the luther burger? the monstrosity that is a cheddar bacon cheeseburger served with a krispy kreme glazed donut as the bun? oh yes....it exists.....and oh yes.....it is as absurd as it sounds. our friend and neighbor chuck decided to honor this urban food legend years ago and hosted a dinner where he served one to all the guests. rumor has it the entire party succumbed to epic food coma within an hour. and thus a tradition was born.

annually, chuck hosts "luther fest". a party where luther burgers are only the beginning. guests are encouraged to bring outrageous dishes that utilize twinkies, spam, bacon, more bacon, velveta and any other processed food you can think of. and if it can be fried? there are two deep friers ready to go at a moment's notice!!! i admit my weakness, i can only have 1/4 of one of these burgers, and then i'm out for the count. but i have seen some amazing acts of chowing at these events!!!

11/27 *sigh* it's back to facing the fridge of leftovers again tonight. after a few moments of reflection, i opted to go for a simple sandwich tonight. starting with one of the yeast rolls, i spread a little of the pepper jelly-goat cheese spread on each side. and then placed a few delicate pieces of turkey in the middle. i'm not sure which is better.....thanksgiving? or the thanksgiving leftovers????

Thirteen. Point One.

miles. 13.1 miles. that is the distance of a half marathon. something that once seemed ludicrous and unattainable to me. that my weak and sorry legs could ever move my body that distance was a concept beyond comprehension. until 10am on November 19 2016. when those weak and sorry legs of mine crossed the finish line in front of the stadium at the navy yard in annapolis.

i have a lot of friends who are runners. distance runners. and i was always in awe of their dedication and training, but knew i lacked the discipline and endurance to tackle such a large feat. until one night over dinner our friend chuck told me about his experiences. how much he enjoyed the camaraderie of the crowds. the energy in the air. how it was an amazing way to see the world. one step at a  time. and  he explained to me that not everybody has to RUN these distances. just to continually MOVE these distances. when you have the energy? you run. when you don't? you walk. and little by little. one foot in front of the other. you find your way to the finish line.

and that was my inspiration to take the plunge. back in july, i officially registered for the annapolis running classic half marathon.

http://annapolisrunningclassic.com

and thus begin months of training myself to spend longer and longer hours on the trail. i learned a lot about myself. that i run better listening to podcasts than i do listening to music. that i hit my best stride somewhere after mile 2, but before mile 7. that i run best in the morning after a granola bar and a cup of coffee. that i prefer to run in the rain. and i hate to run in the heat. and nothing feels better than a good stretch after a long run.

i knew tony would be out of town for work, so was planning on running the event solo. but towards the end of september my dear niece suzanna came home after a church mission to portugal, and mentioned she was looking to run another half marathon before returning to school in january. so i lucked out, and suddenly had a partner to share this with!!!

my parents drover her down to meet me in annapolis friday night. we carb loaded on some pasta and pizza before getting an early night's sleep in anticipation of race day!!! here's the line of cars leading up to the navy memorial stadium the morning of. see how dark that sky is? that's how early we were up....

this is up in line just before the starting gun goes off!! as nervous as i was the week leading up to this moment (i kept having nightmares about taking a wrong turn and ending up 5 miles off course) i was actually feeling really good in this moment. excited, but not anxious. and suzanna is so positive, she is an AMAZING energy to be around. i'm so happy she was here with me!

here's a shot suzanna got of the pack running through the historic waterfront area of annapolis as the sun rises. the weather was perfect this morning. chilly enough to make you want to move, but not so cold that you were miserable. and i'm not sure i've ever enjoyed a sunrise so much as this one!

so......let's take a minute and talk about the naval academy bridge over the severn river. yes this is a stock photo i pulled from online. but just so people can appreciate what a BEAST this bridge is. and not only do the 1/2 marathon runners have to go up and over it? we have to go up and over it.....twice. because the route doubles back (tears). it's just before the halfway point that the course veers and this structure looms ahead of you. i know a few people who have done this race before, and they all agree this is the "spirit breaker". i'm sure i could have run the whole thing, but i knew if i did i would be hating life.... so i decided to walk it. and enjoy the view of the water on a crisp blue autumn day. to take in the colors of the changing leaves. to bask in the warming sun. and enjoy the journey instead of hating it!

i had a group of friend waiting for me on the other side to cheer me on. but what i wasn't expecting? was that tony had joined them!!! he had caught a red eye back from seattle that morning to surprise me. my friends picked him up from dulles and brought him along to cheer me on!! i truly had no idea he would be there. it was such a great boost to see him there waving his arms and smiling!!!

here's an "action" shot of me as i approach the finish line. the sun had warmed up to about 65 degrees, so i was peeled down to a tank top by this point. i came in right at 3 hours (not a competitive time, but still a half hour within the time limit, and my own personal goal). i was still feeling good enough to smile for the camera!! i was aware of my legs, but not in any pain. i definitely felt better than i expected to!!

and now i have my own medal to display!! i always wanted one of these...... 

one of the things the annapolis race is known for is the after party. where (because it's m'rylan) they serve raw oysters fresh from the bay!!! ok, oysters in the morning after three hours of running might not be the best choice.....but we had to eat them for the experience!

all in all i had an amazing time with this event. it was a gorgeous day, i had my friends and family with me, and it was a great way to explore that beautiful city. even if i do appreciate how hilly it is even more now! 13.1 miles seems much less intimidating to me now. and now that i KNOW i can do it? i would absolutely do it again!!!!

Meals 317-323

11/14 i love, love, love autumn cooking! this meal is so wonderful, with flavors that are so quintessentially fall that i feel i can only make it during these blustery months! butternut squash pear soup with grilled gruyere and green apple sandwiches. i know, it sounds like a lot. but trust me on this one. the flavors all marry together in perfect harmony! and yes, that is cinnamon raisin bread used for the grilled cheese. don't knock it 'til you try it! even as a child, i loved grilled cheese with a little cinnamon sugar. so this is my grown up version! the tart green apple with the nutty gruyere are phenomenal together. and the soup.....oh the soup.....butternut squash pureed with pears, sweet onion, sage and rosemary. so creamy, so rich, so velvety, so autumn!!

11/15 as the weather gets chillier and the skies get darker, i am definitely more in the mood for soups and stews. years ago i got a recipe for white chicken chili from my sister, and it has been far too long since i've made it!! it tastes so rich, but is actually quite healthy. white beans and white meat chicken slow cooked in chicken stock with veggies and spices. trying to be a little conscious of my calories, i topped mine with salsa instead of my usual sour cream and cheddar. delicious!

11/16 with my leftover chicken from last night's chili, i threw together a quick cobb salad for dinner tonight. roast chicken, bacon, bleu cheese and.....yes those are deviled eggs. why use hardboiled when it's so much tastier to use deviled????

to add a new element to the meal, i bought some of these beauties to throw on top: french's crispy jalapeños. tony pointed them out in the grocery store and i was most excited!! i always love the crunch and flavor crispy onions add to my salads, and this is just a step spicier than those. well done french's!!

11/17 a week away from thanksgiving and my freezer is properly stocked with all the sides and desserts that i can fit! in my attempts to clear out what was already in there i came across some sauerbraten my mom had sent up with me a while back. it is hands down my favorite thing that she makes. a wonderful savory dish of slow cooked meat with vinegar, brown sugar and spices. falling apart tender. and since i had just finished a batch of mashed potatoes to be frozen? i kept a little out a the perfect side for that rich flavorful meal. a little red cabbage on the side completes the meal! thanks mom :)

11/18 i had dinner tonight with my parents and my niece suzanna. they drove down to annapolis to meet me the night before (gasp) my first half marathon! we opted to eat at a local pizza place just around the corner from my hotel. i was happy to see they had new york style offerings! we got their version of the caprese: fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato and prosciutto. i limited myself to two small slices. i can't have a belly full of cheese while i'm running around all day tomorrow!

http://www.squisitopizzaandpasta.com

11/19 this morning was the annapolis classic!!! i promise a separate post on that experience, but i'm happy to say it is a goal achieved. and i had a blast doing it! it also means that i have carte blanche to eat WHATEVER i want tonight! we had met some friends for drinks at o'sullivan's and at about 6pm i was overtaken by a hunger i had never known before! i ordered a bbq cheeseburger and fries (with curry sauce). that burger didn't stand a chance. i inhaled it in record time! nothing tastes quite as good as a cheeseburger when you're starving!

11/20 tony and i had a wonderful day of lounging and relaxing. we even indulged in going to see a movie (which we rarely do). i'm a fan of dr strange. appropriately quirky. though eerie to see benedict cumberpatch with an american accent. after the movie tony and i stopped by our favorite indian (paradise) for some naan and butter chicken. oh sweet wonderful butter chicken. such a good way to end the weekend!

Meals 310-316

11/07 tonight's meal was a "happy accident". i met up with some friends yesterday for lunch at an italian restaurant. knowing that i'd be working stupid late tonight, i ordered a salad and penne pesto, with the idea that i would reheat the leftover penne for tonight's meatless monday dinner. but when i opened the container? they had given me the wrong pasta!!!! it was my friend's leftover fettuchini alfredo, and indulgence that i love but so rarely allow myself. since it was already 8:30pm, and i was starving (and it is a meatless meal), i went ahead and wolfed it down. holy cow was it tasty!!! rich and decadent. creamy and smooth. my friend laughed when i told her about the mix up, she had given her leftovers to her boyfriend, so never even knew what she was missing!

11/08 as often as tony and i have gone to mellow mushroom, i've become pretty familiar with all of their wares. and if i'm craving greens? i usually opt for their "enchanted spinach salad". tonight i did my best to recreate, and came fairly close!! a bed of baby spinach with diced granny smith apples, crumbles feta cheese, crumbled bacon, dried cherries and candied pecans. all drizzled with a honey balsamic vinaigrette. i don't think the original has the apples, but since they're in season, i figured it would be a nice touch! i also added some red onion for a little kick. very tasty, but i think next time i'll use bleu cheese instead of the feta. 'cause bacon + bleu cheese = nirvana.

11/09 tonight's meal. oh tonight's meal. one of my all time favorite recipes that i have ever learned. to me it is a MUST have during the autumnal season. pumpkin gnocchi in sage brown butter sauce. holy cow is it amazing!!! i learned this when i was at the cooking school in tuscany. just the smells from making this meal had me drooling. the light and fluffy pillows of pumpkin pasta, the herbaceous fragrance of the sauce, the salty bite of the pecorino.... it all comes together for a most delicious creation! these gnocchi are a little different than the standard potato kind. for one, it uses pumpkin puree instead of potato in the dough. and rather than rolling and slicing it? the little dumplings are formed on the end of a spoon. it takes a little love and time, but i promise they are worth it!

Pumpkin Gnocchi

2 c pumpkin puree
2 c flour
2 egg yolks
1/2 t nutmeg
3/4 c pecorino (or parmesan if you prefer)
4 T butter
1 T olive oil
10 sage leaves, slivered
1 c extra pecorino

-melt butter, sage and olive oil in a baking pan over low heat, just until the butter begins to foam. set pan aside.
-combine flour, yolks, nutmeg and 3/4 cheese into pumpkin. mix gently with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
-drop dough 1/2 T at a time into boiling water. (i usually do 8-10 gnocchi at a time so as not to overload the pot).
-remove gnocchi when they are floating and place in sage butter pan.
-continue until all dough is used (you may have to switch out the water if it gets too starchy).
-sprinkle gnocchi with remaining 1 c of cheese.
-bake 15 minutes at 375F to crisp.

11/10 this has been a crazy, insane, busy week. and? may car has died!!!! so my friend and i agreed this was an occasion for a happy hour. we met at jimmy's and drowned our sorrows in cheap booze and comfort food. we split an order of their "jimchos". a heaping plate of nachos covered in their house chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and jalapeños. very comforting :)



11/11 as i have often written, i am always a fan of mini-foods. so tonight's "pre-portioned" trial were mini bbq meatloafs. a simple enough meatloaf made with ground beef, beaten egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder and breadcrumbs. but mixed with shredded cheddar, caramelized onions, and a generous amount of bbq sauce. baked at 400F then drizzled with more bbq sauce for the last five minutes. these with some broccoli? delicious!

11/12 as i am still housebound (the car remains in the shop for the weekend getting a new accelerator pedal), i am taking advantage of the time to get a head start on my thanksgiving prep! anything i can make/freeze ahead of time i am taking care of today and tomorrow. one of the appetizer i had planned were the little spinach/stuffing bites i made in february for my winter party. i had a little of the stuffing mix leftover, so i drew inspiration from a wedding i went to a few years ago. the caterer had apples stuffed with bacon and chèvre, then baked until golden and delicious. i had an extra granny smith in my fruit basket, so cored it, and stuffed it! i mixed a little bacon and a little chèvre in with my spinach/stuffing mix and baked it all for about 20 minutes. delicious! i should do stuffed apples more often. i'm thinking this with left over pulled pork? would be outstanding! i served it with a side of red cabbage, to add a wonderful tart flavor and a gorgeous color!

11/13 as my pre-baking for the holiday continues, i find i am quickly running out of freezer space! so now i'm pulling out the leftovers that have been buried in there and finding good uses for them. i was so happy to discover a small bag of about 10 saurkraut pierogies hidden next to a frozen package of chicken apple sausage. so, the two of them were thawed and cooking together! it turned out to be a very happy coincidence, these two items complimented each other quite well!

Meals 303-309

10/31this week i'm swapping my "meatless meal" to wednesday....tonight i had dinner with my parents and the breeze and really wanted to try the savory crepes they'd added to the menu. i'm used to crepes that are stuffed with a scant amount of cheese and paper thin slices of meat. but the bruschetta crepe they offered? was ginormous!!! filled with roasted chicken, diced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. that plus a side greek salad was more than enough for two, possible three meals! very glad i tried something new.

11/01 i always underestimate the pork tenderloin. every time i make one i am struck at the wonderful sweet flavor of the lean meat. and it's versatility pairs so well with many flavors! tonight i butterflied the tenderloin and stuffed it with onions and mushrooms that had been sautéed in butter, thyme, sage and marsala wine. the flavors all married together beautifully! and it was very easy to throw together. a little green salad on the side, and this meal definitely gets a high rating!

11/02 my meatless meal this week was an udon noodle soup with a spicy broth heavily laced with sriracha. the base was a simple vegetable broth mixed with onion, ginger, garlic and tomato. originally i was going to put a soft poached egg on top, but at the last minute decided to bake some tofu and use that instead. with a topping of cilantro and scallion it hit the spot!

11/03 it was just about two years ago that i took an adventure to budapest. one of my favorite things to do in a new place is look for local cooking classes. it offers a great exposure to the local cuisine, history and customs. tonight i harkened back to that class and pulled out my recipe for chicken paprikash and spaetzel. the key to the dish is in the name. good hungarian sweet paprika. and a healthy amount of it too. this bag is from the motherland:

this dish has a wonderful combination of earthy spices with that tangy creamy sauce that central european cuisine is known for. and the spaetzel is one of the easiest ways to make a pasta-type side dish you can imagine!

chicken paprikash

2 lbs chicken thighs, generously seasoned with salt and pepper

1 yellow onion, diced

3 Tbsp sweet paprika

2 Tbsp flour

1 tomato, diced

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup sour cream

-brown the chicken thighs in oil and set aside.

-in the same pan, sauté onions until translucent.

-with the pan off heat, add the paprika and flour, stirring to combine.

-add tomato and broth, whisking until smooth.

-return chicken to pan.

-simmer over medium-low until chicken is done (25-30 minutes)

-add sour cream before serving

spaetzle

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

-combine dry ingredients

-whisk milk and eggs

-incorporate milk mixture into flour mixture. stir just until combined.

-let mixture stand for 20 minutes.

-bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

-using a colander or cheese grater, push the dough through the holes into the boiling water (it will create little "dough droplets".

-boil for 3-4 minutes, or until the spaetzle begin to rise to the top of the water. 

-strain and serve!

11/04  a friend of mine hosted a dinner party tonight to show off her newly renovated kitchen (which looked lovely!). she served an impressive spread of food that included bbq chicken, salad, baked beans and macaroni and cheese (my favorite). it was nice to catch up with friend i hadn't seen since i've been back in town!

11/05 i am by no means "southern", but i did spend enough time living in georgia and north carolina to have developed a deep appreciation for southern food! one thing i never thought i would hear myself saying is how much i love good shrimp and grits! it's also something i've never attempted to make. until tonight. it's actually pretty easy! the shrimp are pan sauteed in garlic and butter, and tossed in a sauce of lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, cream and just a touch of bourbon. the grits are mixed with gouda and scallions. it all sounds like a strange combination, but somehow it works!

11/06 tonight was another recipe learned from my class in budapest. a classic beef goulash (only i cheated and make this in a crockpot). pieces of chuck roast browned and coated with flour and paprika. slow cooked on a bed of onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, carrots and tomato paste. covered with a cup of beef broth and left to baste all day. imagine how good the house smelled when i came home! for a side i roasted some mini golden potatoes with garlic and rosemary. meat and potatoes, can't get more classic than that!

one last nod to my time in hungary, i had a bottle of "bikover" to drink with my meal. a strong hungarian red wine. i was told the name literally translates to "bull's blood" (hence the picture of the bull on the bottle). a little morbid, but accurately describes how strong this wine is! though with a dish heavy with meat and paprika, it work quite well!!

it feels good to be back in my kitchen again, making good use of my stove and oven. hopefully there will be more recipes posted over the next few weeks!

Meals 296-302

well my plans to be back in the kitchen are postponed a week. this week was filled with meeting friends and family for various dinners out, and then a weekend spent in seattle with my boo!

10/24 since i was so in love with the mini chicken pot pies i made a few months ago, tonight i tried a vegetarian version. i started with the same base, biscuits pressed into muffin tins. then i mixed cream of mushroom soup with roasted mushrooms, onions and mixed vegetables. a few spices and they made for a satisfying savory meatless dish!

10/25 for months i have been promising to meet my friends for a night of "burmese food" at a local restaurant. it's a cuisine very similar to indian food, with a little more influence from east asian spices. the service at this place was slow as molasses, but the food was worth the wait! we started with appetizers of squash fritters and then shared entrées of brown sugar garlic pork belly, tamarind pork loin and chili chicken (and holy cow were they heavy on the chili!). 

10/26 tonight was another night of catching up with friends. we met for happy hour at american tap room. they had a caprese flat bread on their menu that i was intrigued by. nothing too fancy. a basic flat bread with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, shredded basil and a balsamic drizzle. sometimes the simple dishes are the best!

10/27 my parents are in town tonight to graciously take over hound watching duty before i fly to seattle for a weekend of hiking w/ tony. we went to our neighborhood bar jimmy's for dinner. trying to stick to my goal, i ordered something from the menu i hadn't tried before. the buffalo wrap. since this place has such amazing wings, i figured the buffalo chicken wrap would be a good bet! and it was tasty, but i have to admit, not nearly as amazing as their wings!!

10/28 today was a gorgeous day spent hiking mt rainier with tony. an uncommonly bright and sunny day for the pacific northwest! on the drive back north towards seattle we stopped at the little town of "enumclaw". a small bundle of restaurants and shops that had some fantastic looking retaurant options. we opted for  the historic mint alehouse. i've heard people rave about the cut of beef called tri-tip, but never had it myself. the had a trip-tip and bleu cheese pasta that sounded like a good place to start! i didn't get a picture of the pasta, but here's a picture from our out door adventures!

10/29 tony and i spent the day wandering the streets of seattle enjoying the people watching. and you'd better believe that the weekend of halloween? offers some AMAZING people watching. we were lucky enough to stumble upon a crowd of zombies attempting the choreography from thriller. i love this city!!

for dinner we went to the smallest hole in the wall sushi place you can imagine. a bare menu and nothing to drink but tea. and i have to say, it was by far the most authentic japanese sushi place i've been to in the states! simple good fish and sticky rice, with fresh wasabi. being in washington state i had to try the salmon. and i always order hamachi when i see it!

10/30 there's an italian restaurant near where tony and i were staying that offered all day happy hour specials on the weekends. so we sat at the bar and ordered several small plates from their menu. meatballs in marinara, caesar salad, parmesan zucchini and lobster mac and cheese. my favorite was definitely the meatballs!

a wonderful autumn weekend!!!!

Meals 270-295 (The Missing Month)

my deepest apologies for the gap in postings! work has had me out of town for the last several weeks, and it's been a whirlwind of travel. but sadly this has put a dent in my culinary adventures. i still managed to eat a different meal every night. mostly because i was in so many different places.... but i haven't been able to cook new recipes. and in this, my most favorite time of year....pumpkin season!! i will be sure to make up for lost times in the next few weeks. in the meantime, here is a quick run down of my meals from my lapse. sorry for the lack of pictures and descriptions. i'll get back to my usual routine posting soon!

09/26 tonight my meal took place somewhere over the atlantic. i was on a plane, and therefore subject to airplane cuisine. attempting to stick to a meatless monday option, i had the pasta. the sad tasteless overcooked pasta..... but with airplane cuisine? that's expected!

09/27 tonight i ate at a ukranian restaurant that specializes in "vareniki", tiny dumplings similar to pirogues. i had a plate of the potato and onion vareniki with a side of borscht. ukranian comfort food!!!

09/28 a co-worker recommended a georgian restaurant for tonight's meal. as in the country, not the southern state. they are known for the "khachapuri", or cheese bread. holy cow this stuff is amazing. a simple flat bread with the most amazing blend of cheeses melted on top. that and a dish of chicken in a garlic cream sauce made for a spectacular meal!

09/29 we had a "ladies" night at a steak house tonight, were the special was a filet mignon in sour cherry sauce. and you know how much i love sour cherries! the sweet and tart sauce paired quite well with the red meat. definitely something i'll have to try in the future!

09/30 i have had many a burger in my days, but nothing quite like the hamburger i had tonight. a place near our hotel is famous for it's "black burger". which got it's name for the dark pumpernickel bun it's served on. it's then topped with boursin cheese and a plum chutney. a fantastic combination of flavors! even if the burger does look a little "goth".

10/01 with my pleasant experience with georgian food a few nights ago, i tried another one tonight! starting again with the khachapuri, but this time trying to pork dumplings. very similar to dim sum "soup dumplings", but a little larger. but let's be honest....it was all about the cheese bread.

10/02 i was surprised to find a mexican(ish) restaurant tonight. and with the heavy meat laden meals i've had lately, i was desperate for a salad! so i had a simple chicken taco salad. not the fanciest meal, but it hit the spot!

10/03 for a simple meatless monday meal tonight i had a basic cheese sandwich. but with a very lovely red leister cheese, and a sun-dried tomato ciabatta!

10/04 tonight was one of my favorite comfort foods, beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes. such and indulgence! and now it's off to another flight to another city....

10/05 i have to say, tonight's meal may have been one of my most disappointing this year. i have fond memories of eating amazing "salmon cakes" in scotland, so when i saw them on the menu at a the bar in my hotel? i was very excited! but these over fried flavorless pink hockey pucks? left much to be desired.

10/06 tonight was another comforting meal of good ole fashioned "pub grub". steak and ale pie with roasted potatoes and mushy pies.

10/07 the wonderful meal i had tonight more than made up for the lousy salmon cakes earlier this week! for the long weekend, i've taken a road trip to wales to meet up with a friend. in cardiff we went to the "potted pig". a gorgeous local haunt that specialized in their seasoned and pulled pork served in a small mason jar. delicious! they also had a fantastic grilled pork belly. and since it was my first time in wales, i had to have welch rarebit!!!! basically an open faced grilled cheese. and another creation i must learn to make!

10/08 tonight i am at the very edge of wales, just along the coast. it is a gorgeous and remote area. but there's a little pub within walking distance of the b&b. it seems only appropriate that i get the classic fish and chips! and with mushy peas!! i have to say this fried haddock was some of the best i've had....

10/09 today was a long and beautiful day of hiking (i will have to post picture on a different thread!) so all my friend and i wanted to do was curl up watching bad movies and eating cheese. so we raided a local grocery store for cheese, fruit, salami, bread and wine to have a little cheese and charcuterie!

10/10 for my meatless monday evening i went to a little restaurant adjacent to my hotel. their seasonal special was the pumpkin risotto (yay pumpkin meal!) served with a caprese salad and parmesan crisps. a perfect fall meal!

10/11 tonight i wanted to explore a thai restaurant that everyone had been recommending. since it's cold, dreary and grey, it seemed like a good night for pad thai and tom ka!

10/12 i met some friends from work to go outlet shopping this evening, so we grabbed a quick bite at an asian style fast food cafeteria there. vegetarian dumplings and chicken jaipur noodles.

10/13 so i have learned that the british? let me rephrase.....specifically the ENGLISH have overall disappointing and underwhelming cuisine. with one exception. meat pies. holy cow do these people know their way around a good savory pie!!! this restaurant features 25 specialty savory pies nightly. we went with a larger group and agreed to order several different ones and share "family style" they were all fantastic! the peppered steak and brandied cream sauce, chicken and leek, boar sausage and cranberry, pork with apple and sage stuffing. i've already started trolling pinterest for recipes to make when i get home!  if you ever happen to be in the midlands of england? i absolutely recommend this pub: http://www.crownandtuns.co.uk

10/14 tonight was back to the thai restaurant. i was desperate for food with a little spice to it. an appetizer of crispy duck pancakes followed by red curry chicken hit the spot!

10/15 i've had so many heavy meat dishes lately, that when i saw salad on the menu tonight? i immediately ordered it! crab salad with roasted red peppers on a bed of field greens and tomatoes. so good to have some fresh vegetables again!

10/16 a new group of friends has come into town tonight, so we all met up at a highly rated indian restaurant nearby. i agree with they hype, the food here was delicious! i had the "chicken alfonso". which was strips of white meat chicken in a red curry and mango sauce. a little on the sweet side, but the sauce was so perfect for dipping naan into!

10/17 for tonight's meatless meal i wandered to a nearby pub for their minted pea and risotto cakes. a delightful combination!

10/18 it is another cold and dreary night, so when i saw a food cart that was selling udon noodles and steam buns? i was hooked! the idea of the comforting noodles was exactly what i wanted. and i never pass up a chance for steam buns. i'm not sure if i was just really hungry? or if this food was really amazing? but i swear these were some of the best noodles i've ever had!

10/19 tonight i wanted to check out the restaurant in my hotel. i once again ordered the fish and chips and sat in the corner for some excellent people watching. this fish was amazing. one of the most crisp pieces of haddock i've ever had! and the serving size was more than enough for two people!

10/20 my last night in the uk, and i had to get one more shot at the pies at pudding face! this time our group tried the following: beef and horseradish, minted lamb, chicken chorizo and game pie. once again, all were fantastic! though i have to admit, i'm ready to get home and back in my own kitchen. and back to fresh vegetables!!!

10/21 i have returned home! and so very happy to be back in my house!! and back in an area where fresh vegetables are so readily available. so before my jet lagged knocked me out? i made it to chick fil a for a "south west grilled chicken salad". never has a salad tasted so good!!!!

10/22 tonight i was back at the 'rents to retrieve my dear puppy. while there i met my sister and niece to go to the local italian restaurant "the olive tree" for some more salad!!! i ordered a piece of lasagna too, but filled up on all the salad, so that will be lunch tomorrow!!

10/23 finally i have a night back in my kitchen. since it is autumn, which is my favorite cooking time of year, i had to honor it with one of my all time favorite recipes. sausage and barley stuffed acorn squash. it's a simple enough recipe, and easy to adapt to personal tastes/preference. i start by cutting the top off of an acorn squash and scooping out the seeds. then i roast at 400F for an hour. meanwhile i prepare the filling by mixing: one dice green apple, 1 c cooked barley, one sautéed yellow onion, 1/2 c shredded cheddar, 1 egg beaten, 1/4 c golden raisins and 1/2 lb cooked sage sausage. this makes enough for about four acorn squashes. stuff the roasted squash with the filling, then pop back in the oven for 20 minutes (until the egg is set). your kitchen will smell amazing and the flavors are perfect for the season!!!

i promise i'll be posting more picutres/recipes in the weeks to come!