08/02 tonight's recipe was one that my friend gave me a while back, and i never got around to actually making. that's what i love about this year!! without this crazy goal i never would have known for myself how amazing these "sesame garlic tacos" were! i know her son and husband rave about them. and now i know why. the asian flavors in these tacos are outstanding! the ground beef was amazing. the cucumber-cabbage slaw was amazing. together they were exponentially amazing!
for the meat:
1 lb ground beef
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp red chili paste
1/4 c soy sauce
3 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
-brown meat in skillet. drain fat and set aside.
-in skillet warm sesame oil over medium heat.
-add garlic to oil. heat for 30 seconds.
-add remaining ingredients. stir and let boil for 5 minutes (until thickened-keep stirring so as not to burn).
-add beef to sauce, stir to coat
for the slaw:
1 cucumber, thinly sliced (i used the 3rd setting on a mandolin)
1 cup shredded red cabbage (i added some broccoli slaw and carrots)
1/4 c rice vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp sriracha sauce
1/2 tsp salt
-toss to combine.
-let stand 1 hour before serving.
08/03 tonight's recipe has a very special place in my culinary history and heart. chicken marsala is one of the first recipes that i taught myself to make. i had it at a local italian restaurant in my home town and fell in love with the rich, sweet, savory sauce. so after much research, much trial and much error, i have honed my personal recipe for the dish. it's taken me almost 20 years, but i am finally proud of my achievement!! this is the recipe that my parents request whenever i offer to cook for them. this is the recipe that made me want to learn to be a better cook!!! i know, that sounds hokey....but i feel that anyone who is passionate about cooking? has that ONE dish that inspired them to be in the kitchen. and this is mine. i used to serve it with rice, but lately i have found that a rosemary polenta is the perfect side dish to the meal! add a side of roasted tomatoes....and this is easily one of my all time favorite meals.
08/04 tonight's meal was a simple one, grilled rockfish with onion rings and asparagus. no fuss, and yet so tasty!!! i get the oven baked onion rings by alexia, so i don't feel so bad about eating them. they are about as healthy as an onion ring can be. so no guilt with this simple and delicious meal!
08/05 it has been far too long since we've patronized our favorite local restaurant, ford's fish shack! tonight we went for a belated birthday dinner. only once a year do i indulge myself in this amazing meal they call "the rack and tail" a quarter rack of baby back ribs served with a lobster tail. i am amazed at all the food they serve at ford's. how a seafood place can get ribs this tender and flavorful? boggles the mind. and the lobster tail....they serve it in a truly indulgent way.....DEEP FRIED. i know it sounds bizarre. but i promise you it is one of the best things i have ever had! and the plate is completed with shoe string fries and a parsley tarragon coleslaw. this entire meal is fantastic!!! over-the-top....but worth the calorie splurge!
08/06 tonight we went over to meet with friends to watch some of this summers' olympic games. they were gracious hosts and offered us a table full of food that included bbq chicken, burgers, salads and copious amounts of cheese! i truly believe that a shared love of cheese is the basis for a beautiful friendship....
08/07 it's been a while since we've brought out the smoker, and we wanted to get some use out of it. it only seems fitting that we sacrifice a gorgeous salmon filet to the smoker gods! i marinated this 3 lb beauty in a brine of water, salt and maple syrup. then smoked it until it was tender and delicious! it didn't have as much "smoke" as i thought it would, but the texture of the salmon was perfection. for sides we chose what has become the house classic: bleu cheese cole slaw, and some grilled corn on the cob.
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