We've had a bit of a cold front here (for SC at least) and it's been a bit gloomy outside with lots of rain. So, I decided to take a page from my Grandpap's book and started making soup. My grandpap (my mom's dad) is a great cook - his house always smells like homemade bread, soup, garlic, and onions. It just always smells like home and is very comforting. With the gloom and rain, I was craving a bit of comfort and went for soup. And, since I've liked every single one of the soups I've made, I've decided to share:
Turkey and Black Bean Soup from Food and Wine's Quick from Scratch One-Dish Meals Cookbook (seriously, this is the best cookbook - I use it all the time and it has the best, easiest recipes) -- http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/turkey-and-black-bean-soup
-- I actually made this without the turkey, and it was excellent; it's Brent's favorite of all the ones I've made lately. I also added some frozen corn (about half a bag) - I love corn.
Lentil and Spinach Stew
- I got this one from Kristi a long time ago (when she lived in NC) so I have no idea where it came from. It's very healthy and hearty and I love spilling balsamic vinegar on the top when you serve it. If anyone wants this recipe, just let me know and I'll write it down in a later post.
Corn Chowder from the all-time classic Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook (don't tell me you all don't have this one) - http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/potato-corn-chowder/
- Super fast and full of flavor. I added some Old Bays seasoning to the soup to perk it up a bit without adding much heat and think that next time I'd add garlic (cuz garlic makes almost anything taste better).
Moroccan-Style Chickpea Soup from the new classic America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook (thanks again, Mark - I love this book!)
- Will helped me make this one, so that was a lot of fun (I let him stir things). Still didn't make him want to eat it though. For me, this one was just OK - I think it needs something but I'm not sure what. Brent quite liked it though (which is good because it's part of his menu plan for this weekend when I'm away). If anyone wants this recipe, again, just let me know and I'll put it in a later post.
I'm not sure what I'll be making next week (I'm game for suggestions if anyone has a favorite), but I'll keep you posted!
The Maxwell Family Blog -- Keeping you up to date (more or less) on the lives of Brent, Janet, Will, & Sofia
Showing posts with label Recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recipes. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Dinner Guests
Saturday, the 1st, we finally managed to have people for dinner - with no mishaps! If you'll remember, we tried to have Barb over and a blackout occurred; we tried to have Brent's boss over and she got into a car accident on the way over here. So, the third time must be the charm.
We had Patrick and Molly over for dinner. Pat works with Brent and was transferred from MI to SC a few years ago. Molly is originally from Savannah but moved to MI for work and met Pat while he was up there. After some moving around for both of them, they got married and ended up in Greenville. They have been here for 2 1/2 yrs now and are our go-to people to find anything - Molly steered me toward a hairdresser that I could trust with curly hair (her hair is even curlier than mine), a dentist, good restaurants, and good neighborhoods (for when we decide to start house hunting). They invited us to a great 4th of July party too (see blog entry for details).
So, we decided to thank them by having them over for dinner, and we were hoping our luck (and theirs) held out this time. I decided to go a little Asian in my menu and look through my cookbooks. This is what I made:
- Thai Beef - Forever Summer by Nigella Lawson (she's a Brit and I just love her)
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=295
This has a great flavor and is really easy to make; go easy on the fish sauce though (I'm pretty sure I used more than the recipe needed).
- Papaya and Avocado Salad - Giada
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/avocado-and-papaya-salad-recipe/index.html
This one is an unusual pick for me, because although I LOVE avocado, I'm not really into papaya (or mango). But, the quick lime sauce makes it really good. Nice, summer salad and really easy to make.
- Salmon with Thai Rice Salad -- Food and Wine Quick One-Dish Meals Cookbook (this is the best cookbook - tons of recipes, with good wine selections, that are all easy, super good, and fast) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/salmon-with-thai-rice-salad---qfs
I've made this before and it's fast becoming a favorite. The rice with carrots and cucumbers really makes the dish. We actually found it was even better the 2nd day (just the rice salad) with the thai beef on top.
- Peach Melba for dessert - Nigella again
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=210
SC has a ton of peaches and they are all wonderful. So, I decided to do something fun with them. I did modify this recipe quite a bit though, to make it easier to do. But, I did saute the peaches to get the skins off and the pits out. The two that turned out looked absolutely beautiful; the rest, not so much. But, that's Ok. I served it with a raspberry and chambord sauce, and fresh raspberries on top.
Pat and Molly arrived on time, bearing wine and beer. The wine was a great Pinot Grigio and the beer was Leinenkugel Summer Shandy and it is now my favorite beer. It has a great lemon taste and is just wonderful. Will wasn't feeling good that day, so we actually had a quiet evening with just Sofia running around. She made fast-friends with Molly (we think the dark curly hair helped) and was giving her hugs and asking to be held. It was so cute! It's not seen often, but when Sofia can be up and on her own (without Will), she is quite an adventurous little thing. She gets into all the toys (because she can) and loves having your undivided attention. She was very charming.
We had a nice evening, and right after we finished dessert, Will woke up. He only wanted to be held and after a couple minutes, got sick all over (I told you, he wasn't feeling well that day). So, that pretty much ended the evening (while giving Pat and Molly a nice look at one of the joys of parenting). We hope we can do it again soon (without the sick kids).
We had Patrick and Molly over for dinner. Pat works with Brent and was transferred from MI to SC a few years ago. Molly is originally from Savannah but moved to MI for work and met Pat while he was up there. After some moving around for both of them, they got married and ended up in Greenville. They have been here for 2 1/2 yrs now and are our go-to people to find anything - Molly steered me toward a hairdresser that I could trust with curly hair (her hair is even curlier than mine), a dentist, good restaurants, and good neighborhoods (for when we decide to start house hunting). They invited us to a great 4th of July party too (see blog entry for details).
So, we decided to thank them by having them over for dinner, and we were hoping our luck (and theirs) held out this time. I decided to go a little Asian in my menu and look through my cookbooks. This is what I made:
- Thai Beef - Forever Summer by Nigella Lawson (she's a Brit and I just love her)
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=295
This has a great flavor and is really easy to make; go easy on the fish sauce though (I'm pretty sure I used more than the recipe needed).
- Papaya and Avocado Salad - Giada
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/avocado-and-papaya-salad-recipe/index.html
This one is an unusual pick for me, because although I LOVE avocado, I'm not really into papaya (or mango). But, the quick lime sauce makes it really good. Nice, summer salad and really easy to make.
- Salmon with Thai Rice Salad -- Food and Wine Quick One-Dish Meals Cookbook (this is the best cookbook - tons of recipes, with good wine selections, that are all easy, super good, and fast) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/salmon-with-thai-rice-salad---qfs
I've made this before and it's fast becoming a favorite. The rice with carrots and cucumbers really makes the dish. We actually found it was even better the 2nd day (just the rice salad) with the thai beef on top.
- Peach Melba for dessert - Nigella again
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=210
SC has a ton of peaches and they are all wonderful. So, I decided to do something fun with them. I did modify this recipe quite a bit though, to make it easier to do. But, I did saute the peaches to get the skins off and the pits out. The two that turned out looked absolutely beautiful; the rest, not so much. But, that's Ok. I served it with a raspberry and chambord sauce, and fresh raspberries on top.
Pat and Molly arrived on time, bearing wine and beer. The wine was a great Pinot Grigio and the beer was Leinenkugel Summer Shandy and it is now my favorite beer. It has a great lemon taste and is just wonderful. Will wasn't feeling good that day, so we actually had a quiet evening with just Sofia running around. She made fast-friends with Molly (we think the dark curly hair helped) and was giving her hugs and asking to be held. It was so cute! It's not seen often, but when Sofia can be up and on her own (without Will), she is quite an adventurous little thing. She gets into all the toys (because she can) and loves having your undivided attention. She was very charming.
We had a nice evening, and right after we finished dessert, Will woke up. He only wanted to be held and after a couple minutes, got sick all over (I told you, he wasn't feeling well that day). So, that pretty much ended the evening (while giving Pat and Molly a nice look at one of the joys of parenting). We hope we can do it again soon (without the sick kids).
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Dinner that Wasn't
So, Wednesday we were supposed to have Brent's boss over for dinner. Now, I love cooking for people (I actually try to make at least one new recipe a week, either from a cookbook or an on-line find) and can't wait until we have a large house with a real dining room so that I can entertain more (when I grow up, I want to be the hostess with the most-est like Ann - big smile!) And, Brent's boss is French so I figured almost anything was fair game. Although, as much as I love cheese, especially French cheese, I was too intimidated to go for a cheese course. So, here's the menu I had planned (thanks, Food Network):
Crab Salad in Endive Leaves for starters
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/crab-salad-in-endive-leaves-recipe4/index.html
- This is a great recipe; very, very easy and tasty. Plus, you can make the salad ahead of time and just assemble before people show up.
Swordfish with Mediterranean Tomato Sauce and Linguine as a main course
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/lunchbag-swordfish-with-mediterranean-tomato-sauce-and-linguini-recipe/index.html
- Another great recipe; very, very easy, tasty, and quick. I altered it a bit since I didn't want to take the time to make parchment paper "lunchbags" - I just put the mixture (make-ahead) over the swordfish and covered it with foil. I also added marinated artichoke hearts, which were great. Next time, I actually think that I would omit the fresh tomatoes and just use 2 cans of diced.
Ricotta with Vanilla Sugar Croutons and Berries
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ricotta-with-vanilla-sugar-croutons-and-berries-recipe/index.html
- Yet again, great recipe, especially for make ahead. I omitted the croutons (too much work, and I don't like croutons anyway) and used toasted almond slivers instead. Yum!
So, the menu's all planned, the kids are all ready, and Brent's home a bit early (so I can get ready.) We've poured wine for ourselves and we're just waiting (trying not to attack the starter). Then, about 6:45/6:50, we get a call - his boss was in a car accident coming to our house for dinner! Oh my gosh! This can't be a good sign! She rear ended someone on the highway - oops. She's OK, but she thinks the car may have to be totaled . . . sheesh. So, we greedily ate all the crab salad and enjoyed the fish (it was quite good). We save the dessert for a different night.
Now, this is the 2nd time we were supposed to have someone over for dinner and the dinner didn't occur. The first time was Barb - the night of the black out. This was the second. Maybe I'm just not supposed to have people over for dinner . . . I hope not. Brent's boss has bravely agreed to reschedule; wish me luck for the next time, and until then, I hope you enjoy the recipes.
Crab Salad in Endive Leaves for starters
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/crab-salad-in-endive-leaves-recipe4/index.html
- This is a great recipe; very, very easy and tasty. Plus, you can make the salad ahead of time and just assemble before people show up.
Swordfish with Mediterranean Tomato Sauce and Linguine as a main course
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/lunchbag-swordfish-with-mediterranean-tomato-sauce-and-linguini-recipe/index.html
- Another great recipe; very, very easy, tasty, and quick. I altered it a bit since I didn't want to take the time to make parchment paper "lunchbags" - I just put the mixture (make-ahead) over the swordfish and covered it with foil. I also added marinated artichoke hearts, which were great. Next time, I actually think that I would omit the fresh tomatoes and just use 2 cans of diced.
Ricotta with Vanilla Sugar Croutons and Berries
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ricotta-with-vanilla-sugar-croutons-and-berries-recipe/index.html
- Yet again, great recipe, especially for make ahead. I omitted the croutons (too much work, and I don't like croutons anyway) and used toasted almond slivers instead. Yum!
So, the menu's all planned, the kids are all ready, and Brent's home a bit early (so I can get ready.) We've poured wine for ourselves and we're just waiting (trying not to attack the starter). Then, about 6:45/6:50, we get a call - his boss was in a car accident coming to our house for dinner! Oh my gosh! This can't be a good sign! She rear ended someone on the highway - oops. She's OK, but she thinks the car may have to be totaled . . . sheesh. So, we greedily ate all the crab salad and enjoyed the fish (it was quite good). We save the dessert for a different night.
Now, this is the 2nd time we were supposed to have someone over for dinner and the dinner didn't occur. The first time was Barb - the night of the black out. This was the second. Maybe I'm just not supposed to have people over for dinner . . . I hope not. Brent's boss has bravely agreed to reschedule; wish me luck for the next time, and until then, I hope you enjoy the recipes.
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