Butternut Squash Lasagna

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 9 Comments

If you’re anything like me, instead of counting down the weeks left until spring you’re frantically trying to cram all your remaining favorite winter comfort foods into your meal plan. I certainly spend a borderline obsessive amount of time planning our weekly menu, varying the proteins and starches whilst also taking into account things like budget, cravings, and most importantly, seasonality. What should I make now because a few weeks from now I may not want to/be able to? So many favorites, too few nights, is always my takeaway at the end of the weekly exercise! If you find this conundrum equally vexing, then rest assured knowing this dish is simply a must-make while you can still play the ‘needed some good comfort food’ card.

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Posted in Italian, Vegetarian, Winter, Winter Squash

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Posole Rojo

Posted on February 9, 2012 | 4 Comments

I have this rather ridiculous photographic memory-like equivalent when it comes to food recall. I can not only remember particular dishes I’ve made even years ago, but I can remember details like which day of the week it was that I made them, and what was going on in my life at the time. It’s like I’m food-wired-in. Though I possess this strange ability in sharp contrast to my husband, because he can never remember anything I’ve made. Thought this was a cute case in point:

ME: “I’m working on a blog about the Posole.”

HUSBAND: “The what?” [Mind you, I only made a vat of it - we had at least 3 meals worth, just last week.]

ME: “The Posole. That spicy Mexican soup.”

HUSBAND: “OHHHH the spicy Mexican soup! That was great.”

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Posted in Mexican, Soup, Winter

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Roast Chicken Thighs with Lentil Stew

Posted on February 1, 2012 | 5 Comments

What is it about winter that makes me want to eat bread all day? Everyday. And pasta too. With garlic bread on the side. I’ve made a bunch of soups these past weeks which I figured would make for healthful lunches (when I make a soup I make like, a bucket of it).  And yes there were healthful lunches, I suppose, if you consider the buttered the roll I ate everyday alongside healthful too. Ah well. And the ironic part is it’s not even been that cold out! Today reached such a balmy 65 degrees that our daffodil bulbs lovingly planted last fall are coming up they’re so confused! So anyway, I needed a meal that was carb-free … ish. And while legumes are technically carbs I guess – (insert scrunched up frowny face here), they’re certainly neither bread nor pasta, which was plenty good enough for me.  The recipe shot to the top of my must-try list.

I’m super glad it did, because this was fantastic! Definitely one of those must-make every season, repeatedly, type recipes. And it’s a simple dish to throw together too. The (abbreviated) rundown – rub colorful red spice with fancy-sounding Spanish name on chicken, bake. Meanwhile, simmer lentils with some stuff. Puree said stuff. Add back to lentils. Serve. OK, maybe I skipped a few minor details, but that’s the rough draft if you will. The point is, it’s not hard. Completely doable on a weeknight. And so rewarding.

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Posted in Chicken, Gluten-Free, Winter

Ropa Vieja

Posted on January 25, 2012 | 4 Comments

A very wise and very dear friend of mine told me that when caught in an unhappy situation, you have 3 options; change the situation, change your attitude about the situation, or change neither, recognizing this third option as a conscious choice to remain unhappy. In the spirit of a new year and all that, I am working on my attitude – staying positive – hoping hard that our efforts to change our situation do, in fact, change the situation.

Another tidbit about me – I’m an incredibly open and honest person. So for these past months while I’ve been in a bit of a funk of sorts, I haven’t blogged because I didn’t know how I could do so in a positive voice, whilst feeling the opposite. It seemed it would sound fake.

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Posted in Beef, Latin

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Four-Layer Pumpkin Cake with Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting

Posted on December 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

As a food blogger I feel it’s my duty to break down seemingly difficult recipes and encourage fellow cooks to try new things and not be intimidated! So perhaps I should abandon this post. Because the truth is after an entire afternoon’s worth of effort my first attempt was such an epic disaster that I made the cake over again the next morning in order to get it right.  And that was only possible thanks to the dozens of how-to videos I found on youtube. So how pumped are you about trying this cake?!! Yeah, exactly …

But the reason I’m still sitting here typing away is that the payoff from this cake was huge. At least for me. Not only is the cake both gorgeous and sinfully delicious, the sense of accomplishment that comes from learning new kitchen skills trumps all. And for me that was learning how to assemble and frost a 4-layer cake. There are a couple key things you need to know that the recipes don’t tell you – it’s as if there’s a keep-the-most-important-tips-a-secret-from-the-cooking-masses conspiracy theory at play. Well readers, read on because I’m exposing those secret tips!

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Posted in Dessert

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Greek Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce

Posted on November 19, 2011 | 3 Comments

Hello there fellow foodies.

You may have noticed there’s been a bit of a lag between posts. Without divulging too much personal information, lets just say I hadn’t been feeling myself the past few weeks and couldn’t imagine it not coming across in my writing. I am glad to have had time to put things in perspective with a renewed focus on the good things. One of which being these fantastic Greek lamb meatballs!

I made these a couple weeks back on a night in need of good comfort food and these provided exactly that and so much more. With Mediterranean flavors of fresh oregano and mint shining through the delicious lamb, bathed in a cinnamon-infused spiced tomato sauce over pasta, this meal not only comforts away the woes of a tough day but really strikes you with its unique flavor combinations. It reminded me a bit of the fantastic Greek Moussaka I made in the early fall, with the cinnamon and lamb.

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Posted in Lamb, Mediterranean

Butternut Squash Farro with Walnuts and Goat Cheese

Posted on September 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

I debated between ‘Fall Farro’ and the more descriptive title above for this dish, because in our house ‘Fall Farro’ is absolutely what this is – a delicious side dish featuring many of my fall favorites. With roasted butternut squash, caramelized red onions, toasty walnuts and tangy goat cheese, this graces our table alongside simply seared fish and meat throughout the season. I decided against it (the ‘Fall Farro’ thing) because this dish absolutely has legs for winter and even beyond winter if you’re one of those I-don’t-give-an-expletive-what-season-it-is-I’ll-cook-what-I-like-thanks-very-much types.

I will say upon enjoying the butternut squash + goat cheese combo for the first time this season I immediately forgave summer for leaving the party so early this year. Against the backdrop of the nutty farro, the roasted vegetables and melty goat cheese are just phenomenal. And it made me that much more excited about all the fantastic roasting, braising and stewing that comes with cooler temperatures.

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Posted in Fall, Grains, Side Dish, Winter Squash

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