Simple, warm, wintery dishes proved perfect for a super-snowy night. Radicchio Pasta is quick, creamy and flavorful, Roasted Broccoli never disappoints.
quick
Penne with zucchini, gruyere & bread crumbs
We had this dish again. Still delicious, still a hit (even with the younger set), quick to make (particularly with a sous chef like my dad) and chock full of veggie to boot.
This time we used zucchini, which is what the recipe calls for, instead of summer squash, which is what we used last time.
Easiest chicken cacciatore
Tonight is pizza Tuesday. All you need to know about that is we ordered from Otto and it was delicious.
What I really want to share with you is yesterday’s dinner. I made the easiest Chicken Cacciatore ever.
Actually, it’s the only Chicken Cacciatore I’ve ever made, so I can’t really promise it’s the easiest ever, but I managed to make it while carrying a baby in one arm. That’s got to tell you something.
We served the chicken with my dad’s amazing broccoli with lemon (also quick and easy, to be published soon), and a baguette with fancy butter. Weeknight perfection.
His & Hers butternut squash enchiladas
The recipe for Black Bean & Butternut Squash Enchiladas (with lime zest!) is from the Keepers Cookbook and can be found here. The embellishment was all my mom, as was the salad. We thought the recipe was a keeper, for sure. I think we’ll keep the embellishment too.
Penne alla Vodka
Penne alla Vodka and a simple salad.
I hardly ever make dinner anymore
I don’t know how families with both parents working full time outside of the home get anything done, ever. Seriously folks, I don’t know how you even find time to brush your teeth, please send tips my way.
The sad truth of our new life is that I only cook dinner once every two weeks or so. Shane cooks sometimes, but more often it’s my mom or dad. Every Tuesday we get pizza from Upper Crust or Otto. Weird how things change.
For some reason, on October 19th, I managed to make dinner. I don’t recall the exact circumstances that made this possible, but it was great. We had Salmon Baked in Parchment (below), Roasted Broccoli and a made up salad with tomatoes, chick peas, lemon zest and creamy french feta. It was a treat for me to cook. Maybe I’ll do it again someday.
• Salmon and Leeks Baked in Parchment •
from Martha Stewart
1 bunch leeks, sliced thin and well washed
Dry white wine
Olive oil
1 bunch chervil or other fresh herb, chopped (optional)
Unsalted butter, melted
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Fold a 24-inch sheet of parchment paper in half, and cut out a heart shape* about 3 inches larger than fish fillet. Place fillet near the fold, and place a handful of leeks next to it. Drizzle fish with wine and olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and chervil (or other herb. Brush edges of parchment paper with melted butter, fold paper to enclose fish, and make small overlapping folds to seal the edges, starting at curve of heart (or edge of paper). Be sure each fold overlaps the one before it so that there are no gaps. Brush the outside of the package with melted butter. Repeat with rest of fillets. Put packages on a baking sheet, and bake until paper is puffed and brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.
*This is a Valentines Day recipe, thus the heart-shaped paper, you can use a square just fine.
Some things I’ve managed to make
It a’int easy, this working full time thing. Leaving home at 7:30 and not returning until 6:30 leaves little time for planning, let alone actually cooking dinner. Fortunately, we have my parents, and Shane who hasn’t started working yet.
Although friends and family alike have been encouraging me to relinquish dinner to those more able, I can’t let it go completely. At least once a week, I try my hand at getting dinner on the table before 9pm (school’s starting soon, after all). Occasionally I succeed.
Here are some of the meals I’ve managed to make: Chicken Baked in Creamy Tomato Sauce – tip: add white beans and it doubles as a loose-interpretation vegetarian meal. Fusili with Ricotta and Spinach – easy, quick and can be a one-dish meal, sort of. Make a tomato salad too, if you’re ambitious, or my mom. Nachos – what the heck, right? Pile some chips with beans and shredded cheese and bung ’em in the broiler. A jar of salsa, guacamole, leftover steak and an easy salad is all you need on the side.
Celebrity guest dinner!
We had dinner with celebrities tonight! Oh la la. Our guest were Bruce and Steve, real-life characters from Suzy Becker’s book One Good Egg.
My mom took care of dinner, immediately upon returning from a trip to Mass MOCA. Isn’t she amazing?
She made the foolproof and always elegant Salmon Baked in Parchment, a delicious risotto, roasted peppers and salad. A grand time was had by all. Bruce and Steve were incredibly gracious considering all the very personal questions we asked them (read the book!)
Mac & cheese, al fresco
On Mondays I work from home. This means it’s somewhat feasible for me to make dinner.
Tonight we had the quick (particularly if you prep the breadcrumbs in advance) Stovetop Mac & Cheese outside, on a beautiful evening, with beautiful paper lanterns. Also spinach salad with apricots, cucumber and cilantro.
Did I tell you we’re living with my parents?
With everything that’s been happening, I’m not sure if I mentioned that we’ve moved in with my parents. It’s a long story, but here we are. You may have noticed an increase in white tablecloths.
The cool thing about this arrangement, dinner-wise, is that we’ve naturally fallen into a pattern of taking turns being responsible for meals. My parents were both out this evening, so Shane and I cooked.
It’s very hot and muggy. Naturally, I thought to make one of my favorite hot weather meals, Warm Macaroni Salad with Zucchini, Corn & Goat Cheese, and a salad. Shane felt the meal wouldn’t be meaty enough, and added a grilled steak to the mix.