Tag: cooking

Lavender

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There’s a few things I’ve learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can.
Practical Magic
lavender

Let us be clear here: no one (or almost no one) keeps lavender on hand – at least not in the typical U.S. home kitchen.

But it you want to have a special evening, and build it around a special theme (flavor), then lavender is a lovely choice if you use it sparingly. Give a hint of it in a roast chicken for dinner (though true Herbes de Provence does not include lavender), then a fuller dose in dessert (crème brûlée or ice cream). It is one fragrance that actually enhances dinner instead of detracting from it. Give it a try; you’ll see.

Love to Cook: Up for something different, and have plenty of time to source ingredients and prepare? How about a wild turkey with lavender masala. Pair with simple roast potatoes and a citrusy salad, then finish with honey lavender ice cream or lavender crème brûlée

Weeknight Reality: Melon salad with lavender and ginger can be either the start or finish or your otherwise-simple meal (roast chicken and buttered rice would do – seriously).

Need a Miracle: Lavender in a cocktail/mocktail is it. This Lavender spritzer can be made with either sparking water or sparkling wine. If you’re in a super rush, double the amount of lavender, skimp on the water, and chill the syrup with a couple of ice cubes. It won’t be as good as if you let it steep, but it will work. Dinner of cheese and bread and sausages, or perhaps a simple but dinner-worthy salad like this mixed green salad with pears, hazelnuts, blue cheese and homemade croutons (just skip roasting your own hazelnuts and making your own croutons and swap out something faster and pre-made).

Paris

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2019-01-16 18.31.21
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Let’s say you’re in a rut, and life feels a bit hum-drum or even a tiny bit sad. Perk yourself up by thinking: Paris.

Food can transport you there, at least in your mind. You can do it the complex way, making boeuf bourguignon, moules frites, or duck confit. Or you can do it the simple way with an omelette or brioche French toast. In any event, just thinking of Paris as your dinner theme will be cheerful. Then dress yourself up, even if you aren’t having company, pour a glass of Champagne, and feel transported. Food can do that; it really can.

I love to cook: With apologies to Julia Child, it’s hard to beat Ina Garten’s Beef Bourguignon. It works every single time and always feels like a treat. No beef for you? Well, how about moules frites, if you can find good mussels. Not an option either? Poached salmon fit for the French royal court to the rescue. And you must have dessert; lemon mousse will do nicely.

Weeknight reality: You can make a cheese soufflé; I promise you can. It’s much easier than you think. It won’t be ready in 30 minutes, sure. But you’ll have time to visit, or help with homework, or just sit and have a cocktail, while the soufflé is in the oven. Not convinced? Then how about Brioche French Toast with Asparagus and Orange Beurre Blanc. Yes, it’s a brunch recipe. That doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious for dinner. For dessert, some bitter chocolate and strawberries.

Need a miracle: So, it’s hard to pull off something that feels and looks and tastes all ooh-la-la in just 30 minutes. If that’s the pinch you’re in, and you really want to transport yourself (and maybe your guest, or guests), then take yourself a hop-skip-and-jump from Paris to Lyon, and make Frisée-Lardon Salad. If you’re really pressed for time, then you’re going to have to make some substitutions, but the basic idea can hold true: frisée; egg; onion; pork (if you eat it). Buy good wine and some lovely macarons, and you’re good to go.

Messy

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Think a sandwich isn’t enough for dinner? How about sandwiches that require knife and fork to eat:

hungry

Food Ideas

  • Love to Cook: Croque Monsieur
  • Weeknight Reality: Bratwurst Hoagies or Sloppy Joes
  • Need a Miracle: Patty Melt or Fried Egg Sandwich

Recipe Links

Parting Thought

“… [I]n general I think people have very complicated reasons for wanting things, and we often have no idea whether we’re actually motivated by altruism or a desire to hook up or a search for answers or what. I always get annoyed when in books or movies characters want clear things for clear reasons, because my experience of humanness is that I always want messy things for messy reasons.”

John Green

Prompt Recap: March 8, 2015

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Missed a day or want a full set of ideas in one place? Here are six prompts to help you make it through the week, whether you have plenty of time to cook or need a miracle nightly. Click the one word prompt to go to the full set of ideas and recipe links.

Want a daily nudge in your inbox? Click the Follow button on the right.

Pinkgrapefruit

  • Love to Cook: Broiled Bourbon Salmon with Black Rice and Parsley Salad
  • Weeknight Reality: Arugula and Citrus Salad with Poached Salmon
  • Need a Miracle: Store-bought Fresh Linguini with Butter & Pink Peppercorns; Green Salad with Strawberries

Gingerbaby ginger

  • Love to Cook: Indonesian Ginger Chicken with Watercress Salad
  • Weeknight Reality: Stir-Fried Ginger/Lime Shrimp with Sticky Rice
  • Need a Miracle: Take-out Ginger Broccoli Chicken

 

Roughagelettuce

  • Love to Cook: Composed Winter Salad with Whole Grain Bread
  • Weeknight Reality: Kale & Arugula Salad with Citrus Dressing and Raincoast Crisps
  • Need a Miracle: Prepared Broccoli Slaw over Greens (bagged, ready to eat) with Sesame Dressing

SpiritedHendricks

  • Love to Cook: Jerk Chicken with Rum Glaze
  • Weeknight Reality: Tequila-Lime Shrimp Tacos
  • Need a Miracle: Bratwurst & Sauerkraut Braised in Beer

 

Romanticromantic

  • Love to Cook: Sole Meunière with Roast Fingerling Potatoes & Herb Salad
  • Weeknight Reality: Scallops in White Wine with Wild Rice Blend & Haricots Verts
  • Need a Miracle: Crab Cakes (from the grocery deli) over Spring Mix; Salted Caramel Gelato

Ciaociao

  • Love to Cook: Polenta with a rich ragù; escarole salad
  • Weeknight Reality: Wide egg noodles with simple meat sauce; spring greens with lemon & olive oil
  • Need a Miracle: Fresh pasta (from the deli) tossed with garlic, olive oil and a can of baby clams; greens with Italian dressing

Ciao

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If your snowy landscape turned sunny today, cook something with an Italian flair to say ciao to the warming trend in hopes that it will last.

ciao

Food Ideas

  • Love to Cook: Polenta with a rich ragù and escarole salad
  • Weeknight Reality: Wide egg noodles with simple meat sauce; spring greens with lemon & olive oil
  • Need a Miracle: Fresh pasta (from the deli) tossed with garlic, olive oil and a can of baby clams; greens with Italian dressing

Recipe Links

Parting Thought

“There is no technique, there is just the way to do it. Now, are we going to measure or are we going to cook?”

Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun