recipes – dinner prompt

Lavender

October 16, 2019October 7, 20194 Comments

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

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

October 1, 2019October 7, 20194 Comments

“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.

Spirited

March 5, 2015March 17, 20156 Comments

Time to cook something with an extra kick to keep you warm through this (hopefully) last blast of winter

Food Ideas:

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

Recipe Links

Parting Thought

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”

Albert Einstein

Roughage

March 4, 2015October 7, 20191 Comment

Spring is coming. Really. So put some heft in your dinner and clear out the winter blues.

Food Ideas

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

Recipe Links

Parting Thought

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt