Lately . . .

We've had a couple of weeks of really good meals, if I do say so myself, even though I haven't been trying anything new. Here are some of the recipes from the archives that I've found especially satisfying:

* Chicken Katsu
* Cafe Rio Chicken Salads
* Steak Sandwiches (I used a london broil steak that was on sale and while it was still partially frozen sliced it very thinly. I added slices of provolone cheese when the steak and peppers and onion were still in the pan. It melted and was gooey and delicious!)
* Rice & Beans with Avocado (we never get sick of this)
* Chicken Tostadas
* Chicken Souvlaki with yogurt dipping sauce
* BBQ Chicken Pizza (with pineapple!) and Spinach Salad
* Orecchiette with mini meatballs
* Eggplant Tomato pasta
* Chicken Sandwiches with grilled pineapple (add honey mustard for more flavor!)
* Brown's Black Bean Salsa (this was especially requested for a Memorial Day BBQ)

Breakfast at Market Lunch at DC's Eastern Market

Last Saturday morning we drove to DC's Eastern Market to get breakfast at what is arguably the market's most popular vendor, Market Lunch. We went to the market about a year ago but the line for Market Lunch breakfast was so long that we didn't wait. We went earlier (about 9:00--they serve breakfast until noon on weekends) this time and waited only about twenty minutes. The wait is totally worth it. We ordered Blue Bucks (blueberry buckwheat pancakes) and french toast. The french toast is really good but the Blue Bucks are amazing! Please go try them if you need a Saturday morning outing in DC. Afterwards, you can stroll around the farmer's market or arts and crafts market. Market Lunch has a lot of other offerings on the breakfast menu, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and about a dozen varieties of Eggs Benedict, even one with crab cakes. It all looked delicious! But, for me, the Blue Bucks are a must. Here's a review of Market Lunch, including the address. A couple of notes: they only take cash, and try to obey the the seating rules (they're posted on the wall). The owner (you can see his picture in that review) was there keeping a close eye on people sitting at the table and kicked off a mom with two kids who hadn't ordered their food yet. Probably a little brutal but it keeps the system working and once you do get your food, there's a seat open for you. Have fun!

Ina Garten Potato Salad

I love potato salad and this recipe from Ina Garten is delicious! I did make a few changes. I halved the amounts, used red potatoes, used green onions (just the green part) instead of red, only used whole-grain mustard (but a full 2 Tablespoons to keep the mustard/mayo proportion the same) and added about a cup of cubed cheddar cheese (I love cheese in potato salads). The salad has a strong mustard flavor that I love and the dill adds a wonderful flavor! Also, Ina's method of cooking the potatoes makes perfectly done potatoes. Try it!

Lemon Meringe Cupcakes

First off, please do a Google Image Search for Lemon Meringue Cupcakes so you can see how cute these cupcakes can really be. My piping didn't turn out the way I wanted to but you get the idea. This recipe is from a little magazine called "Crazy for Cupcakes" that my mom picked up at the grocery store and sent to me. I bought lemon curd at the store and thought it was good and easier than making it, but I'm sure homemade would be better. Here's a recipe that might work. I made regular sized cupcakes but I think the presentation would be better in the jumbo size. I couldn't find a lemon cake mix so used a vanilla and added lemon juice and zest but I couldn't taste it at all. One of my problems with the piping was that I didn't beat the meringue enough, and I didn't work fast enough when I piped it on, all my squeezing kind of took the life out of the meringue, I think. But, they still were a great spring treat, and the meringue on top is much different than your normal frosting. Here's the recipe:

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

1 package lemon cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
3/4 cup prepared lemon curd
4 egg whites, at room temp
6 Tablespoons sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 9 jumbo muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling two-thirds full. Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks. Increase oven temp to 375.
3. Use serrate knife to cut off tops of cupcakes even with tops of baking cups (Do not remove paper baking cups). Scoop out small hole in center of each cupcake with teaspoon; fill hole with generous tablespoon lemon curd. Replace cupcake tops.
4. Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Continue beating while gradually adding sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Pipe meringue onto top of each cupcake, or spread meringue over cupcakes and use small spatula to create peaks.
5. Place cupcakes on baking sheet. Bake 5 to 6 minutes or until peaks of meringue are golden.

Variation: This recipe also makes 24 standard cupcakes. Line muffin pans with paper baking cups; prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions. Scoop out teaspoon-size hole in each cupcake and fill with generous teaspoon lemon curd. Pipe or sread about 1/3 cup meringue over each cupcake; bake as directed above.

Lemon Fusilli with Arugula

If you like lemon, this Ina Garten recipe will be a new favorite. Despite the two cups (!) of cream, the pasta is not very heavy (which may or may not be a good thing) but rather light and tangy. The lemon flavor was noticeable but not too strong because I used one very large lemon instead of three. Also, I opted to use baby spinach in place of the arugula, which I don't love. I really liked it with the spinach and the pasta was a great spring-time, vegetarian meal. And, all those veggies totally offset the creamy sauce, right?

Chicken Souvlaki with Yogurt Dipping Sauce

This recipe from Rachael Ray was a hit. I cut four chicken breasts into strips before marinating and then grilled them on a grill pan. The yogurt sauce is fantastic on the chicken and I cut a lot of fresh veggies for a side that were perfect to dip in the sauce. I also made this pasta salad to go along with the dinner. I happened to have goat cheese and used that instead of the feta and the heat from the pasta even intensified the goat cheese flavor so it was really strong, but I still liked it, very creamy and different. I don't recommend trying it with goat cheese but if you love feta, you'd really enjoy the pasta.

Strawberry Shortcake

We have been eating a lot of strawberries lately since they are now in season and on sale. I tried this recipe for the strawberry shortcake and loved it. I just used the shortcake part of the recipe, then added sugared strawberries, and fresh whipped cream. This is a biscuit-type shortcake not a fluffy cake-like shortcake but it is delicious. Grating the butter makes it so easy to incorporate and I used very cold, not frozen, butter and it worked fine. I also opted to skip the egg washing step. And, to make it easier, I just divided the dough into six portions and shaped them into rounds with my hands. Yummy summer dessert!

Alligator Cupcake Cake

I have to brag and say this is one of my proudest baking (really decorating) achievements. I made this alligator cupcake cake for Jack's birthday. It was actually quite easy thanks to the idea from the Hello, Cupcake cookbook. Check it out!

Spanish Chicken Cutlets with Olive Rice

I tried this recipe from Rachael Ray and really liked it. It's a new and different way to cook chicken breasts and the rice is delicious and so flavorful! I used jarred roasted red peppers instead of piquillo peppers. I didn't take the time to make the sauce and I didn't miss it.

Pasta Carbonara

I know this is not a healthful meal but it was delicious. I was reading a novel by Adriana Trigiani, who always incorporates food and recipes into her books, and she was describing in detail this dish being made and I just had to try it! Here's what I did:

1/2 pound linguine
2 T olive oil
2 T butter
4-6 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 onion, diced
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup grated parmesan
2 T cream
2 eggs, beaten

Fill pasta pot with water and bring to boil and cook pasta according to directions. You want the linguine to be done cooking right about when you are ready to add it to the sauce. Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in large saute pan. Add bacon and onion and cook until bacon is crisp and onions are soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook additional 1-2 minutes. Mix parmesan, cream and eggs in a bowl. Drain linguine but reserve some (about 1/2 cup) of the pasta water. Turn saute pan heat to low and add pasta to pan. Once all pasta is added, slowly pour in egg mixture, tossing pasta as you do so. Continue tossing pasta and sauce, adding as much pasta water as needed to attain desired consistency. Toss until pasta is completely coated. Traditionally, the pasta and bacon mixture is removed from heat before adding the egg mixture so the egg doesn't curdle, which leaves the egg a little under-cooked. I wanted to ensure the egg was cooked thoroughly so I left the pan on low heat and once the pasta was completely coated, I put a lid on the pan and left the heat on low for an additional five minutes. This is a delicious indulgent meal.

Happy Valentine's Day!

These are my favorite Valentine's treats. You'll need:

Your favorite sugar cookie dough, well chilled
Heart cookie cutters
Seedless Raspberry Jam
Powdered Sugar
Water

Roll dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut equal number large hearts and large hearts with smallest heart cut from center. Bake according to dough recipe. Slightly warm jam in microwave and mix well with spoon. To make glaze, mix powdered sugar and water and spread a thin layer on cut-out cookies (after cooled). Brush whole cookes with a small amount of jam. Add cut out cookies to top. Spoon a small amount of extra jam into center of cookies. Eat and love!

Tortilla Soup

When we were visiting our friends the Heussers, Erin made us delicious tortilla soup using this recipe. This week I thought I'd give it a try because I needed a new crock pot recipe. I roasted four chicken breasts the day before because I wasn't going to be home at all the day the soup was to be cooking. But, Erin said she just throws frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot and then shreds it when it is cooked before adding the soup ingredients. I didn't have a bay leaf and didn't miss it. This soup is so flavorful and so easy! Give it a try!

Tortellini Soup

This is a delicious and hearty soup perfect for a cold winter's day, which happens to be just the kind of day we are having today in DC! The recipe is easy, as well, since it calls for prepared tortellini (I used dry pesto tortellini from Trader Joe's--I bet refrigerated cheese or mushroom would be delicious in this recipe). Here is the recipe. I love the swiss chard in the soup! I added a half of a chopped onion which I sauteed with the carrot before adding the broth and other ingredients. I actually omitted the chicken (I just used prepared chicken stock) and thought the soup was totally filling without it. You could easily make this a vegetarian meal by using vegetable stock.

Sweet Potato Wedges

This is another dish I made for Thanksgiving. We always love having sweet potato fries so I thought I would do something along those lines instead of a sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone seemed to love these and they were easy, too! Here is the recipe.

Pear, Cranberry Salad

This is a salad I made for Thanksgiving. It was a hit with all the dinner guests and it is one of my favorite combinations. Here's what you need:

One bag Spring Mix salad
Three very ripe pears, sliced into thin wedges
Candied Pecans or Walnuts
Dried Cranberries (I like using Trader Joe's Orange Flavored dried cranberries)
Goat Cheese
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil

Combine vinegar and olive oil to make dressing. Toss other ingredients in bowl. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs

Wow--I must have been studying up on my food photography during my blogging hiatus. I wish--I copied the picture from the food network website. I have been neglecting my blog lately but I do have many new recipes to share! For Christmas, my mom gave me an autographed copy of Giada's newest cookbook, New Italian Favorites. An awesome gift! Giada's Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs was the first dish I tried from the book and it was amazing. Keep in mind, it was in the "(Not) Just for Kids" section of the book so I'm sure everything else in the book is even more delicious! You can find the recipe in the book or here, on the Food Network site. I used ground turkey instead of chicken and mini shells because I could not find orecchiette. Other than that, I followed the recipe exactly. Making and cooing the meatballs is quite a bit time consuming but really, I thought it was totally worth it. It is delicious and different and I love that the chicken broth, tomatoes, pan drippings, Parmesan, and mozzarella end up making this amazing sauce. The recipe makes a ton but really, we could have eaten this for three days in a row and not gotten sick of it (We finished it in two). I loved it, Matt loved it, and Jack loved it. It's a winner!

Penne with Squash and Prawns

When my mom was visiting, she used this recipe to make a delicious meal. It is so different and flavorful. We made a few changes. We mashed the squash right in the pan witn a potato masher instead of pureeing it. We used chicken stock instead of vegetable stock and didn't needed to use milk since we used about two cups of stock. We omitted the basil and it was still delicious. We used penne instead of rigatoni and two pounds of shrimp rather than one. This was a great meal!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Okay, so I know BBQ chicken pizza is nothing new but I thought I'd post this because I was so happy with the change in regular pizza and the ease of prep for this meal. I made crockpot bbq chicken sandwiches earlier in the week (chicken breasts plus a bottle of bbq sauce). A few days later, I rolled out a pizza dough, spread on a small amount of bbq sauce, then topped the pizza with mozarella and the leftover bbq chicken. The pizza was scrumptious!

Sweet Potato Ravioli

I came across this recipe in Cooking Light magazine and thought it sounded delicious. I loved using the wonton wrappers (after much searching and the help of great Wegman's employees, I found these in the produce section). We all loved these as a side dish and Jack and I had them for our lunch the next day. The filling is similar to a sweet potato casserole filling, sweet and fragrant. I didn't make the sage butter but just drizzled a little melted butter on top. Very good and different!

Baked Acorn Squash

I adapted a recipe from this website for an easy and delicious Fall side dish:

Baked Acorn Squash

1 Acorn squash

1 Tbsp Butter

2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 T Honey

Preheat oven to 400. Cut the acorn squash in half, lengthwise, from stem to end (It's easier if you zap it in the microwave on half power for a few minutes). Scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff in the center of each half. Score the insides of each half several times with a sharp knife. Place each half in a baking pan, cut side up. Add about a 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the baking pan so that the skins don't burn and the squash doesn't get dried out. Coat the inside of each half with 1/2 a Tbsp of butter. Add a Tbsp of brown sugar to the cavity of each half. Drizzle the honey on each half. Bake in the oven for about one hour, until the squash is very soft and the tops are browned.