Saturday, August 27, 2016

Cioppino Seafood Stew

By Epicurious

Delicious and easy to make fish stew. I used a frozen seafood mix and that worked well. The clam juice  adds good layer to the complexity. I would cook the whole fennel. The stew could use more vegetables. Tasts like a good fish soup with good compllexity.

Special Ingredients:
- seafood and fish
- fennel
- cellery
- clam juice
- baguette

Will I make it again? - yes. Excellent fish soup but will look for a different recipe to try.



Chrispy Chicken Cutlets with Tomato Panzanella

Bright and light summer dinner. I would add a side of potatoes for a heartier fall meal. I was glad to use the garden tomatoes. Although the recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, which I will have to try next time. The croutons turned out delicious. I used Italian bread from Trader Joes and cut them into cubes. Did not put all the vinegar, and the panzanella was sour enough. I added some home grown basil which really set the whole flavor.

Will I make it again? - yes. Will add a side of potatoes next time.



Sunday, December 20, 2015

Shepherds Pie

by Alton Brown

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/shepherds-pie-recipe2.html

Finally I made a great shepherd's pie. I have tried several recipe but they never turned out well for me. Usually the potatoes were soggy and greasy. This meat had very rich flavor, and potatoes were good too. 

Changes:
- added celery and mushrooms
- used beef chuck instead of lamb
- added red wine

Will I make it again? - yes. This will be my staple recipe for shepherd's pie


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Salmon Loaf


http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/salmon-loaf

This is a good alternative for a fish dish. The loaf turned out very fluffy. I added capers to the sauce and they went very well with the dish. I like it cold the next day on a sandwich. I tried canned salmon and in a pouch and the canned was much better. The dish still had the canned fish flavor, but it also has some kind of craving effect. I would like to try it with frozen salmon next time.

Will I make it again? - yes.





Saturday, August 22, 2015

Asparagus mushroom pasta


I love asparagus and eat as much as I can during the fresh season. This recipe includes my favorites - asparagus, mushrooms and nuts. It was a good change from my beloved asparagus and prosciutto pasta, but I still prefer the complexity and richness from prosciutto.

Special Ingredients:
- asparagus
- mushrooms
- walnuts

Will I make it again? - yes.


Monday, August 17, 2015

Swordfish with Citrus Pesto

By Giada de Laurentiis
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/swordfish-with-citrus-pesto-recipe.html

I love fish, and I tried the swordfish for a change. The citrus pesto was a bit orange forward, but pretty good to change things up. I made half recipe, and that was too much. Next time I would make a 1/4th of the pesto recipe.

Special Ingredients:
- orange and lemon
- basil
- pine nuts
- parmesan

Would I make it again? - maybe.







Beef Roast

By Ree Drummond
Fall is coming, and we decided to get a chuck beef at the market, together with other fresh vegetables. Ree's recipe is simple and includes all easy to find ingredients. The flavor was rich from beef and wine. Very satisfying home food.

Special Ingredients:
- beef chuck
- red wine (optional)
- beef stock
- herbs (thyme, rosemary, etc)

Corrections:
Next time I would cook at 200-220 F instead of 275F per recipe. It overcooked fast. And must measure the meet temperature, starting in an hour, to be around 140F.

Will I make it again? - maybe. It's a good basic recipe, but I prefer the complexity and twists of Ann Burrell's recipes, or French stews.