Posted on 9 December 2007 by Shannon
My husband does cook, although not nearly as often as I do. He is a very different cook than I am. He maintains a small repertoire of dishes that he makes over and over again, improving each time, and I have hardly ever seen him consult a recipe. Rather, he cooks solely by memory and [...]
Filed under: Key Recipes | Tagged: Cheese, Entrees, Freezes well, Italian, Make-ahead, Pasta, Sauces | 2 Comments »
Posted on 14 October 2007 by Shannon
It hurt, but we tore out the garden this weekend. It has been a strange growing season. Up until Tuesday of this week, we were still experiencing temperatures in the 90s and humidity that felt more like July. Despite being in “exceptional” drought for the last two months, the tomatoes must have thought we were [...]
Filed under: Cook the Book | Tagged: Vegetarian, Italian, Sauces, Pasta, Garlic, Pestos, Basil, Arugula, Ricotta, Walnuts, Cooks Illustrated, Gardening | 1 Comment »
Posted on 29 April 2007 by Shannon
Here is another salsa to add to the collection. This one is simply delicious on warm entrees like enchiladas and beans. It is also a good choice when the fresh tomatoes are not at their best, because roasting the tomatoes brings out all of their sweetness.
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Time to make: ~15 minutes
What you need:
4 plum [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments | Tagged: Tomatoes, Vegetarian, Latin, Sauces, Salsas, Make-ahead, Freezes well | 2 Comments »
Posted on 25 March 2007 by Shannon
It was my second wedding anniversary this week. My husband, who does many things right, remembered to send me irises, my wedding flower. We took the day off from work to spend together, finishing with a memorable dinner and a fantabulous crème brulée at what has been dubbed, even in its first year, the [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments, Books, Techniques | Tagged: Comfort food, Cookbooks, Eggs, French, Gardening, Hollandaise, Home-style, Photos, Poaching, Sauces, Southern | 1 Comment »
Posted on 9 March 2007 by Shannon
Was it possible? Had I actually found a way to make a thick and hearty marinara sauce, reminiscent of the sauce in my favorite Italian restaurant, in just one hour? Now, I’m not going to claim that this sauce will ever surpass my husband’s slow-simmered, Sunday afternoon marinara. But it was so hearty, thick and [...]
Filed under: Clipped | Tagged: Vegetarian, Italian, Sauces, Pasta, Marinara, Freezes well, Cooks Illustrated | 2 Comments »
Posted on 28 February 2007 by Shannon
When I’m hosting a dinner — particularly a family dinner — or I have to bring something to a potluck, lasagna is one of my go-to recipes. Everyone loves lasagna, vegetarian versions are still satisfying to meat-eaters, and whenever you make it, you have to make a ton.
But I never make lasagna when it’s just [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments, HowTo, Key Recipes | Tagged: Bechamel, Freezes well, French, Italian, Lasagna, Pasta, Sauces | 7 Comments »
Posted on 20 February 2007 by Shannon
Aioli is essentially mayonnaise, but mayonnaise with a pedigree. Redolent with raw garlic and olive oil, aioli is synonymous with Provence. It is used as a condiment for many dishes, including simply cooked vegetables, fish soups and seafood. It also makes an unusual spread for toasted croutons or dip for crudités.
Traditionally, aioli is made with [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments | Tagged: Vegetarian, French, Sauces, Mayonnaise, Garlic, Aioli, Make-ahead | 1 Comment »
Posted on 10 February 2007 by Shannon
February is without question the dreariest month of the year. Despite being so short, the unrelenting sequence of cold, gray days that make up February always depresses me. To lift my mood, I was craving something that promised the sensations of spring. This dish, with spring vegetables drizzled with a sauce that looks and tastes [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments, Showcasing Techniques | Tagged: Asparagus, Bearnaise, Entrees, Fish, French, Potatoes, Salmon, Sauces, Spring | 4 Comments »
Posted on 25 January 2007 by Shannon
My husband specially requested that I make a meatloaf, which I have never made before. I actually didn’t think I liked meatloaf all that much, having associated it with dried-out, ketchup-laden school cafeteria food. But I had some ground turkey to use up, and in the spirit of trying new things, I attempted it.
I combined [...]
Filed under: Accompaniments, Classic Recipes | Tagged: Entrees, Freezes well, Home-style, Make-ahead, Meatloaf, Sauces, Tomatoes, Turkey | 5 Comments »
Posted on 11 January 2007 by Shannon
This is one of my favorite types of recipes: very simple and super-fast to make, but elegant and satisfying on the plate. It also takes well to variations, which I also like. Instead of using traditional basil pesto, you could substitute other herbs, or even use sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, reconstituted dried mushrooms or [...]
Filed under: Cook the Book | Tagged: Cooks Illustrated, Cream, Italian, Pasta, Pestos, Sauces | 1 Comment »