Chicken Marbella

Grammy is coming for a visit today–in preparation, cooking is on the agenda for this morning.  Can’t have Grammy going home hungry after all of the meals she has prepared for me over lo, these many years. 
This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks,  The Silver Palate Cookbook, first published in 1979.  Chicken Marbella [...]

The Salad

Around this neck of the woods, there is a popular green salad that most everyone has in her/his recipe box.  Memorial Day weekend, my friends who live on a hillside with the best view of the fireworks, had their annual eat-in-style/watch the fireworks party.  My contribution to the meal was the old stand-by with a few tweaks:
The Salad
Break the noodles from [...]

No-Soak Black Bean Soup

Crock pot to the rescue again.  This soup is filling, delicious and easy as pie.(Somehow, the words easy as soup don’t roll off the tongue in the same way, although the taste certainly does.)
Add 1-tablespoon olive oil  to a 5-qt slow cooker and turn it to the highest setting.  Stir in 1 chopped medium yellow [...]

Busy Times

As of this morning, life has kicked into high-octane gear.  Zero-to-supersonic in 60 seconds. 

My new “work-hobby”  is launching this weekend.  Having rented a booth at the local Fleatique, today marks the beginning of move-in and set-up.  Items that have been gathered are organized, but still need to have itemized identifying tags attached.
After the traditional [...]

Parmesan Soup

Heat 1 1/2-tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 1/2-tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat.  When hot, add 1 1/2-cup chopped shallots (about 1/2 pound or 5 large shallots).  Cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, for 3 to 4 minutes.  Add 3/4-pound Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into [...]

Yuletide Carols

Chippewa Soup

Restaurant chefs commonly work long, frequently frenetic hours.  Understanding that their livelihood depends not only on the quality of the meal, but also on the uniqueness of their offerings, it is easy to understand why most are reluctant to share the recipe for a particular dish.
Locally, the recipe for a seasonal soup favorite that has been drawing [...]

Roasted Red Pepper Bisque

Roast* 15 large sweet red peppers, or open 1 (one) 48-oz can of already roasted sweet red peppers that have been drained, rinsed and drained again.  Using a food processor that has been fitted with a steel blade, whirl the peppers, in batches, to form a puree.  Reserve. 
In a large stockpot, melt 1/2-cup (1 stick) unsalted butter [...]

Happy Hour Parmesan Twists

Friends are stopping by for a drink after the movie.  A bag of nuts, cubes of assorted cheese and chex mix would be quick, but… well… let’s not go there.  Hours in the kitchen earlier in the day is not exactly appealing either.  Afterall, you want to enjoy the evening, too.
Enter these Parmesan Twists made from puff pastry.  [...]

Rustic (End of) Summer Vegetable Soup

First step is to make wide home-made noodles, known as Paparadelle.  Using a pasta machine and your favorite pasta recipe,  (the basics are 4 eggs, 3 cups white flour, tablespoon or two of water and a pinch of salt that has been kneaded until a consistent color and texture.)  Cover the dough with a slightly damp [...]