A Mistake Worth Repeating

"Scrumtious tender veal burger topped with four-pepper goat cheese spritzed with the citrus note of a wedge of lemon and accompanied by perfectly cooked asparagus and a fully loaded baked potato."


This is what my daughter described for my dinner as I was sharing with her how I thought I had picked up ground lamb at the market only to find that I had looked at the lamb but picked up ground veal instead.  However, what do you do with lemons ... well you make lemonade.  So, for the first time I made veal burgers.  I added a little lemon juice, nutmeg, salt and pepper and softened butter to the ground veal.  Made patties and slowly sauteed in a skillet.  Topped it off with a little goat cheese and a squeeze of lemon.  It was definitely a mistake I would make again!

Mouthwatering Meal of the day!!

Quick and nutritious meal

I needed to make something quick and easy for dinner and this is what I came up with... roasted veggies tossed in penne pasta.  I cut 1/2" slices each of eggplant (peeled), zucchini, onions, and sliced peppers.  Oven was at 400 degrees.  I also roasted one whole garlic bulb (place a whole bulb in foil cutting the top off slightly (just exposing the raw garlic) and dose with olive oil).  Use a heavy duty shallow pan and place each slice of veggie (each slide dosed with olive oil) onto the pan. Lay the foiled garlic in the pan also.  Season with salt and pepper (to taste) and roast until tender, turning once carefully.  Don't worry if some get a little brown.  While the veggies are roasting, cook your penne, drain and set aside.  Now you have your veggies done cut into bite size pieces.  The magic begins, pour a tablespoon of olive oil in the same pot you  cooked the pasta in (save washing another pan), squeeze the cloves of garlic out into the pan and if you like, add one small tin of anchovies with the oil from the tin.  Add the chopped veggies and pasta and toss.  Wallah, dinner!!

Vinaigrettes

You can make your own vinaigrettes instead of buying bottled ones.  They are easy and very flavorful.  Here's one: 
Lemon and shallot vinaigrette

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. honey
1 shallot, finely chopped
salt
pepper

In a jar with a tight fitting lid, mix all ingredients together by shaking.  There you are, a very tasty vinaigrette!

I'm still kicking!!

Time is getting away from me.  Wow, it's April already and Easter's come and gone!  Yes, I did cook and did a complete change up of what I "normally" would have on Easter, which would have been baked ham.  I did a turkey!  Mainly because that's what I had.  Brine of course, and it was delicious!  Baked rolls.  I also made a cauliflower gratin (first time ever) and roasted asparagus, also all delicious.  For dessert, hummingbird cake!  It was all good and a meal to remember ... that's what my friends and family said!

Great Ideas

I went to a wedding this past weekend and took careful note of the horsd'oeuvres that were being served just before dinner.  There was crostinis with shredded portabellos topped with shaved parmesean cheese, a tuna tartar served in mini phyllo cups, and terriyaki steak on skewers.  Each item was so delicious, I could have passed on the dinner and ate more!!!  Such memories have caused me to think of a good reason to have a party!

Not Just for Breakfast

I'm from Vrginia and I love grits.  Living here in Seattle, I've been hard press to find them in the supermarket, let alone being able to share my love with someone that's eaten them.  But my oh my, I've had the great opportunity to expose some people to them and they now share the same love I have.  Just eating them plain is okay, but I'm a person of FLAVOR!   I add cheese, cheddar or pepperjack.  Cooked bulk sausage (hot), green chilies, and chopped jalapenos.  I've topped them with sauteed shrimp, scallops, crab or smoked sausage.  I'm telling you, if you've never had grits or they were cooked the wrong way ... bland and lumpy.  OR  they tasted like grit (undercooked)....then you've been short changed, bam boozeled, tricked into thinking they are bad.  But when I cook them ... THEY ARE GOOD!  And you WILL want more!!