orecchiette with artichokes, tomatoes, spinach, and feta

This autumn, every Wednesday, aka "hump day," I am going to feature a "fast & furious" recipe that you can throw together in less time than waiting for the pizza delivery. A well-stocked pantry is a lifesaver, and I am currently putting together an autumn larder "must have" list to post in the next week or two.

In the meantime, here's a quick and easy family favorite. Ingredients:

Orecchiette, the lovely "little ear" pasta
Olive oil, 2 T
Garlic, 3 cloves finely chopped
Red pepper flakes (optional), 1/2-1 t
Tomatoes, 2 medium chopped
Artichoke hearts, 4/person quartered (canned are OK)
Spinach leaves, 2 cups torn in medium-sized pieces
Feta cheese, crumbled or cubed for topping

Prepared the vegetables and cheese while waiting for the pasta water to boil. After adding the pasta to the water, heat the olive oil to medium and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute for just a minute or two. Be careful not to let the garlic brown---you just want it to be golden. Add the tomatoes and artichoke hearts, stir occasionally, and saute for about 5 minutes. Throw in the fresh spinach, and allow it to wilt while you drain the orecchiette. Add the cooked pasta to the vegetables, stir, and remove from the heat. Cover, and let sit for a minute or two. Dish up, and sprinkle with the feta.  Enjoy!

carrot curry soup

Have spent much of this lovely September Sunday in the kitchen, and I am happy to report it's been a very successful cooking session! :-)

I'm also happy to share with you one of the concoctions I came up with this afternoon---carrot curry soup. I originally planned to make carrot ginger soup, but then I started adding cumin and coriander and something else was born. :-)

Here's what I used:

• Nine carrots, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• Olive oil, 2-3 T
• Onion, 1 medium-sized chopped
• Ginger, 1.5-inch piece finely chopped
• Garlic, 4 cloves finely chopped
• Veggie stock, 6 cups (use less if you prefer a thicker soup)
• Fennel seeds, 1 t
• Curry powder, 1-2 t OR I used 1/2 t each of cumin, turmeric, coriander powder, and asofetida
• Greek yogurt (or regular plain yogurt, sour cream, crème fraîche, etc.), 2 small individual containers
• Parsley, to garnish

First I sauteed the onion, garlic, ginger, and fennel seeds in the olive oil for about 10 minutes, medium heat, stirring frequently until the onion was translucent. Then I added the stock and carrots, brought to a boil, and simmered for 30-40 minutes, until the carrots were soft. After removing from the heat, I used a hand blender (if you don't have one of these, get one! Otherwise, use a regular blender) to cream until smooth, adding the curry spices and yogurt. Finish off with a bit of parsley---or a drizzle of fresh cream! Enjoy!!! :-)

last week's view

Work is not always required . . . there is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.
---George MacDonald

Yes, I'm back and have no intention of leaving again for awhile. After a couple months of intensive work, we corrected the imbalance by spending two weeks at the sea, during which time my major accomplishment was perfecting the beach nap. :-) I also had a lot of time to think, and one of the many realizations I had was that I missed writing for this blog. So expect regular postings here again---and often! :-D

As I am catching up with my e-mails and reading, I have a bunch of good links for you today. First, a link on 5 Ways to Preserve the Summer Harvest, including other methods beyond the traditional canning. Also, a few seasonal recipes from Kripalu. I am a huge fan of hot chai tea during colder months, but I am curious to try Kripalu's suggestion of having it cold on hot days, too. Next, a free knitted dishtowel pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. Man, do I love this pattern---all the yummy colors! Great way to use up random bits of yarn as well. Finally, a reminder for me as much as you that for real productivity, less is truly more.

Keep enjoying these last weeks of summer, and if you find yourself frazzled, take it from me---get outside and do nothing! Until tomorrow....

tomatoes, tomatoes

Finally the tomatoes have ripened, and we are absolutely inundated! While I am finishing off the final chapters I need to edit before vacation (4 days!), the husband is spending his days making and jarring tomato sauce (as well as his favorite plum jam).

Here's a favorite---not to mention easy and quick---summer pasta recipe from Vegetarian Times, featuring seasonal vegetables, like the abundant tomato and corn. (I also really just like to say farfalle :-)


Photo is from Vegetarian Times.

bread & butter pickles

Brushing off the cobwebs to finally put up a post. :-) Crazybusy would only begin to describe the past few weeks, and then when I think I've edited the final book chapter and can RELAX, my client informs me that the other editor on the project has only managed to get through 5 chapters in the time I've done 20 (!). And could I please, please, please take more work? So yes, I have 8 chapters to get through before vacation---beach, I can hardly wait to see you! (Living 10 miles from the sea comes in handy when austerity measures rule the day.)

Somehow the garden has managed to survive despite my neglect, and we have a good crop of cucumbers this year. So while I was working extra overtime, I instructed the husband to make up some of Grandmom's bread and butter pickles, with strict orders not to deviate from the recipe (except to cut the slices slightly thicker) because it was HER pickles I craved.


I think she gave me the recipe almost 20 years ago, and I remember razzing her---the retired teacher (can't you tell from the handwriting?)---about the misspelling. A perfectionist, she didn't like that very much. And who cares anyway; the "pickels" are divine. :-)

balance and bookmarks

One aspect about the recession that challenges our family is the work-time imbalance that has become routine for almost the last 2 years. My husband and I each have too much of what the other wants so desperately. He, a true hunter/gatherer, wants nothing more than to be working again, and I of course have more work projects than I can handle. I want nothing more than to have another 10 hours in my day so that I can work on all the many non-work projects I have had to put off for longer than I care to remember, whereas my husband, after working on his job apps in the morning, has stretches of hours to fill. And I think both of us crave nothing more than a bit of balance for each other. Something you never read about when the news reports of "more jobs being shed" (can't help but notice how the human element has almost been entirely removed)....

I am currently juggling four projects, which is what has been keeping me away from these pages, but I am excited because all this hard work will be rewarded in three weeks, when I'm taking two weeks off. :-D

Although I haven't been writing here much of late, I have been saving lots of bookmarks for postings. First, Independence Day is this weekend (wow, how did that happen!), and if you're looking to try out some new recipes, here and here are some great suggestions. I love the foodie blog "eat make read", and particularly the yummy summery drink recipes---check it out! Also, as we live in an area where summer wild fires are a serious danger, BBQs in July really aren't done. Which is why I saved this bookmark for BAKED s'mores! Can't wait to make these this weekend! Finally, if you're looking for a tried and true, nothing fancy macaroni salad, here's a family recipe from the archives. I grew up eating this macaroni salad, which I believe my PA Dutch great-grandmother Mamie had published in one of those old church cookbooks.

On the craftier side, last Sunday I did manage to sew up a new tote bag (pictures coming) for carrying my books and things to the pool and beach. The pattern came from this book (an example of the bag is on the book cover), and it was really "simple sewing"---highly recommend. Other projects I really liked and have saved to do later include these flower necklaces and this knitted market bag.

And for a bit of fun, how excited I was to see two of my favorite singer dudes on the same episode of NPR's World Cafe: Lyle Lovett AND Steve Earle. :-D Listen here.

Ok must be off, articles to write and chapters to edit. Happy July, everyone!!!

vegetables with sauce verte

Lunch today, courtesy of the husband and this recipe from Bon Appétit.

He added some red pepper, carrots and fava beans for a bit more color and texture---wow was it good!

for your holiday picnic

Now that picnic season is almost officially upon is, here is a tasty alternative to the bog-standard deviled egg. First, I should mention I love eggs, as in I get twitchy when our in-house stash falls below half a dozen ('tis no exaggeration). For me, they are the perfect fast food, so versatile, so yummy, and thus I am always looking for new ways to prepare them.

This recipe is based on one from The New Spanish Table, a fabulously fun book of food by Anya von Bremzen. Here's what you need:

6 large, hard-boiled eggs, peeled, and cut in half lengthwise

6 T tuna, drained and flaked

2 T mayo

1 T lemon juice

2 T chopped pimento-filled olives

Little sea salt and fresh black pepper

Thin strips of pimiento (from can or jar is okay) or roasted peppers

Minced flat-leaf Italian parsley

First, scoop out the eggs yolks and mash in a bowl. Add tuna, mayo, lemon juice, olives and mix well. Salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture into the egg halves (you may have a little more filling than needed). Garnish with pepper strips and chopped parsley.

Enjoy!

noodlr

Not sure what to make for dinner tonight, (or you're a noodle junkie like me)? Then Noodlr is for you! I really could eat noodles every day, so when I saw this pop up on Bon Appetite's blog a couple days ago, I had to smile. Love the vegetarian option, too! :-D

seeding and planting

One of my favorite summer treats is to pick a tomato fresh from the vine, slice it thin, drizzle with a little olive oil, and scoop onto a crunchy baguette. Oh, and throw a handful of basil leaves in top! Mmmm. :-)

If you haven't started a garden, it's not too late. And don't say you don't have any room for a garden because I bet you do---we grow all of our goodies on a relatively small roof terrace, which means all our plants are grown in pots---even an apple tree!

Not sure where to start? Well, my first suggestion is to grow veg and herbs that you really love to eat. No sense in growing beets if you despise them. Also, Whole Living recommends six easy-to-grow summer season vegetables to kick off your garden.

Need another reason to become a green thumb? "Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden." ---Orson Scott Card

Now go get yourself some gardening gloves and throw some seeds in the soil! :-)

break for lunch

Tired of your usual cheese sandwich or reheated pasta for lunch? Then mosey over to Vegetarian Times and check out their 21-Day Lunch Challenge. And if you're not a vegetarian, don't be afraid: their recipe suggestions would tempt even my devout carnivore husband. :-) Besides, you all know these healthy vegetable-based dishes are better for you than another trip to the nearby greasy spoon or fast-food restaurant. So be brave, a little adventurous even, and sign up today---remember the countdown to beach season starts in just a few days!

Happy Thursday!

mogo

After months of watching our near-daily loaf from the local bread shop get smaller and smaller while being charged the same price, the husband decided enough and set out to make our own. And I must say his efforts (and sourdough starter) have been very successful!

This is just one way we are trying to MOGO, or add more good into our lives. As this article from Ode notes, we don't need to only eliminate elements from our lives (i.e., chemicals, kinds of foods, the latest gadgets), but rather we must remember to fill our lives with more good. The author suggests a gentle start, with just 10 minutes a day for 30 days of a new, positive activity---like sketching, reading, meditating, walking, gardening, reading to the kids, sending a quick note to friends, etc., etc., etc. With sooooo much negative in the world today, we ALL could use a bit more MOGO. :-)

Only two more days until the weekend, and only two more chapters left to edit on this (seemingly) never-ending book project! I am very grateful for the steady work, but I admit I am also looking forward to a mini-break. In my book, time trumps "stuff" almost always.

Have a great day, everyone!!!

forward

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with loved ones! It feels like Spring really is HERE now, what with more and more flowers in bloom, the earth warming beneath our feet, the daylight pushing later into the night.

Whether one celebrates or not, Easter weekend always seems the perfect time to reflect on the good of our past, before shifting focus forward to our future, the opportunities for our own rebirth and resurrection.

And of course, eggs. Lots and lots of eggs. In addition to the colored ones my sister and brother and I would paint, Grandmom always made a batch of the PA Dutch variety, dyed a rusty brown color in yellow onion skins. As a child, I thought "Blech!", but many years later I have developed great affection for them, as well as other naturally dyed eggs. If you are like us, though, and find yourself today with an enormous bowl of hard-boiled eggs, here are a few suggestions to help them disappear. I always love a salad nicoise, and of course the red beet eggs recipe is yet another reminder of home. :-)

Here's to the start of a GREAT week!

spring tarts

Man, words can't describe how amazingly good this asparagus/leek/red pepper cheesy/eggy tart is. I'm not tooting my own horn, by the way; the husband gets all the credit. If you are looking for recipe suggestions for your Easter brunch, I highly recommend a spring vegetable tart or quiche. Pair with a simple salad, and you have yourself a simple yet elegant meal. The inspiration for this tart came from La Cucina Italiana, here. For more seasonal ideas, just type "spring" in La Cucina Italiana's recipe search and be amazed how quickly you start salivating. :-)

While I'm on the subject of homecooking, do consider signing the petition English chef Jamie Oliver has on his web site. His stated mission:

The American Food Revolution needs to start now! If you care about your country and the health of its children please help us make a difference. We need your support to get people back in touch with food and keep cooking skills alive before it's too late. We want to make sure every kid gets good, fresh food at school. It's proven that real food promotes more effective learning. If you want better health for your kids the junk food must go.

If you support whole foods and want to see less sugar, fat, and salt in children's diets, sign up please! Gracias!

shamrocks, guinness, and all things green

Almost ten years ago, we were invited to the wedding of a good friend in Ireland, so as we were making quite a journey to attend, we decided to make a proper vacation out of our visit. And wow, were we glad we did! Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, good music, rolling countryside, and despite its difficult history, a real sense of calm and tranquility most of the places we journeyed through. Would love to return to Ireland someday and spend even more time there, but alas that shall have to wait until after the Great Recession loosens its grip on our purse strings.

But if you too need to dose of arm chair travel, The Happy Recessionist has put together a little guide to help you pay homage to St. Patrick today. For a complete menu of Irish cooking (including a bunch of vegetarian options!), mosey by kitchn's shamrock menus. Personally I am a huge fan of potato leek soup, on many days besides March 17th! :-) Of course, there must be Guinness, and if drinking the thick brew doesn't suit you, this beer can be used in all sorts of delicious concoctions, from breads to puddings. Inspiration needed? Look here. Finally, on the music front, NPR is running a live stream of Irish music today---seven hours of tunes to keep your toes tapping and the jigs lively. Sláinte mhaith!

Photo is from Irish Views.

sardines, tomatoes, & pasta

Is it me or has this week just flown by?! Which is why today I made one of my favorite "5 or less" meals. Not only is this one supereasy but it's also superhealthy AND supertasty---the trifecta of happy eating. :-)

While the pasta water was boiling, I opened a can of sardines packed in tomato sauce. In a saute pan, I added a little olive oil, a couple cloves of finely chopped garlic, and a diced tomato. Then, after adding the pasta to the water, I cooked the garlic and tomatoes for a couple minutes before mixing in the sardines and sauce. I prefer to remove any larger fish bones beforehand, but it's not necessary. Simmer for five minutes and then toss with the cooked, drained pasta. Voila!

Today I added some chopped olive and fresh Italian parsley as well. I also tend to follow the Italian tradition of not mixing cheese with fish, so I mixed in some fine breadcrumbs seasoned with garlic and parsley; the breadcrumbs give a very similar texture as finely ground romano. Obviously, though, if you love cheese, traditions are always made to be broken. ;-) Enjoy!

kitchen aid

I have been a convert to eating seasonally for many years now, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate this helpful (and cool-looking) kitchen aid from the UK restaurant Leon. And although it is UK-centric, most of the categorizations can be applied in the US as well. Check out the original posting at re-nest for a link to download a full-sized pdf suitable for printing and hanging in your kitchen. :-)

tomato soup therapy

What chicken soup does to ease the common cold, I think a bowl of tomato soup, along with a grilled cheddar sandwich of course, does the same to comfort an overworked and harried woman when she finally gets a moment to sit and relax.

Which is why there is a pot of this tomato and bread soup simmering on the stove top in the kitchen right now. The Sunday afternoon skies are cloud-filled and gray, and a dose of tomato soup therapy will provide the color and warmth of spirit needed on an otherwise dreary day.

A personal suggestion: a dollop of crème fraîche on the tomato soup = divine. :-D


Painting is Campbell's Soup Can by Andy Warhol.

brrrr

Like much of the northern hemisphere, we too find ourselves in the grips of a cold snap. Frosted windows, wooly hats, many cups of tea fill our days. I confess it is on days like these that I am grateful to work from my home office. :-)

This week has seemed to go on forever, hasn't it? I suppose that's what we get in return for the shortened work schedules during the holidays. Which is why I am glad I have left my agenda for the weekend virtually open. I have a bit of paperwork and some correspondence to catch up on, but otherwise, the time has been left for the family to decide how we should best spend it. For one, I have a baby blanket to finish knitting, plus a recipe for vegetarian meatloaf that I have been meaning to try. And stacks of reading to keep me going through the winter of 2017. In this kind of weather, staying indoors seems like the sensible thing to do. Unless you're a child, of course. ;-)

Which is why hot chocolate is just the most wonderful January treat! We like to dress ours up with the usual whipped cream and cocoa powder---plus cinnamon for me and the tiniest sprinkle of cayenne for the husband. If you haven't tried spiced hot chocolate before, here is a recipe worth making this weekend, guaranteed to warm you up pronto.

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!!!

Photo is from Free Stock Photos.

new beginnings

“…to make an end is to make a beginning.”
— T.S. Eliot


And so for Nochevieja I decided to end the year by trying something new---make my own sushi rolls. Perhaps some of the crab and avocado pieces are a tad off center, but that didn't seem to bother anyone as everyone gave my first attempt at DIY sushi the big thumbs up. So good they were I think I may have found myself a new culinary hobby for 2010. :-) A belly full of sushi and this cute, thoroughly enjoyable New Year's Eve-themed movie made for the perfect, stay-at-home evening, topped with a little bubbly at midnight and sweet dreams of the many delights that await us in the next 365 days. Here's to new beginnings!