a dollop

This past Christmas, Luke and Kendra gifted me the cookbook, Giada's Kitchen, by Giada De Laurentiis. Now that it's spring and I'm growing fresh vegetables I was inspired to pick out a few recipes to cook this week. First, I have to show off my fresh lettuce that I picked and washed today for a cantaloupe and proscuitto salad tomorrow evening...

In tonight's dinner I used fresh rosemary from the garden. I fixed the Hearty Tomato Soup with Lemon and Rosemary. I cooked the garlic, carrot and onion in butter and then added cannellini beans, broth, and tomatoes. The soup was seasoned with red pepper flakes and rosemary. After I let it simmer for 30 minutes I pureed the soup and topped the bowls with a dollop of homemade whip cream with lemon zest.

Malia came home and helped with the Broiled Zucchini and Potatoes with Parmesan Crust. We sauteed the zucchini and (semi-boiled) potatoes in butter with garlic, thyme and rosemary. After about 12 minutes the vegetables were sprinkled with fresh parmesan cheese and broiled for a few minutes.

The dinner was delicious...my favorite was the way the whip cream melted into the soup and the lemon aftertaste. The flavors were perfect...nothing was too overwhelming, a perfect combination for the taste buds!

deliciousness

Last night I was lucky enough to have dinner at Etta's, a Tom Douglas restaurant, that is participating in the dine around seattle deal for the month of March - 30 restaurants serve a 3 course menu for $30.

Last time I was there I ordered an heirloom tomato salad and the crab, but I have to say the second time around was much more delicious and a much better deal.

For the starter I had the Creamy Cauliflower Potato Soup. The main entree was Etta’s Rub with Love Wild Coho Salmon with Cornbread Pudding and Grilled Shiitake Relish...of course I went for the salmon. Dessert was amazing, banana cream pie. I don't usually go for cream pies, but was told that Etta's has the best around and it was true!

It was such a treat...if only I could afford to eat out like this every week...but then again I would be spoiled and it wouldn't be a luxury anymore.

Homemade pizza and grapefruit drinks!

On Wednesday my roommates and I celebrated with Jenny and Rumbles for her birthday! We topped TJ's pizza dough with alfredo, pesto, marinara, chicken, pineapple, goat cheese, regular cheese, mushrooms, onions, pecans....pure deliciousness! Homemade pizza is our house's new thing...I think we've made it four times in the past few weeks. It's so easy and so much more fun customizing your own pizza rather than getting the plain old boring cheese or hawaiian. I mixed up a refreshing grapefruit drink...malia asked what had gotten into me and I said I don't know it just sounded right...she thinks its because spring is almost here and I miss summer...she's probably right!

It's funny...it feels like Jenny has been in our lives forever...despite the fact that we haven't even known her for a year. It was so fun to celebrate her and hang out with her and Peter for the evening! What a blessing they are to so many.

Calico Beans

This recipe is full of beany goodness! Be careful not to over-indulge! You can make it in a crockpot or over the stove. I brought it as a side to a family Christmas party, and left the hamburger out to make it a little lighter.


Ingredients:

1 large can of Pork and Beans (32oz)
1 can of kidney beans (16oz)
1 can of lima or butter beans (16oz) - I prefer butter
1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp mustard
2 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 lb hamburger
1/4 lb bacon

Brown hamburger, bacon and onion
Drain grease
Add beans (drained with little juice)
Add the rest
Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours or in crockpot

Rachel's Shower

We celebrated Rachel's soon to be marriage at my house in August. It was so fun hosting the event! I made delicous food (seafood skewers, homemade salsa, fruit salad, sticky rice balls, teriyaki chicken) and drinks (mango martinis) and a beautiful barbie bride cake with the help of my roommate Alicia. The bridesmaids put together a slideshow and videotaped Mike's answers to some fun questions and then quizzed Rachel during the party...it was fun having Mike there (even if it was a video). I'm so excited for Rach and her new stage in life!



All the necessary ingredients...and two AMAZING bakers!



What a beautiful bride!

September Dinner

Tonight I got together and made dinner with my friend Emily. We ate butternut squash risotto (which is appropriate for fall), roasted potatoes, and cantalope. The butternut squash recipe was given to me with arborio rice from my cousin John and his wife as a wedding favor. It was absolutely delicious...warms the soul on a chilly September afternoon. Just as we were finishing our dinner, the doorbell rang and I caught a glimpse of my friend's husband running from the porch. We ran to the door and were delighted to find a box of cupcakes for us to share. Yay, for thoughtful husbands!