“Health food is an interesting term to me. Two hundred years ago, bacon was health food. You lived longer if you ate huge quantities of fat and salt. You were better off drinking beer or wine rather than water.”
-Ethan Becker
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
When the Going Gets Tough...
...the tough make martinis! 'Nuff said.
The Classic Vodka Martini
Dash of dry Vermouth
2 ounces Ketel One vodka, chilled
Dash olive juice
2-3 large green olives
Pour a little bit of dry vermouth in a chilled martini glass and swirl to coat the inside of the glass. Dispose of excess vermouth. In a shaker full of ice, shake the vodka and olive juice vigorously before straining into glass.
Drink, enjoy, repeat as necessary.
The Classic Vodka Martini
Dash of dry Vermouth
2 ounces Ketel One vodka, chilled
Dash olive juice
2-3 large green olives
Pour a little bit of dry vermouth in a chilled martini glass and swirl to coat the inside of the glass. Dispose of excess vermouth. In a shaker full of ice, shake the vodka and olive juice vigorously before straining into glass.
Drink, enjoy, repeat as necessary.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Leading 'Role
Casserole. Even hearing the word makes you shudder, bringing back memories of canned tuna, egg noodles, and grease-stained newspaper clippings. On the other hand, hearing your mother proudly announcing "Only $.65 per serving!" as she plopped her creation on the family dinner table reminds you of your dinner party on Tuesday--and your looming Christmas credit card bill.
Here's a new take on the old easy-cooking favorite: while simple, inexpensive, and large enough to feed 3 couples, this dish is so sophisticated, no one will ever guess it's incriminating name.
Shrimp & Orzo Casserole
2 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. oregano
Dash red pepper flakes
14.5 oz. canned tomatoes
14 oz. can chicken broth
1 cup orzo pasta
14 oz. can artichoke hearts
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
Freshly ground pepper
1 lb. cooked shrimp (frozen works well)
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1 cup feta cheese
Heat oven to 425. Spray a 9 x 11 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In a saucepan, heat oil, add garlic, oregano, and red pepper, cooking 30-60 seconds. Add tomatoes and mash with a potato masher. Add broth, simmer. Stir in orzo, artichoke, lemon, and pepper. Pour in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes, then stir. Add shrimp, then stir again. Sprinkle with parsley and feta. Bake uncovered 5-10 minutes until orzo is tender and feta starts to melt.
Here's a new take on the old easy-cooking favorite: while simple, inexpensive, and large enough to feed 3 couples, this dish is so sophisticated, no one will ever guess it's incriminating name.
Shrimp & Orzo Casserole
2 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. oregano
Dash red pepper flakes
14.5 oz. canned tomatoes
14 oz. can chicken broth
1 cup orzo pasta
14 oz. can artichoke hearts
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
Freshly ground pepper
1 lb. cooked shrimp (frozen works well)
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1 cup feta cheese
Heat oven to 425. Spray a 9 x 11 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In a saucepan, heat oil, add garlic, oregano, and red pepper, cooking 30-60 seconds. Add tomatoes and mash with a potato masher. Add broth, simmer. Stir in orzo, artichoke, lemon, and pepper. Pour in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes, then stir. Add shrimp, then stir again. Sprinkle with parsley and feta. Bake uncovered 5-10 minutes until orzo is tender and feta starts to melt.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Low (Carb) Maintenance
Dilemma: Tonight is wine and appetizer night at your place—with a list of guests who have sworn off anything resembling a carbohydrate (see Resolution Revolution) and will turn their noses up at your normal brie-and-baguette one-appetizer-suits-all routine. But are you really going to serve cheese and salami on your new Kate Spade dishes? Think again—you CAN serve a low-carb first course while maintaining your culinary reputation with these warm prosciutto/cheese pillows served warm over mixed greens.
They’ll be over their diets in February—but expect requests for this tasty dish for months to come.
Prosciutto Pillows Stuffed with Goat Cheese
8 thin slices Prosciutto di Parma (4 ounces)
4 ounces goat cheese, cut into 8 slices
2 tablespoons drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared pesto sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups mixed salad greens
1. Lay 1 slice prosciutto on a work surface; top with a slice of goat cheese, an inch from narrow end. Top with 3/4 teaspoon sun dried tomatoes. Fold end of prosciutto over cheese and roll up, folding in edges to enclose cheese. Repeat with remaining prosciutto, cheese and tomatoes.
2. Heat oven to 300°F. Arrange pillows on a shallow baking pan, seam side down; cover with foil. (Can be made ahead up to this point. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate up to one day.) Bake 5 minutes, until just warm.
3. Make Basil Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, pesto sauce, salt and pepper in a bowl. Makes 1/4 cup. To serve, divide greens on 4 plates; drizzle with dressing top with 2 pillows each.
They’ll be over their diets in February—but expect requests for this tasty dish for months to come.
Prosciutto Pillows Stuffed with Goat Cheese
8 thin slices Prosciutto di Parma (4 ounces)
4 ounces goat cheese, cut into 8 slices
2 tablespoons drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared pesto sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups mixed salad greens
1. Lay 1 slice prosciutto on a work surface; top with a slice of goat cheese, an inch from narrow end. Top with 3/4 teaspoon sun dried tomatoes. Fold end of prosciutto over cheese and roll up, folding in edges to enclose cheese. Repeat with remaining prosciutto, cheese and tomatoes.
2. Heat oven to 300°F. Arrange pillows on a shallow baking pan, seam side down; cover with foil. (Can be made ahead up to this point. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate up to one day.) Bake 5 minutes, until just warm.
3. Make Basil Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, pesto sauce, salt and pepper in a bowl. Makes 1/4 cup. To serve, divide greens on 4 plates; drizzle with dressing top with 2 pillows each.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Resolution Revolution
New Year’s Resolutions. The three cringe-worthy words mean the end of your indulgent holiday season and the start of a bleak, disciplined January. Run five times a week. Start Atkins. Read War and Peace. Pay off the Banana Republic card. It’s no wonder that resolutions rarely last until Valentine’s Day—what about this list would get anyone motivated?
Instead of the usual diet/exercise/money routine, add one of these ideas to your self-improvement plan. Finally—some resolutions you might just be able to keep!
1. Perfect the art of wine and food pairing. The Food Network’s grid is a great place to start: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/wd_pairings/0,1975,FOOD_10017,00.html Or, get a group of friends together and split the cost of a lesson from a professional in your area. Not only a fun activity, wine pairing is a valuable tool that will impress your dinner guests for years to come!
2. Make your family proud and learn to make a complete meal reminiscent of your background or heritage. A traditional Tuscan feast for Italians, or a variety of exotic tapas if you are Spanish-will be the perfect meal for the next family get-together. If your background is more scattered than specific, spin your globe or choose a culture that interests you. Greek tzatziki is always a winner, no matter where you call home. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_6345,00.html
3. Start your own blog! Have a passion for art, boating, books, or just want to share your daily thoughts and activities with friends? Go to http://www.blogger.com/start and sign up for a free account!
4. Make the world a better place without even leaving your desk. Count your blessings for your health and safety, and then click on http://oxfamamerica.org/ or http://www.redcross.org/ and donate to organizations that care for those who don’t have either. Any amount you can afford is welcome, and you can specify which country, disaster, or fund you would specifically like to reach, such as Sudan or the tsunami relief fund.
5. Celebrate yourself! Make a list of all the things you accomplished in 2004. Allow yourself between $1 and $10 (if you got a nice Christmas bonus!) for each accomplishment and use the total amount to buy something specifically for YOU—a calendar, coffee card, book, movie, or anything you’ve had your eye on. Then, every time you enjoy your purchase, remember and be proud of all you’ve achieved in the past year.
Happy New Year!
Instead of the usual diet/exercise/money routine, add one of these ideas to your self-improvement plan. Finally—some resolutions you might just be able to keep!
1. Perfect the art of wine and food pairing. The Food Network’s grid is a great place to start: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/wd_pairings/0,1975,FOOD_10017,00.html Or, get a group of friends together and split the cost of a lesson from a professional in your area. Not only a fun activity, wine pairing is a valuable tool that will impress your dinner guests for years to come!
2. Make your family proud and learn to make a complete meal reminiscent of your background or heritage. A traditional Tuscan feast for Italians, or a variety of exotic tapas if you are Spanish-will be the perfect meal for the next family get-together. If your background is more scattered than specific, spin your globe or choose a culture that interests you. Greek tzatziki is always a winner, no matter where you call home. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_6345,00.html
3. Start your own blog! Have a passion for art, boating, books, or just want to share your daily thoughts and activities with friends? Go to http://www.blogger.com/start and sign up for a free account!
4. Make the world a better place without even leaving your desk. Count your blessings for your health and safety, and then click on http://oxfamamerica.org/ or http://www.redcross.org/ and donate to organizations that care for those who don’t have either. Any amount you can afford is welcome, and you can specify which country, disaster, or fund you would specifically like to reach, such as Sudan or the tsunami relief fund.
5. Celebrate yourself! Make a list of all the things you accomplished in 2004. Allow yourself between $1 and $10 (if you got a nice Christmas bonus!) for each accomplishment and use the total amount to buy something specifically for YOU—a calendar, coffee card, book, movie, or anything you’ve had your eye on. Then, every time you enjoy your purchase, remember and be proud of all you’ve achieved in the past year.
Happy New Year!
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