But this isn't hockey blog, so I'll move on. I have actually cooked almost through week ten, but I'll wait and blog those when I finish. Going all the way back to... week 4!
Kale and White Bean Stew- yum. This stew called for Sausage, which I left out. It's a very hearty stew, tangy from the tomatoes, and the Kale is good. Only I ate it though, so I probably won't make it again. There are so many amazing soups in the world, there just isn't time for repeating mediocre ones! Behind the stew are the Mushroom and Spinach puffs from Cookshelf Vegetarian. I'd make them a third time!
Spaghetti with Escarole - I couldn't find escarole, I used spinach, since I always have that in the house. Minus the bacon and anchovy paste, there just wasn't anything left worth eating.
Cheddar Cheese Grits with Spicy Black Beans - I was really looking forward to enjoying grits. And I did. Unfortunately, I was the only one. I plan to keep trying though! The chicken and broccoli were, as always, a success. I think they'd eat that every night. *sigh*
Hoppin' John - We are NOT from the South. Born and Raised in So Cal, there is a serious lack of exposure to southern food and culture. It's like trying to find a good Mexican Restaurant in Spain. You have to know somebody who knows somebody, who takes you down some creepy back alley, and you fear for your life. Luckily, in Spain, that dark alley DID lead to an amazing Mexican restaurant!! These Southern inspired recipes, not-so-lucky. My black-eyed peas were crunchy, and the whole thing was REALLY salty. I look forward to trying these dishes again, but perhaps made by professionals!
My exploration into the world of "greens", besides romaine and iceberg, has not been a failure though! The whole family has been open-minded about eating them, and that equals success! Speaking of successes...
My exploration into the world of "greens", besides romaine and iceberg, has not been a failure though! The whole family has been open-minded about eating them, and that equals success! Speaking of successes...
Island Kale and Sweet Potato Soup! - The first recipe to be added to my own personal recipe book, this Soup was AMAZING, and I want some right now, while I type this!! I LOVED the coconut milk. It was a wonderful, sweet, comforting surprise on a cold, rainy night! I skipped the rice, the soup is too good!
On that happy note, on to week 5!
Squash and Bean Stew - not bad, but not good either. I don't know where the pic went.
Butternut Squash Couscous - Not good. I just didn't care for the mix of beans and squash. Looked pretty, though.
Penne with Squash and Ham - Surprise! We have a winner! I went ahead and used the Black Forest Ham in this dish, since I knew my husband would eat it. It was the first time the kids and I ever really had ham in a dish (I grew up in a culture that kept Kosher, and even though my family cheated now and then, I still have never really developed a habit of cooking or eating pork.) it was delicious! B actually ate the frozen leftovers for dinner tonight, so I would make this again!
Spinach risotto - Great! Risottos seem to be a continuing success in this family. I skipped the mushrooms in this one though. And frankly, there just aren't a whole lot of veggies in risotto. I'll keep trying...
On that happy note, on to week 5!
Squash and Bean Stew - not bad, but not good either. I don't know where the pic went.
Butternut Squash Couscous - Not good. I just didn't care for the mix of beans and squash. Looked pretty, though.
Penne with Squash and Ham - Surprise! We have a winner! I went ahead and used the Black Forest Ham in this dish, since I knew my husband would eat it. It was the first time the kids and I ever really had ham in a dish (I grew up in a culture that kept Kosher, and even though my family cheated now and then, I still have never really developed a habit of cooking or eating pork.) it was delicious! B actually ate the frozen leftovers for dinner tonight, so I would make this again!
Spinach risotto - Great! Risottos seem to be a continuing success in this family. I skipped the mushrooms in this one though. And frankly, there just aren't a whole lot of veggies in risotto. I'll keep trying...
I also made a vegetable noodle soup. The notes said to make it however you want, so I don't really see any reason to keep the recipe!
WEEK 6!!
Pumpkin Lasagne - The flavor of this was ok, but it was TOO MUCH. too much food, too much sweet, too much pumpkin, too much mush. It was like a dessert for dinner, and I think there could be a healthier way to make this dish.
Ribollita - the recipe for this soup was also in Cookshelf Vegetarian, and I preferred that version.
Green Minestrone - this soup was nice, simple, clean, ok. Not much to say about it, so I don't think it'll make the list!!
Five Flavors Salad - A nice salad, it's described as being "all our favorite flavors in one!" well, I'm not sure how the potatoes and cocktail onions count as favorite flavors. I'm also not a big fan of walnuts, and spinach doesn't really have much of a flavor. B thought the dressing was also too sour. Not bad, but not good enough to stay!
Chard Calzone - WONDERFUL! All of us enjoyed these flavorful little pizza pockets! I switched the ricotta to marscapone, since we aren't fans of ricotta. I also used the pizza dough recipe from Cookshelf Vegetarian. VERY GOOD!!
WEEK 7!!
Shepherd's pie - I just happened to make this the same day as the Scottish Festival, so it fit in quite nice!! I really enjoyed it, the kids just ate the veggies ( they aren't a fan of mashed potatoes) and B thought it was ok. Big mistake though, using PURPLE cabbage! It just made it such an odd color. I'll stick to green for next time!
Orecchiette with Broccoli - became tiny bow tie with Broccoli. The kids ate it, minus the sauce, and B thought it was ok. Ultimately, nothing really spectacular.
Baked polenta - grits just aren't a hit in this house. Add mushrooms, and forget it!
Broccoli Rabe Frittata - I played it safe and just used regular broccoli, but still, no one was impressed. They ate it, but I prefer the Bok Choy and Asparagus Frittata from earlier.
Lastly, Rigatoni with Cauliflower - What a surprise, my family picked around the cauliflower. I really can't complain though, if the only veggies my family won't eat seem to be Potatoes, Cauliflower and Mushrooms!! The raisins in the sauce reminded me of Port, it was surprisingly nice.
Next blog should be up soon, as I am nearly finished with the next few weeks of recipes! With the exception of the Kale and Sweet Potato Soup, I'm still waiting for that magical recipe that makes it worth it...
WEEK 6!!
Pumpkin Lasagne - The flavor of this was ok, but it was TOO MUCH. too much food, too much sweet, too much pumpkin, too much mush. It was like a dessert for dinner, and I think there could be a healthier way to make this dish.
Ribollita - the recipe for this soup was also in Cookshelf Vegetarian, and I preferred that version.
Green Minestrone - this soup was nice, simple, clean, ok. Not much to say about it, so I don't think it'll make the list!!
Five Flavors Salad - A nice salad, it's described as being "all our favorite flavors in one!" well, I'm not sure how the potatoes and cocktail onions count as favorite flavors. I'm also not a big fan of walnuts, and spinach doesn't really have much of a flavor. B thought the dressing was also too sour. Not bad, but not good enough to stay!
Chard Calzone - WONDERFUL! All of us enjoyed these flavorful little pizza pockets! I switched the ricotta to marscapone, since we aren't fans of ricotta. I also used the pizza dough recipe from Cookshelf Vegetarian. VERY GOOD!!
WEEK 7!!
Shepherd's pie - I just happened to make this the same day as the Scottish Festival, so it fit in quite nice!! I really enjoyed it, the kids just ate the veggies ( they aren't a fan of mashed potatoes) and B thought it was ok. Big mistake though, using PURPLE cabbage! It just made it such an odd color. I'll stick to green for next time!
Orecchiette with Broccoli - became tiny bow tie with Broccoli. The kids ate it, minus the sauce, and B thought it was ok. Ultimately, nothing really spectacular.
Baked polenta - grits just aren't a hit in this house. Add mushrooms, and forget it!
Broccoli Rabe Frittata - I played it safe and just used regular broccoli, but still, no one was impressed. They ate it, but I prefer the Bok Choy and Asparagus Frittata from earlier.
Lastly, Rigatoni with Cauliflower - What a surprise, my family picked around the cauliflower. I really can't complain though, if the only veggies my family won't eat seem to be Potatoes, Cauliflower and Mushrooms!! The raisins in the sauce reminded me of Port, it was surprisingly nice.
Next blog should be up soon, as I am nearly finished with the next few weeks of recipes! With the exception of the Kale and Sweet Potato Soup, I'm still waiting for that magical recipe that makes it worth it...
