welcome! two things have inspired us to create this blog. the first is that our friend colleen gave us a subscription to a cooking magazine with some great recipes. then we made a new year's resolution to eat at home more often. so this is just a fun way to share the recipes we try and the interesting events that always occur for us when cooking is involved.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sirloin and Vegetable Stir-Fry


Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine (Dec. 07, pg. 272)

Ingedients:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (1-lb) sirloin steak, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 cup fat-free, less sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoonns canols oil
1 cup (1/4 inch thick) diagonally cut slices carrot
1 cup broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups snow peas, trimmed
3 cups hot cooked rice
*we added 1 cup of water chestnuts and 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
Steps:
  • Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl, stirring well; sprinkle evenly over steak. Combine cornstarch, sugar, and red pepper in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in broth and soy sauce.
  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet (or wok, right? that's what we used) over medium-high heat (and then it gets real fun). Add carrot to pan; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add steak and broccoli (we threw in the water chesnuts and mushrooms here, too); stir-fry 1 minute. Stir in both mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add snow peas; cook 30 seconds or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with rice (or quinoa).
Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups beef mixture and 3/4 cup rice).

Comments: This was our second time and dang we are so proud. Next time we'll see how it does with chicken.
Rating:
5 high fives (out of 5)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Adams Street Sandwich


About:

Ever have a bad night? Feel like eating when you wake up? This sandwich is the solution to your problems! Last Wednesday was a pretty bad night for me, and when I am upset I like to eat out. The first thing I thought about for breakfast was the Freret Street Sandwich at Freret Street Cafe. Bread, sausage, eggs, cheese...yummmmm. Problem: I made a resolution not to eat out as much in 2008. One quick trip to Whole Foods Market later, I was being treated, by Travis, to the newly-created Adams Street Sandwich. This recipe is neither economical nor healthy, but it is special-occasion worthy and delicious.


Ingredients:

Shelton's Turkey Sausage Patties (6)
Michael Gagne's Robinhood Free Meetinghouse Cream Cheese Biscuits-Five Herb Parmesan (6)
Eggs
American Cheese slices


Steps:
  1. Grease a baking pan. Cook the biscuits according to directions. Allow 30 minutes for cooking.

  2. When the biscuits have about ten minutes left, start the sausages (grease the pan here, too). Cook according to directions, approximately 20 minutes, in an uncovered pan.

  3. When the sausage patties are near finished, lay one slice of American Cheese on each patty. Cook until cheese is melted, about 30 seconds.

  4. Cook eggs however you want. I like them omelet-style so they don't fall out of the sandwich.

  5. When everything is done, slice the biscuit and put the goodies inside!

  6. Enjoy! And feel better!

Comments: The only drawback with these sandwiches is the biscuits are small in diameter, making it hard to eat!


Rating: 4.5/5

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Chicken Souvlaki


Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine
(Dec. 07, pg. 296)


About:

"In Greece, souvlaki typically refers to skewers of grilled lamb. In America, chicken is more common, and it's often served in pita bread. Precooked chicken makes these sandwiches a snap to prepare. Serve with tabbouleh."

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1-1/4 teaspoons bottled minced garlic, divided
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 cups sliced roasted skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 (6-inch) pitas, cut in half
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber
1/2 cup chopped plum tomato
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Steps:

  1. Combine feta cheese, yogurt, dill, 1 teaspoon oil, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic in small bowl, stirring well.

  2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 teaspoon garlic and oregano to pan, and saute for 20 seconds. Add chicken, and cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

  3. Place 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each pita half, and top with 2 tablespoons yogurt mixture, 2 tablespoons shredded lettuce, 1 tablespoon cucumber, and 1 tablespoon tomato. Divide onion evenly among pitas.

Makes 4 servings (serving size 2 stuffed pita halves). Comment if you would like the nutrition info emailed to you.


Comments: We are impressed with how easy it was to make. The yogurt sauce was delicious, and makes me want to learn how to cook more Greek food. We did not have tabbouleh, but in the future we will definitely have a side dish planned.

Rating:
4 (out of 5)