(no subject)

[badseed1980]

I had a nice dinner date with pierceheart last night. It had been a while. We went to Sagra in Davis Square: you know, the restaurant at the cursed 400 Highland Ave. location. I really like that place, and hope the curse doesn't get it.

Tonight, though, I'm cooking: pasta with meat sauce (made with a mixture of chicken and pork Italian sausage, drained of fat) and a salad.

I need to start cooking with recipes more. I need to get inspired and try new things! I also have to be less afraid of stuff that takes more time to cook. More time to cook just means a little less time in front of the TV for me in the evenings. Big deal. I watch too much TV in the evenings anyway. I also need to start looking beyond my typical side dishes. I don't do enough fun stuff with vegetables, for example. All too often, it's just steamed-and-salted. Good, oh yes, but not creative. And I have to stop fretting that pierceheart won't like some weird idea of mine. He's always liked them so far, even when they've been outside of his normal food comfort zone (as in, they combine sweet and savory).

I have a hankering now for greens of some kind (probably spinach) cooked with pancetta, golden raisins, and pine nuts. Not the lightest veggie dish ever, but if I served it with baked chicken breasts with lemon and rosemary, or fish done that way? Not so bad!

Hmm. I want to cook!

Comments

[lothiriel-1.livejournal.com]

I went to dinner at a friend's house a few years back, and was served fresh green beans with a simple sauce made from olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sea (or kosher) salt.

I don't have exact measurements for the sauce, but you start by warming up about 2-3 Tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan. Add some chopped or minced garlic (whichever you prefer), a pinch or two of fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice and sea salt to taste. It's really good!

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

I doubt I would need a recipe for something like that. It's not even really recipes that I need, necessarily. I just need to look at the recipes to get ideas. I've done that sort of sauce on fish before--it's very simple, and very tasty!

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that would be another good one to use there!

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

What veggies do you like?

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

All, really. I have lots of places to look for inspiration, too. I just need to...look.

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

Apartment Therapy now has www.thekitchn.com

Roasting Tomatoes Under the Broiler
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/quick-tip-roasting-tomatoes-under-the-broiler-059853

Top 5: Uses for Arugula Besides Salad
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/top-5-uses-for-arugula-besides-salad-053443

In Season: Brussels Sprouts
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup/in-season-brussels-sprouts-066028

Strange New Vegetable: Yacon
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/gardening/strange-new-vegetable-yacon-064279


~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are some from my other favorite sites...
(Inspiration is GOOD!)

Colcannon - Mashed Potatoes With Kale
Colcannon is one of the great signature dishes of Ireland. The most common version pairs cabbage with potatoes, but the dish is also made with kale. You can substitute extra virgin olive oil for the butter (in which case it will be more Mediterranean than Irish).
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/nutrition/21recipehealth.html?em

Zucchini-ribbon pistachio salad
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2008/07/30/zucchini_ribbon_pistachio_salad/

Zucchini-Corn Quesadilla with Goat Cheese & Basil
http://ourkitchensink.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/main-ingredient-summer/

50 ways to stuff zucchini
http://urbanvegan.blogspot.com/2007/08/there-must-be-50-ways-to-stuff-zucchini.html

Charred Eggplant Salad
http://www.chow.com/recipes/10829

Spicy Glazed Asian Eggplant
http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/05/spicyeggplant

Roasted Artichokes
http://www.bertuccis.com/#Recipes

eggplant cannelloni
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/240811

Butternut Squash Turnovers
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/butternut-squash-turnovers

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That's a lot of stuff. I honestly don't think it's that I am lacking in recipes. It's just that I need to remember to think about them before I get ready to cook at night.