What DO Sickies Like to Eat

That's my little grandson Dov, doing what he likes to do when he doesn't feel well... besides sharing his bug with his grandma... sitting perched on the top of the chaise lounge... well... where else would Spiderman sit?... sucking on a freezy... or three and watching a favorite show.

I, on the other hand like to snuggle up with a book and eat something more nourishing for both body and soul like...

Moroccan Harira

A wonderful soup with North African herbs and spices and served with lemon wedges and dates.  Or...

Skinny Shepherd's Pie

for a modern, healthier version of my childhood favorite.

What makes you feel better?

Great Ingredients Make for Easy Cooking

I'm in training for summer cooking... those over-the-top muggy hot days when I know I won't want to actually cook anything. We finally had a day or two of nice weather... warm and sunny and so with a lot of help from my favorite guys at the market... easy suppers with no recipe .. or much work.. required. somehow, it's even hard to find the energy to read when it's hot! Ridiculous, I know, but hey... thank goodness for Getaway Farm's grass fed, super tasty steaks (this one is a skirt steak) that needs nothing more than a spice rub. This past weekend I bought a "grilling kit" from the Spice Man, with six incredible spice blends from Epices de Cru and I used the Tlalelolco Rub - "a blend of heat and smoky aromas ... made with native Mexican spices"... in a word...AWESOME! and it only took me a minute to coat the steaks before my Honey cooked them on the grill.

While the steak was grilling I whipped up a simple salad of mixed greens from Noggin Corner Farm Market and my standard vinaigrette that I could do blindfolded. Ahhh, the joys of summer cooking!

The Grilling Kit had another blend I couldn't resist - the Classic BBQ Blend that really did smell like a bag of BBQ chips, but this blend has no sugar, no salt and no chemicals that you can't pronounce. Just lots of chile, smoked paprika, mustard seeds,.. and so much more.

Everyone has their own vision of "BBQ Chicken" - my mother made hers in the oven with a wonderful tomatoey BBQ sauce, which I also love slathered on ribs; or I think of rotisserie chicken - my favorite being Portuguese Churrasqueira chicken grilled over a charcoal fire. But lately, I'm in love with Roasted Spatchcock Chicken made in a super hot oven - a whole chicken in 45 minutes - perfect! If you make it in the morning (turning the oven up to 500F/260C would be a disaster at the end of the day) you won't even break a sweat.. not to mention how amazing your house will smell.. but I digress... This time I rubbed the BBQ blend under and over the skin. This time the word...FANTASTIC! Now I have chicken for salads, sandwiches and pasta - what could be easier!

And last but not least, Exotic Roasted Lamb Neck & Bean Stew (because, even in the summer there are some damp and dreary days that need some slow cooking) . I mentioned before that Bill Wood of Wood 'n Hart farm gave me some lamb neck bones saying "I figured you'd know what to do with them". This time the other magic ingredient from The Spiceman... my Aleppo Seven Spice Blend (still one of my favorites). Probably one of my best stew creations yet... if I do say so myself. I'm glad I only used half the bones and saved the rest in my freezer, because I know I'll be wanting some of this once Fall rolls around.

I served it over steamed couscous seasoned with nothing more than some fresh mint and green onions. Which makes this last dish perfect for Presto Pasta Nights. This week Simona of Briciole will be hosting for the first time. To join in the fun, just write about your pasta, mention Briciole and Presto Pasta Nights with links, and send your entries to simosite (at) mac (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by tomorrow night (Thursday, June 23) and come back for the roundup on Friday.

Even More Comfort Food

I'm sure the weather has a lot to do with it... grey, grey and more grey.... so cold, my fingers even feel like Bob Cratchit in Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. But I'm really not complaining. It just means bringing out the old family favorite comfort foods.

Like the Salmon Patties above... always served with mashed potatoes... a little bit lumpy and very buttery... and canned corn niblets.
...Or like my mom's Creamed Salmon on Toast... we used to call it something a lot less flattering, but that never stopped us from asking for seconds... and sometimes thirds.
...Or like some hearty soup. My dad's favorite was beef & barley soup, but mine were her split pea or lentil soups with lots of short ribs. And then I found this recipe for Mushroom, Beef, Barley AND Lentil Soup.... need I say more?

So my question is... how come it's the dreary weather that pulls out all the stops when it comes to craving family favorites from childhood?

And, even though, there is more than soup here, I'm sharing with Deb at her Kahakai Kitchen for her Souper Sundays. Since it's positively freezing here, you know I'll be checking out this week's roundup for more super soups to warm my bones.

Beef Stew for Dreary Days & Hearth 'n Soul Hop

It's been like living in a cold cloud since Friday - and I'm not talking about my head. It's Halifax weather and it's definitely dreary. Our home is awesome, with normally a great view out of our many almost floor to ceiling windows, but all I can see is thick grey. Extra thick socks and a cozy sweatshirt are in order, as is some hearty meal to chase the weather away.

First thing that came to mind was a hearty beef stew. Especially since I had some cubed chuck from my favorite beef producer - Getaway Farms and some root vegetables to go with it. But what to do with them?
I could have just made my Easy Oven Stew - always a hit around here.

But I also wanted to use my Preserved Lemons, so Moroccan Style Stew sounded appealing.

Then there was the delicious sounding (stunning photo too) traditional version from Flavours of Prince Edward Island: A Culinary Journey that I reviewed which had roasted vegetables & red wine... never a bad combo. I also had another sourse that inspired me - House of Annie's entry to Presto Pasta Nights #187 . It was her olives that made me think of my preserved lemons. By the way, her dish was inspired by at least two others as well... almost a chain letter in abstract.

Here's my creation from all those inspiration points. (Photo at the top of the post)

Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables, Preserved Lemon & Cured Olives

I'm sharing it with Girlichef & her friends for Hearth 'n Soul Hop this week hosted by A Moderate Life.

Where do you get your inspiration?

How Many Times Can I Say It....Love Food Magazines

I've already mentioned my latest batch of food magazines and I'm already Jonesing for more...how fickle I am. Don't get me wrong...I never throw old ones away and spend many a glorious hour flipping through them looking for the perfect recipe for... something or other.

The bottom two shelves of those bookcases are filled with great magazines and at the top of the photo (on the left) is my coveted Donna Hay Collection of cookbooks (5 so far) and magazines. There are actually two more shelves of cookbooks above, but this is a post about magazines.

There are certain times of the month when they all seem to appear on bookstore shelves and I can't resist. So, while watching mindless TV, I flip through them, turning down pages that look appetizing and, I admit, often put them aside for a time. That said...much more often, there will be one or two in a batch that just scream out to me every time I pass them by.

Bon Appetit March 2009 is just such an issue and it looks loved too...all wrinkly from when it fell into the bathtub (a perfect relaxing event...sweet smelling bubble baths and a glorious read of savory dishes). Thank goodness for the hair dryer! Usually only one recipe gets made immediately after purchase, but that issue won our hearts with four awesome meals:

Braised Short Ribs in Sherry

Lamb & Eggplant Shepherd's Pie

Moroccan-style Chicken Pie

Shrimp & Sausage Pie

But it was time to move on...and the latest Saveur(top of the pile on my table) has been making the most noise with those fantastic looking ribs on the cover...which, by the way, were everything I expected them to be and then some.

Hawaiian-style Kalbi

There are some lovely artichoke recipes that I'll be trying ...once we actually get some local artichokes. It is still very much winter here, remember. I think, however it's time to move on to the next magazine...

Donna Hay?...the roasted tomato, eggplant & haloumi burger has my mouth watering, as does the smoky chili chicken, chorizo and feta burger (it is getting on to lunch time here, although today we're eating out with the kids - two generations of them!) and the mint flat bread with green onion pesto is definitely a "must make soon".

The latest Bon Appetit (April, 2009)?...some very tasty looking dishes, but they really are more Spring friendly, so that one is on hold, except perhaps the halibut fillet on mashed fava beans with mint...that is if I can find the early spring fava beans here.

Delicious Magazine ?...February's issue has an awesome looking Spicy Prawn (shrimp in my neck of the woods) and chickpea curry that definitely is on the shortlist...not to mention the nutella mousse!

I guess it's time to hit the stores...not sure if it's for more magazines or ingredients for some of the above.

Which are your favorite cooking magazines? I'm always looking for new faves.

Amazing Braised Short Ribs in Sherry

I had every intention of serving these awesome braised short ribs over some penne or fusili to soak up all that gorgeous gravy. But it's either early onset senility or the cold that's coming on gangbusters. Whatever the reason, the sweet potatoes were cooking before I realized that I had wanted to do some simple pasta with olive oil & garlic under this mound of goodness. And in case you're straining your eyes looking for long, meaty short ribs...forget it. I could only find enough for half the recipe, so I added chuck/blade roast, cut into 2" cubes. Very tasty, over the thyme seasoned mashed sweet potatoes.

Oh well, that means I still have to come up with a dish for this week's Presto Pasta Night. Ben of What's Cooking is host and I want to do something special. My intention...a mouth-watering dish of Roasted Garlic & Cremini Mushrooms Pappardelle with Roasted Chicken from a new cookbook Fresh & Local by Chef Craig Flinn of Chives Canadian Bistro right here in Halifax - another great reason to come visit. I'll be writing about the book and trying out a few other recipes as well.

The chicken is roasted, so keep you fingers crossed. And don't forget to send Ben your entries. The guidelines are here. And Ben's email ben(dot)herrera (at)whatscooking (dot)us . Please cc me: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot)com as well.

If you're interested in hosting...it is so much fun....check out the guidelines here and send me an email.

Shepherd's Pie - Solid Or Soupy?

I admit it, I love my shepherd's pie to really just be solid meatloaf of ground beef with a mashed potato topping. It's what I grew up with, and what I want when I'm craving comfort. My younger daughter has told me (more than once) that it's one of the few dishes of mine that is really not a favorite. She prefers her shepherd's pie soupy. She'll really love this one.

As promised, I'm on the second pot pie dish from this month's Bon Appetit And for those of you who come back here time after time, you know that I'm all about fast and easy, so be warned. This Lamb & Eggplant Shepherd's Pie is certainly not difficult, but I did spend much of the day preparing it yesterday.

The flavor and texture was worth the effort and, according to BA you can prepare the filling (think stew) ahead and then it's just time to boil the potatoes and do the final baking - 45 minutes. It's so different to my mother's - lamb cubes instead of ground beef, adding salty chewy cheese to the potato topping, eggplant and diced tomatoes really keep it unique...there's no need to even try to compare.

Another caution...well two....1) the recipe calls for a lasagna sized baking dish 13x9x2", and that's what I used, but had to ladle off a couple of huge spoonfuls of sauce before topping with the potatoes and good thing I put the dish on a lined rimmed cookie sheet as it overflowed; 2) this serves 8-10 and I didn't even try to figure out how to cut it in 4-lots of ingredients and I'm math challenged. So we'll be eating this for a while and I will probably freeze the filling as stew and perhaps can salvage the topping and make some potato pancakes.

All that whining aside...it was awesome! Go ahead, broaden your horizons...but first...really which shepherd's pie to do favor...solid or soupy?

No Pasta Tonight

The magazine is open to the right page. The garlic, fresh basil and butter are sitting on the counter. The shrimps are in the freezer and the pancetta in the fridge, but tonight's pasta is on hold.

Why...you ask? Because I'm a genius. First let me say that it is -7C (19F) with a windchill of -25C(-13F) and yes it matters if you have to leave your windows open. So who in their right mind would do something that forces you to leave the windows open? That would be me. I chose today to stain my bookcase. I definitely need more shelves in the living room...all those cookbooks and food magazines in piles on the floor are driving me mad. We did some furniture rearranging on the weekend and now I can't stop myself.

By tomorrow, I'll be a happy lady and perhaps by the weekend, I'll even have everything set up. But tonight, I have that polyurethane film lining my nose and that's all I can smell.

So tonight's dinner....Choc Chip Chili from the freezer. Hopefully the robust flavors will make it past the poly smell.

Don't forget to send me your entry for the 100 Presto Pasta Night Celebration by Thursday. Just email the recipe if you don't have a blog of your own and I'll post it for you. Email: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com. And don't forget to tell your friends to join in the fun too.

No Time to Waste - Delicious Moroccan Stew

Last week I discovered this fantastic new store - well it's been open for a year, and I've driven by it umpteen times without realizing it. But someone recently told me about it - fantastic selection of imported Indian, Asian, Indonesian, Thai and Middle Eastern delights. I still have to go back with my camera and give you all a really detailed description of my find.

I was planning on going back this week, but between sickly daughter (Joanna wants to come with me) and poor weather, it looks more like next week, so stay tuned for a photographic tour that will have you drooling.

That said, when I was there I bought these wonderful sun-dried olives (they look like plums here, but they're actually quite small and pack a powerful yet mellow flavor) .

Since then I've been dreaming about doing some kind of lamb stew with my preserved lemons and these olives. Inspired by Gourmet Cash & Carry (that's the name of the store) and a recipe on Moroccan Food, I came up with....

Moroccan Stew with Preserved Lemons & Sun dried Olives

I served it over a bed of mashed sweet potatoes to catch all the lovely sauce. All I can say is...I wish I had made a double batch...we were licking our plates clean!

And dessert was more of yesterday's Dessert Couscous - also inspired by the store - bottles of rosewater and bags of shelled pistachios.

Too bad we're expecting a storm tomorrow, I really need some of their frozen artichoke bottoms. Sigh....I guess that meal will have to wait. (Sicilian artichoke bottoms - stay tuned.)

Rainy Saturday & Veal Stew

The plan for Saturday was a trip to Mahone Bay & Indian Point for the second annual Mussel Festival. I've been looking forward to it ever since Peter Darnell of Indian Point Marine Farms told me about it back in December. It was marked in my calendar and I was even going to write about it for Foodtv's blog...story telling, touch tank (perfect for my grandson), mussel & wine tastings (perfect for the rest of us).

But Saturday came, along with lots of rain...buckets full in fact, and being fair weather friends, my Honey and I thought we'd put off the festival until Sunday (sunny weather was expected) and, instead we went to Coastal Coffee , a great little place just a few blocks from us, for a delicious breakfast of Eggs Ooh La La (scrambled with bacon, sauteed mushrooms & brie...I'm still drooling) and a giant Cappuccino. That was followed by the usual errands and when we got home, my daughter called and asked if we wanted to hang out with them...never able to say no to spending time with the cutest boy...

Somehow running around in the rain to do my own errands is a chore...but running around doing my daughter's with her was fun (my Honey ended up babysitting Boaz in the car...he fell asleep on the way-Boaz did, not my Honey). Back at her place we made some cookies, played some silly games and, because I bought some veal stewing meat earlier in the week...such a steal...$5.00 for 3 lb/ 1.3kg!!!! - Normally I can't even find any except at the fancy shops and then only at outrageous prices, but I digress... we made a delicious, hearty ....

Veal & Mushroom Stew over Garlicky Pasta

...which means I can count this as my entry for Presto Pasta Nights this week.

The Best Lentil Stew Yet!

I was planning on only doing pasta recipes all week. Afterall...Presto Pasta Night Roundups only have ONE first birthday party. And I do plan on making a doozie of a pasta tonight. Hopefully I'll get it written up in time for the Big Birthday Bash tomorrow. But....well, let's start the story at the beginning.

I love Wednesday's NY Times. There's always some great food related articles and often fantastic recipes that I usually squirrel away and sometimes ... even get to try out. Last week I came across a wonderful sounding lentil & merguez stew and then on Tuesday I happened to be at Pete's Frootique and bought some lamb and merguez sausages that looked so good.

This is a short post, because really...there are no words good enough to describe this excellent stew. I could go on about the richness, the depth of flavor, the sweetness that balances so perfectly with the spice of the merguez. I could...but I won't. I'll just say this once.....

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT!!!! It's that good. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Lentils with Lamb & Merguez Sausage Stew

Soups & Stews

Insanely Delicious Shellfish Stock

Adzuki Bean Stew

Atlantic Fish Chowder

My Favorite Chili Con Carne

Black-Eyed Peas & Short Rib Soup

Black Bean Chili

Carrot, Apple & Pear Bisque

Chicken & Chickpea Pilaf

Chicken & Lentil Stew - South Beach Diet friendly

Savory Chickpea, Kale & Barley Soup

Choc Chip Chili

Chorizo Sausage & Bean Chili

Classic Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup

Special Cream of Mushroom Soup a la Chef Michael Smith

Curried Split Pea & Sweet Potato Soup

Curried Sweet Potato Soup with Chicken & Spinach

Esau's Lentil Soup with Meat Balls

Eva's Split Pea Soup

Easy To Do Hearty Bean, Sausage & Mushroom Soup

Fall Harvest Soup

Lentil, Fresh Chorizo, Swiss Chard & Mushroom Soup

Fall Lentil & Beet Soup

Garlicy Bean & Spinach Soup

Ginger & Black Mushroom Soup

Green Chicken Soup

Haitian New Year Soupe Jaune

Healthy, Hearty Roasted Tomato & Carrot Soup with Navy Beans

Hearty Lamb & Lentil Stew

Hearty Kale, Quinoa & Lentil Soup

Ina's Italian Wedding Soup...I swear it's the best I've ever tasted.

Italian Bean Soup

Julia Child's Soupe a l'oignon Gratinee des Trois Gourmandes pure heaven!!!

Easy Lamb Stock/Broth

Exotic Roasted Lamb & Bean Stew

Lamb & Lentil Soup

Greek Lamb Stew with Artichoke Hearts

Mellow Lamb Curry

Lebanese Molokhia with Rice & Chicken

Leek, Mushroom & Spinach Soup

Leek, Potato, Mushroom & Spinach Soup - No Milk & SBD friendly

Leek, Mushroom & Swiss Chard Soup - vegetarian & South Beach Diet friendly

A Perfect Fall Leek Soup

Leek, Swiss Chard & Chorizo Soup - another variation, another delicious soup

Lentil Soup with Swiss Chard & Lemon (I used kale...also tasty & healthful)

Lentil & Beet Green Soup

Lentil & Sausage Stew

Lentils & Sausages with Pomodoro Sauce

Lentil Soup, Armenian Style

Lentil Soup - my own version

Lentil, Spinach & Sweet Potato Ragout

Moroccan Style Lentil, Chickpea & Orzo Stew

Moroccan Carrot Soup & Chermoula

Moroccan Chickpea & Lentil Soup

Moroccan Chickpea, Lentil & Orzo Soup - vegetarian version

Moroccan Harira

Hearty Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables, Preserved Lemons & Olives

Moroccan Stew with Preserved Lemons & Olives

Mushroom, Beef, Barley & Lentil Soup

Mushroom & Barley Soup

Mushroom & Barley Soup Rouxbe.com style

Mussels, Chorizo & Leek Soup

Pappa al Pomodoro (Bread & Tomato Soup)

Provencal Bean & Herb Soup - South Beach Diet

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin & Wild Mushroom Soup

Pureed Root Vegetable Soup

Quick & Easy Potato, Sweet Potato & Chorizo Soup

Quick Fish Stock

Quick Ginger Chicken & Spinach Soup

Quick Lentil & Chorizo Soup

Quick Navy Bean Soup

Quick Navy Bean Stew

Quick Vietnamese Soup

Raw Spinach Soup

Roasted Beet & Pumpkin Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup(the apples & squash make this very sweet and mild - great with the cilantro walnut pesto)
Roasted Butternut Squash & Garlic Soup (has ginger & curry)

Roasted Garlic & Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Root Veggie Puree Soup

Roasted Vegetable Stock

Romano Bean Spinach & Chorizo Soup

Savory Autumn Stew

Slow Cooker Boeuf Bourguignon

Slow Cooker Harira Soup

Spicy Black Bean Soup

Squash Soup with Ginger & Orange

Thai Carrot & Ginger Soup

Tomato, Chorizo & Beet Greens Soup

Tortellini with Swiss Chard & Mushrooms in Roasted Vegetable Broth - perfect quick, easy & healthy meal

Tunisian Chickpea, Eggplant & Mushroom Stew

Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan White Bean & Garlic Soup

Vegetarian Lentil Soup

Vegetarian Pureed Roasted Vegetable Soup

Family style Vegetarian Chili

Very Veggie Chili

Velvet Squash & Carrot Soup with Curried Matzo Balls

Yemenite Lentil Soup with Noodles & Tomatoes