Our first Portguese Feast in our home

L.'s mother started cooking up a storm for us early in the day & some of the good news most of it was local and /or organic, so we were able to keep up with the challenge. As her cooking always is, it was very delicious. L. was very happy (7 chicken legs later)to have a home cooked meal that reminded him of home - having his family next to him made he even more happy - this in turn made me happy. (we are all a bunch of happies now). We started with a rice based soup which we added bits of chicken as well as a squeeze of lemon. Very light and refreshing. Reminded me of a dish my grandmother and great-grandmother made, but with rice and garlic - we usually got it when we were not feeling well. The main course was a baked chicken dish with potatoes (I love these guys) and chorizo - spiced with peppers, wine and tomato.

We are back ...

but not cooking yet. Cleaning like bangies instead. L's parents are coming to town tomorrow to visit for a week. L.'s mom is a GREAT cook and she is Portuguese, so there will be lots of great food in our house the next few days. And, it will or most of it will be local, too! Come dine again!

Local Eating ......

We did not cook at home as some good friends were in town tonight. We wanted to dine responsibly, locally and organic as much as possible, so we hit the Blue Plate. Which was perfect as we have been dying to check it out! You should too ~ The Blue Plate . We are hitting the road today, for the rest of the weekend, a little camping and r & r! Don't worry we will be dining locally as we are bringing our own stuff! Come dine with us soon!

Bok Bok ...

We have decided to take part in the Eat Local Challenge. I do not believe I realized how hard it was going to be, when I talked L. into it, until I actually signed up for it - eeks!! I say this next statement in a few deep breaths; I hope we don't fail, I hope we live up to my expectations as well as the local challenges and ....I can not believe I committed to this without shopping first. It was be a challenge as well as we have family in town for a week and a half, which will require some eating out but we will be trying to have them over for our "local cooking" as much as possible as well! Anyhow, tonight I had to go with what we had in the house, which I am proud to say was "organic", not sure how local even though I did purchase at Wholefoods. Regardless, we are committed to giving this challenge our best! Tonight, I sauteed bok choy with some shallots, garlic, some hot peppers (from our garden) and Portbellas. Light, yummy and somewhat (a very little) local!

Ratatouille and not the movie!

I use to make this all the time; but, it has been awhile, such awhile that I forgot the recipe, so I had to wing it. I put layers of Italian eggplant, zucchini, sweet Italian peppers, shallots and garlic and heirloom tomatoes in a roasting pan. Each layer I sprinkled with herbs de Provence and drizzled with olive oil and then baked long and slow. It was delicious and L. gobbled it up. Dessert was more of that wonderful vanilla ice cream with Scharffenberger Ganache on top - L. hate it so fast we never got a photo and our Ratatouille photo came out blurred ... but it was good!

Sea Beans? Roasted Strawberries?

Went to the Ferry Plaza today, with my little friends, M., E., & M. and we played the game, "pick out something new, exciting and fun for me to cook for L. for dinner. They found Sea Beans! Sea Beans are also known as Glassworts. They are crunchy and salty - the kidlets LOVED them! So we picked up a 1/2 pint of Sea Beans! Dinner was left over Portabella Stroganoff, sauteed Sea Beans, and a wonderful Heirloom Tomato Salad with shaved Parmesan. For dessert I served what I had hoped to bring to the Festa Al Fresco but it was not ready ... Vanilla Ice Cream using my favorite recipe by David of The Perfect Scoop (a must for any ice cream lover)& we topped it with Roasted Strawberries! Can you say, "Heaven"??? These roasted little morsels are to die for - caramelly (is that a word), lightly sweet and ever so yummy!!!

La Festa al Fresco

We were so excited to be part of the La Festa al Freso 2007. So excited that we could not decide on what to bring to Cream Puff's and La Mia Cucina's; so, we brought it all! We started with a beautiful Zucchini Carpaccio (our first time making one - YUMMY) and then moved on to a Portabella Stroganoff and Belgium Endive salad with roguefort cheese. We also brought along some of the wonderful homemade butter that we are getting fat on! As well we decided to tote along a bottle of one of our favorite wines, Block 45! Tutti a tavola!!

Super Sexy ...

We had a long day at the office yesterday, a long night at the gym and were starving! What to do! Why Mambo!! We opened up a GREAT bottle of bistro style wine - the only way to describe this find "Sexy"! Smoky on the nose and smooth on the palate. I had a feeling when I saw the label that they may be the guys behind another favorite of mine, Plungerhead Zin, which is fantastic - super spicy and loaded with nice jammy flavors, a must for your b-b-q! Anyhow, Mambo is about to become a staple in our house & we are hoping we can grab a case later today! Now, we could not live on wine alone, so we tossed together some cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, sliced garlic, Spanish olive oil and pasta to chow on. For dessert, homemade Fig ice cream from "The Perfect Scoop"! By the way, the ice cream gave the wine a soft vanilla taste ... long flavorful finish! Can not wait to get home tonight and drink more!

Corn & Shiitakes???

We were inspired by this light and easy recipe ~ Sauteed Corn & Shiitake Frittata. We will say this ... needs to be KICKED up a notch. Add more salt, pepper, or hot sauce or maybe a nice sauteed shallot with a little garlic. Good comfort food recipe just needs to be twisted up a little. Served with a simple green salad with plump cherry tomatoes and a warm hunk of bread!

Chocolate & Caramel, Oh My!

This is not the usually dinner that we serve around Chez but instead it is my second challenge with the Fabu DBs. This particular event was hosted by Veronica & Patricia and it was for a Milk Chocolate and Caramel Tart. Now, I am not a baker by any means. I can whip up a mean multi-course dinner but when it comes to baking I am usually a flop; therefore, I was pretty darn excited when I was invited to become part of this group. I loved their inspiration and I needed the challenge to get me away from the norm. This was my second challenge & in all honesty, I was scared. Much to my surprise, it was fun and easy! Here are my exact words to the group once I finished it ... "Perfect! I finished my challenge yesterday & I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was! Served it to L. and a guest for dessert. I was doubting it big time, for a few reasons: I don't usually make tarts, I felt the caramel filling was some what suspect, my milk chocolate topping disappointed me (maybe my cream had to high of a fat content? even though my melted chocolate was cooled down, it started melting the whipped cream)and I tried it twice, finally had to use the last batch. I put it in the fridge to cool while we had dinner and I thought for sure I was going to hate it. I told L. and W. to be really honest, that they would not hurt my feelings - L. said he would had preferred Dark (we both love dark), but that it was very good and W. said it was f----- great (sorry for the profanity, but those were his words and he is somewhat reserved)! My thoughts: it looked awesome even though the cream topping was not that pretty and I loved the caramel filling and the crust: but, would had preferred a darker chocolate!" Take a risk and challenge yourself. Enjoy!

Tomato & Goat Cheese Sandwich

Long night & tired ........ grilled up or actually we broiled up some goat cheese and cherry tomato sandwiches and sprinkled them with some Tuscany enhanced salts (we are crazy for these salts Whole Foods sells), simple & delicious! ps.... the noodles from the other night, the next day they are even better served as a cold salad for lunch!

Sweet Sweet Prunes

This was dessert tonight! I have to say, I love love love these cute little guys! I discovered them last summer and fell in love. Now, they are back in my life! Not to mention .... they are so good for you!

Soba Soba Soba ..

I found this recipe sitting on my friend's counter and I swiped it! It was really outstanding in my opinion ... sweet, spicy and full of tantalizing flavors! I gave it a 5 out of 5 and L. gave it a 3, too sweet! I did make some adjustments, I cut the honey to 1/4 cup and I used fresh ginger, which I sauteed in the olive oil before adding the chicken. Overall, it is a keeper! PS.......... UPDATE, these are GREAT the next day as a cold lunch time salad!

Sunday Night ...

Back from a wonderful weekend & HUNGRY, what to make with an eggplant, some pasta and a few staples? Why, Spaghettini with Eggplant and Fried Capers served with a nice hunk (bread, not only L.) ;) ~ We also had some of that wonderful homemade butter left, which was unsalted so I gave it a twist by adding some of this Divine smoky salt I picked up a couple of weeks ago.

We picked up ..

and went to Mammoth for a much needed weekend away! It was kind of planned and kind of last minute. Definitely was nice to get away to some warm weather and it was simply beautiful down there!!! Needless to say I did not pick up a knife or pot and pan all weekend and L. had to eat out! We are almost settled in & will be in the swing of it starting tomorrow! Come back and dine with us then!

Simplicity ....

I love having quiche with a simple salad, a warm loaf of crusty bread with butter (homemade butter - I am addicted to making this) and a nice glass of vino! Tonight I made a wild mushroom quiche! For dessert a bowl of summer strawberries topped with cream that I lightly scented with vanilla - no sugar! Simplicity is heaven sent sometimes ...

Chickpea Stew

Since dinner was such a wreck a couple nights ago I decided to make something with one of L.'s favorite ingredients ... the chick pea! I was inspired by a recipe in Food & Wine. I did alter it a little since I did not have bay leafs nor raisins. Regardless, it was wonderful not to mention ... very easy and quick! I wanted to spice it up so I sauteed some french Portuguese Peppers with olive oil and then sprinkled salt over them.

Vegtable Soup with Fennel, Herbs and Parmesan Broth

I was inspired by this recipe on Food & Wine as I was looking for something "good" and light. Well, it was light but not that good - too bland and too many leeks (I thought I could hid them from L. since there was so much fennel in there ... I am BAD - he really HATES them & I realized just how much tonight)! So, after all, it was not comfort food but rather, "mental note, never cook another leek!" At least Dessert saved the day .... homemade chocolate cake and cookies and cream ice cream - a happy belated bday celebration for L. from our little friends, M., E., and M.!

Sunday Snack

Late afternoon snack, early dinner - lite up the barbie and tossed on some good old fashioned burgers and fries!

Saturday Night

Grilled beef short ribs with a risotto salad seasoned with olives, capers, Meyer lemon juice & zest and a bit of a Spanish olive oil, served with a Gnarly Head Zin!