Quick-cooking polenta makes a very easy side dish for a quick dinner. If you have just a bit more time it makes cute single-serve timbales. These slip out of the ramekins easily but still hold their shape making for a very pretty presentation. The Caramelized Shallots add an unexpected crunch! The recipe assumes your ramekins hold about 1 cup (8oz, 250gr)…. which happens to be a perfect size for one. … Continue reading →
I posted the original recipe for these years ago but it has been lost, so to speak. As mushroom season is starting I thought it was time to re-do it. The vegetables are partially cooked before layering and baking, so they spend less time in the oven. They could be assembled after the initial cooking ahead of time and baked before serving. I made these using ‘rings’ – basically metal … Continue reading →
Harvest time in farm country…. It’s a lovely, warm, fall Sunday evening and the harvester just arrived to do the soy bean field. No need to worry about closing the windows to keep out the dust – we’ve been enduring an invasion of Asian Lady Bugs so we can’t have windows open anyway. And last night when I opened the door to let the dogs out I stepped on a … Continue reading →
This is a lazy dish that looks a bit fancy….. Perfect holiday entertaining. Well, it is as long as you have leftover spaghetti squash and some tomato sauce in the freezer or pantry. We are two. When I cut into a spaghetti or butternut squash I know that we will have enough for at least 2 meals, more likely 3 or even 4. Even the ‘small’ squashes are big. So … Continue reading →
Yes, we still have zucchini, although I made this with a yellow squash. Now that the evenings are cooler some of the cooking is moving back to the kitchen. I make timbales often, and with a lot of different vegetables. They make a lovely presentation for a first course and are simple to make. The sauce spices up the bland zucchini a bit. It’s made from purchased whole pimientos. You can substitute … Continue reading →
Just say ‘NON’ to Valentine’s Day. Okay, maybe that’s not the approach for everyone, but I do think the hype and expectations surrounding a day that used to be for paper hearts and little sugar candies has gotten a bit over the top. For many, the expectations get so high that disappointment, regardless of the effort, is inevitable. As for us, we took care of the whole issue right at … Continue reading →
I like timbales. They’re easy – a little prep followed by 25 – 30 minutes in the oven… Which makes them great for a dinner party, for two or 10. Plus, for all you health-conscious folks out there, it’s a great way to get in some extra veg. And they’re fun! I like fun food. I’ve been writing this blog for 7 years (as of Feb. 6) and I decided … Continue reading →
