mystery as in, i have no idea what it’s going to be, but it has to be something different than the five things i tend to make over and over (and over). coming from a gal who’s former idea of a meal consisted of carrots, hummus and some crackers (ingested while working at the computer or riding a bike to and fro various projects), this whole make a new meal every week is quite the task. and it’s helped me feel a little more creative, artful, in my day to day life. so far, i’ve kept my vigil (aside from last week, with a visit from auntie ricci and a meal out at the local cuban joint).
but sometimes, im so darn tired i can hardly think of making toast, never mind a whole new meal. trying to get out of cooking one night last week, i said to rob, “do you want licci’s reftovers?” he wittily responded that the leftovers were cuban, not chinese.
tonight, there are no reftovers to offer. and my head is a groggy, foggy bog. what, dear readers, should i make? what are your standard five things that seem to get you through the week?
March 11, 2009 at 1:06 pm
1. chili–real easy, goes with easy foods like cornbread and nachos (although I gave them up for lent), or great all by itself. Filling and nutritious (use more beans than meat or all beans if you are a vegan)
2. Spinach pita (again great if you are vegan)–and not as hard as the Greeks make it out to be and keeps in the freezer and lasts for days…
3. baked fish (I prefer haddock or cod)…break up some ritz crackers on top, pour some butter or some smart balance on it for a healthier option…lemon salt and pepper and voila–oregano adds a Greek touch
–fish must be real fresh in Key West
4. smothered chicken—-cook some onions, peppers, and mushrooms in some olive oil and a small touch of butter…remove from pan. Add bite size pieces of chicken season with salt and pepper and cook in a little bit of oil…remove from pan add to onion mixture…roll a tbs of butter in flour and let melt in same pan, add some white wine to pan and make a berblanc sauce–super simple—let it thicken, add the chicken and veges, spueeze of lemon and mmmmm good…spoon over a nice rice pilaf (from the box if you must)
5. Take a whole pita bread, add your favorite spag sauce or pizza sauce, some cheese and any combo of toppings and quick easy and tasty pizza—try one with olive oil instead of the sauce, add some garlic (no kissing after), and maybe some spinach and feta or just go plain…
there ya go kid…get these skills down and I’ll send you my recipes for pastichio (greek lasagne), stuffed grape leaves, and avgalemono (lemon rice soup)…
March 11, 2009 at 3:18 pm
no way! who knew you’ve become quite the cook. well of course, duh. how do you make spinach pita? yum. and i’d love love the lemon rice soup recipe…what the heck is pistichio? (grape leave, yum. i must be hungry…)
March 12, 2009 at 7:51 am
One of my easiest meals is:
Sauté chicken/shrimp or tuna in a pan with tomatoes (canned works too), capers, black olives (calamata), garlic and olive oil. Variations include feta and any fresh herbs. Serve over brown rice. Easy and tastes like the Mediterranean, salty and vinegary! So easy and you can keep all the ingredients in the pantry. Best of luck!