Dinner, Lunch

Three Bean and Beef Chili

It’s Superbowl Sunday, and while I don’t care about the game all that much (I like close and interesting games, but NFL Football isn’t really my thing), I do like making “Game Day Food”. If I were having a gathering (which I am not), I might make this … Three Bean and Beef Chili. I like flavorful chili that isn’t over the top hot (feel free to adjust with cayenne, if it isn’t hot enough for you). Trick for keeping the beef tender? “Brining” with a bit of salt, water and baking soda. Works like a gem!

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4. February 2018
Cookies, Sweet Snacks

Passion Fruit and Raspberry
Valentine’s Day Linzer Cookies

Happy Valentine’s Day! OK, it’s still a full on 10 days until Valentine’s Days, but I like to make cookies ahead of time. And Linzer Cookies it is, because I seem to *always* make Linzer Cookies at Valentine’s Day. This year, I went with some of both my standard (raspberry) but also Passion Fruit, which is a jam that is harder to find. Search around for a bit – it’s worth it (note: I found it in a Latin American bodega… language lesson of the day is that passion fruit in Spanish is Maracuya!)
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3. February 2018
Cookies, Sweet Snacks

Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies,
with White Chocolate Chips

Not sure if I have ever mentioned my love of honey. I absolutely adore it! Some of my relatives in the Black Forest have been bee keepers (as a hobby) for a few generations so it’s always a treat to visit — and sneak home a jar of good raw honey. These cookies accentuate the honey flavor, and combine that with pistachios, actually give it a bit of a Middle Eastern flavor. Yum!
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27. January 2018
Lunch, Sandwiches/Paninis

The Figgy Piggy

A yummy sandwich / panini with a silly name! As you may know, I have a thing for figs… fresh figs, dried figs, fig jams and butters… all yummy additions and lend this “something” to sweet and savory things. IN this case, I used Trader Joes fig butter on a grilled cheese with bacon, hence the silly name.
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26. January 2018
Dinner, Lunch, Soups

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

I’ve been feeling a little under the weather these days, with mostly what feel like a head cold. Seemed like a good excuse to make Chicken Noodle Soup, but frankly, I didn’t feel much like cooking either so enter the “cheater” recipe for soup, using a rotisserie chicken. The ones from Whole Foods seem mostly healthy, and yes, I did have to go to the store to buy said chicken (nothing like spreading germs!) but this was ready to eat in a just a short bit. It did make me feel a bit better though, so success on that front!
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25. January 2018