Small Town Meanderings

I am currently down in a small south Georgia town with family, and miss my kitchen terribly (although, I did have some killer Mac and Cheese at a cafeteria yesterday). 

I know...cafeteria food...le sigh.  But there is something about southern cafeteria food that just feels like home (perhaps its all the grease that has never been emptied over the years, flavored with bits of chicken skin, potatoes and cornmeal....mmm, hushpuppies...  The top of the baked Mac and Cheese was nice and crispy (super baked), the noodles were still slightly al dente, and there was just the perfect amount of creamy cheese.  I will probably try and have it again tomorrow :) and hopefully can remember to take a picture). 

Things I enjoy generally about small towns in Georgia (in no particular order):
~ Strangers are constantly smiling and saying hello (this can get trying at times, like when you haven't had your coffee yet...);
~ People watching (it's like the live audience version of "People of Walmart");
~ Traffic is non-existant (this is my favorite);
~ Fried Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Grits...all the good southern food (my husband is a grits hater...that's ok, I still love him);
~ The sale racks are insane (hello $12 Aquiesse "Sunflower" Candle and $7 shirt); and 
~ Time seems to just slow down.


So, I suppose I'll spend my time reading up on new recipes and making menu plans for as soon as I get back home (and for now, eat Mac and Cheese).


  

Leftover Roasted Chicken Croissant Sandwich

If a croissant could talk,
I'm sure it would try to butter me up.

Mmmmm......buttery goodness.  Flakyness.  Lightly Toastedness....hmmm....vino...(as I get distracted...)

Back to the lunch.  This is a quick leftover roasted chicken sandwich.  Light and flavorful.  I used some of the Garlic Dijon Roasted Split Chicken Breasts I made the other day.  Also, I was able to pick some fresh greens from our garden (hoo-ray!).  I just adore a croissant sandwich.  I think my friend Taisa got me hooked on them last year...she managed to always order one with chicken salad everytime we went out to lunch.  (Side Note: Jason's Deli makes their chicken salad with pineapple...it's good, you should try it).  Anyways, back to it.

Here's what you need:
croissant (1 for each sandwich)
some greens
left over roasted chicken
sun dried tomatoes
plain goat cheese
aged balsamic vinegar

Garlic Bolognese Ghetti

A guy walks into the doctor's office.  A banana stuck in one of his ears, a garlic clove in the other ear, and a carrot stuck in one nostril.  The man says, "Doc, this is terrible.  What's wrong with me?"  The doctor says, "Well, first of all, you need to eat more sensibly."

Although, we are from Georgia this is not Honey Boo Boo's Sketti  (ketchup and butter....not so sure about that).

If you like meaty garlic deliciousness, this is a good fast-filling Ghetti recipe from our house.

Here's What You Need:
1/2 a package of angel hair pasta
1 pound of organic (or otherwise) ground chuck
1 onion
2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon of dried parsley
1 15 ounce can of plain tomato sauce
fresh basil for topping
Parmesan for topping
salt and pepper to taste

My New Favorite Dijon Garlic Roasted Chicken

How long do chickens work?
Around the cluck!

I must be on some weird chicken kick.  Either that, or the organic chicken has been on sale lately :)

This chicken is finger lickin' delicious. OMG!  I know I can get excited about cooking, but this recipe is one of the reasons why.  Super fast, super easy (kids could help you) and suuuuuuuuper tasty.  (Next time I want to try this rub on some drumsticks.)  This time, I used organic split chicken breast (the skin and bones help flavor the meat).  Best part, you can get these babies on the table in about 35 minutes.

Here's what you need:
2 organic (or otherwise) split chicken breast
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon of marjoram leaves
6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Herb Roasted Chicken

What do you get when you cross a chicken and a pit bull?
Just the pit bull.

We love, love, love roasting whole chicken.  First off, it's super easy.  Second, this is a great option for two people because then you eat leftovers for the whole week.  Chicken enchiladas, chicken on top of spinach salad, chicken salad, chicken roll ups, chicken BLT, chicken pot pie, etc. etc.  The possibilities are endless!

This is also a fantastic option for dinner guests.  The prep takes 5 minutes, and once the bird is in the oven there's not much to do.  Once out, well that baby pretty much sets the table for you.

General plan: Rinse.  Dry.  Mix up some herbs, garlic, lemon zest, salt and/or pepper with either canola oil or here, we used olive oil.  Rub the bird down.  Fill the cavity with lemon slices, garlic either/and/or onion etc.  Cook.

Here's what you need:
1 whole chicken, we used organic, but get what you prefer
1/4 cup of olive oil (or canola oil)
2-3 tablespoons of herbs (whatever you're feeling: lemon zest, herbes de provence, sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic, etc.)
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 lemons (for stuffing the cavity and/or squeezing on the chicken as you eat its delicious goodness)

Blueberry Basil Iced Tea

What do you get when a bunch of blueberries try to go through a door all at once?
A jam.

It's summer time, sweet sweet summer time, summer time.. and we are here hanging in the south...so of course we are making some iced tea.

This is a great one.  Refreshing blueberry iced tea with fresh basil.  For more basil flavor, take a fresh piece and rub around the rim of your glass (great trick for cocktails too!).

Here's what you need:
4 bags of Blueberry Herbal Tea
boiling water
cold water
fresh basil, a handful-ish

6 Quick Blueberry Muffins

Why did the muffin go to the doctor?
Because, it was feelin' crummy.

Yum!  Who doesn't love blueberry muffins?!  This is a simple and quick recipe that makes 6 muffins.

Look at all that oozy blueberry goodness!

You could probably substitute any berries you have on hand.  The main thing is to not over mix the batter.  We desire light and fluffy goodness.  Let muffins cool all the way, so the bottoms do not get stuck in the paper.  These will keep for up to 2 days in an air tight container, but are best the day of.

Here's what you need:
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of flour
2 tablespoons of sugar, plus 2 teaspoons
1 cup of blueberries
1 egg
2 tablespoons of Plain Greek Yogurt (or sour cream)
2 tablespoons of canola oil
6 tablespoons of milk

Cucumber Kale Salad with Avocado

What did the salad say to the dressing?
Lettuce be friends.

Dinner last night was totally sponsored by the color green...next time, maybe one green dish at a time.

This Cucumber Kale Salad with Avocado was very light, lemony and refreshing.  We had a few radishes and some carrot, so I threw that in for some extra crunch.  Red/purple onion might also work instead...

Here's what you need:
1 large cucumber
1 avocado
1/3-1/2 of 1 carrot
2 radishes
2 teaspoons of white vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 handfuls of chopped kale

Grilled Orange Pork Loin Chops and Savory Farro

What do you call a pig that takes karate?
Porkchop.

Every once and a while, I like consult a cookbook or two and try new recipes.  We received The Winemaker Cooks by Christine Hanna for Christmas and thought we would try out the "Orange and Dijon-Marinated Pork Tenderloin"  (adapted a bit) with some pork loin chops.

Hanna Winery & Vineyards is located and based in Healdsburg, California and the tasting room is open daily 10-4.  Christine Hanna,  president and author of The Winemaker Cooks, took over the family winery founded by her father Dr. Elias S. Hanna.  Her cookbook has over 100 thoughtful recipes organized by seasons, meals, and wine pairings.  If you are anything like us and enjoy wine (while cooking and eating), this book is an A+. 

To balance out the sweetness of the orange-Dijon-wine sauce I made a Savory Farro, earthy with onions, kale and toasted pecans.

Here's what you need (we made enough for 4 people):
For the pork:
4 pork loin chops
6 cloves of garlic
2 oranges (zest from 1, juice from 2)
3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup of savingnon blanc
salt and pepper to taste
 For the farro:
1 cup of farro
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of butter
salt and pepper to taste
2 handfuls of small chopped kale
1/2 onion, diced
2/3 cup of pecans

Grilled Basil Salmon with Sun Dried Tomato Kale Salad

What's the difference between a piano and a fish?
You can't tun-a fish.

Quick. Dinner.  Hungry.  Quick Quick.  (Sometimes, that is totally what happens at our house)  Luckily, you don't have to sacrifice flavor for a fast meal.

I think this kale salad is my new favorite (the dressing makes it).  Inspired by all the gorgeous salad bars at Whole Foods, it is dressed with a super-tasty sun dried tomato vinaigrette that makes you go yuuuuuuuuummm.

The salmon is a simple olive oil, salt, pepper and grill.  Then, topped with fresh basil and lemon juice.  Fresh food that leaves you full with out feeling overly so.

Here's what you need:
Salmon, I usually grill one bigger piece then divide onto plates after grilling.
1/4 cup of chopped sun dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, plus 2 teaspoons
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 handfuls of chopped kale
1 carrot
1/3-1/2 cup red cabbage
2-4 tablespoons of plain goat cheese
5-7 fresh basil leaves

"The Onion Thing"

Did you hear about the Frenchman who jumped into a river in Paris?
He was declared in Seine.

Oh "The Onion Thing", or at least, that is what my husband calls it.  This is a dish I made for him one night when we first started dating (apparently it worked, he likes onions).  The dish is made up of a toasted french baguette, plain goat cheese and onions cooked down for at least an hour with red wine, balsamic, and Worcestershire until they are almost black and thick like jam.  "The Onion Thing" is all about layering; layering small amount of red wine, balsamic, and Worcestershire over time gives the onions a really great flavor.  This works great as a dinner or lunch, but could also be scaled down for appetizers.

Here's what you need:
1 red onion
1-2 tablespoons of butter
5.5 oz log of plain goat cheese
1 loaf, french baguette
red wine
balsamic vinegar
Worcestershire
salt and pepper to taste

Fish Tacos with Mustard White Wine Vinaigrette

What is a taxi driver's favorite kind of vegetable?
A cab-bage.

Man, I love me some Fish Tacos.  I mean, really, you can't get much better.  They're fast, easy, and full of delicious veggies and beuatimous flavor.

You can use almost any fish; I like Tilapia because it is cheap, light and flaky.  To balance out the fish, I used some extra crunchy veggies: red cabbage, carrots, green peppers and radishes (mainly because that is what we had in the fridge).  The sauce (or dressing-ish) is a mustard white wine vinaigrette, very tangy and light.

Here's what you need for 2 people/ 4 tacos:
2 pieces of Tilapia
red cabbage, (we used half of one and had leftover slaw for the next night)
2 carrots
1 green pepper
4 radishes
4 whole wheat tortillas
For the dressing/sauces:
1 lemon, juiced
Dijon mustard
apple cider vinegar
white wine, Chardonnay etc.
extra virgin olive oil
Italian flat leaf parsely
salt and pepper to taste

Vesper Martini

The era of the three-martini lunch has come and gone.  Blame Kennedy, blame Carter, but really, blame yourselves for not being able to handle three delicious glasses of ambrosia.  (For the record, I'm on the floor after one.)

Like the Old Fashioned, the Martini (nee Martinez) is one of those classic cocktails that has been around since the dawn of time (or circa 1850) and keeps getting better with age.

Whatever your poison there is a flavor for you:

sweet (Cosmos), 

salty (Dirty), 

chocolaty (blegh), 

or somewhere in between (stay tuned).

Bottom line--and bottoms-up--there are as many ways and opinions on how to make a martini as there are Baldwin brothers.  However, when talking about the martini there is one, culturally obvious person to start with:Bond. James Bond.

In the novel Casino Royale, Fleming's Bond orders a Vesper Martini and conveniently lists the recipe as:

2 measures Gin

1 measure Vodka

1/2 measure Lillet

Twist of Lemon