gnocchi

This was the first time I had ever cooked gnocchi & we're all converts - even the extremely picky Jack ate a whole bunch (but only after we picked off the 'green stuff' - basil.)
This is just plain gnocchi boiled then added to sauteed sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, the aforementioned green stuff and parmesan cheese to finish. Pretty simple really, but I can see why gnocchi is Italian comfort food.

cleaning out the fridge

This photo didn't come out too well, but it was certainly a tasty way to clean out the fridge. We had gone to the Farmers' Market on Sat. AM and came back with some fingerling potatoes, scallions & mushrooms. Threw it all together in a pan with lots of garlic, s & p, then threw in some spinach from the garden at the last minute. Lots of parmesan cheese on top made everything come together. Salad was too gritty: must do a better job of rinsing the lettuce when I pick it.

chicken fajitas

What a beautiful summertime meal, eaten outside on the picnic table after a long day playing in the sprinkler (the boys, not us.)
Chicken and lots of peppers & onions marinated in a cilantro/cumin/lime marinade and grilled. Just served with flour tortillas & some fresh watermelon, what more could you ask for?? As for me, a break from chicken coming up...I feel like we've been eating waaaaaay too much of it lately.

southwestern salad

Adapted from a Vegetarian Times recipe to include chicken rather than pinto beans. Quite labor intensive because of the number of ingredients, but this was a very fresh tasting salad. I used red peppers, avocado, green onions, corn, cilantro, chicken, grape tomatoes and a chili/lime dressing.

chicken cheese quesadillas

Just when I thought I was getting burned out on chicken we made these quesadillas for dinner tonight. Grilled cubed chicken which had been sprinkled with lime juice & Wundoemus. White cheddar cheese on top of that, then cooked up in a pan. Sprinkled with some very good sweetcorn (still the frozen stuff - fresh not quite ready yet - then some Trader Joe's salsa.
So good Alex is making me make it for lunch again tomorrow.

spagetti bolognaise

Ok, so it isn't real meat - the fake stuff - but I simmered it in my tomato/basil sauce from last summer (the last of the good stuff) and threw in some bay leaves and a good splash of red wine. Not exactly July type food but it really hit the spot. Served up with some of Alex's bread and a glass of red, it didn't really need anything else.

chicken of the gods

You might think that's hyperbole, but this was a seriously good chicken dinner. Could it have something to do with the entire stick of melted butter? I got the recipe from Simply Recipes - a very good, concise food blog. Chicken dipped in garlic butter, then rolled in breadcrumbs, parsley, parmesan, more garlic and Italian seasonings. Just bake it for 15 mins then prepare to feast.

Something this rich didn't need anything too fancy to go with it. Sauteed up some spinach for a few seconds and topped with goat cheese, diced avocado & sunflower seeds.