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{Meatless Monday} Grilled Vegetable Sformato

sformato edited

For my sister’s birthday a few years ago, I gave her a gift certificate to a cooking class that we could do together. Since she’s not a big meat eater, I chose one that focused on great vegetarian dishes. With more and more “experts” talking about the health benefits of cutting back on meat, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to add to my repertoire either.

The class was taught by the wonderful Robin Asbell and held at Cooks of Crocus Hill.   We had a great time, and  over a few glasses of wine, learned to make a bunch of new dishes.  Robin’s “Grilled Vegetable Sformato” was our favorite.

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Zucchini-Pecan Flaxseed Bread

bread zucchini nuts on cutting board with title

Now would be a good time for global warming to make an appearance.  Enough already with the cold and snow!  I don’t know about you, but I’m so over the big pots of stew, and ready to hit the farmers’ market for lighter, fresher, warm-weather fare!

Right now, I’m planning a “turtleneck burning” party.

In the meantime though, my kitchen is still cranking out comfort food…
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Curried Chicken & Mango Dip

Curried Chicken Mango Dip

I had an amazing group of women over last night for a networking/happy hour of sorts. Since almost all of the guests were folks I’d never met, I decided to stick with some of my tried-and-true apped’ouevres.  This one is pretty much a slam-dunk every time…

It’s an adaptation of a recipe that a caterer traded with me after a party years ago.  It’s great because it’s super easy to throw together the day before, it freezes well (before it’s baked) and you can lighten it up a little if you like.

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I didn’t want to love them…

sliders

This is Sally constructing some sliders as I post this!

Let me start out with a disclaimer: I’m pro healthy-eating. I’m anti white-bread. I don’t eat processed cheese, and I don’t like pickles. However, every once in awhile, it’s ok to “fall off the wagon” (food-wise) in the name of hunger. Or friendship. Moderation in everything, right?

So my dear friend Sally is truly a character. I love her dearly.  While she’s one of the funniest and most generous people I know, her kitchen skills have mostly centered around Tater-Tot Hot Dish (it’s a Minnesota thing) and other dishes that rely heavily on butter and cheese. (She works for Land O’Lakes, so consider it a hazard of the job.) Continue Reading →

Hugh Grant and Beet Ravioli

photo by Bon Appetit

photo by Bon Appetit

Living in downtown Toronto was a great adventure. If a city can be credited for expanding my taste buds, this was it. For four and a half years we explored a few of its many Chinatowns, the Greek district, Little Portugal and the melting pot that was Queen Street. All within walking distance or a subway ride from our condo.

We ate out a LOT. Husband jokes that every maitre’d in the city knew us a “the couple without a kitchen.” The cooking bug had yet to take hold, but I like to think of this as my “research” phase. Continue Reading →

Red Lentil & Sweet Potato Stew

snowshoe day

When they say we’re going to get a “break” in the winter weather in Minnesota, they mean that the temperature will rise to at least a balmy 20 degrees.  With a new coat of snow this morning, that makes for a perfect snowshoeing day.  So a friend and I took a midday trek – 3 miles in fresh snow.

I’d started a stew before we headed out — one of the recipes from the (modified!) cleanse we’re doing, and the house smelled fabulous!  It was the perfect post-trek lunch. Continue Reading →

Stock Up :: Game Day Posole

posole

I meant to post this earlier… but there was a power outage during the Superbowl. *

Anyhoo… I’m sure a disproportionate number of households prepared game-day feasts that included Velveeta, tortilla chips, wings, and any number of dips that aren’t exactly artery or waistline friendly.

At the Wood house, we’re about to launch a (modified) cleanse, and didn’t feel like taking ten steps backward before we’d even started.  So I pulled out one of my most tried-and-true dishes that is super easy and super healthy — perfect for this Superbowl Sunday. Continue Reading →

Stock Up :: Turkey Meatballs

 

turkey meatballs

I probably make 1000 of these each winter.  They’re really easy to make, and they freeze well.  It’s one of those recipes that you might as well make in big batches, because it doesn’t take that much more time or effort to double or triple the recipe.

This is one of the first recipes I posted on BigOven, and to date, it’s received rave reviews — and 343 “Favorite” clicks!  I know you’ll love them too. Continue Reading →

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas…

Cinnamon Twist Coffee Cakes

I don’t remember a Christmas morning without one of these Cinnamon Twist Coffee Cakes baking while we opened our gifts.  With two older brothers, it was pretty much devoured within minutes of coming out of the oven.  Several years ago, I started making these for a few neighborhood friends.  Since a recipe makes 4 cakes, I’d double it to ensure that Husband and I had 2 left for ourselves — one for Christmas morning, and one for New Year’s morning. Continue Reading →