January 17, 2013

Backyard Produce

Recently I signed up for an awesome program called Backyard Produce - website here.

I have only received 2 boxes thus far, but so far I love it!  It's such a good vehicle to try new and healthy things.  I am currently enrolled in the "Flying Solo" program which is $25 per week.  At first that sounded kind of steep because this was all I got in my first box:

This is the box that appears on my doorstep each Tuesday.  It's like Produce Christmas once a week!
 
The first thing Grant said was, "...That's it?"

But then I realized I can order smarter than this.  So this was my next order:

Rainbow Carrots!  Butternut Squash!  Green beans!  Fresh bread!  Tangelos!  Cucumbers!  All organic!!!

This week the Flying Solo basket has proven to be more than enough food for a few dinner sides (and mains).  Mama knows how to stretch a dollar! 

My favorite part about this program is that it inspires me to make dishes I wouldn't have otherwise made because I wouldn't have otherwise bought certain vegetables.  Take for instance this amazing pasta I made last night.



Normally I would never make a) Pasta or b) a Vegetarian dish.  But boy was I glad I did!  I used this recipe from Giada - Penne with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese - (but I used whole grain bow tie) and it knocked my socks off. 
 
If you don't watch the Food Network religiously like I do than you might not know this amazing tidbit - You don't need to add cream to have a creamy pasta sauce!  All you need to do is add cheese to hot pasta than add some of the pasta water that you cooked the pasta in.  The combination of those two ingredients makes a creamy sauce that coats each piece of pasta and provides decadence to the max.  Added cream and fat is for the birds!
 
I can't wait to see what I can get in my box next week.  This is so fun.  It's like a food challenge/mystery each week.  Challenge accepted!  It feels great to eat fresh, organic produce while supporting NC farmers. Win, win, win!...Then eat :)

December 28, 2012

Chicken Piccata with Crispy English Potatoes

I finally got back in the kitchen this week after a long hiatus due to my Real Estate class...and the holidays...and the fact that I went to Hooters on Christmas night instead of cooking something myself.
 
It was so fun to be back at it.  I celebrated my return with an oldie but a goodie in Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Piccata.  One of my all time favorites! 
 
 
 
Alongside that lemony lusciousness I served a new to me recipe from this most amazing new cookbook by Ina Garten - Barefoot Contessa Foolproof.  That woman can do no wrong in my eyes.
 
The sidedish I chose for this particular night was Crispy English Potatoes.  I found the recipe online but I'm not sure if it's a legal link so I'm not going to post it.  Long story short, you boil potatoes and let them simmer for 10 minutes, then put them on a baking sheet with some crispy pancetta and roast at 425 for about 45 mintues with lots of salt and pepper and olive oil. 
BTW, the moral of that short story is that you NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK.  It has so many good recipes with all of my favorite ingredients.  I can't wait to make them all.  Thank you to my sissy for the perfect Christmas present!
 
 
 
Stay tuned in 2013 for lots more cooking!