cooking update

I wrote a post last week about cooking dinner and how I thought making a new apron might inspire some  kitchen enthusiasm around here. I have been enjoying the new apron, but what was more useful was the wonderful emails and comments I received about cooking after I wrote that. I thought I'd share a few discoveries, in case they help inspire you too:

* Jess and Molly reminded me of two books I've seen around lately: Apples for Jam and The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper which look to be full of cooking inspiration. I've ordered the latter and will report back.

* I'm going to try to stop planning ahead for weekly dinner ingredients. I actually think that is what was stressing me out every night- worrying about wasting ingredients I'd bought for a certain meal, and then not getting the chance that week to make it... etc.  I'll just buy whichever vegetables look fresh and good when I'm at the shop, try to grow a few in the garden over summer, and keep lots of pasta, beans and rice in the cupboard. Then decide what to make from what we have on hand.

*I've re-discovered two old staples: risotto (above) and quiche-making. The risotto is great because all you need is rice and stock, and then you can just throw in whatever else is in the fridge or garden- yesterday we drove by a little stall in the country selling fresh asparagus, so that's what our risotto had in it.  I used to feel as though I couldn't make risotto unless I had arborio rice, but have tried it with other types of rice recently and it's still pretty good. And we always have rice in the cupboard.

The quiche is good too because if you have some time you can make pastry, but if you need a quicker way to make it, you can make 'self-crusting' version. My Mum made that a lot when I was growing up. If you have eggs and some old vegetables, you can make it. (My recipe is really similar to this one at angry chicken.)

* Esther sent me a scanned page from her personal cookbook with an excellent soup recipe on it. You fry up some veges + cumin in a big pot with olive oil, then add stock- then other vegetables (tomatoes, green beans) and chicken and herbs. I love the idea of a big pot of soup simmering away slowly for an afternoon and plan to try it very soon.

*Amisha mentioned the '10-minute mains' section of Gourmet Magazine and you should definitely take a look. I also noticed this recipe when I was looking around there... dangerous but good.

Comments

[Renna]

I have a cannister in the pantry labeled "risotto". I picked it up by mistake, thinking I was getting Jasmine rice. I've never made risotto, and was a little intimidated by the instructions. I guess I need to just go for it.

Oh, you are a bad, bad blogger for linking to that luscious looking brownie recipe, right here as swimsuit season is arriving in my neck of the woods. Thanks for it, though. ;-)

[Jo]

Hi Melissa, yum that risotto looks lovely. Since you are coming into nicer weather, you may be interested in some of these ideas, from Summer Express:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/dining/18mini.html?ex=1342497600&en=e76301c448a572af&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Hope that link works. It's printable too. Have a good week!

[alice]

My friend has that Apples For Jam book. I was looking through it the other day and it has some really, really yummy-looking stuff! She said the sweet things were especially good.. :)

[Di]

Thanks for all the hints! Try Delicious magazine for quick fixes too! The quiche looks lovely!

[The Shopping Sherpa]

If you're feeling lazy there's always oven baked risotto:

http://theshoppingsherpa.blogspot.com/2006/03/diversions.html

[Louise]

Your comment about using other rices for risotto reminded me that I sometimes make a pilaf that is made a bit like a risotto but uses long-grained rice instead (we like basmati). It is not as sloppy as risotto but is still yummy. You don't need to stir it as much either (always a good thing). I'll see if I can hunt out the recipe for you.

[Steph]

I have Apples for Jam on loan from the library at the moment. It's enormous! So so many good REALISTIC recipes. Things even a fussy eater like me would eat. I definitely recommend it.

[Helen]

Yum that quiche looks good!

We had dahl, rice and popadoms last night. Tonight? (sigh) yep - it's about that time to try to dream something up again! Rolls around quickly, doesn't it?
;)

[Lies]

Yum! You are such a good cook. And I so loved your 'national day' post. The children look so gorgeous in their 'bunads' and funny rain-coats! the little flags give it all such a warm happy feeling.
X lies

[the secret knitter]

I don't know if it was mentioned before, but you can hear The Splendid Table (or subscribe to the podcast) here:

http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/

Of course, I'm assuming it's accessible outside the US, so YMMV.

[amy]

that quiche looks soooo yum!!

[amisha]

so glad you liked the 10 minute mains! i am really craving those brownies now :) and quiche is another one of my standbys... i always cheat and use refrigerated crust from the grocery store which is actually not too bad. it's so quick and yum. xox

[Emily]

Those cookbooks look lovely! My current favourite is called 'Simply in Season'. I just buy my food at the local market, then turn to the 'spring' section and voila! Lots of yummy recipes using the ingredients I just bought. I probably cook 4+ meals a week from it.