I haven't done one of these in a while.
Food Entry.
So, dinner went well. I tried three new recipes, and was still remarkably stress free (that's what happens when you're up early, and finish the actual cooking part early, I guess). And my apartment looks fantastic, if I do say so myself.
The menu included
White Bean Dip with Vegetables and Pita Chips
Salsa
Chilled Watercress Soup
Grilled Steak Salad with Green Beans and Blue Cheese
Key Lime Bars (July 2006 Cooks Illustrated - it's a pay site, comment/email if you want the recipe).
Changes and additions
- Watercress Soup
I substituted half and half and only one 3/4 lb potato for the whipping cream and the 1.25 pounds of russets. The soup is tasty, though not South Beach approved. I may experiment again with cauliflower and plain yogurt, to see if I can get the consistency and keep it South Beach friendly. And I'll definitely put in more watercress next time; I wanted more of that bite.
- Steak Salad changes
Nothing too dramatic here, except I don't have a grill. So I put a crust on the steaks of crushed peppercorns and kosher salt (I have some four peppercorn blend) and pan seared them. I also added red peppers and cucumber to the salad, and used a lettuce mix instead of just arugula. Very tasty, and South Beach approved. I cooked two steaks, but we only ate one, so I have an entire steak that I can use for other meals.
- Key Lime Bars
Wow, were these fantastic - and so easy! As you'd guess from the name, they're Key Lime Pie in bar form. The crust is crushed animal crackers, the filling is 2 oz of cream cheese, a LOT of lime juice and zest, sweetened condensed milk, and one egg yolk. Sooo amazing. Great for summer, too, because they're very light. I'm going to have to get them out of my apartment, or I'll eat all that's left. They're calling my name as we speak. And they're sooo not Beach approved.
Boy, do I love to cook.
So, dinner went well. I tried three new recipes, and was still remarkably stress free (that's what happens when you're up early, and finish the actual cooking part early, I guess). And my apartment looks fantastic, if I do say so myself.
The menu included
White Bean Dip with Vegetables and Pita Chips
Salsa
Chilled Watercress Soup
Grilled Steak Salad with Green Beans and Blue Cheese
Key Lime Bars (July 2006 Cooks Illustrated - it's a pay site, comment/email if you want the recipe).
Changes and additions
- Watercress Soup
I substituted half and half and only one 3/4 lb potato for the whipping cream and the 1.25 pounds of russets. The soup is tasty, though not South Beach approved. I may experiment again with cauliflower and plain yogurt, to see if I can get the consistency and keep it South Beach friendly. And I'll definitely put in more watercress next time; I wanted more of that bite.
- Steak Salad changes
Nothing too dramatic here, except I don't have a grill. So I put a crust on the steaks of crushed peppercorns and kosher salt (I have some four peppercorn blend) and pan seared them. I also added red peppers and cucumber to the salad, and used a lettuce mix instead of just arugula. Very tasty, and South Beach approved. I cooked two steaks, but we only ate one, so I have an entire steak that I can use for other meals.
- Key Lime Bars
Wow, were these fantastic - and so easy! As you'd guess from the name, they're Key Lime Pie in bar form. The crust is crushed animal crackers, the filling is 2 oz of cream cheese, a LOT of lime juice and zest, sweetened condensed milk, and one egg yolk. Sooo amazing. Great for summer, too, because they're very light. I'm going to have to get them out of my apartment, or I'll eat all that's left. They're calling my name as we speak. And they're sooo not Beach approved.
Boy, do I love to cook.