One of hubby's clients gave him garden fresh garlic...thank you!Fireman Terry, my cooking mentor, suggested that I buy Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers' River Cafe Cookbook Easy. Why? Because you can easily make good things to eat. Rose and Ruth own the River Cafe, which apparently is a lovely Italian restaurant in London. I really, really, really want go there. Initially I heard about the ladies through the Jamie Oliver cookbooks; he worked with them in the early days. Needless to say, I'm excited to get started on the recipes.
Tonight's menu:
Spaghetti with Garlic, Chili and Parsley
~Took 15 minutes total to make and was a household hit~
~I use brown rice pasta because it's easier on our digestive systems~
Green salad with cannelini beans and heirloom tomatoes~Not from the River Cafe Cookbook but cannelini beans are Tuscan so it works~
Have you been to the River Cafe? Do you know someone who's eaten there? Fill me in. If you'd like to try some River Cafe recipes courtesy of The Guardian click here.
P.S. Garden fresh garlic is outstanding. It's easier to take the skin off, it's not quite as pungent and the taste is not lingering in my mouth. Must plant next year.
Two nights ago, I tried the Crunchy Garlic Chicken recipe and the "Philosophy of a Great Salad, Pick-And-Mix Style". First let me say that the salad recipe made me giggle. Basically, it's a page full of pictures of soft lettuce, crunchy lettuce, herbs, veggies, cheese and toppings. You are supposed to choose one item from each section. I guess the good thing is that it inspired me to make something besides Caesar or Greek salad. The Crunchy Garlic Chicken was anything but crunchy. Nonetheless, I'd make it again because it was tasty but I don't think I'd use butter. I think the butter is what prevented it from being crunchy.
Tonight, we tried the Sweet and Sour Pork recipe. Although it wasn't the most authentic tasting Chinese dish, served on Basmati rice it was full of fresh ingredients and was healthier and more interesting than most weeknight meals.
