Friday Fives 5/23/14

I had this post all ready yesterday, but never got a chance to post it. So here are a few of my favorite things from this past week…

Chilaquiles- I love to try different versions of this yummy mexican brunch dish. This was made with green chilies, jalapenos, grilled chunks of chicken, tortilla chips, jack cheese, topped with sunny side up eggs, and avocado. Would have been even better with a spicy bloody mary!
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Talenti- My new favorite frozen treats! I have had a few kinds in the past and LOVED them!This past week I got the roman raspberry sorbetto. This week, I am trying the mango sorbetto and the black cherry gelato.
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I like the red ones the best.
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Hot dog night!
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Date Night- Sushi!
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Malbec- This one caught my eye, because my girls are obsessed with Elsa from Frozen. It was yummy!005

Farmer’s Markets… I went this morning and got a bunch of treats! I have thinking about radishes for a while, so when I saw some this morning, I knew I had to snatch them up! One of my favorite combos is salted butter and radishes. I love making butter and radish sandwiches
during the summer! 008

Beet and Rainbow Chard Pasta

Who doesn’t love a good farmer’s market? We have one that opens up a couple of times a week in the early summer to early fall. It is great! They have a variety of veggies, fruits, breads, honey, etc. Every Sat. morning and Tuesday evening I look forward to seeing what yummy things the farmers have grown. There is this one lady that I always go to. She even remembers me and gives me a few things for free. Last year, she would throw in a couple extra red potatoes, a bulb of garlic, or some other fresh home grown goodness. This Sat. she gave me some extra peas and a wilting head of lettuce =) It was still tasty as a fresh salad with tomatoes and homemade honey mustard dressing for a side. I always go through the market first. I see what each vendor has. Then I go back through again and buy some of my faves. I went back to my lady and bought beets, rainbow chard, and green pod peas. Can’t wait until next week!

p.s This was a mommy meal. My husband was at hockey and the girls gobbled up Sloppy Joes, peas (that they helped shell), and some cheesy pasta. 003

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Beet and Rainbow Chard Pasta

Ingredients
3 beets- bulb and greens- I had 1 white and 2 zebra striped (red and white mixed)
bunch of rainbow chard (or regular chard would be fine)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 servings of angel hair (leftover from last night’s scallop dish)
olive oil
Salt and pepper
a dash of red pepper flakes for a kick

Directions

Wash your beets and greens VERY thoroughly! The first time I made some greens from my farmer’s market I ended up tasting more dirt than expected. A little dirt won’t hurt you, but it does take away from the deliciousness of the dish. The farm to table movement should include less of the dirt from the farm. =)

Take the bulbs of beets and put lots of olive oil, salt, and pepper on them. Wrap them in aluminum foil and cook until tender at 500. It takes a good 30 minutes, maybe more.

Separate the leaves of the beets greens and red stalk. DON’T throw them away! They are delicious!!!
Separate the leaves of the rainbow chard form the stalk. Cut up the stalks of the chard.
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive in a large pot- I used my dutch oven
Add half of the green leaves. Cook them down for a few minutes. Add the rest. Add salt and pepper. Mix and cook until wilted. Take them out and add your chopped stalks. Put in a bit more oil and salt and pepper. Mix and cover. I cooked it down for about 15 minutes.

During this time, your beets should be almost done. When they are, carefully peel them and slice them in thin pieces. stack them up and slice them again.

I had some leftover pasta from last night, so I mixed it with all the greens. I added a tad bit more olive oil, lemon juice, and mixed well. Then I added my sliced beets on top! Add some parmesan cheese and a glass of Rose! Perfection! 006

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Spinach and Cheese Omelet

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Spinach and Cheese Omelet
Ingredients

A whole container of spinach- you could use frozen that you thaw, but you have to make sure you get out all that excess water
2 whole eggs- if you are watching cholesterol or fat, you could use 3 egg whites
a handful of shredded cheese- whatever you like
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Saute your spinach in some oil or bacon fat =)
Whisk your eggs and pour them in a small pan that you have sprayed with Pam or melted butter or bacon fat =)
Shake the pan around a little to make sure most all of the egg gets cooked. Then put in your spinach and cheese. Fold it up and top with cheese. Cover to melt the cheese. I added a dash of hot sauce for some spice.

Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta

Stuck in a lunchtime rut? This week I have had cheese and Triscuits almost everyday for lunch. So today I came up with this easy beauty. Bruschetta- pronounced bro͝oˈsketə/- or sometimes by Americans- bro͝oˈshetta is a toasted Italian bread drenched in olive oil and served typically with garlic or tomatoes. You can really top it with anything you like, but this garlic and tomatoes are the norm. We also make this sometimes with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. No matter how you say it or prepare it, these yummy toasts are quite satisfying for a snack, lunch, appetizer, or side dish for dinner. I served with mine with a side salad.

Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta

Turn oven on broil. Take some sliced baguettes, rub on some garlic. Drizzle on some olive oil. Top with sliced or chopped tomatoes that have been lightly dressed with some Balsamic Vinegar. Cook for just a few minutes. Keep your eye on these guys so they don’t burn. Add to a side of pasta, salad, or just enjoy as a snack!

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