By Ari, on January 25th, 2012%
Is anyone else confused by this uncharacteristically warm winter? We received a few inches of snow this past weekend, then yesterday it was 50 and sunny. On the plus side, all the snow has melted. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say warmer days were coming.
But of course I know better.
This dish is delightful. It’s light, but intensely flavored by the warm tomatoes and fresh rosemary. And ready in 20 minutes! Talk about an easy, healthy, weeknight meal.
Sautéed chicken with a light tomato pan sauce? Sign me up!
Continue reading Chicken with Tomato-Herb Pan Sauce
By Ari, on September 2nd, 2011%
The other night I was in a bad mood. A bunch of little things were bothering me, and I was set on being grumpy for the rest of the evening. Then I remembered I had a phone date with my childhood best friend. We only talk maybe once or twice a year these days, but I attribute so much of my happiness in middle and high school to our friendship.
I almost didn’t call.
Some people have the ability to make you laugh and smile even if the last time you spoke was six months ago. Some people don’t care how different you’ve become, or that you no longer have much in common. A shared history is enough.
I realize how rare people like this actually are.
This friend of mine is a hardcore vegetarian and even sometimes a vegan. Ever since I met her 15+ years ago, she’s been eating this way. That’s fine. No big deal. Doesn’t affect me. Except that it did when I was growing up. We used to enjoy cooking together, and I remember one time I let her convince me to make a teriyaki tofu stir fry.
Only it wasn’t just us. We were also cooking for my parents and brother. This… was a disaster. Maybe she didn’t think it was a disaster (hell, she may have even enjoyed it), but the taste in my mouth and the look on my father’s face after taking his first bite screamed train wreck. We probably politely finished the small portions on our plates and then ordered a pizza after she left. (The truth stings, doesn’t it?) Continue reading My Favorite Meatloaf
By Ari, on July 25th, 2011%
Is anyone else craving fall? These past few days have been absolutely brutal in NYC, and I want nothing more than for the temperature to drop 40 degrees and to break out my boots, sweaters, and hearty fall/winter recipes; to sleep at night with our bedroom window open; to buy our 9-month old puppy (they grow up so fast!) a new winter coat.
And my favorite part of fall: watching the leaves change colors.
Today isn’t too bad, though. While we were experiencing a heat index of between 100 and 112 this past weekend, today is a cool 79 degrees.
No matter. I can’t shake this itch; I really want it to be fall.
Continue reading Mint Fettuccine with Lamb Ragu
By Ari, on July 20th, 2011%
If you want to fool someone into thinking you spent a lot of time in the kitchen making a complex meal, throw some coconut milk into the mix.
I wholly attribute the success of this meal to the use of coconut milk. That, and being able to properly cook a piece of fish. Continue reading Baked Salmon with Coconut-Tomato Sauce and Creamy Jasmine Rice
