Book Fifty-Eight: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

by Ina Garten


                     Mustard-Roasted Fish

To say that this was another wonderful and easy recipe from Ina is an understatement. I really should reach for her books more often.

This would be great for company; as Andy said "this is restaurant quality". You will actually be able to hang with your guests rather than slaving away in the kitchen before and after the meal. Typing the recipe actually took longer than it did to prepare the dish, and clean-up was minimal.

Success meter (1-3): 3

amazon

Book Fifty-Seven: Vegetable

by Williams-Sonoma


                  Leek and Goat Cheese Tart

I was originally looking for a light and healthy recipe after eating Halloween candy all week long; and light and healthy to me usually ends up being fish or salad and I had fish two nights in a row this week and salad just did not fit the bill with the cold and rainy day we were having.

I pulled out this book and was ready to make the Escalivada and just have a big bowl of veggies with french bread. Then I saw this recipe and could not pass it up; not only for my love of leeks and Gruyere cheese, but I had all the ingredients on hand except for the leeks! I love when I can use up what I have in the fridge; this does not happen often enough for me. With the rainy day we were having, this sounded so much more comforting than a cold salad. Light and healthy will have to wait...

Oh the aroma...

Success meter (1-3): 3+

amazon

Don't waste your time on a fancy border -

 it does not hold.

make sure to trim your paper if you

think it will hit your heating element.

So much for the fancy border.

Not the best looking crust I have made -

 I also forgot to prick the bottom with a fork

after the first part of baking.

 (did it after the fact)

Book Fifty-Six: The Best of Gourmet: Featuring The Flavors of San Francisco

by Gourmet Editors


Baby Greens with Warm Goat Cheese,
Roasted Salmon, Cauliflower Purée, and
Chocolate Rum Pudding


A feast fit for a Queen; and I am the Queen of my castle...

While thumbing through this book I came upon Dinner for One: Be Your Guest, which was perfect since I was on my own for dinner this evening. Under this section they have two options to choose from. Though we just had salmon the night before, I chose the salmon dinner rather than the steak dinner.

The menu consists of Baby Greens with Warm Goat Cheese, which I have always wanted to try and glad I did. Roasted Salmon (which I forgot to top off with the snipped chives and tarragon!), Cauliflower Purée, which turned out more like baby food than mashed potatoes like the picture showed, but very flavorful, and Chocolate Rum Pudding.

I found cooking for one was a bit of a challenge. With minimal amounts to whisk, stir, simmer, etc., you need to use smaller pots, pans, and utensils. Thank goodness for all the mini tools I received in my Christmas stocking over the years and the small pots and pans that get pushed to the back of the cupboard from little or no use.

You can easily double everything and share this wonderful meal with the King of your castle.

Success meter (1-3): 3

amazon

This pan is no bigger than

the burner itself.

When you need to pour with one hand,

while whisking constantly with the other,

it helps to place a towel under your bowl

to keep it from sliding around.