Book Forty-Four: The New Basics Cookbook

by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins

 

  Jalapeño Cheese Bites & Cheddar Chutney Bites

This is one of my favorite cookbooks; one I like so much that I give it as a gift every chance I get.

As I was making these cute little cheese balls, I was thinking that I have never made anything from this book that I did not like ~ until now. They were OK, just not what I was expecting. The scent of the cheese and jalapeño reminded me of the armadillo eggs (cheese stuffed jalapeños) that we get from Back Forty that are to die for. These just did not have enough bite to them and the chutney version to me was a bit bland, though my sister's friend seemed to enjoy them.

Success meter: (1-3): 2



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Book Forty-Three: Salad

by Williams-Sonoma


            Chicken, Avocado, and Mango Salad

I was pleasantly surprised with this salad. I did have my doubts, though not sure why. Maybe because I thought the hubby would not really care for it, or that my mango was not as ripe as I would have liked; or that I was too tired to cook let alone blog. But being that I found this recipe in a book that I have yet to post on I could not pass up the opportunity.

After our crazy downpour on Tuesday, it hit the mid to high nineties today - hence no cooking indoors! I usually leave the barbequing to my better half but I was not sure what time he would be home from work so I attempted to cook the chicken myself. I must say I did a fine job! The chicken turned out perfectly cooked and moist. I think this is like the second time at the bbq helm for me; my confidence just went up a notch!

Look out hon!

Success meter (1-3): 3

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Book Forty-Two: Cooking Thin with Chef Kathleen

by Kathleen Daelemans


            Apple, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad

I am sensing a theme here... several of my recipes of late have jalapeño and lime, and I must say they are two of my favorite ingredients.

I ended up short on time, otherwise I would have used a mandoline to slice my apples and cucumbers to have them uniform in size. If I were to make this again (which I won't because the hubby did not care for it - well the mint mostly) I would cube everything. I found it awkward to eat with large pieces of apple and tomato.

The recipe instructs you to peel and core the tomato. I have never come across a recipe asking for a tomato to be cored - not sure if she meant to seed it as well, which I did, for I thought it would make a nicer presentation; however I did not peel the tomato for I did not see a need for it, not did I want the hassle of peeling it.

(Edit: This was much better the next day!)

Success meter (1-3): 3

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I soaked my apples in lemon water

until serving time. 

Book Forty-One: Barefoot Contessa at Home

by Ina Garten


         Chicken with Goat Cheese and Basil

 I'm on a roll this week ~ four posts in three days ~ and it's showing in the waistline! By Fridays I'm ready to go out to dinner - but the hubby has been power-washing the deck little by little each night after work, and his goal is to be done by the end of this weekend. Hence I'm cooking and posting this Friday.

I know I've said this before, but I just love Ina! She is so fun to watch and her recipes are always so simple. I think that is becoming a theme for me as of late ~ simple. I remember the days I would spend four to five hours in the kitchen on a weeknight preparing and cooking a meal!

Chicken and fish are always a good choice when you want to get a meal on the table in a short amount of time and this chicken dish certainly qualifies; not that I was looking for something quick tonight, but when I read that you place goat cheese (my all-time favorite) and basil under the skin before baking, I could not resist. And for good reason... this was delish!

You will want to use the herbed goat cheese for sure, for it adds a lot of flavor. My chicken turned out really moist as you can see in the picture. Though I may have to attribute that to the chicken itself that I purchased at Diablo Foods. They do have the BEST chicken. We used to throw pool parties at our old home and Andy would barbeque chicken that everyone would rave about. He would humbly say it was not his barbequing skills, but the chicken (from Diablo Foods) itself, for it always turned out moist no matter how he cooked it. And I must say that I have never baked chicken breasts that came out this moist before.

Success meter (1-3): 3

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I was hoping that the basil leaf would

 show through the skin...

Book Forty: Seafood

by Williams-Sonoma


           Cajun-Spiced Catfish on Wilted Greens

I had not planned on blogging this evening. I was just going to run to the store and pick up some fish and goods for a salad. However I wanted something other than my "go to fish" of salmon. So to the bookshelf I went and found the following recipe.

I have heard that catfish is not the greatest so I opted for red snapper, which my fish market did not have so I came home with rock cod that was recommended by the young man behind the counter. He said it is the same thing...

This was quick and easy - great for a weeknight meal. The Cajun rub was not as spicy as I would like and I never thought paprika does much for a dish other than adding color. I would make this again, only using store bought Cajun spice or tweaking this one a bit.

Success meter (1-3): 2

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Book Thirty-Nine: Eating by Color for Maximum Health

by Williams-Sonoma


                        Chicken Breasts Stuffed with
                     Goat Cheese & Arugula

Well my last post of Kale Coleslaw certainly would fit the bill for the title of this book! And that is what I thought the recipes would be like when I purchased this book; dishes of many colors. However each chapter only covers a single color... This recipe from the Green chapter.

This was an easy and fun dish to make. My chicken did not quite turn out like the picture in the book though. It may have if I pounded the chicken thinner than the 1/4 inch the recipe suggests or adding less filling. For my chicken wrapped around the filling instead of rolling up and having that spiral look. Still it was very tasty.

Success meter (1-3): My sister gives this dish along with the Kale Coleslaw a 4.5 - 5!!

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After pounding turn them over so the

smooth side is down.