Two Dinners and a Breakfast

While in NY a few weeks ago, I visited some good friends at their home in Jersey and ended up collapsing at their awesome house for a weekend of delicious cooking and major relaxation.  Here are some highlights….

dinner on Friday…candle lit yard & fantastic sword fish grilled on wine soaked cedar planks.  amazing.

 dinner number two…fantastic yogurt sauce & lamb chops on the grill

 and finally, the best pancakes ever

 we had more than a little fun...

Cooking for Pops

Father's Day with my family wouldn't be complete without cooking.  In fact, most occasions with my family are completely centered around what's happening in the kitchen.  This year we took to the bbq and created a mini feast…While I didn't end up photographing much since I was helping (wo)man the grill, I was able to snap a few shots of some of my favorite items.

The biggest problem with photographing food around my family is that no one wants to wait for me to finish with the photos.  They are constantly trying to snatch up whatever hot food is around because we are a family of vultures.  We descend upon everything edible and basically hoover it down and continue on with bizarre and fact filled banter.  It's always an evening to remember...

stuffed jalapenos the healthy way…

we scooped the peppers and stuffed them with goat cheese and blue cheese.  

*Beware* these were legit!  Super hot and delicious!!

a scrumptious appetizer made by our friend Shanti…

paired perfectly with her homemade spicy mint chutney

grilled veggies to pair with…everything!

My first crust….sort of

I've always helped my dad make pies for Thanksgiving and so when a friend asked if I would teach her how, I said, "of course - I'm great at making pies!"  And then I remembered my first pie…While I had make plenty of free form tarts by myself and helped my dad make turkey day pies, the first time I attempted an actual pie it was nothing short of a DISASTER!  I was cooking a locavore dinner...in Chicago...in JANUARY.  I had just read Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and was madly inspired.  Needless to say there was not a lot to choose from at the organic seasonal market, but there were apples and there was butter and there was some beautiful whole wheat.  Mixed with wheat berries.  Which I had not previously encountered.  You can imagine the scenario in my apartment when I realized I was completed unprepared for this whole wheat crust the day of the dinner party.  It was pretty ridiculous - I sifted out the berries, searched insanely online for tips in the limited time I had left myself and ended up with a crumbly, dense mess of a pie that my friends kindly ate.

So, when I told my friend that I could actually make an edible pie, I figured I would go back to my roots, buy some King Arthur all purpose flour and use the time and tested all butter recipe that my dad and I have made together for years.  Only now I would be in charge of the rolling, etc.  I never realized that I mostly talk and drink wine while I watch my dad make his perfect, flaky pies.  However, besides a small snafu involving too much berry juice (I got excited and couldn't imagine leaving it out…not thinking what that would do to the oven floor), the pie was a huge success!

And want the best tip of all?  Try Peanut Butter ice cream on top of your next fresh berry pie.  You will cry with excitement and thank me.  It's like diving into the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich of your life.  The best part?  It was a complete accident - I shared some leftover pie with a another friend and it was the only ice cream she had on hand.  Hallelujah!

Here is my step by step recap of the best pie I have ever made (haha - by myself…sort of):

My friend Beth was lacking faith in my pie skills so she busted out some Martha Stewart…luckily I came prepared with the family secrets (which I learned later are from Joy of Cooking..so much for that)

 A food processor is a serious must.  Although, admittedly, I have done without - but I won't again!  Best family actual "secret" - roll the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap - that way you don't have to flour a surface or the pin.  It keeps the dough moist and delicious - plus it's so much easier!

 Beth made me dry off the berries more thoroughly than I would have (thank god!) and then I watched in love and awe as they turned to berry deliciousness with sugar and a little time.  In the last shot you can see my beautiful berry juice that I may have overzealously added...

Ahhhh - the final yummy product.  And to the right is the fabulous leftover slice with peanut butter ice cream.. I'm not kidding when I say you MUST try this!

Want the recipe?  Let me know and I'll email it to you!

Something to Salivate Over...

While designing my new site I took some new food shots that I'll be adding and wanted to give a little preview. Just in time for dinner!