The snow has come and gone! My house has about a foot of snow. The most that’s falling in one storm in quite some time. Working a full, regular day today. But I’m exhausted from all the clean-up and snow removal, both yesterday and this morning. At least I can take it easy at work and think about what I’ll be making this week.
Author: RJ
What I Do on Snow Days
I bake bread!
Welcome February!
This is how February is greeting Connecticut.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of snow and the anticipation of over a foot of the white stuff isn’t making me happy.
But! It is pretty!
Not looking forward to shoveling later, though. How many days till spring?
The Calm Before the Storm
Winter Views I
Yesterday was bitterly cold here in Connecticut! In fact, it was the first time since 2019 that we had a wind chill advisory!
Despite the chilly temperatures, my yard looked pretty thanks to the dusting of snow Thursday morning. More snow is possibly on the way! I have a love/hate relationship with winter and winter weather. One day, I’ll explain more about it. But for now, here’s a picture of my snow-dusted back yard.
Friday Cooking January 29, 2021
So I know earlier in the week I posted how on Friday I was planning to switch things up a bit and make something out of the Gourmet Today cookbook. However, sometimes plans change and the weather in southern New England today calls for a hearty soup. So, I’m back to making an Ina recipe. I’ll be making Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta out of Foolproof. I can’t wait to try this recipe since I am a big fan of minestrone soups in general. They’re so hearty. Especially in the winter.
Ok, I’m Obsessed With Discovery+
Have you heard of it? No! Well then…
Discovery+ is a streaming platform that has past and current television shows and specials from a variety of Discovery-owned networks. These include the Food Network, HGTV, Animal Planet, and more! It also has a preview of what will be available on Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network, which will be launching soon!
One of the reasons I love Discovery+ is its large library of content. I have really only poked around the Food Network options (are we surprised by that?), but there is so much there alone. Lately I’ve been watching the original Barefoot Contessa episodes. This was before the Back to Basics sub heading was added. These episodes are from the early 2000s (2003 and on). They also have a much different artistic style than the later Barefoot Contessa episodes.
I have also been watching old classics from my younger days. Sandra Lee’s and 30 Minute Meals starring Rachel Ray. There is also the entire back library of Pioneer Woman and the streaming even includes some episodes from the latest season of the show!
But there is so much besides Food Network content. Like Animal Planet’s The Zoo and Mega Zoo. Also you can find episodes of Dr. Pimple Popper if you’re into that sort of thing.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend getting it. You won’t be sorry!
P.S. This is NOT a sponsored post, I just really LOVE this platform!
Changing it Up a Little
Hey everyone!
This week, I am thinking of breaking out of the Ina-shell once again. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve made a recipe that wasn’t out of one of Ina Garten’s books. If you follow me on Instagram, I teased that I may be cooking something out of the Gourmet Today cookbook. I still have not decided what that will be. But, I’m busy thumbing through the pages, looking for something enticing.
I will surely let you know what recipe I am making Friday morning whether I chose to make one out of Gourmet Today or another cookbook entirely. In addition to my usual Friday-night dinner cooking plans. I will also be making a chocolate cake for a family member’s birthday. However, I will not be making an Ina Garten chocolate cake. She has quiet a few recipes for chocolate cakes. They vary in shape and size, but I just want something a little different.
The cake and frosting recipe I make for the birthday celebration will be out of The Magnolia Bakery Handbook. This is a dedicated baking book and for the price, you get A LOT of recipes and information. If you buy one baking book, I think it should be this one! The recipes are easy to follow and the results are well-worth it.
I’m so excited to share with you photos of the chocolate cake this weekend and whatever recipe or recipes I decide to make for Friday’s dinner.
In other news, I may start doing more than one post a day every now and then. I’ve always wanted this blog to evolve a bit over time. I may have some general life related posts or just little “updates” about things that I am doing that day or that week.
Until the recipes are made….
P.S. The photo at the top of this page is not something I’ve made. (But boy, do I WISH I had the recipe!) I just liked it and felt it went with the theme of this post a little bit.
“The belly rules the mind.”
— Spanish Proverb
Recipe #29 Roasted Broccoli with Panko Gremolata
This recipe can be found in Cook Like a Pro, page 164.
Last Friday I made dinner for the family. The main course consisted of Lemon Chicken Breasts. The vegetable was a beautiful and simple broccoli dish that I think will be a common recipe in my household from now on.
Roasted Broccoli with Panko Gremolata adds a bit of flair to what may otherwise be a boring broccoli dish. The toasted panko crumbs with the lemon and garlic flavor really shines and adds a much needed taste-boost to the broccoli.
Often times, Ina comments on how after she discovered roasting vegetables and the flavor it brings out, she fell in love with preparing them that way. I have to say that I agree. There have been a few recipes on this blog that have the vegetables roasted and I am always impressed with the results.
I will admit that I should have let the gremolata mixture “toast” for a few more minutes prior to serving, but the chicken was already done baking, and people were hungry. Myself included! You live and learn, right?
