Two Weeks of Food

No, I don't intend to make this completely a food blog, but there is some news worth relating. I neglected to post last week's success stories and there is a reason for that. Last week's dinner was a new recipe that was absolutely delicious, but S and I kept forgetting to take pic's. I was holding off posting until we remembered, but we never did.

We followed the instructions from a Good Eats episode and tried cooking fish in parchment pouches. This technique has three great advantages: 1) it is super fast, 2) it is delicious, and 3) it seems a pretty fool-proof fish method (I have a tendancy to overcook my fish- pouching prevents that outcome).

Alton has some detailed recipes, of course, but here are the basics: Jullienne some veggies as a base, put the fish on top, add some flavorful liquid, wrap in parchment, and microwave for 4 minutes. The fish steams in the liquids and its own juices, so it is very tender and moist, and cooks very rapidly. If you wish, you can add some quick-cooking carb like couscous or a ramen noodle brick.

S and I jullienned fennel, carrots, and snowpeas, placed halibut one night, snapper another on top, added a little rice wine, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, salt, and pepper, then crimped, steamed, and ate! Fast and delicious! I wish I had pics! Next time.

So what IS that picture anyway? It is Ina Garten's plum tart. We also made that last week. We had made it before, but it waranted a repeat. We like this because it is not too sweet. Nice and fruity and tart.

THIS WEEK, we are making roast chicken, vegetable tian, and garlic soup with spinach. You've seen those before, so no pics. Well, okay. These are also Ina's recipes. Just to keep you coming back, we will be making pasta a night or two. You'll have to wait to see what we come up with!