Tag Archives: quick

Buttery Peas with Shallots

There’s nothing fancy or brilliant about this recipe, but when I saw it listed on the “quick sides” page of America’s Test Kitchen Quick Family Cookbook I immediately knew I wanted it. And I wanted to eat it alongside some baked mac and cheese.

It was the perfect combination. Something about the rich, crusty, cheesy bites of macaroni interspersed with those tasty sweet peas swimming in a buttery pool just hit the comfort food buttons of my being. It may not have been the most calorie-conscious meal of my life, but who’s counting?

Certainly not I.

With the Christmas chocolate and candy finally gone, I need something to take the place of all those excess fat calories that suddenly went missing from my diet . . . right?

Anyway, I feel like this is the type of side that probably everyone makes already, except for me. I may be late to the game with frozen peas, but better late than never.

Ingredients

(Serves 3-4)

1 lb frozen peas
2 TBS butter (unsalted)
1 large shallot, minced
2 tsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 baby

1.  Melt the butter in a 12’’ skillet over medium high heat.

2. Add the minced shallot to the pan along with the salt and sugar, and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened.

3. Add frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Taste and re-season if needed.

4. Obtain baby from the baby store.

Any baby will do.

Who . . . me?

Yes. Sorry Alice–you’re the only baby we’ve got.

5. Kiss baby on cheek.

6. Kiss that baby again.

7. Again, again I tell you!

8. In fact, continue to kiss baby until baby squawks.

9. Temporarily relent from the kissing and serve peas hot.

At this point the baby may still be processing what the heck just happened.

What was with all that kissing, people? I thought we were making peas!

Hey, don’t blame me! I was just following America’s Test Kitchen’s instructions. I don’t question the masters at work. And neither should you.

So make those peas! And kiss a baby while you’re at it

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Quick and Easy Black Bean Soup

During my post-holiday blues, I used cooking to drown out my sorrows. I didn’t plan it that way consciously, but as a new day dawned and I had to wrangle up something to occupy my mind and take it off my achy heart, cooking was a natural direction to head. After my morning coffee and Bible time, I opened up a cookbook and dreamed away. What did my taste buds want to experience that evening? Something deep and smoky? Light and bright? Comfort food or something a little more razzle-dazzle? After making a grocery list for the day and traipsing down to the Devon Market (which is so conveniently located right next to our apartment), I spread out my goodies on the kitchen counter and gazed with pleasure at the bower of cilantro, the neatly ranged cans of beans, and the glorious meaty pink of salmon fillets.

Having long kitchen projects with multiple courses involved was so therapeutic! And it was also a useful (and necessary) thing to put my hand to since we had our friend Tyler in town, my brother-in-law staying with us, and a couple dinner parties lined up. So I focused my efforts on flank steak, salsas, soups, fish, and threw together bacon omelets on a whim.

With pauses of course to care for this little thang.

Who, incidentally, put on her fussiest behavior especially for her Uncle Tyler!

Yup. She was a basket of neediness, that delightful little stinker.

Hey! I will fuss WHERE I want, WHEN I want, hear me?

And–back to food–in case you haven’t noticed my recent recipe posts, yes, I’m officially obsessed with soups. Namely the ones in the America’s Test Kitchen Quick Family Cookbook. This one graced the table accompanied by rice, honey-lime salmon and freshly made toasts. I love a good bean soup, and what sets this one apart is the rich, smoky, meaty flavor of Spanish chorizo. Mmmmmm.

It’s quick to throw together, so grab a can opener and a sharp knife, and make ye this soup!

Ingredients

(Serves 4-6)

4-15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups chicken broth
8 oz Spanish chorizo sausage, diced
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 TBS vegetable oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
1 bunch green onions, minced
½ cup minced cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Process 2 cups of black beans and 1 cup of broth in a blender until smooth.

2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the oil, sausage, onion and bell pepper and heat over medium high. Cook until vegetables are slightly browned (about 7 minutes).

3. Add the garlic and spices to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

4. Add the broth, beans and blended broth/beans to the pot, stirring together and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

5. Simmer for 15 minutes, taste, and re-season if needed.

6. Stir in the cilantro and green onions and serve hot! Garnish with hot sauce and crusty bread or croutons if desired.

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