Category Archives: In My Kitchen

11.23.10

A Lemony-Dill Bowl of Bliss.


After I had the Avgolemono Soup at Le Petit Greek in L.A., I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I love making soups. Something about how the flavors meld together in the pot soothes me. And I love eating soup, especially in the winter.

 
I was dying to make this soup in particular, so I mixed together a few recipes that I found online- and the results were delish. It’s low fat, and takes less than an hour to make, Word to the wise: Don’t add the rice and eggs until about 20 minutes before serving, otherwise it will get mushy.



INGREDIENTS
10 cups chicken stock
1 shredded rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups of white rice
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
2 carrots (chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
2 lemons (juice)
1 handful dill (chopped)
 

DIRECTIONS
1. Sautee onions, carrots and celery in pot until golden brown.
2. Add Chicken, oregano, salt and pepper.
3. After 2 minutes, add chicken broth.
4. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer.
5. 20 minutes before eating, add rice to pot. Cook 15 minutes, or until rice is tender.
3. Take the pot off the heat.
4. Whisk the eggs in a bowl until frothy.
5. Whisk in the lemon juice.
6. Slowly whisk in some of the liquid from the soup to temper the eggs.
7. Mix the avgolemono sauce into the soup.
8. Stir in the dill and serve.

10.04.10

A Little Taste of Heaven.

 

Over the years, this recipe has become my signature fall dish. Friends and family look forward to the fall season to get a taste of this delicious treat. Every time I serve it to someone new, they ask me for the recipe, so, I thought I’d share with all of you. Warning… there is nothing low fat about this one. But it is worth every calorie. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

    • 3 cups mashed, cooked butternut squash
    • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 1/2 cup butter, softened
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1/2 cup butter, melted
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup of chopped pecans

Directions

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter one large rectangular casserole dish.
2.) Blend together the butternut squash, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, butter, vanilla, cream and sugar.
3.) Pour first 7 ingredients into casserole dish. Mix together 1/2 stick of softened butter, chopped pecans and brown sugar. Sprinkle on top.
4.) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until browned.

09.10.10

The Pamplemousse Martini.


Here’s to the weekend. This drink is sure to knock your socks off. It’s my absolute favorite. I was introduced to this drink by my best friend Danielle’s Mom (B) who made it for Dan’s engagement party a few years ago. It takes a little bit of time and energy to make… but it’s well worth it! Nice work B!


Pamplemousse is the French word for grapefruit, which is one of the main ingredients in this vodka drink.

(From Bon Appétit, January 2007. Makes 6 drinks.)
 
INGREDIENTS
7 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 cups vodka (I use Grey Goose.)
3/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
18 fresh mint leaves, plus 6 sprigs for garnish
ice cubes
PREPARATION
1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cool. This step can be done one day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.
2. Combine pomegranate mixture, vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and mint leaves together in a large pitcher. Fill pitcher with ice cubes and stir vigorously. Strain drink into martini glasses. Garnish each glass with mint sprig and serve.

08.10.10

I’ll Take 45, Please….

The Salmons were in serious need of new flatware, and I mean serious. We were still using the same starter set that my sister gave me when I graduated college. (Thanks Sis!) While I worship this Tiffany Bamboo flatware set, I am not willing or able to fork over $3,700 for someone’s used flatware. So, I finally sprung for the next best thing (I can only swing the silver, although, I lust for the Gold.) A service set of 45, on sale here, here (gold) and here.
It arrived on Saturday… Isn’t it beautiful?
Best Yet: Get Free Shipping at Neiman Marcus with the Promo Code NMAUG.
Holy Crap- Just checked out NM website and all sale items are an additional 30%!!! I just ordered 45 more. 😉