On A Roll with New Recipes
I have been cooking up a storm and LOVING it. In the past 3 days, I've tried 3 new recipes, but actually have 4 to report on (Giada's Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli, Lime Chicken Soft Tacos, Monkey Bars, and Sauteed Tilapia with Honey-Scallion Dressing).
I simply love Giada De Laurentis. She is beautiful, has fabulous recipes, and is so fun to watch. I decided to try her Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/spinach-and-mushroom-ravioli-recipe2/index.html) but had to make a few adaptions. First off, I could not find mascarpone cheese anywhere so I had to substitute in ricotta cheese and secondly, I didn't feel like making fresh pasta sheets so I used wonton wrappers instead. If you've never used wonton wrappers before, they're GREAT. They are so easy to use and make the perfect ravioli. My only complaint is that they are really thin. Overall, this was a good recipe...heavy on the spinach flavor but I think it could be really spruced up with the addition of some fresh herbs. I'm not quite sure which ones, but it needs something.
One recipe that needs no adjustments or substitutions this week was definitely Cooking Light's Monkey Bars (http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=226736). Think of this recipe as a banana bread cake with rum raisins. If you know me really well, you know I LOVE plump, juicy raisins. I have been known to buy 3 cinnamon raisin bagels just to pull out the raisins and throw out the bread because the plump raisins are just that good to me! This recipe delivers after soaking and microwaving the raisins in rum. Brad and I managed to clean out the whole pan before the weekend ended...and just a heads up, I baked them on Sunday morning!
That Sunday night, I also made Lime Chicken Soft Tacos (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lime-Chicken-Soft-Tacos/Detail.aspx?prop31=1). I feel like I'm cheating counting this recipe because it was so simplistic, but I have never cooked chicken with lime nor have I ever made chicken tacos and I've never tried out this recipe before so I'm counting it. This recipe was super-simple and yielded really tender tasty chicken. It will definitely be a part of our recipe rotation!
Last recipe of this week came just last night and it's another one I'll be adding to our rotation...Sauteed Tilapia with a Honey-Scallion Dressing (http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1215929). Tilapia is one of those fish I always have in my freezer. It thaws quickly and is so versatile. I always bake my tilapia, but this recipe called for it to be sauteed...YUM. Keeping with the tradition of tilapia, this recipe was super quick and easy. The dressing made with soy sauce, honey, scallions, lemon juice, fresh ginger, and sesame oil had a really good, yet not too strong, taste. If you're looking for something new to do with your tilapia, I would definitely give this one a try.
This next week is St. Patrick's Day and while I'm far from being Irish, I've decided to try to make Guiness Beef Stew. I can't stand corned beef and cabbage, or the way it makes one's house smell, so this seems to be a good traditional alternative. Stay tuned...it's bound to be good!
I simply love Giada De Laurentis. She is beautiful, has fabulous recipes, and is so fun to watch. I decided to try her Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/spinach-and-mushroom-ravioli-recipe2/index.html) but had to make a few adaptions. First off, I could not find mascarpone cheese anywhere so I had to substitute in ricotta cheese and secondly, I didn't feel like making fresh pasta sheets so I used wonton wrappers instead. If you've never used wonton wrappers before, they're GREAT. They are so easy to use and make the perfect ravioli. My only complaint is that they are really thin. Overall, this was a good recipe...heavy on the spinach flavor but I think it could be really spruced up with the addition of some fresh herbs. I'm not quite sure which ones, but it needs something.
One recipe that needs no adjustments or substitutions this week was definitely Cooking Light's Monkey Bars (http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=226736). Think of this recipe as a banana bread cake with rum raisins. If you know me really well, you know I LOVE plump, juicy raisins. I have been known to buy 3 cinnamon raisin bagels just to pull out the raisins and throw out the bread because the plump raisins are just that good to me! This recipe delivers after soaking and microwaving the raisins in rum. Brad and I managed to clean out the whole pan before the weekend ended...and just a heads up, I baked them on Sunday morning!
That Sunday night, I also made Lime Chicken Soft Tacos (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lime-Chicken-Soft-Tacos/Detail.aspx?prop31=1). I feel like I'm cheating counting this recipe because it was so simplistic, but I have never cooked chicken with lime nor have I ever made chicken tacos and I've never tried out this recipe before so I'm counting it. This recipe was super-simple and yielded really tender tasty chicken. It will definitely be a part of our recipe rotation!
Last recipe of this week came just last night and it's another one I'll be adding to our rotation...Sauteed Tilapia with a Honey-Scallion Dressing (http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1215929). Tilapia is one of those fish I always have in my freezer. It thaws quickly and is so versatile. I always bake my tilapia, but this recipe called for it to be sauteed...YUM. Keeping with the tradition of tilapia, this recipe was super quick and easy. The dressing made with soy sauce, honey, scallions, lemon juice, fresh ginger, and sesame oil had a really good, yet not too strong, taste. If you're looking for something new to do with your tilapia, I would definitely give this one a try.
This next week is St. Patrick's Day and while I'm far from being Irish, I've decided to try to make Guiness Beef Stew. I can't stand corned beef and cabbage, or the way it makes one's house smell, so this seems to be a good traditional alternative. Stay tuned...it's bound to be good!
posted by Maria Pope @ 5:56 AM
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