You’ve probably realized I’m not much of a sauce person by the paucity of sauced dishes on FOODalogue. But sometimes a dish just screams for a sauce. A skinless chicken breast is one. Even with a juicy stuffing, it can be dry (though somehow these turned out quite moist).
Saltimbocca (translated to ‘hop in the mouth’) is a classic Roman dish, originally made with thinly sliced veal. But it can easily be done with pork or chicken as I did. The porcini sauce I made definitely helped it to hop in my mouth, bite-after-bite.
The color of paprika is deep and gorgeous…almost carnelian, the aroma somewhat pungent yet enticing, and the taste…well, I’m still experimenting.
All my life I’ve loved what paprika does to chorizo (Spanish sausage) but considering I’m second generation Spanish American and that paprika (pimentón) originated in Spain, I use surprisingly little of the spice in my cooking — though apparently I’ve tried from time-to-time as witnessed by three opened (and aged) jars in my spice cabinet.
When I spotted this attractively labeled can of imported Spanish paprika, I just knew I had to have it — besides I was long overdue to toss those 3 jars.
The recipe is mine. I created it in my English language-thinking brain and, as usual, without much aforethought. However, as I started pulling ingredient after ingredient out, the dish took on a life of its own and it began to sing to me…songs like “O Sole Mio” and “Funiculi, Funicula”. Yes, all the ingredients are commonly found in an Italian kitchen (and FOODalogue’s). So to authenticate the decision to call a simple stuffed chicken breast “Italiano” (and for my own amusement), I decided to write the ingredient list in Italian. It was interesting to see how many words I knew (not a lot) before resorting to google translation services. [I don't know how I lived before google. Amen.] Continue Reading
I love using familiar ingredients in unfamiliar ways. All of the ingredients in this dish are familiar to the FOODalogue kitchen but they’ve never appeared together this way before. The idea came to me as I looked at the lone plantain (soon to turn ripe) in my vegetable bowl. Then I remembered the leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge. The wheels started turning, the cabinet doors were flung open and I started pulling out the rest of the ingredients. Continue Reading
This is another one of those dishes that started without a plan. A package of chicken thighs and no clue. But, after a little kitchen wizardry, the end result was worthy of a post.
Although my last post included a date sauce, I’m really not much of a sauce person. That said, I think what makes this dish especially interesting is the preparation of the sauce. Hint: Another title for this post could have been: “How to hide your vegetables in plain sight.” Continue Reading
I really love roasted turkey. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday meal and somewhere around midyear between the last Thanksgiving and the next, I start to crave a taste of the big bird. Fortunately, turkey parts are readily available in the supermarket.
Perhaps when you think of turkey, you simultaneously think of the-belly-busting meal we associate with Thanksgiving, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you don’t fill your plate with 12 side dishes!
This dinner which I prepared for myself was lovely…tasty and aromatically scented by the preparation and the finishing sauce.
Sadly, the only thing many people know about Colombia besides the fact that it’s in South America is its long history with drug-trafficking cartels. However, even with that blemish, Colombia has managed to contribute much to the arts and our popular culture today. Let me introduce you to a few notable Colombians.
Have you seen the new TV show “Modern Family”? Sofia Vergarra is from Colombia. So is TV-movie star John Leguizamo. The concept and original production of “Ugly Betty” originated in Colombia. Other famous Colombians include Nina Garcia, fashion director of “Elle” and “Marie Claire” and “Project Runway” judge. Another is Rodrigo Garciá Barca, one of the directors of “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under” among other hit shows. On the music scene, Shakira, Juanes, and Carlos Vives have consistently been on the top of charts. There have been sports figures and beauty queens too. And who doesn’t know the paintings and ‘fat’ sculptures of Fernando Botero and the work of Nobel Prize winner, Gabriel Garcíá Marquez?
But, come, let’s talk about food…
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