tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:11:22 +0000holidayChorizoGrilled GreensGrilled RomaineItalian gravyItalian spaghetti sauceRiceRomaineShrimpThanksgivingTravelTurkeyWarm Lettuce Saladbeetsboneless turkey breastscheeseconservescranberrydairygalettegratingruyeremeatballspastrypotatoesrasberrysavory tartside dishstuffed breast of turkeyswiss chardvegetarianrandom thoughts on food, wine, travel and other passionshttp://hopecooks.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Hope)Blogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-3311881693975602167Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:43:00 +00002011-04-26T14:43:11.501-04:00 Pasta with artichokes, garlic and celery     Cucina Povera in its literal translation means "kitchen of the poor" or "simple kitchen".  For me, this means when I have not been to the market, have very few ingredients on hand, but I am hungry and would rather cook than order take out.  These dishes are simple but please don't mistake simple for lacking in http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/not-cucina-povera.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-7546033148354263859Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:31:00 +00002011-02-25T09:34:17.754-05:00cheesedairygratingruyerepotatoesside dishvegetarian Classic Potato Gratin @font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } I love the potato.  The French get so many food things right, but especially when they named the potato “pomme de terre” meaning “http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/gratin-goodness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-4668456619595055459Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:36:00 +00002011-01-22T12:49:18.888-05:00Grilled GreensGrilled RomaineRomaineWarm Lettuce Salad Grilled Romaine with lemon and Parmigiano Sometimes the most simple preparations slay me. I happen to love, love, love, Romaine lettuce with olive oil cooked outside on the grill.  Lettuce isn't typically a vegetable that one would associate with grilling, but something magic happens to the greens when they cook and become charred by flame and fire.Additionally, contrary to popular http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-leaf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-7348674962808763241Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:40:00 +00002011-01-21T20:27:44.835-05:00Italian gravyItalian spaghetti saucemeatballs Meatball pure and simple Italian food, South Philadelphia style is my kind of soul food, as I grew up in and around Philly and its Western suburbs.  When I was a kid, dinners in a "down town" Italian restaurant meant only one thing and everyone knew it;  South Philadelphia.  Waitresses with big hair who called you "hon",  who had very little patience but a big sense of http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/play-ball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-3589098858651948175Mon, 13 Dec 2010 01:09:00 +00002011-01-22T11:13:07.581-05:00galettepastrysavory tartswiss chard Swiss Chard, Shitake, Parmesan Galette News flash:  I've never been one to follow the rules.  This does not mean that I can't, it simply means that I don't like to...so imagine my delight in creating the Galette!  A free form tart is perfect for those who don't especially like to color within the lines.  There are no rules, yay! Round, square, oblong rectangular, you name http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/free-form-fabulous-tart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-6072200349151591723Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:42:00 +00002011-01-22T11:12:44.701-05:00boneless turkey breastsholidaystuffed breast of turkeyThanksgivingTurkey Rolled Stuffed Breast of Turkey I have a secret.  I don't really like turkey.  I know, it's seriously unpatriotic and I apologize, but I can not tell a lie.  Give me stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, vegetables, Parker house rolls, but hold the turkey.  That was my old tune, but...Thanksgiving this year would be different, I was determined.  I wanted to be super http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/rolled-stuffed-roasted-brined-turkey.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-3580115750134071522Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:02:00 +00002011-01-22T11:15:58.449-05:00conservescranberryholidayrasberry Cranberry Raspberry Conserves I've never been the type of person to suffer from any holiday blues but this does not mean that I don't appreciate that others do.  So of course, my answer to holiday depression is....(wait for it) food!Cranberries, ruby red on the plate with their combination of sweet, tart, bitter flavors combined with the various consistencies ranging from gelatinous (http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/cranberry-blahhhg.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-2370251518479152520Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:07:00 +00002011-01-22T11:11:39.989-05:00ChorizoRice I admit that sometimes I am not really interested in the ceremony of eating.  It's true, although I know it may come as a shock.  I love to cook and I believe that life is too short to eat food that isn't worthy.  I have been known to drive miles out of my way or suffer an extra 30 minutes of intense hunger, in search of something that tastes great.  So, when I am hungry buthttp://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/lusty-spanish-rice-saute.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-3974813720351433751Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:30:00 +00002011-01-22T11:11:16.889-05:00ShrimpTravel Shrimp Tacos (nirvana) Recently, I had the good fortune to spend a week on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, in the area known as The Riviera Maya. This magnificent beach runs from Cancun South in the direction of Tulum.  On the main drag, (the West side of highway 307 near Calle 8) I discovered La Floresta. After reading all of the stellar reviews, I was sold by the fact that this http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/mexican-shrimp-tacos-tacos-de-camaron.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-1451116199340134244Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:50:00 +00002011-01-22T11:10:35.831-05:00beets I love roasted beets...the texture and earthy sweetness of this super food is the perfect vehicle for various oils, fruits, herbs, and cheese.  Tangerine juice, zest and thyme mixed with the ruby colored oil of the roasted beets is to me, a sublime reminder of The Provençal countryside. salt roasted beets w/ tangerine, thyme and olive oil 6 Fresh, raw beets, trimmed of greens, washedhttp://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/feel-beet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052522173207341759.post-7091252003620179436Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:59:00 +00002010-11-20T09:14:07.599-05:00 Welcome to my blog! I don't speak Spanish (other than some really bad quality kitchen Spanish), but I really like the way ¡Hola! rolls off the tongue. I plan on using this space to try and share my passion for all things food, drink + travel. Stay tuned for photos, recipes and random thoughts. http://hopecooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/hola.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Hope)2