Barrister Bites

Fresh Garbanzo Beans

2011-06-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

I took an extra day off of work this week to extend the Memorial Day weekend which meant that I had plenty of time to stroll through the Farmer's Market across the street from my house (I know, I know - lucky me!). I'm always on the lookout for seasonal goodies and new variations of produce. So, I was shocked to see my husband point out fresh garbanzo beans while I was elbow deep in rainer

Spicy Herb Soup with Crab

2011-06-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but my herb garden is growing like gangbusters these days. This is a great recipe to make use of a plethora of fresh herbs that you have on hand. Mix and match to your taste. I made this soup not only to put my garden bounty to work, but also to finish off the loaf of sandwich bread that I had lying around. The homemade croutons are surprisingly addictive! As with

Soba Noodles with Braised White Fish, Leeks, Mushrooms, and Clams

2011-06-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is a lovely decadent meal that comes together quickly. Scrubbing the clams can be a pain, so ask your fish monger to do it for you. Scallops make a great substitute if clams aren't in season. Be sure not to overcook the fish, the texture is best when the it's just barely cooked through. Serve with fresh bread to sop up the scrumptious broth. Soba Noodles with Braised White Fish, Leeks

Open-Faced Egg, Bacon, Asparagus Sandwich

2011-05-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

I love the idea of 30 minute meals, but I can't always stomach the cheery Rachel. The last time I was at the airport I picked up her magazine. This recipe is definitely worth the price of the magazine (at airport prices, nonetheless!). It makes an open faced sandwich perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. But my favorite part is that they reheat well the next day. Open-Faced Egg, Bacon,

Pancake Pie

2011-05-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

My husband loves breakfast foods. When we started dating his favorite place to eat was IHOP. It was never my favorite date spot, but I will admit that I'm a big fan of their stuffed french toast. When I started cooking more I would frequently have an "IHOP Night" on the calendar where I would recreate the Grand Slam for him. I loved it, because it was fast and easy, and he loved it because,

Asian Fusion Lettuce Wraps

2011-01-31T17:59:00.000-08:00

OMG. This is the most perfect lettuce wrap. I was perusing my most recent Williams-Sonoma catalog and just couldn't resist this tasty recipe. I made some adaptations to make it a bit more waist-friendly. With the Super Bowl this weekend, this is a great recipe for a crowd. It's also an easy meal to prepare while you shuffle about the house getting other things in order. You can easily serve

Steak - Asian Style - with Roasted Potatoes & Vegetables

2011-01-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

If you follow the idea of prepping weekday meals on the weekend, then this steak will be one of your favorites. The marinade comes together in less than five minutes and produces a wonderfully flavored steak that cooks in under 15 minutes. The result - a perfect Monday night meal that makes it seem like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you did. Prep the vegetables on Sunday and

Chili-Glazed Pork With Sweet Potato Hash

2011-01-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

I am always trying to add to my repertoire of pork recipes, so when I saw this one in Real Simple I knew I had to give it a try. Pork loin can be a bit pricey, so when I'm at the market I keep an eye out for sales. When I happen upon a good price on loin or tenderloin, I grab one or two and stick them in the freezer. I made a few modifications to the recipe in order to step up the flavor.

Mexican Casserole

2011-01-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful make-ahead dish that you can take to any potluck or stash away for a weekday emergency. This casserole can be assembled up to a day ahead, freezes beautifully, and is relatively inexpensive! If you are entertaining a crowd, layer your casserole in one 13 x 9 inch dish. If your gathering is smaller, divide the ingredients among two 8 x 8 inch dishes. You can then store the

Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Bell Peppers & Potatoes

2011-01-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

I love pork loin and pork tenderloin - it cooks quickly and is wonderfully healthy. This recipe is a lovely dish, and is a great way to make use of my herb garden. The flavor packed by fresh herbs just never ceases to amaze me. This is a great meal to make for guests, and the leftovers reheat wonderfully. Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Bell Peppers & Potatoes Serves 4 1 (1-pound) pork

Skillet Pizza

2011-01-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

I love to make pizza. Perhaps it's because I can't ever order a pizza for delivery or off any restaurant menu due to my dietary restrictions. But, I frequently take comfort in making my own pizza which enables me to control the ingredients and process. Tonight I tried out a new (to me) process of making a pizza in a skillet. It turned out wonderfully, despite my photo taking capabilities.

California Style Steak (with Avocado Sauce)

2011-01-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for a new steak recipe for awhile now. It's hard to top Ina's method, but it is always nice to have a few variations on hand. When I ran across Pam's enticing recipe for an avocado sauce, I knew I had to give it a try. In California everything seems to be topped with avocado, but I'd never thought of making it into a sauce (other than guacamole, of course!). Hunter loved

Chipotle Shrimp with Tomato & Avocado

2010-12-31T18:59:00.000-08:00

As the end of 2010 draws to a close, I find myself with some time (finally!) to page through all of the great new cookbooks and food magazines that I received over the holidays. Trying out new recipes always fill me with anticipation and hope. I love being able to add to my repertoire of recipes, but I always fear the reaction from my very picky hubby. I've learned over the years that he is

Acorn Squash with Sausage Barley

2010-12-30T18:05:00.000-08:00

I am always trying to find ways to increase my husband's veggie intake without sacrificing his carnivorous preferences. Although he claims to not be a squash lover, this dish was a winner. He (of course) chose to eat his as tacos, while I ate mine straight out of the squash shell with a knife and fork. We both added quite a bit of heat via hot sauce to satisfy our spicy palates. This dish

Spicy Turkey Sausage Mushroom Caps

2010-12-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for stuffed mushrooms. Maybe it's just my love of mushrooms transforming into a hankering for a meal. I know there are lots of people out there who hate mushrooms, but the whole concept of mushroom-free living is completely unthinkable to me. This is a great recipe for the cook on the go. I prepared this one on Sunday afternoon (steps 2-7) and cooked it Tuesday night. My hubby

Curried Chicken Quinoa

2010-12-07T17:53:00.000-08:00

I am forever in search of a great quinoa recipe. I always feel so great after a quinoa meal. Maybe it's psychosomatic because I know just how good this amazing protein is for me. Today's recipe is a wonderful Indian inspired quinoa dish. Eat well and feel good! Curried Chicken Quinoa Serves 4 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and cubed 1 medium red onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, roughly

Salmon Tartare with Wasabi Mayonnaise

2010-12-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Love, love, love this tartare! It's a perfectly refreshing bite and appears much more complicated than it really is. This beauty comes together in 15 minutes and can easily be prepared ahead of time. Prepare to be wowed. Salmon Tartare with Wasabi Mayonnaise Serves 6-8 as an appetizer Tartare1 lb fresh salmon fillets, skin removed 1/4 cup shallots, diced (about 2 shallots)3 tablespoons

Shrimp Quesadilla with Tomato Salad

2010-11-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

When I'm pressed for time I always resort to a quick taco or quesadilla. My husband just adores Mexican food. So, tonight I decided to devote a bit more attention to creating his favorite cuisine. If you think of quesadillas as bar food, think again. The salad accompanying this meal is simply amazing. Use the shrimp, veggies, and tomato salad atop lettuce to make a perfect meal sized salad.

Ahi Tacos with Wasabi Aoili

2010-11-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes - I know, I've been inexplicably MIA. I do apologize, but unfortunately things around here have been unexpectedly hectic so I've been relying on my handy recipes and preparation secrets to make it through each week. I have a couple of new recipes to share with you, so stay tuned. I definitely lean towards Asian foods, if given the choice. But, since I married a Mexican food lover

Homemade Lasagna

2010-08-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

Pasta is a staple in our household. It's quick to cook, cheap, and serves as a wonderful blank slate for whatever I have on hand. Sometimes I even buy the fresh pasta in the refrigerated section of my market, but I've never actually tackled the task of making my noodles from scratch - until today. I can't describe the excitement that I had when I first tasted my dough after boiling - it tasted

Grilled Tilapia with Roasted Pepper-Tomatillo Sauce

2010-08-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is such a lovely way to prepare tilapia, or any mild white fish. The result is not spicy, but rather a nice smoky flavor. The highly nutritional aspects of tomatillos may surprise you. One medium raw tomatillo contains only 11 calories, yet it packs 91 mg. of potassium, 4 mg. of vitamin C, 2.4 mg of calcium, 2.38 mg. of folic acid, and 39 IU of vitamin A. If you can't find fresh

Quinoa Shrimp Pesto

2010-08-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm still having fun with quinoa. I just love that it is packed with protein and so many vitamins and nutrients. This dish is a great way to add in veggies to your day. It'll work with just about anything you have on hand, but be sure to add at least one veg that has a bit of crunch (think bell peppers, celery, sugar snap peas...). Don't be intimidated by the length of this recipe. It comes

Cajun Shrimp & Edamame Pasta Salad

2010-08-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderfully simple Summer meal that comes together with big taste and little effort. The perfect meal for a Friday night when I just can't bring myself to slave over the stove. Cajun Shrimp & Edamame Pasta Salad Serves 4 Salad: 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 3 tablespoons cajun seasoning (such as Chef Paul's Blackened Redfish Magic) 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta

Mahi-Mahi with Chimichurri Sauce

2010-08-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I made Hunter a flank steak with a wonderful chimichurri sauce. At the time I was quite jealous and I have spent the interim contemplating how I could best enjoy a similar meal. Tonight I grilled a lovely mahi-mahi and served it with the same chimichurri sauce that I presented to Hunter with his steak. The freshly cooked spinach leaves and mashed potatoes were a delectable and

Tomato Basil Breakfast

2010-08-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

I set out to bake a frittata tonight, but my trusty cast iron pan did not cooperate. I was forced to improvise, and boy am I thrilled that I did. Topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, this loose interpretation of frittata affogata (“drowned frittata” in Italian) makes an outstanding dish for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Serve with breakfast biscuits or slices of bread to