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Birthdays, Thanksgiving and Decking the Halls: Food, Food, Food!

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birthday cake 2Thanksgiving is a time when we often stop and reflect on the things we are, well, thankful for and even if you don’t post something to facebook everyday, make scrapbooks or make a big production about it we still find ourselves reflecting on the more lovely things in our lives, at least for just a moment.  It is a good exercise and one we should consider practicing more than once a year.

I am thankful for people to share life with, people to celebrate and celebrate with and for being able to make someplace for people to feel at home.  It was an awesome week.

The Process: For a full explanation visit this page

1. Sit down, relax and plan (or pick some meals from here)

2. Make a grocery list and stick to it!!!! This saves time and money

3. Do the shopping-aim for one trip

4. Bring Back Dinner and enjoy

The Meals:

Provencal Vegetable Soup: Food Network  Chef: Ina Garten

provencial vegitable soup

Time: 1 1/2 hours

Ease: Simple

Review: Soups are warm and comforting by nature, but this soup is especially comforting.  It is the kind of soup you eat while curled up in front of a fire with your favorite blanket.  Do not let the pistou scare you, it is an additional step, but makes all the difference in the flavor.  I believe in you, I promise even with this added step I still call it simple.

Tip: Saffron can be expensive and sometimes we just have to watch the budget.  Try the Hispanic section of your grocery store for a more affordable option, it still adds nice flavor and color.

Glazed Asian Chicken Thighs:  All Recipes.com

asian chicken 3

sauce

stir fry

Time: 1 1/2 hours

Ease: Simple

Review:  I try to make chicken at least once a week and learned something this week; my family prefers dark meat, hmm I think I should have know this already.  They loved this dish! It was easy to prepare and the flavors were nice with a little heat, but not so much as to scare off my heat sensitive people.  Try experimenting with your own stir fry  as side dishes.  For this one I added Ginger, thai chili paste, reduced sodium soy sauce, and a little pepper.  Just enough flavor without taking away from the fresh, crisp, vegetables.  Yum!

Sliders/ Mini Man Burgers  Food Network    Chef: Alton Brown

Ooops, we ate them too quickly!

P1080561

Time: 15 minutes

Ease: Simple!

Review:  These burgers were so good, that we all ate them so quickly that I didn’t even have a chance to take a picture! What you see above is the review: gone, good, and quick! I think you’ll like them; clearly we did!

Thanksgiving Day and Birthday Celebration #1:
thanksgiving day

  • Turkey with sweet Italian sausage, sage, parsley and breadcrumbs stuffed under the skin and apple, onion, sage and lemon in the cavity.  Brushed with olive oil.  I used Food and Wine Magazine as a guide and adapted to what I thought we would like.
  • Chantilly Potatoes with a Parmesan Crust
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Cranberry Salad:  My husband made this with orange jello, lemon jello, red wine and nuts.  It was great.
  • Rolls
  • Chocolate Truffle Cake ( we didn’t do the eggs) with Whipped Ganache and poured Ganache: Birthday Cake for the birthday boy

It was a wonderful day celebrating, enjoying family, and just hanging out.

Chili and Birthday Celebration #2chili & Spoons green

Time: 2 hours

Ease: Simple

Review: I have made this recipe for years and years and everyone loves it!  The go to chili recipe.

This recipe uses a jar of spaghetti sauce and you might think “what!! no way!” but trust me it is great.  No one would ever guess.

Tip: Adapt this recipe to suit your family.  We omit green peppers, sometimes, and always omit corn just because we aren’t fans.  I like this slow cooked to develop a lot of flavor.

And Aunt Lacie‘s Carrot Cake for the birthday girl.

Apple Sausage Stuffing Bites  For Decking the Hallsapple sausage stuffing bites

We finished the week by decorating for Christmas.  Each year we invite a bunch of people over and have apple cider, coffee, lots of food, and decorate.  We are loud, silly, and have so much fun!

This year’s feast included some of the following items, prepared by me and my friends:

tomoato cheese sandwich bites

Now, it is time to put the house back together and start fresh for another week.  Remember to take a dinner time breather, relax and relate.

Photos may be used, but please link back to this blog and credit Lisa Burbach, recipes are links to existing recipes and I have no ownership of recipes other than the ones I Have created.  Thank you.

Sandwiches, Soup, Haluski, and Baked Potatoes: Keeping it Simple

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bakedpotatobarpm
Baked Potato Bar

We make dinner (meals) for more than just keeping people fed it is about friendship, conversation, connection and relationship. As you practice these types of meals you will come to expect them and enjoy creating them.  Do you ever think “I miss you” about the people you see every day?  I do.  It is usually because I was too busy to stop and connect, but bringing back dinner into our lives gives us just a moment to learn about each other and remember each other.  I love it.

Some weeks life is busy, but if we are intentional we can create the one calm place in the craziness of life with a nice meal, albeit simple meal.  This week’s menu is nice and easy. I hope you enjoy it!

The Process: For a full explanation visit this page

1. Sit down, relax and plan (or pick some meals from here)

2. Make a grocery list and stick to it!!!! This saves time and money

3. Do the shopping-aim for one trip (unless you are one of my European friends with your tiny little refrigerators – adapt as needed)

4. Bring Back Dinner and enjoy.  I say Dinner, but any meal will be fine.  Just try to find a time to relax and enjoy each others company over a meal.

The Meals:

Baked Potato and Salad Barbaked potato

Time: 30-1 hour I prefer oven baked potatoes rolled in olive oil and kosher salt with pepper, but sometimes we just don’t have the time and though a master chef would probably cringe, just toss them in the microwave if you are short on time.

Ease: simple

Review: This is a fun thing to do with a group of people.  This week I had nine ladies over for “ladies night out” and I baked potatoes, one girlfriend brought lettuce and everyone else brought toppings.  We had a great (loud) laughter (loud) filled (loud) night.  So, fun. Oh, and we were loud!  Ten ladies laughing and talking and eating-it was great.  We learned about each other and relaxed together.  Hmmm, I think we’re getting it.

Topping Ideas:

Cheese, broccoli, raisins, Craisins, sunflower seeds, mandarin orange slices, salsa, sour cream, butter, croutons, dressings…. The list goes on.  You can go wild with this.

pmleftover potato slicesWhat to do with the leftover baked potatoes? Try slicing them cold and pan frying them until golden brown.  They can be eaten plain or you can top them with cheese, bacon, and sourcream for a baked potato hors d’oevre.

Make soup

Twice baked potatoes: Scoop out the insides and mash with milk or cream and butter, then there are endless options.  Add salsa and cheese with green onions or jalapenos and top with cheese. Horseradish and chives and try topping with Swiss.  Don’t be afraid to experiment, you might start to hope you have always have leftover baked potatoes.

Tupelo Honey’s Chicken and Havarti Sandwich: Adapted from Tupelo Honey Cookbook  (Tupelo Honey  Asheville, NC)tupelo honey chicken sandwiches

Ingredients:

1-2 Boneless Chicken breasts

1 cup Marinade: 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice, 2/3 cup olive oil, 2/3 cup soy sauce, 4 cloves garlic finely chopped, 2 Tbsp finely minced fresh ginger.

Sliced Havarti cheese

Butter

Cranberry Mayo: equal parts mayo and whole cranberry sauce

Romaine Lettuce

Sourdough Bread

I found that thinly slicing the chicken lengthwise into layers made for an easier sandwich.  Start at one tip of the breast and gently slice to the other end in a thin layer.  You should get several slices out of each breast (I used 2 for 4 people).  Once sliced place in the marinade and refrigerate overnight. Cook chicken in a skillet or griddle until done, about 2-3 minutes per side.  Place cheese on top of chicken at the end to let it melt.  Lightly butter bread (they recommended sourdough, but we found it fell apart easily and may try caibatta next time) and grill each face.  Remove from grill and assemble sandwiches by sliding chicken and cheese onto bread and top with lettuce and cranberry mayo.

Time: 30 minutes plus overnight marinade, 45 if roasting potatoes

Ease: Simple

Review:  First off, if you ever get to eat in Asheville, NC you will be in for a treat.  Everywhere I have ever eaten was superb.  This Recipe was from a small restaurant called Tupelo Honey, it had a fun atmosphere and great food.  Second, don’t feel like sandwiches can’t be dinner.  This sandwich was a nice warm and hearty sandwich and felt like a full meal.  I served it with Roasted potatoes.

roasted potatoesRoasted Potatoes: Start with olive oil and salt and pepper and then go wherever you imagination takes you.  I have added things like bbq sauce, dijon mustard, onions, steak seasoning, ranch, garlic, rosemary etc.  This dish can be different every time you serve it.  Start the potatoes at the beginning of the meal preparation so that they can cook while you prepare the rest of the meal.  Generally Roast at 425 degrees until golden brown, turning once.  30-45 minutes.

Haluski : Allrecipes.com or Guy Fieri (Originally from the Frugal Gourmet) pmhaluski

Time: 30 minutes- 1 hour depending on the recipe you use.

Ease: Simple; 3 main ingredients and full flavor

Review: I first tried this recipe from the cookbook “The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors” and largely still use this as my guide.  The Allrecipe.com ingredient list is the same, but the cooking method different.  I saute (or caramelize depending on time) the onion then add the cabbage and cook it until tender, but still full of color.  While this is cooking boil the pasta and toss together at the end.  I don’t know how to explain why this is so yummy, but it is.  Simple and good.  My family likes the addition of kielbasa, but to keep it vegetarian you can skip it.  My son requested this for this week.  Good choice.  FYI: They don’t even like cabbage and love this.

Tortilla Soup: Chef Wolfgang Puck
tortilla soup

Time: 30-45 minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: This was a nice comfy soup. This was also a special request for the week-from my husband.  I confess I used frozen corn instead of corn on the cob and skipped the part where you add the cobs to the broth. It was still very good.

Cheese Board and Veggie Traycheese & Veg 2

My husband looooves cheese, I mean loves it!  So if I suggest we have a variety of cheeses and meats with crackers he is more than happy.  I also like to add in a veggie try.  Try adding things like salami, pepperoni, or even just rolls of lunch meat.  One quick addition is cream cheese topped with spicy pepper jelly; sounds so-so, but is really good.  If it makes you feel better cheese boards or on the menu of high end restaurants, so throw in a nice glass of wine, light a fire and relax.

Time: 5-10 minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: Let’s face it, there are days when you say “I don’t want to cook”!  That’s OK, it doesn’t mean you still can’t have a nice time together and I know I stress the importance of the table, but I mean the table to sometimes be any place you gather together over a meal.  This night we chose the living room.

cheese & Veg fire

Photos may be used, but please link back to this blog and credit Lisa Burbach, recipes are links to existing recipes and I have no ownership of recipes other than the ones I Have created.  Thank you.

Beans and Rice, Spoonbread, and Brunswick Stew – Southern Comfort Food

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beans soakingOne of the things I love about being a southern girl is the food.  Foods that make you feel warm and content, foods you can linger over and foods you can share.  I’m sure this is true of every region, but a girl has to stay true to her roots. Besides, if it weren’t “all that” Country music would loose half their songs, you know precious odes to fried chicken, collard greens (well, I loose points here, ewww) and that precious amber colored liquid gold in a glass- sweet tea!  I think Country music is onto something here.

Even if you don’t like sweet tea (I really can’t understand this,but…) I think you’ll like this week’s menu filled with what we call “stick to your rib” food.  As the weather gets colder and the days shorter there is something oh so comforting in a nice bowl of stew or beans.  Enjoy!

The Process: For a full explanation visit this page

1. Sit down, relax and plan (or pick some meals from here)

2. Make a grocery list and stick to it!!!! This saves time and money

3. Do the shopping-aim for one trip

4. Bring Back Dinner and enjoy

The Meals:

red beans and riceRed Beans and Rice Louisana Style:  Nola.com  Chef: Judy Walker adapted from Pableaux Johnson’s Monday Night Red Beans.

Time: 1 1/2-2 hours plus soaking time.  If you are short on time try using low sodium rinsed canned beans and cook 30 minutes for flavors to blend.

Ease: Moderate – not rated simple because of the steps involved, but is definitely doable.

Review:  I have had red beans and rice my whole life and like it any way I can get it.  I enjoyed this version of this, but the greatest praise came from my husband, who lived in New Orleans for a while.  He said it was the best beans and rice he thought he’d ever had and that it was Louisiana worthy.  My husband tells me that there are no bad restaurants in New Orleans, just some not as great as others.

Tips & Adaptations: The andouille sausage is pretty hot, if you have heat sensitive people at your table try serving on the side, but still cook your onions in the grease from the sausage.  I have fans of parsley and green onions and dislikers as well; if you do, just serve those on the side too.  I didn’t have Tony Cachere’s Creole Seasoning and used Emeril’s.

spoon breadSpoon Bread

This is not a main dish menu item, but needs to go with the beans.  I especially like the leftovers for breakfast, hot and dripping with butter. Butter is a must for this dish, Paula Deen herself would approve.

sloppy joeSloppy Joe’s:  The Food Network   Chef: Ellie Krieger                                                (from the Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a healthy life)

Time: 30 minutes

Ease: Simple

Review:   I can’t rave enough about this dish or this cookbook.  Though the recipes above may not show it, I enjoy trying to make meals more healthy, but full of flavor and  Ellie Krieger excels at this! I have never been a fan of the packets or cans for sloppy Joe and therefore thought I didn’t like sloppy Joe, but this changed my mind.  It is quick, simple, and tastes great.  It will become a go-to meal for you. We do not put the beans in it, but that is a personal preference.

brunswick stewBrunswick Stew: Lynchburg Eats

Time: 2 1/2 hours or 6-8 in crockpot.  I suggest making this on the weekend and re-heating for a quick meal during the week.

Ease: Simple, don’t let this one fool you.  It looks to easy and too plain, but is packed with flavor.

Review: When I was growing up it was common to find Brunswick stew at festivals in town and always cooked all day long in a big giant cast iron cauldron.  MMMMM, so good.  There seemed to be an unspoken agreement between the stew and the weather and it always drizzled and was just shy of cold.  Perfect!  This recipe is pretty darn close to those traditional stews.  This is a great rainy day, sleepy Sunday night dinner.

Tips: Take the time to get those family recipes written down before it is too late!  This is a prime example of not doing so.  My grandmother made this in huge batches each year and put it in small containers in the deep freeze where we could then enjoy it all winter long.  However…no one ever got the recipe.  She once told me her secret was V-8 juice, so I added part broth and part V-8 juice and felt the results were nice.  In regards to the meat, Brunswick stew was originally made with squirrel, but I’m not going out to snag or bag any squirrels any time soon,like ever, nor do I expect you to.  Use any meat you have or desire.  I used a pork tenderloin that I had in the freezer, it had been roasted first, then I cut into the desired bite size.  We were very pleased with the pork.  Be creative and use any meat you’d like even squirrel, if that’s your thing.

fiesta tortillas

Sweet BBQ Chicken Tortillas : Adapted from Great American Cookbook – 1994

Time: 30-45 minutes  I will often cook the chicken in the microwave and use Pampered Chefs stoneware covered baker. The chicken is ready for the recipe in 6-10 minutes.  Microwaving it cuts the time closer to 20 minutes.  The stoneware keeps it from being too dry.

Ease: Simple

Review: I first discovered this recipe in 1994 and have made a few adjustments over the years.  This adaptation is my family’s favorite.  This is a great recipe to make when you are in a hurry or just need to throw something together, maybe unexpected company.

sweet potato & RavioliRavioli with Sage Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Shallots

Time: 1 hour (prep & cooking combined)

Ease: Simple

Review: I searched the internet for a dish like this and couldn’t find what I was looking for so, this is what I ended up with.  If you can’t find it, make it. I was pleased with the results, the blend of the flavor of the shallots with the sweet potatoes was pleasant.  There were no leftovers.   I encourage you to experiment, you may surprise yourself.

snaps new potsFinally, To make sure you have had the full southern experience I have added snaps and new potatoes.  Snaps is what we call southern style green beans and let me be perfectly clear here,  Snaps are not meant to squeak against your teeth, they should be mushy and overcooked and have fatback, bacon or Streak o’ lean in it.   Now green beans may be steamed, roasted, grilled or squeaky, just don’t call ’em snaps.

I recently asked the butcher for fatback and he just looked at me and said “what??”, oh, Lordy mercy what has the south come to.  If this happens to you pick an extra fatty piece of bacon, it’ll work just fine. Below are a few recipes to choose from.

Green Beans with New Potatoes: Paula Deen

Southern Style Green Beans: Emeril Lagasse

White Trash Cooking Green Beans & New Potatoes: Insightful Nana

Southern Style Green Beans: Deep South Dish

Ya’ll come back now (naaooah), ya hear (heaa).

Photos may be used, but please link back to this blog and credit Lisa Burbach, recipes are links to existing recipes and I have no ownership of recipes other than the ones I Have created.  Thank you.

I Love it When you get Fresh!

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Dinner doesn’t have to be a chore and you don’t have to pull out the boxed mixes and packets to pull it off in time.  I promise, after a while you will embrace fresh, fresh, fresh!  It really doesn’t take much more time, if any, to use fresh ingredients.  The real issue is in our heads-it’s mental.  It seems like it is too hard, too time consuming, too involved etc., but the truth is that with a little practice you will be making fresh meals in minutes for your family and friends and they will love you for it.   Don’t feel like it has to be all or nothing here either; baby steps and start where you are.

Keep it fresh and alive at the table too.  Talk to each other, engage with your family and guests and get to really know each other.  Build trust at the table and remember to make it a safe place.  Here are some ice breakers: Get to Know you Cards, Dinner Conversation Starters, Highs and Lows: ask each other what the best part of the day was and what the worse part was and then talk about it.  Some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now, I admit a part of me does, but try it.  Be creative.  Dinner is not about getting food in their bellies, it is about savoring the moments both with your food and your relationships.  Enjoy!

TIP: Try setting up a Mise en Place to help you with time.  Don’t worry about dirtying more dishes; it cleans up quickly.

  • The Meals:

black bean quesadillasBlack Bean Quesadilla: Eating Well Magazine

Time: 15 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: This is a quick and easy meal.  I pull this out when I’m rushed for time and I’m still able to give my family a fresh meal.  It is a family favorite.

Tip: Use low sodium canned beans and rinse well and use pepper jack cheese for flavor.

baked RavioliBaked Ravioli: Marthastewart.com

Time: 35-1 Hour; This dish could be a quickie if you use prepared spaghetti sauce instead of making the sauce.  There are many spaghetti sauces on the market that still keep this as a “fresh” dish.  Try organic, low sodium and look for the shortest ingredient list.

Ease: Simple

Review:  I found this recipe to be a nice and easy meal, but did not find the sauce to be especially flavorful and added hot pepper flakes, red wine, and a few more Italian spices to make it a little more full in flavor.  Next time I will probably use prepared spaghetti sauce, which will also cut the time in half.  Play around with this one and see what you get.

lentil soupLentil Soup: The Foodnetwork.com  Chef: Alton Brown

Time: 50 Minutes

Ease: Simple

Review: A nice hearty soup! Adjust the puree to your personal tastes, we like it in the middle.  This recipe calls from ground grains of paradise.  They can be found in places like Savory Spice or specialty markets.  It is a peppery spice with sort of woodsy flavor.  Very nice.  If you can’t find it just use pepper.

meatonioncomboMeatloaf with Cheddar, Bacon, and Tomato Relish: Wichcraft cookbook    Chef: Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar(I’m still researching copyright usage of recipes from cookbooks.  Until I’m sure I’ll try to find a link for you, I linked to a blog called crepesofwrath.net.  A fun blog.)

Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours; The time difference depends upon whether you use leftover meatloaf or make it for this purpose.

Ease: Moderate

Review: Wow and yum!! If you don’t like meatloaf this may win you over.  It didn’t win over one of my eaters who didn’t care for the texture, but as for everyone else, people who still had room ate two!  You can try the meatloaf recipe (which is geat) or make your favorite recipe. 

I cut the bacon amounts in half and crumbled the bacon, just to try to make some attempt at cutting the fat. It still gave it a great flavor.  Don’t be scared by the tomato relish, it is simple to make and can be made while the meatloaf is cooking or even a few days ahead of time, but it truly makes the sandwich. This is a great recipe and now a family favorite. Try it, you can do it! Once you make the tomato relish you’ll be excited to try more.

Meal Five:   We had a pretty busy week this week and didn’t get to five meals, but I suggest that for a fifth meal make meatloaf earlier in the week, try making two at one time and serving one as a meal in itself and the other one for your sandwiches.  A great and easy side dish is roasted vegetables! I like to use chunks of squash, zucchini, onion, mushrooms, and bell peppers.  Toss in olive oil and salt and pepper and bake at 425 degrees for about a half an hour or until just tender, but not too soft.

Enjoy! Be creative, have fun, and set the table!

Photos may be used, but please link back to this blog and credit Lisa Burbach, recipes are links to existing recipes and I have no ownership of recipes other than the ones of Have created.  Thank you.

Welcome to Bringingbackdinner.com

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I’m so glad you stopped by.  This blog is in response to requests from friends to send them menus and recipes.  I thought that doing it blog style may be fun and interactive for us all as well as accessible.  This first entry is an introduction.  Please feel free to respond to menu’s, recipes etc.  we will learn from each other.

I would not say that I am a great chef or especially graceful in the kitchen. I do not, off the top of my head, know how to make the perfect hollandaise sauce, make the best ceviche, whip up exotic aioli’s, well you get the picture.  What I can do reasonably well, is read a recipe and be able to judge whether 1. I will like it and 2. my family will like it.  So, I use recipes.  That said, I do often wander from a recipe and sometimes just “throw something together”.

I love cooking not so much for the cooking itself, but because it will make anyone who sits at my table fill warmed and welcomed.  I want the dinner table to be home, fellowship, laughter, enjoyment.  I want to build memories of happiness, peace, and joy but also make the table a safe place for deep conversations, heartfelt pleas and confessions.  Things confessed at the table stay at the table.  It is the heart of the home.  If you can barely hear it’s heartbeat anymore, I encourage you to make an effort to gather at the table.  You may have to start slow-once a month is better than not at all.

Set the table.  Whaaaatt, I don’t even know what fork to use! shhh, it will be ok.  I will help.  For starters, if you do not know what things are called or look like here is a great link to Martha Stewart’s page with wonderful pictures, Home Made Simple also has a helpful page.  Second, If you have it use it!  Somewhere deep in a closet is a crystal bowl or great Aunt somebody’s china-use it, use it, use it.

I once had an older woman tell me there is no more important person at my dinner table than my husband and my family.  She told me to use my fine china even if I am only serving sloppy Joes.  What great advice.  I don’t use it every day, but I do use some items every week.  My opinion is that to keep it stored in some attic, closet, or basement is the same thing as not having it.  What if something gets broken?  Then it does.  But, a dish that was lovingly used and eventually broken has more memory and joy that a dish that was stored away and never seen.  Use it.  Got that?  If you don’t have china, crystal etc.  that is OK too, you can still dress up your table from time to time.  Put sticks in a vase for fall or winter,  Dandelions if you need to for summer, something to make it special.

I realize that if your family or friends come in one day and find the table set (paper works) and a small vase (or dixie cup) filled with flowers or sticks, maybe candles, and they smell wonderful things from the kitchen that they may be shocked and perplexed.  That’s ok, think of it as that night’s dinner conversation; “Why (insert name) thinks she/he is Martha (Mack?) Stewart all of a sudden”  Then tell them you just want to bring back dinner.