donna's daily dish

the leaves are changing

10/29/2023

The leaves in our area are beginning to reach their peak color. The last few days have brought a touch of warmer weather to be followed by autumn’s chill. My husband and I are trying some seasonal cocktails that use both apple cider and bourbon. After a weekend reunion with college friends and carb loaded meals, my husband wanted some lighter meals last week. I was able to accommodate him with dinners where white beans made for filling meals, but also offered protein and fiber.

First up this week was Autumn in New England Cocktail from “America’s Test Kitchen.” For the recipe you’ll need 2-4 fresh sage leaves, 1/4-ounce maple syrup, 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce apple cider and 1/4-ounce cider vinegar. I used apple cider from Melick’s Town Farm that was included in last week’s CSA share.

rain again..ugh!

10/15/2023

It’s another Saturday and it’s raining again. I woke up this morning with a list of things to do. After having breakfast and doing my usual morning routine, I decided to replenish my pantry with my Honey Pecan Granola and since the sky was gray and it was a bit chilly, I also made a pot of Butternut Squash-Apple Soup, which was perfect for a dreary day.

If you like pumpkin and a little nosh to go with your coffee or tea, you must try Yossy Arefi’s recipe for Pumpkin Crumb Cake. You can either use an 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan for the cake. From start to finish, it takes approximately an hour to make. For the recipe you’ll need light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice blend, salt, unsalted butter, eggs, pumpkin purée, neutral oil, baking powder and baking soda. If you would like to put a glaze on the cake, you’ll need confectioners’ sugar, pumpkin spice blend, salt and milk.

Mother's Day

4/17/2023

Mother’s Day is just four short weeks away, have you started planning yet? I am the mother of two children and grandmother to 3 and I prefer to stay home and not join the throngs of people dining out. In fact, I wouldn’t mind cooking if that meant my entire family would be together at once. I’ll take it a step further and host my children and grandchildren on Saturday. If, however, you prefer to take Mom out, consider other days besides Mother’s Day. Another suggestion would be to cater the dinner and enjoy it at home thus allowing younger children a bit more freedom.

Perhaps you’re sharing the cooking duties with family. I have some wonderful recipes for appetizers. If available by Mother’s Day, Garlic Scape Salad Dressing is decidedly different and delicious on a tossed salad. Marinated Beet Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese is also tasty. If you want to hit wider range of palates, create a charcuterie board using Alexian Pâté. If you’re not sure how to build a charcuterie board, I’ve provided a link to “Better Homes and Garden’s” website for instructions.

vintage recipes for the new year

1/25/2021

It’s a new year, but I’m finding recipes in my box that I can’t believe I haven’t shared with you!

Many, many years ago I received a recipe card from The New York Times/Margrace Corp. for Chicken with Tarragon, a 60-Minute Gourmet recipe. Since it’s labeled 60-Minute Gourmet and from The New York Times, I’ll assume it’s a Pierre Franey recipe.

For the recipe you’ll need a split whole chicken (I used bone-in chicken breasts), salt, pepper, butter, shallots, fresh or dried tarragon, dry white wine and water (I used chicken stock to reinforce the chicken flavor). This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. The chicken came out moist and delicious and the accompanying sauce was light and flavorful from the infusion of the shallots and tarragon. My husband enjoyed the preparation very much.

white chicken chili option 2

1/5/2020

Many years ago I found a recipe by Marian Burros for a white chicken chili done with bite size boneless chicken breasts. The other night while channel surfing, I came upon “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” and Sara was preparing white chicken chili with ground chicken. I have never tried ground chicken, but have numerous recipes for ground turkey. Her recipe was quite easy and used pantry staples. The recipe calls for an onion, garlic, all-purpose flour, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, chicken stock, white wine, ground chicken, two cans of cannellini beans and either sour cream or yogurt. I’m now counting leftover white wine as a pantry staple for me.

another alternative

12/30/2019

Did you ever purchase apple cider for a holiday then discover there’s still some left. You may not feel like having another cup of mulled cider, so how about something different, an apple cider sour cocktail? I read about this drink in a “20 Odd Questions” column in the December 21st issue of the Wall Street Journal in which Martha Stewart says this is her favorite holiday drink. The drink contains apple cider, a piece of fresh ginger, lemon juice and bourbon.

mother's day ideas

4/15/2018

Mother’s Day is a few short weeks away. You could take mom out on her special day, but do you want to spend it with hundreds of other families in a crowded restaurant? One thought is to treat mom to a special meal at home. I know, you don’t cook, but that doesn’t mean that it’s too late to try. I think any mom would be thrilled if someone cooked for her for a change!

Back in December 2012, Southern Living Magazine had an article entitled “All I Want for Christmas is a Magical Morning.” The magazine took classic southern cake recipes and turned them into layered pancake recipes. The recipes included Hummingbird, Italian Cream, Carrot Cake, Red Velvet, German Chocolate and Caramel Cake pancakes. The only one that I have tried so far is the red velvet and my, oh my, are they decadent!

nanny nana

1/1/2018

My last post to this blog was November 22nd and then month of December flew by. I spent early December being a nanny to my granddaughter while my daughter navigated her return to the work force. It was delightful to spend one on one time with her.

During this time, meal preparation had to be done beforehand or ingredients had to be on hand to prepare a nutritious, healthy meal and prepared in under an hour. This became a challenge, so I relied on recipes that I have made [and posted] in the past and occasionally was able to find a new one that worked out. I found a stuffed pepper recipe by Lidia Bastianich. Lidia’s recipe called for ground pork, however, I used ground beef. The dish was very flavorful worked out well as a do ahead meal.

white sangria

7/25/2016

Last week when we had dinner at my girlfriend's house, she made sangria, but a white sangria, as she knows I prefer white wine.

When I got home, it got me thinking about a sangria recipe that I had in my files. I haven't made it in a long time. However, with the heatwave that we're having, I'm going to have to locate a fruity white wine. By the way, my girlfriend was able to find a red wine sangria mix at the Wine Outlet in Manasquan. Recipe after the jump.