The South
Laurel believes that knowing how to cook a tasty pot of beans is an essential cooking skill (I agree). This week she made the beans taught to her by a former coworker - saucy pinto beans. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been searching for the perfect method for years and I’m excited to have another to try! She also posted the Unicyclist’s guacamole recipe if you’re interested.
*****
The Midwest
A “Super Simple Supper” and that enigmatic Dutch baby/German pancake/yummy, puffy, sweet oven pancake topped with blackberries and served with fried eggs satisfied Andrea’s family, indeed. I’m tempted to whip up a batch for myself and hope the family doesn’t catch me!
Karen’s cooking aspirations faded this week with her hubby gone and her broken foot still healing; but, she did take the opportunity to share a divine meal from the week before with us. On the plate: steaks with sauteed onions and a splash of balsamic vinegar, topped blue cheese, served with roasted beets and potatoes. Off the plate, and out of sight, a homemade angel food cake drizzled with a blackberry sauce.
Don’t feel bad about the weather, Anne; here in the PNW it’s been dumping buckets of rain for two days and doesn’t show any signs of letting up. I bet with the description of your “bean stew”, or was that a veggie ragout with beans?, you’ll pass the bean inspiration on to another Dark Days blogger, too.
*****
The East
Kim shops the same way I do: from her freezer! On the docket this week was grilled - yes, grilled on a grill! - boneless pork chops and roasted potatoes. She’s got spunk, and probably some warm boots and a fuzzy coat.Carrots, potatoes, turnips, rutabagas and parsnips, OH MY! It’s either a root veggie lover’s delight, or Bon Apetit’s Root Vegetable and Mushroom Pie with Rosemary Biscuit Topping recipe to the rescue!
Mangochild was inspired by fellow Dark Days bloggers to create a meal including braised cabbage with apples and onions, served with homemade tri-flour bread and black bean puree.
Over on the fire escape, the everything pie took forever to make, but seems to have made a large enough dish to feed the house for quite a while. Leftovers are a good thing!
Simple meals were definitely on the agenda this week. At Sophie’s place this translated into a tasty, local ribeye steak, potatoes and red wine.
*****
The West
Maya has any pretensions I might have to eating from my stores beat with a grocery bill of less than $20 so far this month. Recalling memories of a summer in Alaska, she made a shepard’s pie that sounds so good I’m hungry again. Mmmm, perhaps we should all try it this week?
Anita and Cameron ate local on the road last week. They also happened to have that meal here with us and the girls (for the record that’s a biodegradable bag). Back home, Anita decided that my creamy potato dish was just the thing for dinner. Not only does hers look even better than mine, she managed to capture the recipe, something I’ve been meaning to do for years…
Headed out of town for a week, food options unknown, Joan still managed a local meal of hamburgers and Yukon Gold gratin. Hope you found local food in your travels, Joan!
Making use of spare milk to make mozzarella, ricotta and whey, Denise and Holly enjoyed an almost all local chicken and dried tomato pizza. Mmmm, homemade cheese…
*****
Possibly Related posts (newest to oldest):
You do know we’d all still love you even if it had been an actual plastic bag, right?
Thanks again for the fabulous dinner, and for sharing such an amazing potato recipe.
Oh, I know, I just thought it was so cool that they were giving them with Brussels sprouts at the market. First time I’d seen that, of course also first time I’d needed a bag in a while. You’re so welcome - can’t wait to do it again!