Fall Pasta

When Carson isn't around for dinner, I typically eat what the kids eat.  Mac & cheese with a side of peas?  Sounds delicious, I'll take it.  I usually feel way too lazy for any type of real effort.  However, the other night my son requested ravioli with a side of crispy broccoli and cauliflower.  (In case you're wondering, my daughter requested chewing gum and peanut butter on a spoon.)  I realized this was something I could work with, and by adding some shaved brussel sprouts that I sautéed in browned butter, it became a very adult and very delicious meal...  

Fall Pasta

(Serves 2)

Printable Recipe

1 pkg. cheese ravioli

2 cups broccoli florets

2 cups cauliflower florets

2 T olive oil

1 cup shaved brussel sprouts

2 T unsalted butter

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450.  On a baking sheet, add broccoli and cauliflower florets.  Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for 20 minutes, shaking pan halfway to make sure everything is cooking evenly.  In the meantime, prepare ravioli as directed on package (until al dente).  While pasta is boiling, heat butter over medium heat in a medium skillet until it begins to brown.  Add brussel sprouts and sauté for about 10 minutes, until golden, seasoning with salt and pepper.  Once pasta is cooked and drained, place back in pot.  Add brussel sprouts, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and toss with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.

Read More

Turkey, Cheese & Cauliflower Meatballs

I make a lot with cauliflower, because it's a vegetable that my children will actually eat, but chopping it up is one of my least favorite things to do.  It's messy, tedious and time consuming.  But yesterday I was at Target, and I came across these Cauliflower Crumbles (did you know if you're a mom and you find yourself with a few free hours you car will actually DRIVE YOU TO TARGET all by itself??? so weird).  Yes, these crumbles are a major short cut BUT WHO CARES!?  Short cuts at dinnertime make for a happy household.  So last night, I made a version of these meatballs with cauliflower crumbles instead of the other vegetables it called for.  They were so yummy!!  They even went to the party, the party in our tummies, because sometimes we have to sing that song while we eat...

Thank you for the recipe, Audra!

Also, a Cauliflower Quesadilla and a Cauliflower Rice Bowl.

Read More

Cheeseburger Stuffed Shells

You read that right, Cheeseburger Stuffed Shells.  If classic Italian stuffed shells and good ol' American cheeseburgers made sweet love and had a baby, it would be this dish.  A perfect, family friendly, crowd pleaser.  Make it ahead, pop it in the oven, freeze the leftovers.  I apologize for not writing in full sentences but I'm so tired.  The second week of school is WAY more intense than the first.  But, my delirious state of mind aside, it was so much fun cooking with Hoda and Carson this morning on Today!  If you missed the segment, you can check it out here.  Enjoy the weekend!

(Photo credit: the lovely Director of Culinary Production at the Today Show, Bianca Borges)

Read More

Grilled Veggie Pasta on TODAY

Friendly friends!  I am back from vacation.  I am officially home, being an official, productive mom.  I am putting my kids to bed before 8pm (after lots and LOTS of nighttime reading), we are eating only the healthiest of foods, and I've stopped drinking wine!  Except for all of this is a lie.

Ok not all of it.  I AM home.  Vacation IS over.  I am ATTEMPTING to be productive.

I even cooked up a Today Original pasta dish this morning, and if you missed it you can check out the segment and view the recipe here.  Baby steps to waking up early.

But GUESS WHAT?!  I am going to post a recipe every, single, day this week.  So take THAT you lazy, indulgent, carefree, delicious summer.  Take that.  

Photos by Samantha Okazaki

Read More

Pasta with Arugula Pesto on TODAY

In case you missed my Today Show segment yesterday or need the Bow-Tie Pasta with Arugula Pesto recipe, click here for both!  And I'll be back next Thursday... trying to get Carson to eat his veggies.  It should be entertaining :)  Have a great weekend!  

Photos by Samantha Okazaki.

Read More

Blue Apron Miso Chicken

There's nothing more frustrating than the dinnertime rut... that familiar tug and pull between making the same old thing, trying something new (but what??) and calling the delivery guy.  This is the main reason I've been dying to try Blue Apron, they take the guessing game out of your nightly routine!  If you don't know about Blue Apron, it's a pretty fabulous service that sends out weekly recipes with pre-portioned, fresh ingredients in one convenient box.  The meals are simple, yet unique, so you'll most likely try something you hadn't thought of making!  You still get to do the cooking, but they make your prep very easy, and the recipes are extremely easy to follow with step-by-step photos as you go along.  Carson and I tried out the 2-person meal plan for one week, and the other night I made the Miso Roasted Chicken with Spring Peas and Jasmine Rice.

As a fan of miso, I LOVED this.  The chicken was roasted perfectly in the oven, and the spring peas brightened everything up.  I had never worked with pea shoots before, so that was fun to try, and the chopped nuts sprinkled on top gave the meal a wonderful texture.  Some comments on the site say the dish is too salty, but I didn't really think so (I should mention, however, that I LOVE salt).  I give this dish a two thumbs up, and I give Blue Apron three thumbs up!  (I have three thumbs, it's amazing the things you learn about me on this site.)    

Read More

Chipotle Bowls at home!

Who doesn't love Chipotle?!  (No, that's not a rhetorical question, I really need to know if someone in this world exists who doesn't love Chipotle.)  It's a magical place with fresh ingredients, quick service, salty chips and BEER!  There's even beer.  The kid portions rock, the guacamole is insane, and you can customize your order pretty much any way you like it.  Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we don't live very close to one, so I decided to make our own bowls at home!  

I followed this recipe using black beans instead of pinto (that I warmed on the stove with some chopped cilantro and green onions) and leftover grilled corn off-the-cob (with lime juice and zest).  Oh, and I may have gone to the restaurant to get their guacamole and chips to-go.  In case you're wondering, the Chipotle cheese is a blend of monterey jack and white cheddar.  Brilliant.  

What's your Chipotle go-to order?

*Even though I wrote their name 1700 times, this post was NOT sponsored by Chipotle, but hey, IF YOU'RE OUT THERE READING THIS, YOU MAGICAL PLACE YOU, FEEL FREE TO SEND ME COUPONS.  That was classy.   

Read More

Tuna Casserole + Fried Chicken

I had a blast this morning (as you can tell from photo above) cooking one of my favorite childhood dishes: Tuna Casserole (or Tuna Casserola as we called it as kids, don't know why).  I LOVE the traditional way my mom made it (with crushed potato chips on top, obviously) but I put a modern twist on this version.  Carson made his mom's Fried Chicken (which you can also read about here).  In case you missed it (or are interested in the recipes), you can check it out here.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mama's out here, I hope you have splendid weekends!  I wrote a little story about my mom here, if you'd like to read :)    

(Images by Samantha Okazaki, and Jumpsuit from J.Crew)

Read More

Boursin Pasta with Spring Peas

Are you familiar with Boursin Cheese?  I add it to almost every cheese plate, and it's always a hit.  It sort of tastes like flavored cream cheese, and as a devout cream cheese lover I obviously find that wonderful.  Well, the other day I was trolling around blog land, and I came across a PASTA in which the sauce is made entirely from Boursin cheese.  Not only did that sound like CRACK to me, it also sounded incredibly easy.  And it was!  Pasta, Boursin cheese, frozen (or fresh) peas and lemon zest.  And don't forget lots and lots of pepper.  I ate this until I felt really, really full, and if anyone has any suggestions on how I can implement portion control into my life, that'd be great.  

You can find the recipe here.

Read More

Siriously Simple Skillet

So, I'm a little upset that I couldn't catch a shrimp tail in my hat (Carson makes it look so easy!!), but otherwise I had a blast on the Today Show this morning cooking with Carson, Hoda, Natalie and Al.  We made a Shrimp and Noodle Stir Fry inspired by the 117 experiences my family has shared at Benihana, and if you'd like to watch the video or check out the recipe, click here.  I will be back later today with some Asian Chicken Burgers, that's right, I'm posting TWO TIMES TODAY!

Happy Friday Everyone, from my noodles and I...

Dress on sale right now at J.Crew, by the way.  BOOM.

Read More

Coconut Rice

While I sit here and watch the snow gently fall on top of all the other snow from all those other snow storms, I'm day dreaming of the sound of bongo drums, the smell of sunscreen and the taste of coconut.  "You put the lime in the co-co-nut and shake it all up."  I can't stop.  In fact, I'm going to make coconut cookies later on today, and the other night, I made this delicious sweet and savory Coconut Rice.  Go ahead and fill your house with this tropical flavor as well, because guess what?  This is the last snow storm of the season.  It's true.  Al Roker told Carson and Carson told me.

Coconut Rice

(Serves 4)

Printable Recipe

1 cup jasmine rice

2 cups coconut milk

1 T butter

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup frozen peas

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, bring rice, butter and coconut milk to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.  In the meantime, toast coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often to prevent burning.  Once rice is cooked, toss with coconut and peas.  Cover until peas have warmed, then serve!

There is no reason for this photo.    

Read More

One-Pot Spinach & Artichoke Pasta

After being on Rachael Ray and making One-Pot Chicken Alfredo, you guys were all like, whaaaaa?!?  And guess what, so was I!!  It was such a cool Internet find... innovative and ridiculously convenient.  Which is why I was thrilled when a reader sent me more of the same "one-pot" meal ideas, like this recipe for Spinach & Artichoke Pasta.  I made it last night and it was easy and WONDERFUL.  Mushrooms, herbs, garlic and onions, creamy linguine (without ANY cream) and the convenience of canned artichoke hearts and frozen spinach!  I used whole wheat pasta and chicken stock instead of vegetable (because it's what I had) aaaaaand may have added 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan at the very end.  I mean, what is pasta without cheese?!  Make this!!    

Read More

Short Rib Chili + Creamy Polenta

If I'm ever in the mood to order something rich and decadent at a restaurant, it's short ribs.  Usually accompanied by pasta, mashed potatoes or risotto.  You know, the type of meal that sticks to your bones.  I would have done really well as a king in the olden days when gluttony was a sign of success and people walked around with turkey drumsticks hanging out of their mouthes.  (That happened, right?)  This chili is definitely THAT kind of comfort food.  Pull-apart short ribs slowly cooked in a decadent sauce served on top of creamy polenta!  It was intense, but perfect for a winter weekend.  I ended up adding a 28 oz. jar of crushed tomatoes to the pot, and cut down slightly on the chilies for spice reasons.  I think my favorite part of this recipe was learning to make polenta after all of these years!  For some reason it had intimidated me in the past (anything that requires constant stirring is bananas), but it was extremely easy and I will definitely make it more often. 

Recipe here.  

These pictures are blurry, sorry about that.  I definitely had a week where having 3 kids caught up with me.  Almost every day I had a moment in which I thought, oh my god I have 3 kids!  But if I find the time today, I'm going to attempt something ridiculous.  Tune in next week to find out what!

Read More

Turkey Spinach Quinoa Meatballs

Hello!  The following post was written by a loyal reader and blogger herself, Christen.  This recipe sounds ridiculous and I will be making it ASAP.  Especially because I've been searching for ways to sneak ANYTHING GREEN into my children's diets.  This might be the answer...  

Hey there, Siriously Delicious readers!  I'm Christen.  I'm a mom, wife and general crazy person living in upstate New York.  I work full time in higher education, but in my free time (ha) I love to cook and bake.  That's why I started my blog, Christen in the Kitchen.  I'm obsessed with checking out what other people are cooking on their blogs, and that's how I found Siri's.  I've been a big fan of hers for awhile, and I also love to bake any kind of cookies and bring myself to the brink of insanity trying to make my children's birthday cakes (so we have that in common). 

I, like a lot of moms, am always trying to answer the eternal question, "What's for dinner?"  The pre-parenting days of eating cheese and drinking wine for dinner are long gone, and it can be hard putting a balanced meal together in about 20 minutes a night.  

That's where these Turkey Spinach Quinoa Meatballs come in.  I literally made a quadruple batch of these and froze them into family-sized portions for later use.  The best part is, my ridiculously picky eater of a 3-year-old will actually eat them since they're in ball form and she can dip them in ketchup!  I typically serve these with a side of French fries, but you can also do a big pile of veggies or serve them on top of a salad.

Click here for the recipe!  Also, if you like this recipe, check out my blog Christen in the Kitchen, or like my Facebook page where I post updates.   

*Thank you, Christen!  

Read More

Company Pot Roast

Now that it's officially fall, with October looming around the corner (already put up Halloween decorations, yup, can't be stopped), I have been cooking more hearty meals.  After all, it's time we start thickening up our bear fur for the long winter!  Am I right, my fellow lumberjacks?  My fellow woodsmen?  Sarah Palin?  I'll stop.  Anyway, a Pot Roast is one of my favorite cooler weather meals.  And who is the queen of PERFECT comfort food?  Ina Garten, of course.

  

I love the title of this recipe.  It sounds so proper.  So Ina.  I imagine her saying to her husband, Jeffrey, "Jeffrey darling, I'm going to whip up some Pot Roast for our company, go get some good wine" and then effortlessly throwing this together in her black button-up shirt.  Well, I recently had company (my sister Hannah) so naturally I had to make this.  It was delicious, for real, I can't count the number of times Carson said, "this is good, this is really good."

  

A few notes: instead of removing half of the sauce and blending it, I used my handheld immersion blender and lightly blended everything right in the pot, making sure to leave some of the carrots in tact.  The sauce is the best part about this meal... extremely flavorful and the perfect consistency.  I made buttery egg noodles and also roasted some vegetables on the side (butternut squash, brussel sprouts and mushrooms) and served them alongside the pot roast and on top of the noodles.          

And while this meal was prepared in a Dutch oven verses a crock pot, here are some of my favorite slow cover recipes for your weekend enjoyment...

starting top left, going clockwise...

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Stew

Slow Cooker Squash Stew

Crock Pot Ribs

Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Read More

Pasta Primavera with Roasted Veggies

Well, I've survived the first week as a mother of three, and I only called my newborn daughter by her sister's name 17 times (poor third baby, I'm turning into my father).  Of course, it's easy to survive when you've been spoiled by grandma love... both my mom and Carson's spent most of August with us.  They cooked, cleaned, ran errands, swam with kids, spoiled kids, spoiled me... and it's all coming to an end!  No!  My mom leaves Saturday (tear), which means no more lovely meals like this healthy, hearty pasta dish.  I've been eating leftovers of this recipe for days with zero guilt... roasted veggies and fresh linguine.  It's superb.  Superb like grandma love.  Don't leave!  

Happy Labor Day Weekend one and all.

Read More

Brussel Sprouts and Pesto Pasta

I have been sitting at my computer for 15 minutes trying to write this first sentence.  My brain is fried.  I know you might be sick of hearing about my pregnancy, but with a little over 2 weeks to go it's CONSUMING MY LIFE.  If you've ever been pregnant, you know the end seems like an eternity. My energy level is, well, gone.  There is no energy level.  I want to cook and eat, but I don't want to physically do it.  You do it.  Do it for me.  All of you, come over and make me something different.  I'll have small bites of everything until I get super full and pass out, and then the baby will just wake me up when she's ready to be born.  This is a good, strange plan.

Ok but for real, enough nonsense talk.  This pasta dish I made last night is perfect for those times you want a balanced meal, but you don't have the time or ENERGY to pull it off.  Store-bought pesto sauce, shaved brussel sprouts (which you can do with a knife or even buy in a bag) and your favorite pasta.  Cheese, salt and pepper, delicious.  I lightly sautéed the brussel sprouts in olive oil, seasoned them, and then threw everything together in the pasta pot.  It was delicious!  

Tonight I am going to attempt something with more steps that will require more brain power...  

Pray for me. 

Read More

Lo Mein with Mushrooms and Snow Peas

I have been craving Chinese food this entire pregnancy.  Not just the cuisine, but the act of eating it on the couch out of small, white cartons while watching sappy romantic comedies.  However, I am a mother of two (ohmygod almost three), and that's not exactly the "family dinner" setting I'm trying to create each night.  You know, one with chairs and tables and bowls and NO television.  Thankfully, I can turn to recipes like this one to satisfy at least part of my craving which is delicious Chinese food.      

I came home from my son's lacrosse camp at 6pm and dinner was ready by 6:30, that's how quickly this came together.  Certain ingredients help, like fresh linguine that cooks in minutes and pre-sliced shiitake mushrooms.  But the recipe in general is simple and delicious (although I was out of Sriracha which would have made it PERFECT).  I thought about adding chicken but left it vegetarian, and the mushrooms kept me feeling full.  Or was it the fact that I ate two full bowls of it?  Hmm...  

Read More

Rice and Noodle Pilaf

I love rice pilaf, but I've only ever made it from a box.  Well, hey now!  I was recently surprised to find this recipe for a homemade version that looked extremely simple.  Of course, I had no idea what a vermicelli noodle was, but I found it at Whole Foods (and I wouldn't be surprised if regular supermarkets carried them too).  And guess what?  It WAS extremely simple, and it made enough rice to feed a small army (or a family of 4, if you're Carson and I and you stand over the pot after dinner eating the leftovers with a giant serving spoon).  You should make this, it's the perfect side.  I used white basmati rice with a whole grain vermicelli, but you could use brown rice as well.  Add peas, add chicken, a fried egg - the possibilities are endless!  Yum.

Tomorrow: check back for an easy Chicken Piccata.  

Read More