Happy Valentine's Day to all of you wonderful food bloggers. You have provided me with culinary delights for two years and I truly do cook from all of you. So, without further ado - below is a sampling of meals created by you, cooked by me and enjoyed by those who sit at my table.
Stacey Snacks did indeed wow the family with her Wow Roasted Cod on Peas and happily -it couldn't be easier. It made it's debut on my table last Friday and I am already being nagged about when we're having it this week! Cod topped with a little panko and placed on top of some dressed-up frozen peas (yes, frozen). You have to love a recipe that begins with: "Smack your pack of frozen peas on the counter."
And Stacey Snacks one more time her Winter Chicken Salad with Blood Oranges and Almonds. I craved a salad that could be hearty enough for the winter we're having. Dressed with jeweled blood oranges and oily marcona almonds, it was a nice alternative to all of my soups and stews.
Monet's Anecdotes and Apple Cores gave me the perfect wheat-honey rolls (she made hoagies) that were intended for sandwiches but were eaten with dinner instead. Happily they are so easy to make, another batch was made for their sandwiches.
Well-deserved simple comfort food from Ciao Chow Linda soothed the weary winter soul in all of us. The sausage and beans dish was a snap to make, warming to eat and will be made again and again before spring really arrives. Everyone needs a fast dish that's packed with flavor, nourishment and hugs.
My Carolina Kitchen provided me with heat, ease and fabulous flavors with Quick Spicy Turkey Chili flavored with Smoky Chipotles. This dish warmed all of us when the temps dipped to 16 degrees below zero F. The chili banished wind chill from our home and brought the hearth to the table.
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And for those days when you want to come home to enticing aromas and a warm meal, What's Cookin' Italian Style provided me with a Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe that put my seldom used crockpot to work. And allowed me the luxury of coming home to a home-cooked meal. This cacciatore used a lot of vegetables and that has been my winter mantra.
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What to do these recipes have in common? Comfort - most decidedly. After all for most of us, this has been "the winter of our discontent." And ease. All of these dishes provided winter warmth with a minimum of fuss and mess which is necessary when you have a deadline.
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And they all allowed me continue my resolution of "mindful eating." If you don't know these bloggers, I hope I have encouraged you to seek them out!
Ask the expert-week: As of two weeks ago, I had lost 10% of my body weight. My goal is 40 pounds and one good thing about Weight Watchers is I have not focused on the 40 pounds. I celebrated the five pound weight loss, the 10 pound, the 10% and in a week or so, the first 20 should be off. I have missed work-outs, eaten cake, created pasta dishes and have never deprived myself. On "off days" I say "oh well" and move on. Keep your eye on the prize and celebrate everything - especially the little things.
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On this Happy Valentine's Day, I send you love - yes to you. And thanks. And practice gratitude for so many things including that you are in my life courtesy of the nourishing food-blogging world. Reminder: And remember, another thank-you in the form of a CSN $50 giveaway can be found here. There's still time to enter. Hearts to all of you.
Or bring color into my winter life with a Le Creuset stockpot (an Italian cook always needs an extra stockpot). All can be had for under $50. What would you like? Let me know.