I was the only one who liked this dish. But I wasn't down because I really liked it. I made it at my parents' house while while we were babysitting my grandmother for a weekend. My grandmother needs soft foods. And Paul isn't a big fan of quiche. I'm not really sure why Nora turned her nose up at it. But I loved it. Really enjoyed it as a matter of fact. Wanted to eat it all myself. Would make it again. Except, I'd have to eat it all by myself. Wait, what's wrong with that?
Recipe for Paprika Pie Crust
2 C all purpose flour
1 t salt
1 t paprika
½ C oil
¼ C cold water
Mix paprika, flour and salt. Blend oil and cold water with fork. Make lots of bubbles. Add liquid mixture to flour and stir. Roll dough between 2 pieces of waxed paper. Place dough in pie plate. Flute if you have the talent. Poke 5 sets of holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork.
Pre-bake the crust just about 7 minutes.
Recipe for Cauliflower-Asparagus Filling
6 asparagus stems, chopped 1/2 inch long
1 cup small cauliflower florets
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons milk
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (optional)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Layer vegetables in crust. Beat eggs, add seasonings, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix together and pour over vegetables. Top with cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until top is golden brown, about 35-40 minutes.
I have no excuse. The cauliflower was on super-duper sale. The asparagus? I just wanted it. That's the beauty of living on a budget. When I crave a food, we can buy it.
Also, my parents' anniversary is on Wednesday night. Because of my dad's work schedule, they won't have time to do anything special. So, I'll be fixing a lovely dinner for them on Wednesday night. Then Friday night, we'll be taking care of my grandmother; so dinner will be geared toward soft foods.
Um, yeah, minor problem here. Can't exactly remember the recipe for the curried cauliflower. I kinda threw it together in a hurry and on my own cause I didn't like what my cookbooks said. What I remember was my complete shock when of all the meals my dad ate with us while my mom was out of town, this was the only one he deemed "good". . .or at least the only one he commented on. And when given the choice of leftovers for lunch, he chose this one.
Recipe for Curried Cauliflower with Quinoa
1 large tomato, diced
3 tablespoons cilantro, more or less to taste
1 cup uncooked quinoa
3/4 head cauliflower
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/4 cup onion, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 salt (more at table)
Raisins to taste (and if you're Paul, that's a lot!)
Cook Quinoa according to package directions. (Better yet, cook enough for the entire week at one time and just pull some out of the fridge for this recipe.)
In a large pan with a lid, saute onions in a touch of olive oil on medium heat until they become translucent. Add the cauliflower and stir. Season with salt and curry powder, add water and cover to steam the cauliflower so it softens a bit, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep vegetables from sticking. Add quinoa to rewarm if necessary; stir. Serve topped with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and/or raisins--especially golden ones!
Take a look at yesterday's post for homemade wonton wrappers.
Recipe for Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower
1/2 Head of cauliflower (Or less. No one says you have to make an equal ratio. The taste change is something you may have to work on in your house.)
1 lb. Red potatoes
2 slices Deli-sliced Muenster
4 T. Fresh chopped chives
1 t. Herbed salt
Peel potatoes (if desired), chunk into sixths, and boil potatoes until a fork easily splits a piece in half.
Meanwhile microwave small chunks of cauliflower florets in glass, covered bowl for about 4/5 minutes or until tender.
Drain the potatoes and cauliflower and mix in large bowl on low to medium speed until both vegetables are creamed. Stir in chives and sliced cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notice I didn't say "Last Visit"? Perhaps it was my last visit for our overnight trip, but I hope I will never have a "last visit" to Moosewood Restaurant. Did I mention this place is in Ithaca New York? Do you know how far away our little house in Orlando is from upstate New York? I can dream, can't I?
Although I had planned to serve roasted cauliflower over the ravioli, the oven was in use on another baking project. And the tomatoes looked like they wanted to be eaten. And when all was said and done, my husband was just thrilled with the sauce and so was I. The creamy cheese filling of the ravioli offset the chunkier sauce and eliminated the need for a cheese topping. I was quite pleased how a little bit of ravioli goes a long way.
Cauliflower Tomato Sauce
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1/2 cup sliced onion
1 large tomato, diced
3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon each onion powder, garlic powder, salt
Sautee onion in 1 tablespoon oil on medium heat until half cooked, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower and stir. Cook another 5 minutes. Add tomato and cook until done. Halfway through the cooking process, I like to add the extra oil and seasonings. Some people like the tomato cooked longer and therefore add it earlier. The choice is yours.
Last night's project requires a lot of explaining. One of the first contact emails I ever received on Eat Like a Rabbit was from my mother-in-law recommending the Cauliflower Paprikash recipe in Moosewood Cooks at Home. It has taken me these two years to get up the nerve to make it--with a few adjustments.
We didn't get around to making oatmeal this weekend. We didn't get around to stocking the freezer with PB&Js, either. But it's on the list for next week. What I did get done was a batch of sweet potato chocolate chip muffins, four of which went to friends down the street who greet us when we walk and four of which went to new neighbors with a new baby. I love sharing the happiness and goodness of life! Another batch is on the books for this week followed by a batch of banana bread.
I should have tried this recipe much sooner, but broccoli and cauliflower were just three weeks ago on sale for a really good price in our little corner of the world. The recipe came from a book called The Vegetarian Bible, a gift from friends, Frank and Emily. Unfortunately, they gave me the book right before I started feeling sick from my pregnancy, and I wasn't interested in cooking for a long while after that. I'm glad I finally got the time, energy, and desire to pull it out.
Sometimes, our minds are willing, but nothing else is able. . .to do anything. This week started out like that. Yesterday, I didn't even make it to the grocery store. Dinner wasn't so bad, though. This is when frozen veggies come in really handy.
This photo is almost depressing. The first time I make a dish that looks almost exactly like the cookbook, and the photo turns out like this. However, I will not complain because Paul was taking care of Nora so I could get dinner on. You'll either have to find the magazine and see the real picture or wait because cauliflower is on sale again next week, and we'll have another picture taken.
Last week was a surprising challenge due to the fact that I had a slight relapse and wasn't feeling up to playing around in the kitchen as much as I had desired. Paul had pity on me more than one night by eating bagels with carrot sticks or other veggies a couple nights and taking me out to eat one night. That being said, I have a much fancier menu planned this week just to pay him back for my slacking week and to allow my creativity to be uncanned for a while.
Peacefood Cafe was recommended to us by Leigh at Marvelous Kiddo. She certainly has good taste! We loved our experience at the restaurant. It was amazing that there was always a line for a table during our entire lunch. Maybe that doesn't mean much in crowded New York City. Still, I've always maintained the belief that people being willing to wait for a table is a good thing.
Our first night eating local started off pleasantly in at a great little restaurant on Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando. Virgin Olive Market used to be on Clay, and I think the change in location surely must have increased its exposure. There was a nice, steady stream of customers during our entire dining experience. Virgin Olive makes the grade in a couple of areas. First, it is a fast, very friendly, and significantly cheaper restaurant than the two restaurants it's sandwiched in between.