I made up two new recipes this week that were surprising hits with all the family. So they're both now added to the house repertoire.
Here are the directions if you'd like to try them -- no quantities, though, because (like Jamie Oliver) I think the secret to quick family meals is to use whatever you have to hand, or what looks about right. Pretty much all the ingredients, by the way, are from Trader Joe's:
1) Farfalle with grilled chicken and fresh vegetables
Ingredients:
farfalle
chicken pieces
olive oil
garlic
zucchini
asparagus
fresh tomatoes
fresh basil
pepper
parmesan
Directions:
Grill some chicken pieces, slice and put aside.
Cut asparagus into one inch pieces. Steam briefly, put aside.
Boil some farfalle.
Mince the garlic.
While the pasta is cooking, saute garlic in olive oil.
Add sliced zucchini, cook a bit more.
Add sliced fresh tomatoes, cook a little more.
Add fresh basil, the chicken and asparagus, and cook one minute more.
Drain pasta. Toss in a little olive oil.
Serve pasta with chicken/vegetable mix on top.
(Remove chicken from plates of child vegetarians).
Add fresh grated parmesan and pepper to taste.
Serve.
2) Soba noodle soup, Harvard St style
Ingredients:
chicken pieces
fresh corn on the cob
soba noodles
canola oil
garlic
vegetable broth
minced ginger
grated carrots
fresh miso mix
baby bok choy
scallions
red pepper flakes
nori, if so inclined
Directions:
Grill the chicken, slice and put aside.
Cut some fresh corn off the cob and put aside.
Mince a few cloves of garlic, put aside.
Boil a pot of water, cook noodles 3 mins. Drain, rinse and put aside.
In a large pot heat some oil and then briefly saute garlic.
Add the vegetable broth, a bit of ginger and carrots, cook a minute or so.
Add the corn, cook a bit more. Turn off heat.
Put a dollop of miso in the bottom of each dish.
Put crushed ginger in the adult dishes.
Lay the chicken in the dishes of non-vegetarians.
Add uncooked bok choy to all the dishes.
Add warm, cooked noodles to all the dishes.
Ladle hot vegetable broth into each dish (this will cook the bok choy).
Top with scallions, red pepper and nori for those who like it.
Serve.