Vegeclare-ian Chili & Spicy Cornbread

This is a story about chili.  But first, a story about the name.

Thank goodness for funny friends.  Or rather I should just say thank goodness for friends.  I have some pretty fantastic people in my life and one of the things I love the most about all of them, across the board, is their sense of humor.  I have some really clever and funny girlfriends.  As I was waiting for the bus near Downtown Crossing to head to my friend Clare’s apartment for dinner, I was wondering how I was going to write about the dinner we were making that evening.

Clare is pretty much my oldest friend.  She came into my life in high school, so anything before that I refer to as B.C. Before Clare. Since I’ve known her she’s been a vegetarian.  (See where this is going?) Anyway, we grew up, now have real adult jobs and made fun new adult friends.  Many of whom are extremely clever & bright, and like to nickname people.  My friend E likes to give couples names- yes, like Brangelina.  Julie just comes up with these gems, one of which, became vegeclare-ian, (spelling? not quite sure.)

I suggested to Clare we try the new vegetarian chili from this month’s Everyday Food and one of the cornbread recipes.  I volunteered to make cornbread and bring it over.  Last week was super busy (yay Junior League!) so my only option was to make the cornbread the night before. There are 24 usable hours in a day.

This is what happens when I bake at 10pm.

Everyone gets their own mini loaf

Then it was off to Clare’s to hang out & make some good food.  It was hot & humid that night, not the best night for a spicy chili, but who knew, this wacky Indian Summer thing is throwing everyone off.

The onion fumes that night were also throwing dear Clare off so she took the stylish approach… (Not having regular glasses these were a good substitute)

I wear my sunglasses at night

This is reason #538 why we’re friends.

And finally…. le chili.

Chili!

Check out the newest issue of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food for both these (and plenty more tasty) recipes!

I’ll be back soon with a another post about alternative pesto! (It’s in the freezer but I’d figure I’d make you something interesting with it first. )

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1-2-3-Pasta!

1.Basil 2.Tomatoes 3.Garlic

This is by far, I think, the tastiest quick & low-maintenance meal I’ve ever made.  (Microwave dinner doesn’t count.)

I was inspired by dinner at my friend J’s house last week.  We hung out, had a very worldy discussion about foreign politics, terrorism, and then had dinner and watched Bachelor Pad.  Everything in moderation right?  We are two intelligent, (both post-grad degrees) hard working ladies, but we all need our down time right?  Mine happens to be trashy TV as of late.  Lot of Bravo.  Lot of “reality” TV.  Something about it makes me feel better about myself… as in “well, at least I’m not crazy-pants like that nutbag!!”

Anyway, J made us dinner, a real quick pasta dish of spaghetti, fresh tomatoes, basil & garlic.  I’ve also seen Giada make a version of this super fresh & simple sauce, and always wanted to try it.  It’s nothing short of amazing considering how easy it is!

I've finally mastered measuring out the right amount of dry pasta.

I started with spaghetti… then got my “sauce” ready

Grape tomatoes and 1tablespoon olive oil, salt & pepper

 

Wait a couple of minutes before adding the garlic, you don’t want it to burn. Then continue to cook for about 7 mins until the tomatoes start to break down, then help them along with a masher or a wooden spoon. I also added a dash of red pepper flakes to jazz it up a bit.  I like jazz. And flair.

Once the pasta is ready, add about 1/4-1/3 cup of the starchy water to the tomatoes before you strain the pasta.  Add the pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss to coat.

I topped mine off with a bit of chopped fresh basil and parmesan cheese.  It was SO GOOD. It’s a great pick for the first time you invite that special someone to dinner, he (or she, whatever floats your boat) will be super impressed and have no idea that all you had to do was boil water!!

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So long summer…

Oh September.  One of my most favorite months… I used to love the first day of school. I used to especially love shopping for new school supplies- notebooks, pens, folders.  I love the weather, the crisp hint of fall in the air and the last warm days of summer.  Then there’s also apple picking, which goes without saying, apple cider and cider donuts.  And possibly it’s also the namesake of the best wedding reception song of all time: September, by Earth Wind & Fire.  If you’re feeling a bit blue or down today, go listen to that.  I dare you to try not to smile listening to that song.

Of all the things I love about September, there are a few things of course that are bittersweet.  It means farewell to trips to the beach, bbqs, and all things awesome about summer in New England.  This past weekend Susan & Nate threw a final farewell to summer BBQ at their place in the ‘burbs.  Nate fired up the smoker around 10am and by 5pm, there was a plethora of tasty delights awaiting us.  Smoked ribs, pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, crisp potato salad, I mean, they went ALL out.  These are also my friends with the fabulous chocolate lab who I sometimes dog-sit and I keep telling them if they would like live-in help I am more than happy to oblige.

For dessert, another friend made these gorgeous treats.  They put my 4th of July cake to shame.

 

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A new take on Meat & Potatoes

So. Summer is over.  It’s raining. Waaaaaaah.

It was one of those days where I really wanted to come home and tuck into a giant pile of creamy mashed potatoes and hearty steak.  But. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  After the free-for-all I had this weekend- champagne, wedding cake, Shake Shack (!!!! AWESOME) and a whole lot of beer, it was time for some vegetables.

I opted for a healthier version of my craving… a ginormous salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, a wee bit of goat cheese, olive oil & vinegar dressing and topped it off with a grilled steak (marinated in garlic & balsamic) and roasted potatoes as croutons.  Not too shabby, eh?

Poootaaaaatoooooooo

 

Le beef.

 

The green anxiously awaiting the piece de resistance

 

Et voila! Meat & Potatoes. Sort of.

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