For this Friday I am getting
Salmon Burgers with Tarragon Aioli and Mache Salad - Maybe I will try and cook this on the grill, but that could be a disaster.
Beer-Braised Chicken with Green Rice - Chicken and rice hopefully it can't go wrong.
Korean Beef Tacos with Bell Peppers, Gochujang, and Kimchi - I love tacos and I love Asian food so I am really looking forward to this even if I don't love Kimchi.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Lemon Halloumi with Couscous
The minute I opened up the ingredient bag I knew I was going to love this recipe. The smell of cardamom made my mouth water. Unfortunately I think I overtoasted it and made the recipe slightly less then great.
What I liked - The sweetness of the couscous, the saltiness of the cheese and the tang of the lemon all made this a really good dish. The cheese was really salty almost too much to enjoy eating it by itself, but taking a bite of the cheese with the couscous was delicious.
What I didn't like - As I said I think I overtoasted the spices. Probably should have just added them to the pan along with the couscous and the dried fruit.
Overall this was a really good dish 4.5 stars.
What I liked - The sweetness of the couscous, the saltiness of the cheese and the tang of the lemon all made this a really good dish. The cheese was really salty almost too much to enjoy eating it by itself, but taking a bite of the cheese with the couscous was delicious.
What I didn't like - As I said I think I overtoasted the spices. Probably should have just added them to the pan along with the couscous and the dried fruit.
Overall this was a really good dish 4.5 stars.
Spicy Tofu with Mushrooms
Sorry no photo of this one, my toddler was throwing a fit and barely had time to eat much less take a picture. I thought this recipe was really good. I realize I love pan fried tofu (although its better in cubes as there is more crispy edges). I made jasmine rice with this as I felt it needed it and was glad I did as filled out the meal.
What I liked - Crispy fried tofu as I said before. The sesame scallion sauce was yummy, I put it all over everything. I had never had enoki mushrooms before but I thought they were good.
What I didn't like - Not sure there was anything I didn't like, it was yummy.
My modifications - Added jasmine rice and only used about half the crushed red pepper, but felt that I probably could have used more as it wasn't spicy at all.
Overall 4.5 stars (as made with rice).
What I liked - Crispy fried tofu as I said before. The sesame scallion sauce was yummy, I put it all over everything. I had never had enoki mushrooms before but I thought they were good.
What I didn't like - Not sure there was anything I didn't like, it was yummy.
My modifications - Added jasmine rice and only used about half the crushed red pepper, but felt that I probably could have used more as it wasn't spicy at all.
Overall 4.5 stars (as made with rice).
Ricotta Pea Ravioli
I am most didn't make this as it had been a week since I received the ingredients before I got a chance, fortunately there was no meat involved so I wasn't that worried. This was an ok mean really nothing that exciting to it.
What I liked - The lemon in the sauce and the filling gave everything a nice flavor. I liked the dressing for the salad, it had a nice sweetness to it. The dumping wrappers made for a really tender "pasta". THe brown butter sauce was ok, but I think a lot got absorbed by the ravioli.
What I didn't like - Radishes, so I didn't put them in, unfortunately this made the salad a little boring. The dumpling wrappers were tender but also a little flimsy at least 2 broke in the cooking/draining process. The filling was ok but nothing all that interesting.
My modifications - No radishes, that's about it.
Overall maybe 3 stars. Fine but not memorable.
What I liked - The lemon in the sauce and the filling gave everything a nice flavor. I liked the dressing for the salad, it had a nice sweetness to it. The dumping wrappers made for a really tender "pasta". THe brown butter sauce was ok, but I think a lot got absorbed by the ravioli.
What I didn't like - Radishes, so I didn't put them in, unfortunately this made the salad a little boring. The dumpling wrappers were tender but also a little flimsy at least 2 broke in the cooking/draining process. The filling was ok but nothing all that interesting.
My modifications - No radishes, that's about it.
Overall maybe 3 stars. Fine but not memorable.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Chicken Tostadas
They were ok, but there was a lot that could be improved upon. I think I was most disappointed by the fact that the tortillas were wrapped around the other ingredients so that they were cracked and not flat (which made they fry unevenly).
What I liked - The avocado sauce, it had a nice avocado flavor (I love avocado) with a nice tang from the yogurt and lime. I liked the crunch of the tortillas but was upset they weren't evenly fried. THe roasted tomato salsa was also very nice and gave some good flavor (might have been good to roast the jalapeno in there as well.
What I didn't like - The chicken didn't have much flavor, might be partially my fault as didn't put in all the cumin because I don't like cumin all that much (its ok just didn't want it to be overwhelming). I think there should have been some more spices in the chicken (like maybe chili powder). Obviously I had my issues with the tortillas. The beans were forgettable.
My modifications - I didn't use the cabbage because I don't like it. I only used one of the 2 quarters of onion that I roasted. Only probably used half of the cumin. I microwaved the beans (be aware don't microwave in the container that they ship them to you in, it melts.
This one only gets 2.5 stars.
What I liked - The avocado sauce, it had a nice avocado flavor (I love avocado) with a nice tang from the yogurt and lime. I liked the crunch of the tortillas but was upset they weren't evenly fried. THe roasted tomato salsa was also very nice and gave some good flavor (might have been good to roast the jalapeno in there as well.
What I didn't like - The chicken didn't have much flavor, might be partially my fault as didn't put in all the cumin because I don't like cumin all that much (its ok just didn't want it to be overwhelming). I think there should have been some more spices in the chicken (like maybe chili powder). Obviously I had my issues with the tortillas. The beans were forgettable.
My modifications - I didn't use the cabbage because I don't like it. I only used one of the 2 quarters of onion that I roasted. Only probably used half of the cumin. I microwaved the beans (be aware don't microwave in the container that they ship them to you in, it melts.
This one only gets 2.5 stars.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
grill season
I wish plated would have some recipes that used the grill (or at least give alternate grill instructions). With the weather heating up I like to use my grill and not use my oven. Depending on the weather and the recipe you may see me try more things on the grill.
Cod en Papillote
This was a fairly good dish. The cod was a bit boring but that was probably the worst thing I can say about this dish.
What I liked - The lemon flavor in both the cod and the asparagus/rice mixture was really nice and made the meal as a whole pretty unified. The red rice faro mix was something I had never tried but thought it had a nice texture to it and was flavorful (the addition of the asparagus roasted in lemon added to this). It was nice to have the grain in this dish have some flavor to it versus last weeks lack luster grains.
What I didn't like - The cod, ok really I was just bored by it. The bites with more lemon to them were better then the thicker less lemon to fish ratio pieces.
My modifications - I only used about half the parsley as I am not that big a fan.
Overall 3 stars.
What I liked - The lemon flavor in both the cod and the asparagus/rice mixture was really nice and made the meal as a whole pretty unified. The red rice faro mix was something I had never tried but thought it had a nice texture to it and was flavorful (the addition of the asparagus roasted in lemon added to this). It was nice to have the grain in this dish have some flavor to it versus last weeks lack luster grains.
What I didn't like - The cod, ok really I was just bored by it. The bites with more lemon to them were better then the thicker less lemon to fish ratio pieces.
My modifications - I only used about half the parsley as I am not that big a fan.
Overall 3 stars.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
My order for May 8th
Another week where there is no Asian dishes. Oh well I'll live.
Cod en Papillote with Herb Butter, Farro, and Lemon Roasted Asparagus - I really like the last fish I did with them en papillote so hopefully this one turns out just as nice (although I think the last one had Asian ingredients in it). Also I had lemon roasted asparagus with the chicken 2 weeks ago and thought it was really good.
Ricotta and Pea Ravioli in Brown Butter with Little Gem Salad - I'm a little afraid this is going to be boring, especially as I don't like radishes and I assume that the salad will be boring without them. The good news is it looks like I could probably premake the raviolis and use this for a weeknight dinner if I want to.
Chicken Tostadas with Greek Yogurt-Avocado Sauce - Looking to this the most, but also a little wary. I love avocados and Mexican food, but am a bit of a snob when it comes to fresh corn tortillas (honestly I feel like fresh corn tortillas with a little butter are just heaven). Also I assume they are using canned refried beans so those could go either way.
Cod en Papillote with Herb Butter, Farro, and Lemon Roasted Asparagus - I really like the last fish I did with them en papillote so hopefully this one turns out just as nice (although I think the last one had Asian ingredients in it). Also I had lemon roasted asparagus with the chicken 2 weeks ago and thought it was really good.
Ricotta and Pea Ravioli in Brown Butter with Little Gem Salad - I'm a little afraid this is going to be boring, especially as I don't like radishes and I assume that the salad will be boring without them. The good news is it looks like I could probably premake the raviolis and use this for a weeknight dinner if I want to.
Chicken Tostadas with Greek Yogurt-Avocado Sauce - Looking to this the most, but also a little wary. I love avocados and Mexican food, but am a bit of a snob when it comes to fresh corn tortillas (honestly I feel like fresh corn tortillas with a little butter are just heaven). Also I assume they are using canned refried beans so those could go either way.
Fettucine with Favas
This probably missed the mark more then it hit it. It wasn't bad but it wasn't that good either.
What I liked - The mint was nice and refreshing. It was a little bit creamy without being overwhelming. I liked that there was a lot of green veggies in here.
What I didn't like - I thought the fava beans were a little to beany for the pasta. Thought it could have used a little more flavor (white wine, red pepper flakes, something).
My modifications - I added one of the pats of butter at the end instead of cooking the onions with it.
Overall 2.5. A little bland but I ate it all. My husband liked this more then I did, but maybe he was just being nice.
What I liked - The mint was nice and refreshing. It was a little bit creamy without being overwhelming. I liked that there was a lot of green veggies in here.
What I didn't like - I thought the fava beans were a little to beany for the pasta. Thought it could have used a little more flavor (white wine, red pepper flakes, something).
My modifications - I added one of the pats of butter at the end instead of cooking the onions with it.
Overall 2.5. A little bland but I ate it all. My husband liked this more then I did, but maybe he was just being nice.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Fennel Pork with Apricots
This was my second pork chop dish with plated and it was another winner. The pork was tender and juicy and the salad had a lot of flavor, the quinoa was pretty bland though (really this is the third plated meal in a row where the starch has been lackluster).
What I liked - The prok and sauce were really good, nice crisp crunch to the pork and very juicy. I love blue cheese and fruit in my salad so its no wonder I liked this, plus the crunch of the almonds and the spiciness of the arugula made this salad a winner.
What I didn't like - The quinoa, bland bland bland. It was better if you added some of the pork sauce to it but still it needed something more, maybe some dried fruit. One of the pieces of pork had quite a bit of fat on it, easy enough to cut around but felt like there wasn't enough pork left.
My modifications - I only used about half the spice mix for the pork, I am not a huge fennel fan so thought using the whole thing would be overwhelming for me, I thought it was great with just half. Reduced the pork sauce longer then they said to make it a little thicker and added a bit of butter to the final product. Also added some butter to the quinoa, it needed something.
Overall 4 stars.
What I liked - The prok and sauce were really good, nice crisp crunch to the pork and very juicy. I love blue cheese and fruit in my salad so its no wonder I liked this, plus the crunch of the almonds and the spiciness of the arugula made this salad a winner.
What I didn't like - The quinoa, bland bland bland. It was better if you added some of the pork sauce to it but still it needed something more, maybe some dried fruit. One of the pieces of pork had quite a bit of fat on it, easy enough to cut around but felt like there wasn't enough pork left.
My modifications - I only used about half the spice mix for the pork, I am not a huge fennel fan so thought using the whole thing would be overwhelming for me, I thought it was great with just half. Reduced the pork sauce longer then they said to make it a little thicker and added a bit of butter to the final product. Also added some butter to the quinoa, it needed something.
Overall 4 stars.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Soy beef bowl
Another stellar Asian dish from plated. For me the real standout here was the avocado, carrot, edamame salad, excellent.
What I liked - The salad was great. The sweet salty dressing and the crunch of the carrots and the creaminess of the avocado, it had everything in one bite. The steak was also quite good (even my toddler ate it, but he called it chicken), I probably could have had more sriracha as there wasn't that much spice to it.
What I didn't like - The rice was just bland. It was just brown rice, honestly maybe I should have taken the marinade and reduced it and put it over the rice. It needed something other then salt.
My modifications - I marinated the steak for about an hour. Used less then half the sriracha. And added some butter to the rice because it was bland. And I cooked the beef on the grill as its getting to be that season.
Overall another 4 stars.
What I liked - The salad was great. The sweet salty dressing and the crunch of the carrots and the creaminess of the avocado, it had everything in one bite. The steak was also quite good (even my toddler ate it, but he called it chicken), I probably could have had more sriracha as there wasn't that much spice to it.
What I didn't like - The rice was just bland. It was just brown rice, honestly maybe I should have taken the marinade and reduced it and put it over the rice. It needed something other then salt.
My modifications - I marinated the steak for about an hour. Used less then half the sriracha. And added some butter to the rice because it was bland. And I cooked the beef on the grill as its getting to be that season.
Overall another 4 stars.
Japanese Chicken Meatballs
I had really high expectations for these and while they were good I don't think they quite lived up to the hype I had created in my mind.
What I liked - The meatballs had a really good flavor, they were pretty delicious. I probably could have cooked them longer to give them more color but really they were yummy.
What I didn't like - Ok the noodles were ok if not a little bland. I kept thinking I should add some fish sauce but really they were good enough that I didn't bother going to the fridge. Also thought about reducing the extra meatball sauce so it wasn't so thin before putting it over the meatballs.
My modifications - None really, just made the meatballs a little ahead of time.
Overall I would give this 4 stars, quite good but room for improvement.
What I liked - The meatballs had a really good flavor, they were pretty delicious. I probably could have cooked them longer to give them more color but really they were yummy.
What I didn't like - Ok the noodles were ok if not a little bland. I kept thinking I should add some fish sauce but really they were good enough that I didn't bother going to the fridge. Also thought about reducing the extra meatball sauce so it wasn't so thin before putting it over the meatballs.
My modifications - None really, just made the meatballs a little ahead of time.
Overall I would give this 4 stars, quite good but room for improvement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)