I make pesto all the time. It takes about two seconds and is a great way to use fresh herbs. Yesterday I made homemade guacamole for the Littles. Since I only used a handful of cilantro, the rest of the bunch was left staring me in the face this morning. So instead of a traditional basil & pine nut pesto, I decide to give tonight's version an updated spin with cilantro & pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Cilantro Pesto 1/2 cup ...
Archives for September 2008
Roasted Sweet Peppers
These little gems are addicting. Proceed with caution. I roasted 2 pounds of these tiny little peppers and will use them all week or until I eat them all. Hopefully, not in one sitting. I'll serve just a few as a side dish tonight and then save the rest for snacks and lunches. You can pop a whole pepper right in your mouth. One right after another. And bonus -- they are really good for you! I like them plain, or with my yummy ...
Osso Buco and O Sole Mio
It is no secret that Husband enjoys a good meal. He travels frequently and is lucky to experience some of the country's best restaurants. He is a very simple and humble man, however this man of mine has developed a very discerning palate and is quite the food critic. Basically, Husband has morphed into a food snob. I will say that he has remained true to his roots. Big names, fancy architecture, trendy, small portions, and ...
6 Ingredient Supper (Roasted Chicken & Risotto)
It's nearing noon and I have no plan for supper. My friends, this rarely happens at The Schell Cafe and when it does it causes the Mama to get a little panicky. I refuse to go to the store today, and time wouldn't allow anyway, so I pilched what was left in the produce basket and searched the pantry. I have six worthy ingredients from which to make dinner: chicken breasts olive oil onion garlic parmesan ...
Broccoli, Ham & Cheese Quiche
Having four children can elicit some interesting comments. Sometimes I get asked legitimate questions. For example, at the grocery store the other day I had all four children hovering at my side in the check out line. A young woman with two small children politely smiled and asked, 'how do you fit four car seats in your car?'. Valid question. I don't drive a car. Obviously she doesn't drive a SUV or minivan. But it blows my mind ...
Dream Team in the Kitchen
My friend over here posed a fun question. She asked who we would most like to have at a dinner party. I tweaked the question by answering that I would have a cooking party. My cooking dream team at The Schell Cafe would include: Julia Child Alice Waters David Lebovitz Ina Garten Thomas Keller Can you imagine? Who would you invite to a dinner party chez vous or to cook in your kitchen??? ...
Miracles, Blessings, and Chicken Noodle Soup
I've been thinking a lot about miracles lately. Webster defines the word miracle as 1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs; 2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment. Tall order, huh? Kathy Mattea sings one of my favorite Christmas songs called Mary Did You Know? Its thought provoking lyrics question if Mary knew the magnitude of the miracle she carried in her womb. ...
Quinoa: the ultimate super food
Quinoa. Say what, you ask? KEEN-wah. If you haven’t tried it yet it is my challenge to you this week to make quinoa. I dare you not to fall in love. This nutty, super seed originated in South America and was so important to the Incan culture they referred to it as ‘the mother of all grains”. Quinoa is in fact a seed. While relatively new to the United States, nutrition experts have been quick to sing its praises. And ...
Kids’ Cook: French Toast
What's not to love about breakfast for dinner?!?! It's a winner at The Schell Cafe for sure. And French toast is at the top of the littles' favorite breakfasts, er dinners. Our cooking frenzy began tonight with the kids wondering if French toast was from France? Yes. And no. In France, French toast is called pain perdu which literally means lost bread. Perhaps because the bread gets completely lost in the yummy eggs, butter and ...
Rabbit Etouffee
I was planning on tackling a Bon Appetit recipe for Rabbit Etouffee today. But then Littlest had to go and fall in love with the bunnies at Zilker Park this morning. I hate it when that happens. ...