tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:02:58 +0000http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Margie)Blogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-8402991750775677447Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:27:00 +00002009-10-31T11:03:42.009-05:00whole grainwaldorfwheat berriessaladI'm always looking to get more whole grains into my diet. It was the Wheat Berry Salad in Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Cooking that inspired me to give wheat berries a try. I made the salad (with pine nuts, feta and spinach -- see link below) and have been occasionally craving wheat berries ever since. Last year, I noticed a Wheat Berry Waldorf salad in the Dean & Deluca catalogue. First I http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/10/wheat-berry-waldorf-salad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7392947172543580308Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:52:00 +00002009-10-18T20:14:26.062-05:00halloweenSpooky Dinner is an annual Halloween tradition for our family. Every year we get together with our good friends and their kids for a low-key, family-friendly dinner party.It started as a way to celebrate the holiday beyond candy and costumes. The focus is on food with an emphasis on fun. Over the years I've tailored the fright factor to suit the ages of the kids. And I've learned to gauge the http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-host-spooky-dinner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-5086449972688651127Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-10-14T08:10:51.162-05:00beef stockrice noodlesphosoupVietnamese Pho was the October Daring Cooks challenge, guest-hosted by celebrity food blogger, Jaden of Steamy Kitchen. Pho is the Vietnamese version of chicken or beef noodle soup. The broth is served with rice noodles, meat, and an array of toppings including lime, chiles, bean sprouts, and cilantro. I chose the beef version because beef broth is one of my favorite foods.The Vietnamese beef http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/10/daring-cooks-vietnamese-pho-beef-noodle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-4075111948638637393Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:17:00 +00002009-10-11T12:20:54.974-05:00One of the best things about Racine, Wisconsin is Kewpee's. It's an old-fashioned burger joint serving up good food and friendly service. Customers sit on stools at the horseshoe counter, servers still take your order with pen and paper.The burgers are juicy, the buns are toasted, the crinkle-cut fries are crispy, and the root beer is homemade. Plus, there's a sense of community you just don't http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/10/diner-style-cheeseburgers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-9095488047793428715Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:41:00 +00002009-10-02T14:49:45.383-05:00mintdressingbuttermilkfetaEarly this summer, while shopping for herbs at the garden store, I watched a young boy pick a mint plant off the shelf and eagerly place it on his mom's cart. When his mom noticed the mint, after carefully cross-checking the herbs in her cart against a list, she exclaimed, "Oh no, we don't want this weed in our garden."I thought to myself, she's obviously never had a mojito. Then I grabbed two http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/09/buttermilk-dressing-with-feta-mint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-1813122582438862106Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:43:00 +00002009-09-27T16:25:44.825-05:00mozzarellapizzaEver since visiting Tom Douglas' pizza joint in Seattle -- Serious Pie -- that's what my kids call pizza margherita, a chewy and crisp crust topped simply with a trio of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It's a deceptively simple pie best suited to late summer when the tomatoes are sweet and the basil is lustrous. So when I recently found myself in possession of a bulging heirloom tomato, fresh http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/09/serious-pie-pizza-margherita.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-8504683793311545912Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:39:00 +00002009-08-28T09:17:39.231-05:00BLTtomatoesbaconI did many extraordinary things this summer. But the one thing that stands out, that made my husband think I'm a rock star, made my relatives question my sanity, and made me feel competent and sexy (like a cross between Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson) was cure and smoke bacon.It all started when food writer, Michael Ruhlman, issued his BLT From Scratch Summertime Challenge. In his own words: "http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/08/blt-from-scratch-challenge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7655934434346832957Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-08-19T20:42:05.226-05:00Let me start by saying that, in the end, the Daring Cooks August 2009 Challenge turned out to be Spanish comfort food. It was warm and soothing, soft and creamy, deeply layered with flavors of the sea. The recipe, Rice with Mushrooms, Cuttlefish, and Artichokes is from Chef Jose Andres (of the TV show Made in Spain) and was selected by Daring Cook, Olga of Olga's Recipes. The recipe included two http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/08/spanish-rice-with-squid-mushrooms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-8656665884616823787Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:41:00 +00002009-07-29T11:44:32.241-05:00Door CountysaladcherryThe kids and I spent two days eating, biking, and shopping in Door County, Wisconsin recently. I love biking the Sunset Trail in Peninsula State Park with the late afternoon sun peeking through the forest. We had dinner as the sun was setting and then headed over to Sunset Park in Fish Creek. We missed the sunset, but were thrilled with the twilight surrounding a huge sliver of moon (barely http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/07/cherry-chicken-salad-with-maple-walnuts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7798912986147076735Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:36:00 +00002009-07-14T15:12:54.149-05:00fishdehydrationI eagerly looked up the recipe for the July 2009 Daring Cooks challenge to find "Skate, Traditional Flavors Powdered" adapted from the Alinea cookbook by Grant Achatz and hosted by Daring Cook Sketchy. My reactions ran the gamut from intrigue to intimidation to irritation: I wonder if I could actually make that... there's no way I could make that... how the hell do they expect me to make that. http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/07/fish-with-traditional-flavors-powdered.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-314992816270372006Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:36:00 +00002009-07-09T15:19:57.329-05:00citrusbeveragesummerWe love the freshly squeezed lime sodas sold at our local coffee shop, and were inspired to make the fizzy and refreshing drink at home. We like a triple citrus version, including freshly squeezed lemon, lime, and orange juices, but obviously you could use a single citrus fruit. Sparkling water gives this drink its fizz, but you can substitute still water for a traditional lime or lemonade. http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/07/citrus-sparkler.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-2993187154954346951Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:35:00 +00002009-07-04T14:54:34.861-05:00I try, but I'm not a meal planner. Part of me is envious of friends who know what's for dinner every night of the week, but another part is contemptuous of the organized meal plan. Without a plan, I spend an inordinate amount of time stressing about what to cook and cursing about the need for yet another trip to the grocery store. But I also harbor the delusion that my frequent marketing is http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/07/grilled-chicken-tacos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7140347973208226899Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:56:00 +00002009-07-02T12:34:36.425-05:00beerWisconsincherryIt took me a while to embrace Wisconsin as home. After growing up in Chicago and then living in Minneapolis for a few years, I missed the perks of big-city living when I moved to a small city in Wisconsin. But now, when we see the "Wisconsin Welcomes You" sign on our way north from visits to Chicago, I'm happy to be home.I won't be donning a cheesehead any time soon, but I definitely try to http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/07/wisconsin-cherry-ale.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-4674511198750906378Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:45:00 +00002009-06-28T16:07:05.753-05:00strawberrysorbetFresh strawberries are a sure sign of summer. The small pint we received in our first-of-the-season CSA box disappeared in minutes. I had to fiercely guard the four berries I intended to slice for a dinner salad of fresh lettuce topped with sliced radishes and strawberries.Early the next morning, I drove out to a local strawberry farm. Usually, my kids and I pick our own, but it was already hot http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/06/strawberry-sorbet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-3305073552572014044Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:00:00 +00002009-06-20T23:35:00.707-05:00potstickersumamiporkChineseThe June 2009 Daring Cooks Challenge, homemade Chinese Potstickers, was a culinary experience that satisfied on many levels, mind and body, heart and soul. I found it immensely rewarding to learn a new technique and am so grateful to Jen from use real butter for sharing her family's recipe and knowledge.I followed Jen's recipe for pork filled potstickers and was delighted with the intense http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/06/chinese-potstickers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-6193369326539509554Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:27:00 +00002009-06-12T10:35:58.088-05:00ObamabrownieschocolateA change from brownies as usual, these double-layer brownies are two-tone and bipartisan. They’re chocolate on top, butterscotch on the bottom, filled with a liberal dose of toasted macadamia nuts and chocolate chunks.Brownies are a uniquely American treat. Obama Brownies are inspired by the uniquely American story of President Barack Obama. He was born in Hawaii of a mother from Kansas and a http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/06/obama-brownies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7952394101809270802Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:20:00 +00002009-09-27T17:09:20.009-05:00pizzaPizza is often lumped with junk food or fast food. But made from scratch at home, it's slow food. It spends only minutes in the oven, but like any yeast bread, the dough takes time. Plus you can make pizza at home with an eye towards nutritional balance; the nutrition facts (below) might be a pleasant surprise.I've been making homemade pizza for years. I started by trying to mimic the cracker http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/06/thin-crust-pizza.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-392704010310486977Thu, 28 May 2009 03:00:00 +00002009-05-28T00:06:21.653-05:00oatmealRolled oats are indispensible for granola, baking, and quick bowls of oatmeal on weekday mornings. But a bowl of creamy rolled oatmeal always gives me a craving for the much nuttier steel cut oatmeal.The appeal of steel cut oats, also known as Irish or pinhead oats, lies in the texture. They have a bit of chew and a springiness between your teeth, unlike the mushiness of rolled oats.Steel cut http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/05/steel-cut-oatmeal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-6622463478332630725Wed, 27 May 2009 00:43:00 +00002009-05-27T07:49:09.111-05:00asparagusWhen I saw Anne Burrell make this salad with raw asparagus on her show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, I thought it was genius. She cut the asparagus crosswise into super-thin rounds, ensuring fresh, green flavor and crisp texture without any fibrous stringiness. I admit I had doubts as I was chasing roly-poly bits of asparagus all over my kitchen. Once corralled, the miniature dots of asparagus http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/05/anne-burrells-asparagus-pecorino-red.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-5707332927696432102Sun, 17 May 2009 13:54:00 +00002009-05-17T11:08:06.752-05:00breadbunsWith grilling season upon us, I'll be using this recipe a bit more often. These buns are perfect for enveloping thick, juicy grilled burgers. Nothing fancy -- just a soft, white sandwich bread -- but with texture and flavor you don't find in the store-bought squishy buns.That homemade buns are better than store-bought is not really such a bold claim. If you're a homemade bread enthusiast however,http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-buns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7994043178418223161Wed, 13 May 2009 23:05:00 +00002009-05-15T07:14:03.909-05:00gnocchiricottaGnocchi hold a special place in my husband's heart. (You can read all about it in my post on potato gnocchi.) So when I mentioned the Daring Cook's Ricotta Gnocchi challenge, he was intrigued. When I told him the ingredients were ricotta, eggs, and Parmesan, he said "so it's a cheese ball?"Regardless, my husband and I enjoyed the gnocchi-shaped ricotta cheese balls. I just had to avoid calling http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/05/ricotta-gnocchi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-1716925995495372296Fri, 08 May 2009 18:41:00 +00002009-05-08T14:16:44.501-05:00cookbooksrecipesThere’s irony in a trend toward improvisational or “recipe-less” cooking that relies on cookbooks to spread the word. I read this Wall Street Journal article on the topic with interest. As intended, it prompted me to check out the referenced books (here and here) and food blog, all of which appear to include some form of recipes.The article explains that some cookbook authors “are moving away http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/05/improvisational-cooking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-8917802652967338830Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:56:00 +00002009-04-21T18:17:50.855-05:00jalapenosbacongrilled cheeseBacon and jalapeno is a flavor combination that somehow escaped my attention for years. Until I read Julie and Julia, written by Julie Powell. I first heard about the Julie/Julia Project in one of the national foodie magazines. I was intrigued, but at the time I was still suspicious of blogging, so I ignored it.I decided to wait for the book, Julie and Julia. The book is truly original, http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/04/pepperjack-grilled-cheese-with-bacon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-7352111740911804384Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:23:00 +00002009-04-16T08:43:40.985-05:00eggsomeletI love the idea of omelets as a fast and simple meal. But fast and simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. I’ve been trying for years, but never made an omelet that both looked good and tasted good. My omelets were brown and tough on the outside or too runny in the middle. I decided to live with scrambled eggs instead.But every few months, I got an urge for omelets. I studied the omelet recipes in http://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/04/rolled-omelet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216061743334340821.post-2363999847887912114Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:00:00 +00002009-04-06T22:07:55.165-05:00meatballspastaAs a kid, I enjoyed SpaghettiOs®. As an adult, not so much. But my kids discovered the sweet pasta in a can and occasionally I gave in to their requests.Until recently, I thought pasta rings were the sole purview of the SpaghettiO's brand. But as I was scanning for rigatoni on a recent shopping trip, I noticed rings. With a bit of embarrassment, I wondered if I could make homemade SpaghettiO's.Ithttp://morepleasebymargie.blogspot.com/2009/03/pasta-rings-with-mini-meatballs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Margie)3