Winter “BLT” Night: Grilled Gruyere with Salami Relish and Slow Roasted Tomato Soup

Posted on January 27, 2012

First, a tale. Then, winter BLT that is actually salami and gruyere.

Our friend Steve owns a restaurant. It’s a really cool restaurant with great food, great beer, and a hip vibe. We like to go there because it kind of makes us feel young and hip. Going out to eat at 6pm with 2 kids is so not young or hip, but please don’t burst our bubble.

Steve moved to our neighborhood in the summertime to open his place. Opening a restaurant is hard. And surreal. The stories he would tell ranged from construction snafu’s to wine tastings to city red tape navigation. I think Steve was working 100 hours or more a week to get the place up and running.

That same summer, I found myself going to the farmers market on Sunday mornings and buying way too many heirloom tomatoes and fresh baked bread. And I made bacon for breakfast, but since I bake it I we always had leftovers. Leftover bacon? Weird, but yes somehow we managed not to consume it all.

So, BLT Monday was born. Steve needed a break from whatever he was dealing with that week. And we needed an outlet for our leftover bacon, fresh beautiful tomatoes, grilled day-old bread rubbed with garlic…

I wish it were summer. I miss tomatoes.

But it’s not. Our friend Steve came over on a recent Monday on his night off from his cool place. It’s the first time in ages we’d seen him outside of his restaurant. So I wanted to make the winter version of Monday BLT’s.

We’re back to the salami and gruyere. Almost. Continue reading →

My date with…me: popcorn and chardonnay

Posted on January 21, 2012

I don’t get a lot of me time. Two kids, full-time job, family, friends pretty much keeps me in the company of people and things I love constantly. But here’s the thing: I love being alone sometimes too.

Alone means I can blog. Or read. Or clean. Or organize. Organize the toys. Find all of those pieces to Candyland that I keep stepping on. I found a little person in the laundry. Oh laundry. Socks. I need to pair socks. So many socks living single in one drawer, pining for their mate.

Stop. I’m spiraling.

Alone you get to do those things you can’t do with other people. Like pop popcorn. Dan hates popcorn. It’s weird…apparently it has something to do with someone burning microwave popcorn a decade ago, but I hardly ever make popcorn while he’s around because he hates the smell so much.

And movies. How many chick flicks have come out in the past year? 1,000? How many have I seen? Exactly 0. It’s time to get cracking. Where to start? Twilight? Meh. You can’t really watch that ironically by yourself, and I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that I would totally watch it not ironically. Because I would. Maybe something starring Anne Hathaway. She seems to be the queen of romcom these days. Nah. I’m going for Twilight. Ironically. Or maybe not.

I get some alone time tonight. After the kids go to bed. Since alone time just means there aren’t any kids or dogs or adults on the couch with me. It’s enough.

Tonight, while Dan is taking a well-deserved night off with his friends, I am going to sit here with all of my socks living in sin, pop some popcorn, drink some chardonnay, watch ironic movies unironically and have a great date with me.

Buttery Popcorn

1/2 cup popcorn kernels
4 teaspoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon iodized salt

Pop popcorn. I have this weird 60′s looking contraption I put in my microwave to pop the corn easily and without any added fat. Then toss the corn with butter and salt. Enjoy!

Spaghetti Night: Turkey Meatballs Florentine

Posted on January 18, 2012

Wednesday night is spaghetti night in our house. Well, not actually IN our house…our favorite pub down the street has a spaghetti special on Wednesday nights and after a day of brain drain we typically blow off whatever healthy dinner we had planned and head on down to the pub. N doesn’t mind.

But, it’s the new year and all, so I’m trying to be healthy…can we get to February already so we can start talking about chocolate and martinis?

Right, still January. Healthy. So here’s an alternative to a huge portion of pub-style spaghetti and meatballs: Turkey Meatballs Florentine. Continue reading →

Giveaway Time! $25 Williams Sonoma Gift Card

Posted on January 16, 2012

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I’m so excited to offer my first giveaway! So fun! I have a $25 Williams Sonoma gift card so you can grab those items you didn’t get over the holidays. Here are a few of my favorite under-$25 items from Williams Sonoma.

5 chances to win! Make sure to leave a comment about each of ways you entered to be counted. Winner will be selected by random.org. U.S. residents only. Giveaway starts on Monday, January 16 and ends at 9pm EST on Saturday, January 21.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me what you’d get with the gift card

2. Follow @gourmetmommy on twitter

3. Tweet the following: I’ve just entered to #win a $25 @WilliamsSonoma gift card from @gourmetmommy. http://wp.me/pzAFl-gb #giveaway

4. Subscribe to Gourmet Mommy updates by email or RSS (link in sidebar)

5. Like Gourmet Mommy on Facebook

Please remember to leave a comment for each of the ways you enter. Otherwise only one entry will be counted. If you already like me on facebook or follow me on twitter, that counts! Just let me know by leaving a separate comment.

I’m linking this giveaway up to: Contest Girl and The Blog Giveaway Directory

Official Rules:

To enter leave a comment.

U.S. residents only.

One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random, using random.org. I will email the winner and they will have up to 3 days to claim their prize or another winner will be selected.

Gourmet Mommy B&B

Posted on January 15, 2012

Oh happy day, our friends came to play. Which means something so different than what it meant in pre-kids days. Even with the 4 kids running around underfoot though, we can still manage to have good food, good wine and good conversation:

“How’s your book coming along? Nicholas PUT THAT DOWN.”

“Jo Jo stop moving the furniture. Great, almost done”

“I can’t wait to read–WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”

Ok, well at least we can have good food and good wine.

Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon and boiled potatoes. A cheap cut of meat simmered in wine and bacon all day. Yeah, it didn’t suck. It could also all be made ahead so I wasn’t spending too much time in the kitchen, unless I was trying to escape the chaos.

I also made breakfast ahead so when the kids woke us up at 5:30am after a big night of visiting, we didn’t need to worry about cooking. Just turn on the oven and pop in the Southern Breakfast Strata. An hour later it’s done.

So, the menu for an effortless weekend of entertaining with 4 kids?

Dinner
Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon
Buttered Parsley Potatoes
Apple Fennel and Celery Salad (a la Gourmande in the Kitchen)
Wine: Coates du Rhone

Breakfast
Southern Breakfast Strata

Wine & Dine: California Chardonnay

Posted on January 12, 2012

…an occasional series on all things wine

Before we had Nicholas, Dan and I went out for a movie night. This is worth talking about because a) it was one of the last times we were in a movie theater (now we have kids), and b) it has to do with wine. I’m getting there.

Bottleshock was playing. No brainer, right? California wine country, 70′s, Alan Rickman (love him: Sense & Sensibility, Love Actually, Robin Hood, and probably a ton of better movies that actually made him famous), the dude from Star Trek, an underdog story…

But no. Dan and I spent $30 or whatever movie tickets cost these days to see Indiana Jones 4. Worst. Movie. Ever.

So anyway, when Bottleshock came out on dvd, Nicholas was sleeping pretty well, we had some time to ourselves again, so we made a night of it. I bought a really nice California Chardonnay (couldn’t afford Chateau Montelena), and created a recipe to pair beautifully: Salmon Pot Pie.

Good movie, good wine, good food. Great night with hubby.

Talk to me. What kind of menus to you make that start with the wine?

Baby Food Bonanza

Posted on January 10, 2012

Katie is eating people food. She’s 5 1/2 months and has finally taken to spoonfed meals. I know that’s still early for many kids, but since our son was practically eating spaghetti dinners without spilling a drop at 6 months I had expected she’d be on to hors d’oeuvres by now.

So, obviously, to each their own. But, now that she is interested, I’m going to town making her a ton of meals and freezing them in 1 ounce portions.

I really debated with her whether or not I’d make all of her food like I did for Nicholas. I loved doing it, but my situation has changed with her: we’ve got a 3 year old at home that takes a ton of energy, I’m making her food out of season so I can’t source my ingredients from the farmers market like I did with Nicholas, and chefs like Tyler Florence have come out with lines of baby food which look pretty darn good.

But, when it comes down to it, she’s my little girl and I want to make her what I think is best. Plus it really doesn’t take much time. Now and again I’ll puree something up along with whatever I’m making for the rest of us (see butternut squash risotto with pureed butternut squash).

And once every few weeks I’ll set aside some time and make 2 or 3 meals just for her. I figure it’s the least I can do.

So, here’s what I’ve made her so far and in the order that I’ve introduced it.

Pureed Sweet Potatoes complete Pureed Butternut Squash
Pureed Sweet Potatoes
Pureed Pears
Pureed Squash and Broccoli (mixed 2 purees together)
Kale, green bean, potatoes complete Pureed Kale, Green Beans, and Potatoes
Roasted Apple & Grape Oatmeal
Pureed Sweet Potatoes and Brown Rice

How do you introduce foods to your baby?

Meat Loaf and meatloaf

Posted on January 6, 2012

New Year’s Resolution #2: Work out more. I’m going to need a little inspiration for that one. Who do I turn to? Pandora of course. Station: Meat Loaf. Really, you say? I don’t really even like Meat Loaf. Yes, trust me. Just do it. You don’t have to like Meat Loaf. You just have to like music that rocks and is awesome. That’s the beauty of Pandora.

You’ve got Meat Loaf of course, already excellent workout music–Bat Out of Hell anyone? Then you throw in some Queen (I Want it All), Bon Jovi (Livin on a Prayer), and Journey (Any Way You Want It) just to rattle off the first few songs on the station.

Right, so anyway, this post is actually about meatloaf the food. Like Meat Loaf the artist, do not underestimate it’s potential for awesomeness. Make a classic recipe for your family, it’s comfort food that can last a whole week. Make a cumin-scented lamb meatloaf over couscous and you’ve got an exotic twist on an old favorite. Or make Red Wine Glazed Meatloaf over Parsnip Puree for company and you’ll knock their socks off.

Oh, and it’s only 8 Weight Watchers points, if you care about that sort of thing (see New Year’s Resolution #1).

Plus, make a Parsnip Puree for baby. Feed while playing Meat Loaf Pandora station. Katie has been in this world for 5 months; it’s time she learned to rock. And eat parsnips.

New Years Resolutions, Minestrone

Posted on January 3, 2012

Ok, it’s resolutions time! Yes, I’m a few days late, but a girl’s got to finish her holiday, right? Now that it’s back to work, back to reality, I’m ready to commit. So, my resolutions are……………(drumroll, please)

1. Eat healthier

2. Workout more

3. Spend less money

Wow, original, right?

So here I was on Monday night, armed with my resolutions, trying to figure out what to make for dinner. It’s cold. I want something comforting. And filling. And delicious. Unfortunately lobster mac and cheese isn’t going to help me with those pesky resolutions.

Minestrone! It’s warm and comforting. The whole family loves it. If you’ve never seen a 3-year old chowing down on big chunks of kale, it’s worth it alone to make this. It’s healthy–only 4 Weight Watchers points per bowl. It’s cheap–about 10 bucks for the whole batch, or less than $1 per bowl. And it works out for you. Well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad (watch for my next post on Meatloaf).

Do you Fondue? and other New Year’s Eve at home ideas

Posted on December 27, 2011

Dan and I have never celebrated New Year’s Eve in the traditional way. Well, if traditional means spending a fortune to be crammed into a restaurant or hotel with a few hundred of your closest strangers for 6 hours.

We’ve worked events together, although standing on a freezing loading dock waiting for Young MC during the midnight countdown isn’t exactly my idea of a great New Year’s Eve.

We’ve gone to concerts with a big group of friends, and while very fun we did pay too much and it was way too crowded.

And since we’ve moved about an hour away from many of our friends, we’ve had dinner parties at home. A few friends that stay over night, amazing food that you don’t have every day, and a wonderfully good time. Even pre-kids that was our favorite way to spend the holiday. And now that we have kids, it’s totally the way to go. No need to find a sitter, spend a fortune on tickets to an event. Use that money towards a really special night at home.

Here are a few ideas…some we’ve done in years past, some we’ll do one of these years soon!

1. Fondue: so, you got a fondue pot for your wedding, or on a whim. Now be honest, how many times have you used it? Here’s an excuse to break it out! This year we’ll be fondue-ing it up with Dan’s parents. I like this recipe from Food & Wine.

2. Champagne tasting: Dan and I got married in February, so around New Year’s we were looking for just the right champagne to serve at our wedding. Just the right $10 not-at-all champagne. So, I went to the local wine shop and picked up their finest $10 Cava, Prosecco, California sparkling, and French sparkling. We put them all in bags and did a blind tasting. A really fun way to spend the evening, since we’d be popping the bubbly anyway! Oh, and the winner? Charles de Fere, a French sparking wine. You really can’t go wrong for $10 a bottle.

3. Prime Rib dinner: Nicholas isn’t a big steak-eater yet, so we don’t really make big roasts for just the two of us. But invite a few friends over and treat them to a prime cut of meat. I like Tyler’s Ultimate recipes for this one:

Menu:
Prime Rib
Parnsip Puree
Creamed Spinach
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellers Artemis Cabernet: a big, bold California Cab

4. Oysters & Martini’s: Oysters are in season right now, and they’re pretty easy to find at your local Whole Foods. Have the seafood market shuck them for you, then serve raw with mignonette or old school Rockefeller.

A Ketel One martini is the perfect accompaniment. James Bond made shaken martinis famous, and it’s a shame in my book. You want the vodka as cold as can be, but not chewy with ice chips. Put the vodka in the freezer hours before, chill the glasses, then gently stir the vodka with ice before straining and serving.

And don’t forget to serve something else…no one will make it to midnight on oysters and martinis alone!

Menu:
Raw Oysters with Mignonette
Oysters Rockefeller
The perfect martini

5. Wine-centered meal: Do you have a bottle on the shelf that you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Break it out for New Year’s Eve! We’ve got a Barolo d’Alba we carried back from Italy 5 years ago that’s just about ready to drink. We’ll probably make a big Bolognese lasagna when it’s time for our Barolo. Grab your great bottle, then find a perfect match on Food & Wine.

How do you like to spend New Year’s Eve?