Italian Feast!
We had our Italian feast yesterday! It was not my favorite of the weeks so far, but everything turned out delicious so I'm not at all implying it was a failure! :) I found that, at least with the majority of the recipes we chose, they were at a lot of work, and I'm not sure it was delicious enough to be worth it... but the food was still pretty darn good. It's just that as a wife and mother with a million jobs and hobbies, I don't know if I want to stand at the stove for an hour, stirring rice, while trying to cook two other dishes at the same time (which I never would have managed to do on my own, thank god my husband also likes to cook).
I wasn't incredibly organized yesterday so I got virtually no in-progress photos. I did at least take photos of the finished products!
We don't have an ice cream maker, and I didn't feel like trying gelato without one (or buying one), so we decided to make tiramisu. Time was a little short overall this week so we chose an easy recipe. It even says so in the title! And it really was pretty easy. I looked for lady fingers anyway but couldn't find them at my grocery store, so I used Sara Lee frozen pound cake (my favorite; you're pretty much guaranteed deliciousness with it). I used jello instant vanilla pudding because I couldn't find refrigerated custard (I don't think I've ever SEEN refrigerated custard!). And I forgot all about garnishing the pieces with chocolate curls, even though I DID buy a chocolate bar. But otherwise, it was pretty easy to make; I managed to do all of it while I was on the phone and didn't have any problems. I had no idea what kind of container to use so I put it in a loaf pan because it was clear and I wanted to be able to see the layers, but I thought my trifle dish would be too big. :)
We had decided to make the chicken piccata, the butternut squash pasta, AND the risotto. It was pretty hectic for a while there because all of those dishes had to be done about the same time to have them be ready at the same time, AND several of them require multiple pots, and we don't have that much cooking or stove space!
The butternut squash pasta was made by my husband while I did mise en place for all the recipes and got stuff together for the risotto, which I knew would require my full attention. It consisted of multiple steps, and each one was decently labor-intensive; not horribly so, but it didn't seem like the world's easiest process. And it required several different pots pans; I think the recipe called for three separate skillets, and we only own two, and we needed them for the risotto and the chicken too! We also do not own a food processor so we did the squash in the blender. Therefore, it was slightly chunky, but still good.
the lonely bottom of the squash
the squash mixture, bubbling away
We added sage but we did NOT fry the leftover sage leaves - with everything else going on, it was just too much work, and no one had the time or patience for it. I hear from others of you that they were pretty tasty, so maybe we'll have to try that next time. We would definitely make this again, it wasn't too time-intensive, would be a good one-dish meal, and was very tasty.
The risotto... what can I say about the risotto? Well, for one thing, I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe as my base, as she's never steered me wrong. (love her!) I did make a couple changes. We had some vegetarians coming to dinner, so to make it more veg-friendly I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I also substituted fresh basil for the chives, per an attendee request.
Having never made her recipe before, I don't know how different the overall dish was from the original, but what we ended up with was really quite delicious. Soft and creamy, cheesy goodness with just the right amount of basil flavor running through it. I would have salted it up just a smidge more; I didn't want to oversalt though, not knowing the taste preferences of my guests.
it amazed me, seeing the rice soak up TONS of liquid! It's really a neat process to watch.
One thing you should know, though, is that the risotto? Took me AN HOUR to make. AN. HOUR. She says in the recipe "this will take at least 20 minutes". AT LEAST. I was there, stirring and adding broth, for an hour. Constant stirring. My arm hurt the next day. Delicious dish, and I can see the potential for a full meal out of it if you add some shrimp and/or veggies or some other fun stuff, but definitely an 'occasional' treat. It's pretty rich anyway, so that's OK.
hi, I'm STILL stirring!
The chicken piccata was also cooked by my husband, as I was STILL stirring risotto even after the squash and pasta was done. It seemed to be pretty easy; the most labor intensive part was flattening the chicken, and that's easy as can be. Especially if you have any frustrations to work out! The only part about this experience I did NOT like was my husband splattering me with hot oil when he tossed the chicken in the pan, right next to where I was stirring away. But my arm was so numb from stirring for three years that I barely noticed. ;)
Seriously, the chicken cooked in a flash, the sauce was made in maybe two minutes, and it was DELICIOUS. Lemony, flavorful, mmmm, I would definitely make this for dinner again. it was SO quick. (we left out the capers; I have never managed to develop a taste for them!) AND, as a bonus, we had leftover chardonnay to drink with dinner. It went quite well with everything.
Our vegetarian friend made his special veggie 'meat' balls, and they were quite tasty :) Since we're meatasauruses, I don't often get exposed to the faux-meat products, and I'm always afraid to buy them myself in case they're not so tasty. I appreciate being able to taste other people's things and broaden my horizons!
getting ready to enjoy some Italian foods!
You'd think this would be primarily kid-friendly fare, but not everyone was a fan. Different things appealed to different kids though. The meatballs were yucky for one, a couple others wouldn't even TOUCH the risotto (WAY too gooey looking I think; their loss!)... I think the pasta was good for all though, lol. Ah, kids!
three bites and it's "I'm done! Can I go play?"
For dessert, aside from the tiramisu, another friend made these pistachio-cannoli cupcakes, and OH MY WERE THEY GOOD. Half frosted with cool whip and pistachio pudding, the other half frosted with cream cheese and pistachio pudding. I had one of each (over two days) and they were both delicious. And the cupcakes were tremendously moist and flavorful. SHE IS NEVER ALLOWED TO LEAVE THESE AT MY HOUSE AGAIN. LOL
I'm kidding, Sarah. Please bring me more cupcakes?
She said it's actually called a 'Watergate Cake'. She used 7-Up instead of ginger ale, I believe she said. Either way, YUM.
yeah. everybody liked dessert!
Thanks for looking!
I wasn't incredibly organized yesterday so I got virtually no in-progress photos. I did at least take photos of the finished products!
We don't have an ice cream maker, and I didn't feel like trying gelato without one (or buying one), so we decided to make tiramisu. Time was a little short overall this week so we chose an easy recipe. It even says so in the title! And it really was pretty easy. I looked for lady fingers anyway but couldn't find them at my grocery store, so I used Sara Lee frozen pound cake (my favorite; you're pretty much guaranteed deliciousness with it). I used jello instant vanilla pudding because I couldn't find refrigerated custard (I don't think I've ever SEEN refrigerated custard!). And I forgot all about garnishing the pieces with chocolate curls, even though I DID buy a chocolate bar. But otherwise, it was pretty easy to make; I managed to do all of it while I was on the phone and didn't have any problems. I had no idea what kind of container to use so I put it in a loaf pan because it was clear and I wanted to be able to see the layers, but I thought my trifle dish would be too big. :)
We had decided to make the chicken piccata, the butternut squash pasta, AND the risotto. It was pretty hectic for a while there because all of those dishes had to be done about the same time to have them be ready at the same time, AND several of them require multiple pots, and we don't have that much cooking or stove space!
The butternut squash pasta was made by my husband while I did mise en place for all the recipes and got stuff together for the risotto, which I knew would require my full attention. It consisted of multiple steps, and each one was decently labor-intensive; not horribly so, but it didn't seem like the world's easiest process. And it required several different pots pans; I think the recipe called for three separate skillets, and we only own two, and we needed them for the risotto and the chicken too! We also do not own a food processor so we did the squash in the blender. Therefore, it was slightly chunky, but still good.
the lonely bottom of the squash
the squash mixture, bubbling away
We added sage but we did NOT fry the leftover sage leaves - with everything else going on, it was just too much work, and no one had the time or patience for it. I hear from others of you that they were pretty tasty, so maybe we'll have to try that next time. We would definitely make this again, it wasn't too time-intensive, would be a good one-dish meal, and was very tasty.
The risotto... what can I say about the risotto? Well, for one thing, I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe as my base, as she's never steered me wrong. (love her!) I did make a couple changes. We had some vegetarians coming to dinner, so to make it more veg-friendly I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I also substituted fresh basil for the chives, per an attendee request.
Having never made her recipe before, I don't know how different the overall dish was from the original, but what we ended up with was really quite delicious. Soft and creamy, cheesy goodness with just the right amount of basil flavor running through it. I would have salted it up just a smidge more; I didn't want to oversalt though, not knowing the taste preferences of my guests.
it amazed me, seeing the rice soak up TONS of liquid! It's really a neat process to watch.
One thing you should know, though, is that the risotto? Took me AN HOUR to make. AN. HOUR. She says in the recipe "this will take at least 20 minutes". AT LEAST. I was there, stirring and adding broth, for an hour. Constant stirring. My arm hurt the next day. Delicious dish, and I can see the potential for a full meal out of it if you add some shrimp and/or veggies or some other fun stuff, but definitely an 'occasional' treat. It's pretty rich anyway, so that's OK.
hi, I'm STILL stirring!
The chicken piccata was also cooked by my husband, as I was STILL stirring risotto even after the squash and pasta was done. It seemed to be pretty easy; the most labor intensive part was flattening the chicken, and that's easy as can be. Especially if you have any frustrations to work out! The only part about this experience I did NOT like was my husband splattering me with hot oil when he tossed the chicken in the pan, right next to where I was stirring away. But my arm was so numb from stirring for three years that I barely noticed. ;)
Seriously, the chicken cooked in a flash, the sauce was made in maybe two minutes, and it was DELICIOUS. Lemony, flavorful, mmmm, I would definitely make this for dinner again. it was SO quick. (we left out the capers; I have never managed to develop a taste for them!) AND, as a bonus, we had leftover chardonnay to drink with dinner. It went quite well with everything.
Our vegetarian friend made his special veggie 'meat' balls, and they were quite tasty :) Since we're meatasauruses, I don't often get exposed to the faux-meat products, and I'm always afraid to buy them myself in case they're not so tasty. I appreciate being able to taste other people's things and broaden my horizons!
getting ready to enjoy some Italian foods!
You'd think this would be primarily kid-friendly fare, but not everyone was a fan. Different things appealed to different kids though. The meatballs were yucky for one, a couple others wouldn't even TOUCH the risotto (WAY too gooey looking I think; their loss!)... I think the pasta was good for all though, lol. Ah, kids!
three bites and it's "I'm done! Can I go play?"
For dessert, aside from the tiramisu, another friend made these pistachio-cannoli cupcakes, and OH MY WERE THEY GOOD. Half frosted with cool whip and pistachio pudding, the other half frosted with cream cheese and pistachio pudding. I had one of each (over two days) and they were both delicious. And the cupcakes were tremendously moist and flavorful. SHE IS NEVER ALLOWED TO LEAVE THESE AT MY HOUSE AGAIN. LOL
I'm kidding, Sarah. Please bring me more cupcakes?
She said it's actually called a 'Watergate Cake'. She used 7-Up instead of ginger ale, I believe she said. Either way, YUM.
yeah. everybody liked dessert!
Thanks for looking!