hamantaschen!

i was trying to explain hamantaschen to our neighbor friends.  the ten second version of the story of purim went like this: "there was a bad man named haman who wanted to kill all the jews.  also, he wore a hat shaped like a triangle.  but then there was a good jewish queen, and she saved the jews and hamen died instead of the jews.  and so the jews are happy and one way we commemorate this is by making cookies shaped like the hat."

it sounds bizarre when put that way, but the cookies are delicious and so they are worth it.  this was the first time i've done them by myself, and this dough recipe from New York Times is a keeper:

as a reminder to myself, i didn't use the egg wash.  also, next time these are made, remember that the dough cracks but you don't have to be scrd.

because they turn out fine.  except the cherry - since i used preserves, some of the liquid leaked.  but that didn't stop us from eating 3 1/2 dozen in about five days.  which is rather embarrassing.  especially since i was too busy eating to take good pics.

i made four kinds.  my very favorite is mun (poppy seed), and after that i like lekvar (prune), shown above.  if poppy seed and prune cookies don't float your boat, i bet the cherry and chocolate ones will.  sweet jeebus, these were delicious.  i can't make these again any time soon or bad/delicious things will occur.

oatmeal packet win!

note to self:  the next time you are very sad, because you are down to the plain oatmeal packets that come in your variety box that you use for work breakfasts, add peanut butter and banana and a touch of stevia.  this turns everything into a win, and you are happy.

gluten-free, instant oatmeal fail!

i bought this oatmeal for the health benefits and the pretty, pretty packaging (for work breakfasts - stovetop only at home).

and then, two bites in, i discovered that health benefits and pretty, pretty packaging do not make something palatable, or even edible.  if, however, you - yes, YOU! - are practicing a gluten-free lifestyle and would like some free instant oatmeal, i would be happy to bestow the other 5 packets upon you.

alton brown's winter vegetable soup!

alton brown's winter vegetable soup: it's healthy and it's what's for dinner.

note to self: make this again, make this again, make this again.  it is ok if you add a turnip and a parsnip, and the extra effort is worth it.  the muir glen fire-roasted tomatoes are also worth it. make this again.

mushroom gravy, greens, and quinoa!

healthy wednesday dinners continue!

i'm trying to be more of a greens and plant-eating fool, so i tried this recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, "oh she glows."

cremini mushrooms, southern greens, fresh rosemary, quinoa...yummy.  i tried to buy nutritional yeast to be truly hardcore, but trader joe's didn't have any.  so, gruyere to the rescue and i don't get to call myself hardcore.  what's the rank under hardcore called - rockstar?

verdict?  i'd eat this again....but i think some red wine needs to be added to that gravy.  hardcore.

winter greens and butternut squash gratin!

i'm completely shallow.  3 years with no posts, then one random pic of my dinner on facebook, some positive feedback, and POOF!  sudden motivation to post.  although, to be fair, i do have about 100 random pics of dinners in a folder on my computer. too bad i didn't store them with notes, though, because some of them are really cryptic-looking.

like this one:

what is it? my best guess is charoset, but i can't be sure.

or how about this one:

i'm pretty sure that's tofu, but what's it covered with?  tricky. tricky.

this one, however, i do remember:

salted caramel pecan bars from "vegan cookies invade your cookie jar", and they were one of the best things i've ever eaten.

i never forget a dessert. i have priorities.

so.

dinner a few nights ago.

i had a bag of southern greens from trader joe's i needed to use up.  i was thinking something with sweet potatoes, but then i saw some pre-cut butternut squash.  two seconds searching for a recipe on the magical iphone, and i chose this: winter greens and butternut squash gratin.

i pretended that low fat milk with a touch of cornstarch was really heavy cream.  also, i steamed the squash alongside the greens to speed up cooking time.

verdict? i'd make this again. also, i like panko. it's fun to say, and it's nice and crunchy. the end.