Cooking for Seven

For some reason I am finding it particularly hard to write this post. Perhaps because I feel a disconnect with this recipe since I made it almost two months ago. That’s right - I made this delicious lemon curd for a bridal shower that I attended one day before I went into labor.

Ah yes. Now I remember how delicious it was spread on fresh scones; how surprisingly easy it was to prepare; and how pretty it looked in a Weck jelly jar.

If you have never made lemon curd before, let me urge you to give it a try. It’s hardly more bother than making a pudding. And it’s amazingly fresh and rich at the same time. If you’re a lemon fan, this is definitely something not to be missed.

Meyer Lemon Curd | from Williams-Sanoma | makes 2 cups | PRINTABLE PAGE

Ingredients:

• 8 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar (natural sugar can be used, but the curd won’t be as pretty)
• 1/2 cup Meyer lemon juice
• grated zest of 2 Meyer lemons
• 12 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Directions:

1) Have ready a heat proof bowl and a fine-mesh sieve. In another heat-proof bowl (or the top of a double boiler) combine the egg yolks and sugar and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and zest and whisk for another minute.

2) Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Add the butter one piece at a time, whisking until completely melted before adding another.

3) Remove from heat and strain the curd through the sieve into the heat-proof bowl, pressing the curd through the sieve. Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the curd and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days. Now you’re ready to serve your lemon curd on fresh scones (with butter and Devonshire cream), or however you wish!

Tags: Curd, Fruit, Lemon, Sweet

Hello everyone! Long time no see, eh?

This past month has been CRAZY. I gave birth. ‘Nuff said.

I don’t have the words to describe to you how horribly hard, frustrating, rewarding and sweet it has all been.

But this little girly is so worth it. Soon, I’m sure, the sleepless nights, slow recovery and endless feeding sessions will all fade into distant memory. Hopefully.

One of the hardest parts of recovery is not being able to do ANYTHING. I didn’t realize how much I took for granted the little things like combing my hair, fixing a cup of tea and doing the dishes. I have really missed being able to create in the kitchen.

This oatmeal was one of the last things I was able to concoct before little Helen arrived. I had just discovered how easy and delicious steel cut oats are. Yes, they do take a while longer to cook, but I believe it’s worth the wait.

Here’s a scrumptious way to spice up your morning oats. Hope you enjoy - and create something fun in kitchen! You never know when that privilege will be taken from you.

Banana Nut Bread Steel Cut Oats | Recipe by Erica Lea of Cooking for Seven |
Makes 4 servings | PRINTABLE PAGE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Generous pinch each of: cardamom, nutmeg and cloves
• 2 large, ripe bananas, plus extra for serving
• 2 tablespoons natural sweetener of choice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans
• Butter, cream and maple syrup for serving

Directions:

1) Bring the water and milk to a brisk boil. Stir in the oats, salt and spices. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender, about 30 minutes.

2) Meanwhile, toast the pecans. Mash the bananas until fairly smooth. Once the oats are finished cooking, stir in the bananas, sweetener and vanilla.

3) Serve immediately with butter, cream and maple syrup, if desired. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Aaaand one more of this little dolly. Because I can’t help myself.

Tags: Banana, Breakfast, Oats

Hello all! Can you believe that February is already well on its way? Also, it’s only 10 days until my due date. I’m so ready for this kid to arrive!

Here are some things that have brought me joy over the past few weeks.

My first attempt at a splash photo. It made a huge mess.

Grapefruit + Avocado salad (spring greens, grapefruit, avocado, sea salt + fresh ground pepper, and a grapefruit juice vinaigrette). See the completed salad HERE.

My sister, Amanda, got engaged. I had the fun of taking the engagement photos. See more HERE.

Reuben surprised me with flowers one evening.

On days when the weather will permit, it’s been fun to take leisurely walks through the woods.

I decided that with part of my birthday money I should make an order from Terrain. I chose the Weck jelly jars and a wooden spoon.

Meyer Lemons. Something new-to-me. So far I’ve made creme brulee with them, but I also want to try my hand at lemon curd.

Honey on fresh baked bread (with butter, of course). Is there anything better?

Hope you all are having a smashing 2013 so far. What has brought you joy lately?

Tags: Bread, Citrus, Fruit, Honey, Lemon, Salad

This past month I have been quite spoiled. During the cold winter months construction is much slower; Reuben has been having so many days off from work. It’s like endless weekends spent together.

My days have been filled with leisurely walks through the woods, mugs of tea (several times a day), lovely reading, Pinterest (of course), organizing, photographing, and generally preparing for baby. It feels like the breath before the plunge; the calm before the storm.

In preparation for the new member of our family, I have been making up nutritious meals and slipping them into the freezer. So far I have stored up chicken broth, homemade bread, sausage and potato soup, and a couple bags of these meatballs.

Making meatballs is so much more fun with Reuben as my compatriot. He is constantly putting a smile on my face with his words as we exchange and steal kisses. And he does the hardest part: browning the meatballs.

Of course not all of the them make it to the freezer. We like to feast on them with mashed potatoes, gravy and peas, or with a red sauce over noodles.

Meatballs From Scratch | adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier | makes 6-8 servings | PRINTABLE PAGE

Ingredients:

• 6 slices crusty bread (or about 1.5 - 2 cups of panko or quick oats)
• 3/4 lb ground beef (we use ground venison)
• 3/4 lb ground pork
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 3/4 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• coconut or olive oil, for frying

Directions:

1) If using bread slices, bake at 200°F (95°C) on a baking sheet in a single layer for about 30 minutes, or until dry. Pulse in a food processor or blender until crumbled.

2) Put the breadcrumbs and the remaining ingredients (besides the oil) in a large bowl and mix with your hands until everything is very well combined. Add more breadcrumbs or milk to create the right consistency. Form the meat into balls (I like mine a bit smaller than golf ball-sized) and line up on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

3) Preheat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs until browned on most sides, working in batches. Meatballs will not be cooked all the way through. Transfer to a baking pan and bake in preheated oven until cooked through, about 15-25 minutes.

4) Use the meatballs immediately or cool completely and store in the freezer. Simply reheat in the oven or thaw and cook in a red sauce or white gravy.


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Tags: Beef, Main Dish, Pork

These sandwiches are SO good. Seriously you guys. You should make them. Today. Right now.

Get the step-by-step instructions and recipe over on the Tasty Kitchen Blog here.

Also, I’ve been loving the pretty things I got in the mail the other day. Read more about it on my personal blog here.

Tags: Lunch, Onions, Sandwiches, Tasty Kitchen