This Week for Dinner – Weekly Meal Plans, Dinner Ideas, Recipes and More!: call for recipes

Category: call for recipes

Thursday, June 23

My First Freshly-Shelled Peas

This week I did something in the kitchen I’ve never done before: I shelled fresh peas. I remember clearly a picture book from my childhood where a little girl who lives in the mountains shells peas with her grandmother on the back porch. That scene is so clear in my mind, soaked in nostalgia, what I perceived as the perfect childhood pastime. For whatever reason, however, fresh peas in the pod have never crossed my path, whether on a back porch in Appalachia or in my own kitchen!

Last week we received a bag of English peas in our CSA bag. I was super excited to eat super fresh peas, to see if it made a difference in flavor. So, on Sunday, I set to work!

First off, shelling them was actually kind of fun and satisfying…just what I thought it would be years ago reading that story as a child. BUT…you have to shell a LOT of pods to get not-so-very-many peas. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Secondly, they did taste better. I mean, they’re still peas. If you don’t like peas, then fresh or frozen, you’re probably not going to fall in love. They tasted how I expected, maybe just a bit fresher. But the real advantage is the texture was better, crisper, fresh.

It’s official: freshly shelled peas are great!

If you like peas…

And if you don’t mind manual labor…

But really, they’re great!

As always, feel free to share any pea recipes you love!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 8:11 am 18 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, CSA, Healthy Eats
Tuesday, June 7

Call for Recipes: Green Beans

We haven’t done a real honest-to-goodness Call for Recipes in ages. It’s about time, don’t you think? I love getting you all to share your favorite recipes and I really should make you do it more often!

I have a big old bag of green beans sitting in my fridge from last week’s CSA bag. They want to be eaten, and they want to be eaten well. I usually just steam green beans then sauté them with olive oil, salt and pepper. It’s delicious. But today I was thinking, green beans have so much more potential!

So let’s tap into that potential, folks. Summer is here. Green beans are too (or will be soon!). Share your best most favorite recipes with green beans or your favorite way to prepare them. Nate loves green beans, so I have a feeling he’s going to be very happy with today’s post!

P.S. If your recipe involves a can or frozen bag of green beans, bring it on! We are equal opportunity green beaners around here.

Posted by Jane Maynard at 9:53 am 36 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, CSA, Healthy Eats, Recipes
Tuesday, February 8

The Un-Recipe

My dear friend Emily (who I often credit the existence of this blog to) sent me an email recently with a great blog post idea: The Un-Recipe. Here’s part of Emily’s email: “In my family we have a thing we make a thing called “Melted On Cheese.” Yep, you guessed it, it’s cheese melted on bread…usually in the microwave. Not a recipe. But it has a name, and all my siblings make and eat it. It’s not fancy, and other families would probably think it’s gross. I think a lot of families have recipes like this…”

When I first read her email I thought I didn’t have any Un-Recipes in my life. Then the other day, as I was pulling out some Ritz crackers and cottage cheese, I realized my family most definitely has an Un-Recipe: Cottage Cheese and Crackers. Just like Emily said, it has a name, my family eats it, it’s not fancy, and other people might think it sounds gross. I was able to mark off every checkbox for the definition of Un-Recipe! I can totally remember my mom making this for me when I was a kid. I loved it. I wanted to squeeze as many Ritz crackers onto the plate as possible. I still eat it and think it’s mighty tasty.

So, thank you Emily for a great post idea! I can’t wait to hear about all of your Un-Recipes! Please share!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 11:00 am 153 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, Fun Stuff, Recipes
Tuesday, January 11

Call for Recipes: Walnuts

Let me begin with a confession. I hate walnuts. Hate them. In fact, I’ve never met a walnut I liked. Which is a shame since they are a superfood and all. I’ll just have to eat extra oats or something.

Anyway, just because I don’t like walnuts doesn’t mean you don’t. In fact, I’m pretty sure there are a whole bunch of you out there who actually like, maybe even love, walnuts. Go figure.

We haven’t done a Call for Recipes in a while and I think it’s time. Plus, I found these absolutely gorgeous red walnuts at the store yesterday. Even I, hater of walnuts, couldn’t resist putting them in my shopping cart. They were practically screaming for me to take their picture. I obliged. And luckily Nate likes them, so I promise they won’t go to waste!

I don’t have a walnut recipe to share. But I’m certain you all have wonderful recipes! Please share your favorite recipes that use walnuts, whether they are the main character or play a supporting role. Maybe you’ll even convince me to open my mind to what walnuts have to offer…although I doubt it!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 10:07 am 51 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, Healthy Eats, Recipes
Wednesday, November 10

Let’s talk beets, shall we?

I will admit, there was a time in my life when beets made me, well, gag. And if I’m going to be brutally honest, that time was my entire life! That is until this past September, when I had the beet salad at Cafe Borrone (pictured). The beets were so light flavored, sweet and wonderful. And combined with creamy, heavenly goat cheese? Yum! And then, when I cooked my One-Dish Dinners meal, a similar beet salad was part of the menu I selected. I decided to give beets a chance once again and ended up happily eating them up!

Since I had avoided beets like the plague, I had never prepared them before. I was happy to discover that they are super easy to make. Just cut off the greens, wrap in foil, place on a pan and roast in a 400-degree oven for 40-60 minutes. Once they’re cooked, the skins fall of very easily. Mine had a bit of a heavier flavor than the beets at Cafe Borrone, but they were still good. And Nate was in heaven because, you see, he’s always been a fan of beets. How open-minded of him.

I will say this. If you cut them on a wood cutting board, make sure you use a board that you don’t care gets stained. I purposely chose this old yucky cutting board for the job.

My sister-in-law Cora doesn’t believe me and insists that beets taste like dirt. And, yeah, two months ago I would have joined along in her beet taunting. But no more. I refuse to beat up on beets any longer! You’re on your own, Cora. Okay, who am I kidding? Cora is probably not alone. I think there are actually plenty of people who will join in to declare that beets taste like dirt.

For those of you who DO like beets, though, please feel free to share any recipes or tips! I’m ready to do a bit more experimenting with beets!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 9:41 am 39 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, Healthy Eats, side dishes
Friday, October 22

Call for Recipes: Preserving Apples and Tomatoes
I know I put you to work only a week ago with sharing your best bean recipes, but I have to do another Call for Recipes today. It’s a necessity. Because I suddenly find myself with 12 pounds of pippen apples and 20 pounds of roma “mariana” tomatoes.

My friend Gudrun sent an email earlier this week saying that her CSA would be selling tomatoes and apples in bulk and anyone could buy them. I decided to take the plunge. And now I need to do something with my beautiful produce!

Gudrun conveniently wrote a post today about preserving tomatoes, which is super helpful. And she said she’s going to make a few pies to freeze before baking…making Thanksgiving that much easier! Can you see why I love Gudrun? She’s so resourceful and full of delicious ideas!

I would also love to get some ideas from you! Here’s what I’m looking for:
- Tomato Sauce Recipes. I make homemade tomato sauce frequently, but it’s only ever been for one meal at a time. I’ve never done it in bulk this way, so an honest-to-goodness recipe would be very helpful.
- Apple Sauce Recipes. I’ve never made apple sauce, so I need recipes AND advice on how to store it.
- Apple Pie Recipes. I know there must be apple recipes out there that you’re willing to bet the house on. Please share!
- ANY ideas for preserving my loads of roma tomatoes and pippen apples!
For purely selfish reasons I’m grateful for this blog…I can just put something out there and get a deluge of great advice. Love it! Thank you in advance!!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 9:49 am 42 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, eat less meat, Healthy Eats
Thursday, October 14

Call for Recipes: Beans!

As I’ve reduced the amount of meat in our diet, I’ve discovered a new found appreciation for beans. They truly are a wonder food. High in fiber, protein, complex carbs, folate and iron, they offer a serious nutritional punch. I’ve tried adding beans to our food where I think it makes sense, but I still feel like a bean novice. In fact, I have a few bags of dried beans that have been waiting very patiently in my pantry for, well, months now. Every time I ignore the dried beans and grab a can instead, I can hear Mark Bittman in my head telling me I should have gone with dried. Yup, I hear voices in my head when I’m cooking. Don’t you?

Today’s Call for Recipes is all about beans. Dried, canned or otherwise! Please share your best recipes and tips that involve beans. Whether it’s a simple, “This is how I cook dried black beans” tip or a deliciously complex recipe where beans are just a player in the game. You get it. If you’re talkin’ beans (canned or dried), then I’m happy. Feel free to share recipes with our without meat!

Since I should probably be the one to get this party started, here is one of my bean recipe favorite finds this year, Pasta with Arugula and White Beans. I do have more recipes on my site with beans, but this isn’t about me. I want YOUR recipes! Ready, set, GO!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 11:15 am 48 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, eat less meat, Recipes
Friday, February 19

Call for Recipes: Nuts for Macadamias!

I know. It’s Friday. The last think you want is homework. But I’m giving it to you anyway…but it’s fun homework, I promise!

I have a few cups of macadamia nuts in the cupboard begging to be used. So, bring it on! Give us your best and most favorite recipes using macadamia nuts, savory or sweet! The only thing I have to offer is the recipe from last week for Chunky Blonde Blondies. Which, by the way, are very good, but I’m wanting more macadamia options!

Not only are macadamia nuts tasty, but very good for you…read more about them here. So that means we can go macadamia nut crazy! Enveloping them in chocolate and butter doesn’t affect their health factor, right?

Can’t wait to see what recipes you have…these Call for Recipes posts always generate such great stuff. Thanks, everyone!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 2:19 pm 14 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, Recipes
Wednesday, January 27

Call for Recipes: Cilantro

10 years ago I was the ultimate gringo. I hated corn tortillas, spicy food and cilantro. I really hated cilantro. Then we moved 20 miles from Baja, and cilantro became an unavoidable fact of life. First I learned to tolerate cilantro…then like it…then love it. (PS…I also love corn tortillas and SPICY hot food now, too. Pretty amazing transformation, eh?)

Anyway, back to cilantro. It’s yummy. And now I put it in a lot of our Mexican food…especially guacamole. And I really love it on Barbecue Chicken Pizza. Oh, and this cilantro pesto served with chili chicken skewers is pretty darn yummy too.

It’s been a while since we’ve done a Call for Recipes, so let’s do it! And this one is all about cilantro! Please share your favorite recipes incorporating cilantro and/or your best cilantro tips. If it’s got cilantro in it, we want it!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 4:47 pm 55 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, Recipes
Friday, November 6

Meet the new hottie in my life…Cayenne Pepper

I have fallen in love with cayenne pepper.

I must inform you all that until a few months ago I was a total wimp when it came to spicy (as in hot) food. I always bought mild or medium salsa. If I saw the little pepper symbol on a Chinese food menu, I wouldn’t even consider the dish as an option.

That is until we discovered Back-A-Yard, the Caribbean restaurant I told you about a few months ago. Their jerk chicken is pretty spicy, but of course I had to try it, it’s their thing. Boy am I glad I did. Since that day my tolerance for spicy food has increased 10 fold. I’m not scared anymore! I embrace the spice! In fact, at the BlogHer Food after party, there were these chicken kabobs that everyone was saying were too spicy…and they didn’t even phase me. I have officially numbed my taste buds and boy am I proud. I’m not your typical gringo anymore!

Which is why I’m in love with cayenne pepper. It’s such a great spice for kicking up the flavor. And it’s really so beautiful. I just love opening the lid to find this:

As always, if you have any favorite spicy recipes to share, please do! We’re looking for some HEAT today!

Posted by Jane Maynard at 12:34 pm 13 Comments
Categories: call for recipes, the goods