See Us Eat: Dinner at Home

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Dinner at Home

Chopped Salad with Balsamic Vinegarette
A nice change to lettuce based salads, but using the same dressing.

-1 jicama, peeled and julienned
-6 small tomatos, diced
-4 small cucumbers, peeled and diced
-2 bell peppers, diced
-1 handful fresh cilantro
-equal parts olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, whisked

Mix all ingredients and pour the dressing over it. Stir to coat.

Brocolli and Cheese Soup
A tasty, thick soup with a cheesy kick.

-3 cans chicken broth
-1 lb brocolli, cut in chunks
-5 garlic cloves, peeled
-1/2 onion, roughly chopped
-1 and 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar, or other cheese with character
-pepper to taste

Sautee the onions and garlic in a bit of olive oil until beginning to brown. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the brocolli, cover and simmer until fork-tender, and still bright green. Turn off heat and puree with immersion blender. Add cheese and stir until smooth.

Pesto Chicken
A quick and flavorful chicken dish made with homemade pesto that was made weeks ago and frozen.

-12 chicken thighs, cut in bite sized chunks
-salt and pepper to taste
-1/2 cup homemade pesto
-1/2 cup grated parmasean

Sautee chicken until brown and cooked through. Remove from heat and add pesto. Stir to coat. Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with grated parmasean.

Fresh Strawberries
Mmm. It's finally strawberry season, and you remember what a real strawberry tastes like (and wonder why you eat strawberries the rest of the year).