New recipe, October 30, 2015

Halloween party at the neighbors, so the new cocktail is the tweak on the Negroni by Chiltern Firehouse, from the October 2015 Bon Appetít. This is nice (I like Negronis anyway), it gets a 4.

New recipe, October 29, 2015

We saw the excellent production of As You Like It tonight at the Denver Center, so the new recipe is the Daiquiri from the October 2015 Bon Appetít. It is really good--not sure we've ever had a regular, non-frozen daiquiri before. It gets a 4

New recipe, October 27, 2015

We have quite a few left overs, so Mark enjoyed a new cocktail--the Vesper from the October 2015 Bon Appetít. A nice variation on the martini--it gets a 4.

New recipe, October 14, 2015

Baked Pasta with Merguez and Harissa Spiked Sauce from the October 2015 Bon Appetít. Harissa is highly variable in its spiciness--we used the Les Moulins Mahjoub Harissa, which is fairly mild to our taste. We give this a 3, and think it will be at least a 4 with a spicier Harissa. You can get Merguez sausage at Marczyk's in Denver, and it really adds to this dish.

New recipe, October 5, 2015

We reprised the Cassoulet in a Flash from Cooking Light Soups & Stews, and the Pear and Chioggia Beet Slaw from the September/October 2015 Eating Well. The new dish is Seared Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme from the October 2015 Bon Appetít, which we liked a lot--it gets a 4.

New recipe, September 27, 2015

So Carl landed in the hospital early today after a fall that gave him several facial fractures and a tiny amount of intracranial bleeding. But he is doing really well, and so it felt like the right thing to do when I got home was to make a new recipe, and take pictures of the lunar eclipse--heading back to normal.

So I made Dry Rubbed Flank Steak with Grilled Corn Salsa from the September 2015 Bon Appetít. Really tasty, it gets a 5! Served with leftover Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini, from Cooking Light.

Wine: Bleasdale The Broadside Langhorne Creek 2008

New recipe, September 5, 2015

We did a repeat of the Steak Au Poivre from Evan Goldstein's Perfect Pairings. This is still a 5! The new recipe is the Frisée-Lardon Salad from the September 2015 Bon Appetít--pretty simple to make, but spectacular--another 5!

Wine: Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (thanks, Rich and Tim!)

New recipe, August 11, 2015

Plum Fennel Salad with Honey Ginger Dressing from the August 2015 Bon Appetít. This is a nice salad--it gets a 4.

New recipe, August 4, 2015

Honey Turmeric Pork with Beet and Carrot Salad from the July 2015 Bon Appetít. The pork is delicious and the salad is quite nice (use a mandoline). We give this a 4.

Wine: Von der Leyen Riesling 2012

New recipes, August 1, 2015

Happy Colorado Day! We did another meal for the family reunion, with assistance from nieces and nephews.

New dishes:

Grilled Halloumi Cheese with Blueberry Balsamic Jam from the July/August 2015 Eating Well. Tasty! This gets a 5.

Also from Eating Well, Spicy Tomatillo Quinoa. This gets a 4.

From the July 2015 Bon Appetít, Bitter Greens with Sautéed Corn and Shallots. You can never go wrong with bacon dressing. This gets a 4.

Finally, a repeat from the same Eating Well, Juniper Marinated Flank Steak. This remains very good, and gets a 4.

New recipes, July 30, 2015

At the Groshek Family Reunion, it was our night to cook. All 5 of these are new.

Grilled Eggplant and Babaganoush from the July/August 2015 Eating Well. We liked the Baba Ghanoush, but it would have been better on bread or crackers than on grilled eggplant slices. We give it a 4.

Grilled Corn and Chili Dip from the July 2015 Bon Appetít--delicious! We are thinking yogurt in place of the sour cream might make it healthier while keeping the flavors, but it is tasty! It gets a 4.

New recipes, April 2, 2015

Your New Favorite Pork Chops from the March 2015 Bon Appetit, and Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Mushroom Sauce from Delallo. Both were very pleasant, we give them 3s.

Wine: Saint Esprit Côtes du Rhônes 2012

New recipe, March 30, 2015

Fregola with Green Peas Mint and Ricotta from the April 2015 Bon Appetít. Very pleasant flavors, this gets a 3.

Wine: Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé 2013

New recipe, December 20, 2014

Beets with Goat Cheese, Nigella Seeds and Pistachios from the January 2015 Bon Appetít. This is delicious--might use a little less goat cheese, as it was quite rich. It gets a 4. Served with leftover Smoky Cabbage Soup.