Saturday Surfing…On a Different Wave

I know that usually I highlight recipes from different blogs.  Today I want to do something a little different.

Were you aware that today is the 20th of December?  Were you also aware that that means there are only five more days until Christmas?  I don’t know about you but for me…well I am swamed with stuff to do and my time is at a premium.  As much as I love to cook I need some really fast, easy, good meal ideas.  I want to spend time with the kids doing important stuff.

Like watching movies and making cookies.

You? Yep.  I thought so…

So rather than hunting up blogs I am going to link to a number of recipes, as well as give menu suggestions, that fit the following criteria:

• They are quick and easy…under 30 minutes
• They are good
• They don’t rely on ingredients that take a special trip to the store

Yes folks, what we need here is some retro-style!

• Cream of Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese.  Seriously.  What is more comforting and good than this classic combo?  Top the soup with a handful of popcorn just as you put it on the table…I know it sounds odd but I read this in one of my vintage cookbooks and it is really pretty as well as delicious.  If you want to make it a little more foodie oriented add some caramelized onions to the sandwich while you are grilling it.  You know you have to cut the sandwich in fourths on the diagonal and dip the corners into the soup, right?  Time:10 minutes
• When we owned the restaurant this Chicken and Wild Rice Soup was on the menu and it was a HUGE hit with everyone.  We sold out of it in a matter of minutes.  Serve it with smoked turkey, gouda, and a thin layer of cranberry sauce on raisin bread.  I swear.  Time 25 minutes.
  
• SOS…yes really.  I grew up on this stuff..I think alot of us in the 50s and 60s did.  It is a big comfort food for me.  Very simple, very good and will be on the table in less than 20 minutes.  Serve it over toast or egg noodles, and add a side salad.  This  recipe is about right.  I add one onion, chopped and 4 oz of cream cheese.  I leave out the flour, too, unless it won’t reduce and thicken. Time 20 minutes
• Diner food!  Give ‘em a blue plate special with this hot, open faced turkey sandwich. Add some mashed potatoes on the side, and well seasoned green beans.  You can turn oldies music on and pretend you are doing the Route 66 thing.  Start with good turkey from the deli, have them slice it on a one or two.  Time 10 minutes
• Pork Chops with Apple Sauce, this is so classic. You need to have a hunk of Emmental cheese and a good crusty bread with this.  This is a video featuring Rachel Ray.  Here is the print recipe Time 20 minutes
• Chili Dogs..Seriously..when is the last time you had one?  Put chopped onions in the bottom of the bun.  Top with a hot dog.  Spoon on some chili (I use Wolf Brand wiht no beans).  Spoon on some grilled onion and grated cheese, and put it on a plate next to some tots. Time:15 minutes
  
• Thai Ginger Chicken is quick and gourmet enough to keep your tastebuds reminded that you will resume cooking in a few days. Serve it with noodles rather than rice for even more time savings. Time 20 minutes
• Sweet Pepper Steak is gorgeous!  Feed the kids toasted cheese and tomato soup and put them to bed early.  This takes about 20 minutes to prepare.  Time: 20 minutes

Sure, we make things from scratch.  We use fleur de sel and routinely add lavender buds to shortbread cookies.  We know what rosewater is and we know that bacon makes a great brittle candy…but, this time of year with so much going on? Time to revisit your roots and eat the stuff you haven’t eaten in years.  It isn’t what you cook, you know..it is how you cook it. 

image:marye audet (c) 2008