picky cook

soup and saladcaesar salad with hard-boiled eggs

we wanted a light dinner...this caesar salad fits the bill. Read More

i am missing summer so for dinner i tried to recreate summer. i grabbed a couple texas ruby red grapefruit and limes. then i saw kumquats. i have had them once before and their color reminds me of the sun - so they were gonna be part of this. finally i got a couple avocados and mixed greens and went home to create my version of summer on a plate.
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mixed greens salad with strawberries and candied almonds

this salad has everything - the sweet strawberries play very well with the acidic vinaigrette. the candied almonds provide the perfect crunch to make this salad one of my favorites. it is simple and quick and utterly wonderful. Read More

potato leek soup

when i bought the ingredients for this potato leek soup it was cold out. (typical minnesota) today was beautiful and warm so it was a little weird eating warm soup, but it was still delicious. Read More

roasted potato leek soup

the roasting of the potatoes and leeks adds a depth of flavor that is incredible. i added garlic to the recipe because potatoes and garlic go together in my world. when i first read the recipe the arugula puzzled me a bit but it adds a peppery flavor that is well matched with the soup. the creme fraiche adds a creamy quality to the soup that makes it like velvet. ina recommends serving it with crispy shallots and they are incredible. i did not believe that they would really take 40 minutes to make, but they really do. i have served it with and without them - both ways are wonderful. Read More

spicy vegetable barley soup

this soup is probably my most requested meal - it is near perfect. there are a couple secrets that make this soup so amazing...paprika, sundried tomato paste, and the lemon juice at the end. this is not your typical boring vegetable soup .... it is the best vegetable soup you will ever eat. i could eat it everyday! i have served it for dinner with a salad, or alone for lunch. Read More

vegetable minestrone

i have decided it is about time that i get over my fear of beans. i have never been a fan of the texture - but i figured it is time to get over it. i knew i wanted to start with cannellini beans because i knew they were a creamier texture that most.

this minestrone was hearty and delicious.

warm tomato salad

i made this salad with the vegetable tart. they were perfect together...it was like a spa meal. its light, refreshing and different with the warm tomatoes. Read More