Tag Archives: roasting

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Caraway

Somebody hold me…  Because in nine days, it’s time to say goodbye to The Office.  Forever.  I don’t know if I’m ready yet.

(And the lines between TV talk and food talk blur once again…  Bear with me?  If you want?)

Critics say the U.S. version of the show overstayed its welcome, to which I respond: duh, and it’s all because of unsophisticated ding dongs like me, who kept watching no matter what.  Sorry, serious legitimate critics and Comic Book Guys (and Ladies) of the world.

What can I say?  I’m loyal.  And I, for one, am glad the show stuck around as long as it did, despite the peaks and valleys.  Here’s why:

1.  Its success practically spawned Parks and Recreation, which we can all agree is literally amazing, sharp television, no?
2.  It exposed the world to the girly genius of Mindy Kaling.
3.  The Office at its worst was still a thousand times better than Two and a Half Broke Whitneys or whatever.
4.  If it took that long to take Pam and Jim from nauseatingly perfect to real-life perfect, I’m okay with that.
5.  Finally, if we had to tolerate a weak season (or a few) to get an epic a capella showdown involving Stephen Colbert (can’t find a clip to link, so sad), I’m game. 

In short, I think this is a good time to give our insides a big old hug with springtime comfort food.  That’s not as weird as it sounds…  I don’t think.

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Roasted Beet and Farro Salad

I got karma-ed big time this morning.  Big.  Time.

See, last night I did an evil thing that I normally don’t do.  I saw a spider scurrying across the kitchen floor (not that this happens often), and, well…  It was moving too quickly for me to do my usual hippie-dippy thing with a sheet of paper and gentle release back into the outdoors.  This bad boy (or girl) had places to be, things to do.  So.  I think you can figure out what I did.

This morning, I was up way too early, and as I groggily made my way into the kitchen in the dark, my sock found itself, all of a sudden, cold and wet and covered with bubbly foam.  In the very same spot where my spider friend met its maker, which was actually the first thought in my sleepy, guilty brain.

Coincidence?  Doubt it.

You got me, spider….  And you have CostCo to thank for packaging dishwashER liquid and dishwashING liquid in a way-too-similar manner.  Universe, karma, CostCo–all working together on your eight-legged behalf.  I salute you, and hope all is well on the other side.

If you were human, I’d make you a nice salad…  But I also wouldn’t murder you (swearsies).  I hope dedicating this post to you is enough.

Anyway, salad.

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Roasted Carrot, Avocado and Orange Salad

I can’t be the only not-at-all-an-actor (unless you count acting like a weirdo) who secretly wishes to be interviewed by James Lipton.  First of all, he is awesome.  Second of all, he has some amazing questions…  Like the ones he always asks about favorite/least favorite words.  I like talking about words.

And boy oh boy.  I think I could go on a rather long rant about “awkward.”  I can’t think of any other word that has been abused and misused like poor little “awkward.”  I don’t dislike the word itself–not everyone can pull off the w-k-w combo!  That is impressive.  However.  It seems everything today is “awkward.”  It’s like we’re all stuck in that Alanis Morissette song about irony.  A black fly in your chardonnay isn’t ironic, Alanis, and neither is it awkward, Lots of Other People.  It’s gross.

That felt so good, you guys.  Thank you for letting me put on my grouchy pants.

Let’s talk about words we like now.  I have many!  Among them: juicy, roasted, spicy, sweet, tart, creamy, orange, green.  Do you see where I’m going?  I’m going to salad town.

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Prune’s Sous Chef Salad

This is my excuse for eating everything, everywhere, all day every day, when I travel (not that I need one).  Inspiration!  Recreating favorite, memorable dishes from far away… It’s like a time/space machine.  There’s always something to learn from people who, uh, actually cook for a living.

What I’m saying is, nice job, Gabrielle Hamilton’s sous chef at Prune in NYC.  I want to be like you when I grow up, and this is me trying.  Also, thanks for lunch.

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Chicken Piccata and Roasted Lemon-Garlic Broccolini

This food blogging thing is a strange beast, I’m finding.  It interesects with real life…  Sometimes.  For example, check out what happened this weekend:

Rachel and I rolled up our sleeves, fueled up on Jameson and pumped out Irish cream sandwich cookies, “caramelassies,” soda bread, green shamrock dip, corned beef with bourbon-orange glaze, colcannon and the cutest roasted carrots you’ve ever seen.  Also pictured: guest contributions of steamed rice buns and Lunchables (always welcome).

So, yeah–I didn’t take photos for you, or make meticulous notes on recipes.  You don’t want to see those things anymore, right?  We’re already in Easter mode!  Things move fast.

I think you may want to see this, though.  It isn’t nearly as date-specific as all that beautiful Irish-themed food.  Chicken piccata is welcome whenever.  It’s weeknight-friendly, even if you insist on serving it with a bottle of crisp, grassy white wine (I did).  Oh, and–delicious.  Let’s not forget that.

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Roasted Cauliflower and Arugula Salad

I watched St. Elmo’s Fire last night, and I’m sort of concerned about Andie MacDowell.  If you haven’t seen it, or it’s been a while, all you need to know is: Emilio Estevez = legit CREEP in this movie.  And what does sweet, pretty Andie do when he shows up at her ski cabin where she’s staying with a seemingly far less creepy man?  Let him cozily spend the night at said ski cabin and offer him a pair of warm plaid flannel pajamas.  ANDIE.  He wants to lock you in his basement and weave blankets out of your hair, sister.

Was there no such thing as stalking in 1985?  Maybe no one knew about All Things Creepy before Silence of the Lambs came out in 1991.  Yeah, that must be it.

Meanwhile…  All I can do is make salad.  And what a salad this is!  In the rainy tail end days of “official” winter, we roast cauliflower.  Then there’s fresh baby arugula for a nutty, peppery crunch, dijon and lemon, sweet bits of dried cherries or raisins, Parmesan for savory fullness, and pine nuts, which were basically made to be with arugula forever.

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