What's cookin'?

I love to cook. I have always loved being in the kitchen, first as a child where it was the center of the family; later, I enjoyed creating my own recipes and recreating meals I had enjoyed in restaurants. Growing up in the '60s and '70s in an Italian family, macaroni was dinner at least twice a week. We also learned to love Jiffy-Pop, Cheez-Whiz and other assorted "healthy" fare. Vegetables were never center stage, and salad was often just iceberg, cukes and tomatoes. Weight was never a problem for me either, but as the years go by,I find that the old metabolism isn't what it used to be. In my twenties, I could skip a few Twinkies and lose 5 pounds to get into that cute outfit for a weekend date. Now, in my very, very, VERY late 20's, losing 5 pounds takes nothing short of a miracle! I used my love of cooking and interest in healthy eating to cultivate a repertoire of healthy and delicious new recipes, as well as healthier dishes inspired by old favorites. My project last summer was to research and develop ways to increase my collection of vegetable recipes. Not vegetarian, but vegetable-centered, I have tried to use spices, herbs, and various cultural styles to keep dinner interesting, exciting and worth going back for seconds. I am not a nutritionist, but I have done a good amount of reading, and think I have a handle on what's good for me and what should be avoided. Welcome to my first blog. Feel free to try any recipes that interest you, and share your own! Together we can answer the question....What's healthy for dinner?!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Garden Vegetable Ratatouille

This summer vacation I am mastering the art of laziness, and don't even feel bad about it.  Even in the kitchen I am looking for easier ways to make a healthy meal.  So tonight I came home after an action-packed day of appointments, and tried to figure out what to do that would keep me on track health-wise, but wouldn't take too much preparation.  I looked at the pile of vegetables on my counter, both from my garden and a friend's, and decided to do a one-pot dish.  Ratatouille doesn't seem to have a lot of rules, so I just pulled out a cutting board and started chopping.  I had a yellow summer squash, a purple eggplant, red bell pepper, some tomatillos and the first of the ripening tomatoes.  I chopped these, as well as a store-bought onion, into large chunks, then added minced garlic, and some minced hot peppers from my garden.  I just seasoned, added a small amount of olive oil, and started cooking over medium heat.  When everything started softening, I added about a half cup of white wine, and a few teaspoons of tomato sauce.  I didn't want everything mushy, as some recipes for ratatouille tend to be, so I watched closely. At the very end of cooking, I added my fresh chopped parsley and oregano from the garden.  I thought about adding some kalamata olives for some briny-salty personality, but I was too lazy to pit them, so instead I opted for a spoonful of capers. Same effect.  I served all this over some barley prepared in my trusted rice cooker, and next to some grilled chicken.  Quick, tasty, healthy, and plenty leftover for another day.  I may add some chick peas to the vegetables and mix with brown rice for a meatless lunch.

 

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