I Can't Help It if I'm Still In Love with You

Turkey Noodle Helper Skillet

When Hamburger Helper came on the scene in 1977, I was waiting plate in hand for some of that meat stretching, carb-loaded goodness.  I guess I've always admired the one pot meal method.  Separated cooking is fine for those occasions when you have the time and desire to be that girl, but most days, we like our short cuts.  I made a Ground Turkey Stroganoff  with Broccoli Rabe, mushrooms and a dollop of sour cream and chicken stock.  

In a large skillet with lid, brown the turkey in a pan with mushrooms onions and cook well, until all the liquid has absorbed and begins to get a little crisped up.  Add a heaping tablespoon of flour, salt pepper and spices of choice.  Cook just until raw flour cooks off.  Add chicken stock, about 2-4 cups, bring to boil. Be sure to scrape off the delicious fond on the bottom of the pan.  Add egg noodles, stir, cover and simmer for 20 minutes on low. Open the lid and add all your par-boiled chopped broccoli rabe. No need to stir yet, the steam will cook but leave the vibrant color.  Cover on low for 10 more minutes.  Before serving stir in a 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt and chicken stock slurry.   

The broccoli rabe adds a horseradish-y element that takes this from tasting like a phoned in dinner, to 'this chick knows what she's doing' feel.   It's tangy, it's packed with flavors and texture. It yields happy-inducing retro vibes and if you are a lover of life, this is for you.  

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• bunch of Broccoli Rabe (parboiled and chopped)
• 1 package of egg noodles
• Chicken Stock
• sour cream or yogurt
• mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 chopped onion
• flour

I wanted to introduce you to the Bruschetta slice which is UHmazing!!!

Pizza Slice Party! 

You Are the Sunlight in my Growing

Spring Chicken

Feta takes on an alternate flavor when baked.  Cherry tomatoes are all the rage when they pop their sweetness inside your mouth, and are made even sweeter by roasting. With the chicken, olive oil and garlic together, it was a nice spring meal, zesty and fresh, yet soul-warming.  Serve with side salad.

Is this a feature of Cherry Blossoms or a hybrid that they can flower both white and pink on the same tree? 

I like to get right up next to the flowering trees and surround myself with all their enchanting blooms. It's always incredible to see pink when for months you see only black and grey.  The flowers come before the green on the trees.  I liken it to the smell of newborn baby heads.

One day the Gowanus canal will be lined with high rises filled with upper crusties and no one will remember the black sludge and bodies, or the foul smell and the fact that if you happened to fall in, you may lose your life from the bacteria.  That's the Gowanus I love. 

Brunch at Verde on Smith.  Ultra cool grown man-waiters that still take pride in the position of serving food and crafting a special experience for the diner.  A lost art. 

Mr Mango market

Yellow bursts onto the scene as far as the eye can see

Are You Sad Because You're On Your Own?

Easter  is a holiday that can be celebrated in one's heart.  No need for a mass gathering, this holiday can be personal.  It was always a big food deal in my home growing up and I do have some great memories that revolve around baked hams and pork roasts, potato salad and deviled eggs.  I slightly recall cheap grocery store Easter baskets with that green cellophane and bonnets I had to wear to church but it's the dinner that was memorable.  Only second to the greatest story ever told.

I spent the holiday alone this year and decided to make a Baked Spaghetti Supreme after work.  A throw-back food reminiscent of the Pizza Hut creation of the 1970s.  When I went to the restaurant and ordered this for the first time I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  That was also the introduction to the salad bar and free pop refills. Spaghetti and pizza toppings and the unique taste of baked pasta in sauce was my idea of celebrational food from then on.  Done correctly, this is too delicious, sinfully so.  It's the best of both worlds.  I added sausage and mushrooms, olives, onions and used good Parmesan and Mozzarella. 

 

I'd love to be with family or with my partner but circumstances gave me this fun opportunity to spend it with a giant casserole of my favorite food alone and so I accepted and invited what is, and loved it. 

I wrote silly poems to the spring flowers while riding to and from work in the sun, took pictures and enjoyed observing others on holiday.  I thanked God and mother nature for the new buds and then went home and ate a moderate portion and then another giant plate for dinner.