It’s simple. It’s soup.
September 18, 2012
Like my “Five Easy Pieces” formula for designing a room…these five simple ingredients will keep you warm and satisfied at mealtime during the cooler months ahead. I wanted to incorpoate my favorite superfood, Arugula, into a simple hot dish that could be made on the quick…like soup. After scouting several recipes, editing,tweaking and adjusting.., my Potato White Bean and Arugula soup is the result. In less than an hour you can turn this out and feed a group with minimal effort using 5 items you most likely have on hand; chicken stock, white beans, potatoes, garlic and arugula. Ok, you might need to run out for the greens, but they go in last, so you have the opportunity to pick up a great loaf of bread and some figs for dessert to round out your meal while the soup is simmering. After a bowl of this you’ll be wondering why you don’t make soup more often.
This soup could only be better served up in this simplequietmodern soup plate from the Chez Pannise collection produced by Heath Ceramics….don’t you think?
http://www.heathceramics.com/cook-dine.html?heath_collection=226
Pan con Tomate
September 14, 2012
With the summer tomatoes better than ever now, it’s a perfect time to enjoy this classic from the north of Spain. Start with a great slice of bread and grill it or toast it up. Then, simply rub the rough surface with a clove of garlic followed by a good rub of the cut side of a ripe tomato. A sprinkle of coarse salt (and a little drizzle of olive oil if you’d like) and you are done and done. Eaten as a snack or as part of a light lunch as they serve it up at Sunday Supper, the key here lies in the ingredients. Use the best rustic bread you can get your hands on and go that extra mile to get a great tomato from a local farmers market or country farm stand. You might even try knocking out a homemade loaf yourself with this recipe from The Fresh Loaf. Any way you get it done…treat yourself and just do it. You’ll find yourself wondering why you never made this before.
http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/2984/jasons-quick-coccodrillo-ciabatta-bread
http://sunday-suppers.com/midday-meal-asparagus-sformato-fondanta-pan-con-tomate/
Not So Fast
September 1, 2012
Here in the northern mid-west we wait patiently for Summer through every type of brutal Winter force. Yet, once it’s here, people are ready to slip into Fall way ahead of schedule. The Autumn solstice does not occur until September 21…which means, quite simply, that there are three more weeks of Summer still to enjoy. Sure, the days are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler and afternoon shadows are longer. But, hey, Summer is Summer. You can plan ahead to Fall all you’d like but don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the last days of Summer while they’re here. Three more weeks…that’s a lot of Summer fun left to be had. Now…how bout a picnic?
Pucker up
August 29, 2012
It’s almost time. I’ve been waiting all summer for the run to the farm stand to pick up my cucumbers and make a batch of crock dills. I had never made pickles before last summer when I got hold of a recipe that a family friend uses and everyone raves about. I commandeered a 3 gallon stoneware crock, gathered my ingredients and in no time…literally 4 days…I had quarts of fresh dills that were second to none. It’s always gratifying when a plan comes together but when the jars started disappearing and friends were asking for pickles or the recipe well into the winter, well, that recipe is a keeper.
Watermelon Gazpacho
August 12, 2012
It definitely says summer. Few ingredients…5 minute prep…overnight chill… done and done. The little kick from the hot sauce or some red pepper flakes makes all the difference. Why not serve it as a cocktail or appetizer “shooter” with a feta cube and mint leaf garnish (would a shot of vodka be so bad?) . Or, you can serve it up with a skewer of grilled shrimp like they do over at Meatballs and Milkshakes who created this recipe. Not a bad offering for these 90 + degree days we’ve been having.
http://meatballsandmilkshakes.com/2012/07/10/watermelon-gazpacho-and-grilled-shrimp/
Better like this…
August 3, 2012
Yikes! There’s so much going on here you’re likely to have a seizure before you reach the coffeemaker.(Gotta love the green bananas in the center of the frame.) 
Or , better like this? For me there is no question. The perfectly executed mid-century space is the one for me. Even back then someone knew to take down the uppers, keep the refrigerator and appliances out of view ( or minimize their visual impact), provide more than ample surface space and take full advantage of visually expanding the square footage by incorporating the outdoor view. The built in dining area is seamlessly integrated keeping the family “in the loop” while prepping for supper. I’ve got my soup pot and rolling pin…it feels like home to me.
Presto…pesto
July 26, 2012
Well, I love pesto. On pasta hot or cold…on pizza…even in potato salad. But, I’ve never had arugula pesto. How did this happen? I love arugula too and yet this had somehow missed my plate. When I found this recipe , which couldn’t be simpler, and tweaked it based on what was at hand…I had a hit. The simple ingredients provided a great lemony mix…fresh. There was no waiting for a pizza or focaccia dough to rise so I split a small Syrian wood baked loaf, spread the pesto and topped it with some bocconcini mozzarella…simple…perfect. 
Land of the free…
July 4, 2012
and the home of the classic 4th of July cook-out. I’m not a hot dog or sausage fan, but after having a “dog” at the Simply Good Kitchen in Birmingham, MI …made with one of their homemade fresh Polish Keilbasa…well, I had to change my mind. Presented in a beautifully browned poppy-seed bun with sauerkraut and their special horseradish mustard (or Chicago style)…well, I was hooked. If you happen to be in the Detroit area you’d do well to stop in and pick some up, knock out a bowl of potato salad and chill the watermelon. It’s that simple. And, as long as your fire is stoked, a giant toasted marshmallow and some sparklers would be the perfect finishing touch to your 4th of July celebration.
http://www.simplygoodkitchen.com/
https://simplequietmodern.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/you-say-potato/
Red White and Blueberry
June 30, 2012
Well, that would have been a more appropriate plan for the 4th of July, but I really love blueberries and nectarines. It’s my favorite of the ” crisp” desserts. It’s simple. I love blueberries. I love nectarines.I love them together. OK, then it got a little confusing when I ran into something called a Peacharine~ 1/2 peach 1/2 nectarine. How bad could that be? As it happens, they are fantastic! They almost tasted more “peachy” than most of the peaches I’ve had in recent years with a rich vibrant flavor and as juicy as you’d love them to be. So… that was the new plan, substituting the nectarines with peacharines in my Nectarine Blueberry Crisp. This is simple, simple, simple and there will be nothing left but an empty baking dish. Add this to your 4th menu and let me know if you get any complaints other than you needed to have made two.
What’s for lunch?
June 28, 2012
Like a lot of people I’ve been eating less and less red meat and chicken these days. So, then, what’s for lunch? Today I’ve whipped up a substantial salad that is fresh and satisfying and best of all…simple. Starting with a base of Trader Joe’s Brown rice medley ( which includes black barley and daikon radish seeds ) I’ve added red bell pepper, green onion, sugar snap peas and toasted walnuts and dressed it with my “go to” vinaigrette of olive oil and lemon juice with a touch of garlic. While your grains are cooling to room temp you can prep your vegetables and mix up your dressing. The best part of this salad it the texture…C R U N C H Y…from the daikon seeds to the sugar snaps to the celery to the walnuts. OK…now I’m hungry. Is it time to break yet? 
simplequietmodern 