http://dinnerwithjulie.com A year in my kitchen Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:09:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I don't dislike broccoli. But still, I buy it because I feel like I should, and every time it sits in my fridge until it starts to turn yellow. Then I end up making broccoli soup or classy chicken (an old Best of Bridge casserole Mike and my Dad love ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/07/02/day-184-broccoli-cheese-soup-and-upside-down-caramelized-onion-pan-bread/ Documenting tonight's dinner is going to take until tomorrow night's dinner. This afternoon was M & A's awesome second annual Canada Day party, a potluck, which I think needs to come back into vogue. On the menu: pork kebabs with onions and mushrooms, beef kebabs, D's Mom's famous curried chicken, potatoes and chick ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/07/01/day-183-canada-day-potluck-my-contribution-maple-butter-tart-squares-and-nanaimo-bars/ Because: a) it's far too hot to cook b) I just didn't want to 3) I have 2 articles to finish tonight, plus a blog post d) we've had a $25 Swiss Chalet gift card since Christmas, and I was determined not to let it expire 5) SC is one of the few places I ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/30/day-182-quarter-chicken-dinner-with-spinach-salad/ Whomever first applied the term "rustic" to food, and meant it as a good thing, is my hero. He or she has opened up the door for those of us who do not achieve picture-perfection to still present a handmade Danish braid without shame. I myself feel a little superheroic for ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/29/day-181-dinner-out-and-a-danish-braid-with-berries-then-one-with-goat-cheese-and-spiced-fig-caramel/ Last week, I was driving with my 10 year old niece and she asked me what my favourite food was. After I stopped laughing at the idea of having to choose just one (I sometimes get panicky at the thought of how much great food there is to eat and ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/28/day-180-portobello-pizzas-with-bruschetta/ I hardly ever make sandwiches, but when I do, it's mostly because it makes me feel like a good and competent wife feeding one to Mike, the way my Grandma made a sandwich for my Grandad every day for lunch, or at least every day that I was in their presence. She'd ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/27/day-179-just-sandwiches/ Or as someone slightly more eloquent might say, Croque Monsieur. I love it when dinners come about like this: last week, Pierre wrote about Mr. Crunchy in his food column in Swerve; generally I would glaze over a story about grilled ham & cheese (as you may very well be doing ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/26/day-178-mr-crunch/ As you may have guessed, dinner wasn't at home tonight. I was cooking for a private event at Willow Park, a wine tasting with food paired at each station. The satay, meatballs and salmon were nothing new, but I hadn't made gougères before. Gougères are choux pastry - cream puffs - ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/25/gruyere-gougeres-citrus-salmon-bites-chicken-satay-with-peanut-sauce-bison-meatballs-with-blueberry-sauce-and-panna-cotta-spoons/ And we didn't even order in! I was mighty proud of myself for pulling off the daal and naan, although later on not so proud anymore, having eaten the better part of four fresh naan breads warm from the skillet. Not a good idea. My only consolation was that the ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/24/day-176-daal-curry-tomato-curried-potatoes-roasted-cauliflower-and-naan/ Since I was 15 and hung out at Earls with my friend J, who had a real job as a busgirl there, back in the day of the giant papier-mâché parrots and green and white umbrellas and Mocha Kahlúa Pie, I have been a fan of their Hot Chicken Caesar ... http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2008/06/23/day-175-shrimp-caesar-salad/