Salisbury Steak

Can you even hear Salisbury steak mentioned without thinking of childhood?  For me it represents the quintessential frozen dinner, that special treat that my mother rarely allowed.  But when she did finally give in and I had a choice, it was usually this one that I'd pick.

Thirsty Thursdays: Maple Daiquiri

Maple Daiquiri

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this autumn twist on a classic cocktail!

Easy Pulled Chicken Chili

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Manwich for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today I thought I'd share my weekly meal plan with you:

Weekends - Farmer's market and grocery shopping.  Elaborate homemade meals and desserts both days.
Monday - Leftovers (we love 'em!)

Tuesday - Possible small amount of remaining leftovers supplemented by veggies and beans.

Wednesday - Eggs

Thursday - Desperate pantry scrounge

Friday - Help!

Labneh Cheesecake with Honeyed Figs

Those of you familiar with labneh are now racing to the bottom of this article to find where you can get your hands on it.  For the uninitiated, I shall explain.  Lebnah is a Middle Eastern yogurt cheese.  Basically, think Greek style yogurt but even more strained.  Thick, almost a cream cheese consistency, rich and tart and heavenly tasting.  It's usually drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with za'atar (more on this wonderful spice soon) and served as a dip with pita bread.  It was many years since I'd had it but I never forgot.

Thirsty Thursdays: Apple Pie Martini

Apple Pie Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this perfect, seasonal drink!

Pumpkin Soda Bread

I was trying to hold off on the pumpkin recipes until October, I really was! But I was walking past my favorite gourmet food and produce store and there they were. Not all markets have them yet but this place did. A big display of pumpkins and squash and those little gourds that I love so much. Oh, all right, I give in. I really do love pumpkin.

Not Lazy Meatloaf

Hi, my name is Anita and I'm a recovering lazy meatloaf maker. Maybe you can relate, maybe not, but this is my story. I grew up eating and liking meatloaf. My mother made it and taught me to make it. We were a meatloaf eating family. When I grew up and began my own life, I continued to make meatloaf but that life got a little busy. Shortcuts began to creep in.

Thirsty Thursdays: The Fig and Bourbon

The Fig and Bourbon

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this delightful autumn pairing!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Marbled Sandwich Cookies

I think you all know that I'm a big fan of OXO kitchen products and use them daily.  I've had the pleasure of getting to know some members of the OXO team and gotten the opportunity to test many of their products.  So far my only complaint is that I don't have a large enough kitchen to have all their tools because I certainly want them. And so it was my pleasure to lend them a hand in baking to raise money for a great cause.

Sweet Spiced Pear Bread

My pear obsession is getting out of control.  First there was Spiced Pear Hand Pies then came Pear Cosmos and now we have pear bread.  Actually, what we had was a couple of leftover pears and I couldn't resist putting them to good use.

Thirsty Thursdays: Pear Cosmo

Pear Cosmo

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this lovely and fragrant cocktail!

Spiced Pear Hand Pies

I was out shopping recently, minding my own business, not really looking for anything in particular, when I saw a big 4 1/2" copper pear shaped cookie cutter.  I had to have it.  It's possible I may have had a need for an apple shaped one, too.  And now I had to do something with it.

The Month in Review - August 2014

Happy Labor Day!  It's a long weekend for most of us and the unofficial end of summer.  Here in New York, kids go back to school tomorrow, weekend beach house shares are over and we're starting to think about fall.  We've actually been having a little mini heat wave for the last few days but I know it won't be long now before I start pulling out the jackets and sweaters.  I may have...um...already bought a new pair of Aldo boots because...Aldo! And boots!  OK, I'm guilty, I love fall.

Thirsty Thursdays: Bourbon and Thyme Peach Smash

Bourbon and Thyme Peach Smash

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this perfect late summer sipper!

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

What do you do when you like thick, crunchy, crumbly cookies but someone you care about likes soft, thin, chewy ones?  Well, OK, I guess you could make both.  But I think this time we'll just make him what he wants.  Of course, that's not necessarily easy since what he wants is basically a homemade Entenmann's chocolate chip cookie.

Goat Cheese Mousse with Blueberry Compote

Name a cheese and I'm likely to tell you that it's one of my favorites.  In fact, except for a couple of the extra stinky ones, I've rarely met a cheese I didn't love.  Nevertheless, there are a few that make more frequent appearances around here than others and goat cheese is definitely one.  I love the slight tang it has and it's such a great addition to the many salads I make.

Thirsty Thursdays: Blueberry Lemon Drop

For the last few years, late August has meant vacation heaven on the coast of Maine.  We know where to stay, where to eat and definitely where to drink.  There are always at least a few meals at One Dock and we can't wait to see what specialty cocktail they've added to their menu.

Last year their new blueberry cocktail immediately caught our eye and captured our taste buds.  Leaving Maine is always so sad but we take the cocktail inspirations with us.  Only they know their exact recipe but I think this comes pretty close.  Definitely close enough to inspire beautiful memories and plans to return.  Cheers!

Per Serving:1 1/2 oz. Vodka1 oz. Blueberry sauce (recipe follows)1/2 oz. Triple sec1/2 oz. Elderflower liqueur1/2 oz. Lemon juice1 Teaspoon simple syrup (optional)

Blueberry Sauce:1 Pint blueberries1/2 Cup water

To make the sauce, add the blueberries and water to a pot and cook on medium heat for about five minutes.  Stir often and crush the blueberries with the back of your spoon.  Pass through a fine mesh strainer and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To make the drink, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice.  Shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a slice of lemon and blueberries, if desired.

Portable Cherry Crumb Pie Jars

Today you can read my article on Hoosier Homemade where I discuss the very serious problem of crumb theft.  Yes, the rampant crime spree that occurs in my kitchen whenever I've baked a crumb topped dessert has left me desperate to find a solution.  And since it does seem to be all about the filling and the crumb topping, I've solved the problem by eliminating the pie crust altogether and just handing everybody their own personal crumb filled dessert jars.

Head on over to Hoosier Homemade to see the recipe!

Chicken Milanese Topped with Crunchy Salad

When I have a great meal in a restaurant, I usually try to recreate it at home.  I don't usually wait four years to share it with you, though.  Then again, we waited practically a lifetime in between visits to this amazing place so I'll have to chalk both things up to 'life got in the way' and not try too hard to figure it out.  The restaurant in question was the Union Square Cafe, practically a New York institution and a temple to farmer's market freshness.  The vibe is casual, though expensive, and the food is fresh, simple and perfect.  Exactly like this dish.

Thirsty Thursdays: Peach Cobbler Cocktail

Peach Cobbler Cocktail

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this dessert in a glass!

Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tarragon Sauce

What's for dinner?  You know that dreaded question, right?  Day after day after day.  So I'm here today with another option.  I can whip up a batch of meatballs very quickly so it's a frequent go-to meal whenever I have any ground meat.  But that just means it can get a little boring.  A fun sauce, though, makes all the difference.

Savory Tomato Cobbler with Gorgonzola Biscuits

We've been going a little tomato crazy around here this summer.  I realize that sounds normal to most of you but...um...I used to hate tomatoes.  Yes.  Hate.  And I know you're thinking that I probably still ate things like ketchup and tomato pasta sauce but you'd be wrong.  Hate is hate.  Happily, tastes can change.

Thirsty Thursdays: Icy Cold Blood Orange Cosmo

Icy Cold Blood Orange Cosmo

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet and tangy summer sipper!

The Month in Review - July 2014

I hope you all have been enjoying summer because I certainly have.  It's been a remarkably mild July by New York standards with very few days over 90 degrees.  Typically, July is the hotter and stickier of the summer months so we seem to have gotten through it with very little reason to complain.  August is when the city really slows down, temperatures are lovely and people schedule vacations and beach time.  I'm planning to savor every moment of it.  Speaking of savoring, July was a delicious month in the Hungry Couple household with several ridiculously good new recipes.  So, before we get back to the business of delighting in the weather, let's take a look back at the good eats and drinks of July.  Enjoy!

Salted Caramel Peanut Pie

Happy Grab Some Nuts Day!  No, I'm no kidding and I'm not nuts.  Well...um...not completely.  Anyway, yes this is an actual holiday, people.  Nuts are good and healthy and delicious and we're celebrating them.  By now you should know that my fellow food bloggers and I can't resist these wacky holidays and had to come up with nutty recipes to honor the occasion.

Thirsty Thursdays: Cheesecake Martini

Cheesecake Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this decadent dessert in a glass!

Blueberry Ricotta Cream Cheesecake

I've had a life-long love affair with cheesecake but, until very recently, I didn't know there was a National Cheesecake Day.  Even better is that it falls just 3 short days after my birthday.  It's like they know me!  I knew I'd be celebrating today with a huge group of my fellow bloggers but I went ahead and made the cake over the weekend so that it could be my birthday treat.

Fig Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese and Honeyed Walnuts

Fresh figs must be one of the prettiest fruits around and I can't quite resist them when I see them.  Sometimes that happens, though, when I have no actual plan for how to use them.  So I just drizzle them with a little honey, crumble on some sharp cheese and munch away as a snack.  But taking that a step further and creating an amazing salad is so worth it.

Thirsty Thursdays: Golden Kiwi Cocktail

Golden Kiwi Cocktail

Per Serving:
1 SunGold Kiwifruit
1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Lime juice
1/2 oz. Simple syrup

Slice the kiwi in half and, using a spoon, scoop out the insides and add to a cocktail shaker.  Add the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup and muddle until the fruit has broken down.  Fill with ice, shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a slice of lime and a slice of kiwi, if desired.

Heirloom Tomato and Gorgonzola Tart

Most Saturday mornings in summer, you'll find me at our local farmer's market.  Yes, Manhattan has farmer's markets and quite a few, in fact.  The big, amazing, awesome, I wish I lived across the street one is at Union Square.  Four times a week, farmers, growers, bread bakers and cheese makers drive down from the Hudson River Valley to set up their stalls.  While I used to have the pleasure of working only two blocks away, it's quite a treck from my upper east side apartment.  Fortunately, there's a smaller version of the market just a few blocks from home.

Kiwi Banana Smoothie and My New Kiwi Love

It's no secret that I love summer fruit and I always have a nice selection on hand.  But I have to admit that the little kiwifruit is not usually one of them.  Oh, I like the taste and always enjoy them when they're served to me on a fruit platter somewhere, but the idea of peeling those furry skins just doesn't appeal to me.  So, did you know that you can just scoop out the flesh without peeling them?  Neither did I.

Blueberry Pie with Lemon and Thyme

Today I have the pleasure of kicking off my first article for Hoosier Homemade.  I was in a serious mood for pie and couldn't pass up some beautiful ripe blueberries.  But I also decided to borrow from one of my favorite quick breads and add cornmeal and lemon zest and thyme.  And goat cheese.  Yes, goat cheese and blueberries are a happy couple.  The result was definitely a winner and one that I'll be making again and again.

Head on over to Hoosier Homemade to see the recipe!

Thirsty Thursdays: S'mores Martini

S'mores Martini

Per Serving:
2 oz. Marshmallow vodka
1 oz. Chocolate liqueur
1 oz. Creme de Cacao
2 oz. Cream or half & half
1 oz. Chocolate, melted
1 Graham cracker
3 Marshmallows

Crush the graham cracker into a shallow bowl using your hands.  It's OK if there are some chunkier pieces.  Place the chocolate into a second shallow bowl and microwave for a few seconds until melted.  Dip the rim of a martini glass into the chocolate and then into the graham cracker pieces.  Refrigerate for a few minutes to set.

Add the marshmallow vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao and cream to a cocktail shaker.  Fill with ice, shake well and pour into the prepared glass.  Spear the marshmallows on the end of a skewer or long fork and hold over an open flame for a couple of seconds until the ends get toasted.  Thread them onto a cocktail pick and garnish the drink.

Greek Burger with Tzatziki Sauce

Summer brings out my burger craving in a big way!  Sure, there's that whole outdoor grilling thing but, actually, I love mine made in burning hot cast iron pan in my own kitchen.  However they're made, though, I've been wanting them non-stop.  As it happens, my friend, Kita, from Girl Carnivore is hosting a burger month - 31 days, 31 burger recipes by 31 amazing bloggers.  And there are cool giveaways, too, so be sure to enter the raffle at the bottom of this post.

No Churn Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Cold ice cream, hot summer day - you don't need convincing, right?  So only two questions remain.  What flavor and do we make it or buy it?  I'm guessing that, those of you with ice cream makers, choose to make it while those who don't (that would be me) opt to purchase.  What's that you say?  You can make ice cream without a machine?  Thanks, I think I will!

Thirsty Thursdays: Rummy Pistachio Milkshake

Rummy Pistachio Milkshake

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this boozy ice cream treat!

Creamy Roasted Heirloom Tomato Dressing

If you've recently noticed fewer salad greens in your local market, it may very well be my fault.  The way I've been buying massive quantities of all sorts of lettuces could have contributed to a nationwide shortage.  What's my sudden passion for romaine and butterhead?  To scoop up this dressing, of course, and shovel it into my mouth.  The next option would be a spoon.

Apple Tarte Tatin

Today my fellow holiday food bloggers group members and I are celebrating the upcoming Bastille Day.  So what is that, exactly, other than an excuse to eat French food?  In short, it's the French National Day that commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th 1790.  And we're all about helping the French celebrate this occasion.  Here in New York there are actually quite a few celebrations and fairs on Bastille Day so...bring on the French food!

Thirsty Thursdays: Icy Cold Watermelon Martini

Icy Cold Watermelon Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this tall, frosty drink to keep you cool!

Gelato Crunch Cake

With the July 4th holiday weekend coming up and plenty of summer outdoor entertaining in general, I've been thinking a lot about what desserts to serve.  After a meal of grilled meat and starchy sides there's not usually much room left for a heavy cake.  And the hot weather begs for something cool.  So I find myself scooping out dishes of ice cream but wanting to somehow make it more special.

The Month in Review - June 2014

Excuse me but where did June go?  I mean, didn't it just get here yesterday?  I'm sure that each of the bitterly cold winter months lasted at least 8 or 9 weeks so I'm sorry to see how quickly the first of the summer months disappeared.  But, the lovely outdoor weather hasn't gone to waste and I'm taking every opportunity to be outside.  OK, I spend some time in my kitchen and then go outside.  And that has resulted in some pretty amazing new recipes.  Before we head back outside, though, let's take a look back at the good eats and drinks of June.  Enjoy!

Fruity Iced Tea Lemonade

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Lipton, but all my opinions are my own. #bemoretea #pmedia  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

When I think of cooling, refreshing summer drinks I think of iced tea and lemonade.  OK, I also think of frozen daiquiris but we'll discuss that another time.  Rum aside, there are usually beverage pitchers in my refrigerator, in various stages of steeping and cooling, so that I can have my favorite drinks handy.  As for the Keurig brewer, I've never paid it much attention since I'm not the coffee drinker in this house.  That is, until I recently discovered that Lipton makes K-Cups of iced tea for the Keurig.  Um...what?

Thirsty Thursdays: Frozen Apricot Daiquiri

Frozen Apricot Daiquiri

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet, frosty sipper!

Yogurt Fig Cake

This treat actually came about through circumstance and accident.  Over the weekend I met an old friend for brunch and stopped into a large gourmet market near the restaurant on my way home.  I'd already noticed that the local fruit vendors had figs for sale but they were too soft and wilted.  This market, however, had firm and perfectly ripe figs for sale and I couldn't resist buying them.  But now that I had them, I wasn't sure what to do with them.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

I don't know if whoopie pies are normally associated with summer but they definitely are for me.  I've heard they're a southern treat but Maine stakes a big claim to them as well.  And it was in Maine that I first fell for these goodies.

Thirsty Thursdays: Cantaloupe Melon Martini

Cantaloupe Melon Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this sweet and summery drink!

Frozen Banana Berry "Cake"

It's very nearly summer.  It's hot.  Ice cream recipes are everywhere.  But for every rich creamy version out there, I've been seeing ones for 1 ingredient banana ice cream, 2 ingredient banana soft serve, etc.  They're basically frozen bananas with or without a touch of vanilla, blitzed in the food processor until the texture is similar to soft ice cream.  I had to try it.  And I always have bananas in my freezer.

Thirsty Thursdays: Lychee Martini

Lychee Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this exotic summer fruit drink!

Crunchy Quinoa Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

With summer just a week away, I've been making a list of healthy and filling salads I can make ahead on weekends and keep in the fridge for easy lunches all week long.  Not just plain old lettuce type salads, though.  I needed something heartier that would hold up over a few days and be satisfying.