stuffed stuff and summer faves

Last night: stuffed peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes, prepared by a kitchen visitor. I added only the yogurt cucumber sauce. It was an excellent reminder of how satisfying stuffed stuff can be. A winter favorite that I ALWAYS forget: stuffed cabbage rolls. While I'm thinking of it, here's my mom's recipe for future reference!

Stuffed Cabbage

1 # ground beef or lamb
1 small head cabbage
¼ c rice
1 apple, pared, cored & diced
¼ c golden raisins
1 14 ½ oz can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
salt, pepper, 1 clove garlic
1 T brown sugar
½ onion, sliced

Core cabbage, put in pot, cover with water, bring to a boil,
Then simmer until the leaves are a bit tender, maybe 15-20 min.
Drain carefully, run cold water over.
Mix hamburger with rice, apple, raisins, salt & pepper. Make balls by a rounded tablespoon (not too big).
Remove cabbage leaves. Fill with seasoned hamburger, roll each cabbage leaf starting with the core part of the leaf, then the sides, & finally rolling to the end snugly, then hold together with a toothpick.
In your large stainless steel skillet, heat a bit of oil, then sauté the sliced onions with garllc. Place the stuffed cabbages into the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar over, & then add the tomatoes & sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer 2-3 hrs. covered, taking the lid off if you want to reduce the liquid a bit before serving.
(If you want to use the tender middle part the the cabbage, you can chop it up and add it to the pot too)

Tonight we were joined by guests and we grilled burgers with lettuce, fresh neighbor-grown tomato, and fried onions. Awesome corn on the cob and watermelon too, and strawberries with ice cream for dessert.

comfort

Yesterday was chilly and rainy so tuna noodle casserole hit the spot. No need for a run to the grocery store, and we had some garden fresh green beans, those that the cat hadn't chewed on anyway.

rerun, plus sausage

Inspiration strikes!

I was so proud of last night's dinner in the end! Out of nowhere I recalled a delicious simple potato-egg meal prepared by a Spanish friend from the past. I found some recipes online for The Spanish Tortilla (this, this, and this), combined ideas (I went with NOT putting the whole skillet in the oven), and got together a delightful vegetarian main dish made only from potatoes, onion, eggs, olive oil, salt, and pepper. I even managed the "flip"! Combined with a salad enhanced by fresh seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers from our favorite new neighbor's garden and a glass of wine we were all happy and satisfied. Tonight, we're just going to finish off the tortilla, repeat the salad, and maybe add some Italian sausage on the side, since it's left over from the last pizza.

stumped

I have no ideas for tonight. We had another homemade pizza last night. I'm going to have to use websites and cookbooks, or just carry on with errands and chores and hope for serendipity...

Nutrition hiatus

We ventured into Minneapolis to try the famous "Jucy Lucy" at Matt's Bar. We got our greasy fix and were satisfied. I somehow then went on a cooking strike all weekend, and we had pita wraps with gyro meat and falafel from Shish last night, and tonight we ended up eating out AGAIN, at a restaurant whose name I can't even remember, suggested by our companions. At least I had halibut. And at least I managed to make a pizza this afternoon, refrigerated for tomorrow to help avoid another evening crisis. See what I mean about never having ideas? I need help!

friday is here!

So who knows, maybe we'll go out tonight. Last night we grilled chicken with miso-shoyu-beer marinade, and a few brats, and asparagus, with watermelon and a green salad and rice for accompaniments. It was a nice night to eat outside and our guests contributed the beer, wine, and brownies for dessert. On Wednesday night I did a slight repeat of chickpea curry, but I varied the spices a bit. It was all I could come up with from ingredients I had already available, so we were meatless. Today it is supposed to reach 90 degrees so I'm hoping not to move.