DelightMeMonthly
Your friends are the family you choose. Feed them good food.
SummerTimeSides #1 – Dill Dip
Every good party has a dip, (cheese) ball, or special sauce (salsa) that is someone’s specialty. Some are for chips or pretzels, others pair well with fruits and veggies. This dip could be served with you favorite handheld crunch, but I recommend the veggies! This recipe pairs nicely with SummerTimeSide #2: (Savory) Chicken Salad. Alternatively,…
Pastry #2: Puff Pastry
This is definitely a recipe for the experience, flavor, and fun of filling the croissants with your favorite fillings.
Italian #3: Sweet Potato Tortellini
If you were invited over to their place for a first date and Homemade Sweet Potato Tortellini with a Cranberry-Hazelnut topping was on the menu, you would be married the next day.
FAQ:
- What’s your favorite kitchen utensil? My KitchenAid mixer, my rolling pins, and my hands can make anything happen in my kitchen. If I had to pick one, well my hand cannot be beat.
- Why do you have so many [optional] ingredients? Those are listed to indicate you can do without and not ruin the recipe.Not everyone likes or has each spice and extra touches at hand. While each ingredient listed is an option, you should be aware of which ones add quality or flavor rather than being part of the bare necessities. Take each recipe as guidelines and make it your own.
- How do you know when to buy name brand or when opting for store brand will suffice? Ingredients such as flour, sugar, and salt are generally the easiest to buy on the cheap. For every day baking, the ingredients that have supplementary kicks of flavor added to them do not necessarily need to be top quality. However, there are different types of flour, for example, that have specific uses. To hit the scientific side, the protein content in the flour differs between the types (i.e. all-purpose, bread, cake flours). The level of protein will impact how much gluten is built up while preparing the dish. Unless you have allergies or an intolerance to gluten, there is no reason to use gluten-free flour to replace all-purpose flours for everyday recipes. In my experience it only adds to the frustration and a complete gluten-free diet is unlikely to benefit you in any other way. The average Joe will not be able to tell the difference between store brand and name brand basics, even up to the vanilla. However, you want to look for quality in your key flavors and fresh foods. Ensure that your fruits are at peak ripeness. This can typically be determined by vibrant colors, the sweet taste, and a balance between firm and soft. If your main ingredient is chicken, refrain from using frozen chicken as people will be less impressed. Your dinner guests are unlikely to know if you fried your chicken in store bought or homemade canola oil.
Crack it Open!
Curious what is coming next month? We will be happy to keep you in the loop if you click below. No pressure.
Food of the Month 