There’s snow in the forecast this week. Snow. As in that dreaded white stuff that drove me to the brink of insanity last winter. So, yes, snow. In October. I really hope the forecast is wrong. It’s just too soon.

Did I mention that I donated all my winter coats to charity at the end of the winter? They were too big, so I made the decision that it was time for something fresh. But I haven’t bought a new one yet. So there’s that too.

If there was ever a time that there might be a need for comfort food, now is it. And mashed potatoes? They are total comfort food on the grand scale. Add some smoked gouda and a bit of garlic to the mix and you have decadent comfort food. Is there any better kind?

The gouda – smoked gouda, to be precise – adds so much to these potatoes. The pleasant earthy smokiness, like the lingering scent open burning in the fall (it’s not a bad thing, I swear), gives them both creaminess and that smoky flavor. There’s no need for gravy or butter — they’re perfect on their own. And the garlic? It plays a happy supporting role — not overtaking the flavor, but rounding it out.

Bliss in a bite.

I served these with Apricot-Glazed Sage and Garlic Pork Tenderloin, but they’d also be good with roasted chicken or a juicy steak.

Read the rest of this entry…

Pillow-y gnocchi. Sweet roasted butternut squash. A buttery creamy sage sauce. We’ve been eating variations of this dish for weeks now, but tonight … tonight it was beyond perfect. It was blissful. The thing that made all the difference? Adding a ladle-full of gnocchi water to the sauce, something that I discovered after reading Aviva Goldfarb’s recipe for Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Sage and Walnuts.

I love the way roasting the seasoned butternut squash brings out its inherent sweetness. It’s a nice contrast to the buttery sauce that turns downright creamy when you add a little of the starchy gnocchi water to it.

Well, Paige and I thought so at least … Will wasn’t a fan. I am not sure that he liked sage, which is fine since the boy eats just about everything. It’s okay if he doesn’t like one herb. Right?

In any case, if you like sage and you like butternut squash, you will love this dish. It’s quintessential fall.

Of course, we are hurtling towards winter now. As my kids and I were walking through Target the other day, I tsk tsk’d at the Christmas decorations infringing on the Halloween candy and costume space. I mean we are still a week away from Halloween. Then comes Thanksgiving. And only after that does Christmas arrive. Come on, people!

Except, in some ways, you kind of have to at least put a little thought into the holidays now … budgeting, for instance, is something I do at the end of October. Though I likely won’t shop until after Thanksgiving, I need to know what I am spending so that I save specifically for that. And yes, I know it’s crazy that I wait to shop. But it’s my tradition.

And then there is the whole Christmas cards thing (or holiday cards — whatever you send). Personally, if I don’t order them early, then I won’t send them. I need time to write, address and stamp (the stamps are the biggest part for me) my cards to get them out in time.  That’s why I always try to order them in around the end of October or early November. It gives me that time.

Shutterfly recently contacted me, asking me to share their 2011 card collections with my readers … and how could I resist? This whole project means two things for me: I actually have my cards already created and ordered AND I get to help you do the same.

So, I’ve spent the past few days looking through the many styles of cards available. There are all varieties of cards: whimsical, religious, classic … and I found myself drawn to the simple classic ones with sweet sentiments like “Joy” or “Rejoice.” But with so many choices, it was so hard to choose one (thank goodness for the compare feature — I marked the ones that I liked and went back to decide which one was best). Finally, I decided to go ultra-simple “We Believe” design that I just loved. It reminds me of our favorite holiday movie, The Polar Express.

Now that I’ve ordered, all I need to do is get them addressed, stamped and mailed. With any luck, they will be on time this year.

Read the rest of this entry…

If I could use one word to describe the planting of our garden this year, it would be quiet. In previous years, it’s been a fast and furious effort involving the whole family. Beds were added and a fence installed. Shawn even made a special gate for the garden last year. But this year, it’s been a slow and quiet process. We haven’t added any more planting space or moved the fence. And it’s fine — for now.

In terms of preparing the garden for planting, that’s been mostly on me — with a bit of help from the kids. I’ve turned the soil, added compost and dealt with garden pests. (I hate bugs. All of them. Seriously, seriously hate them! *cringe*) And planting? It’s been a slow and quiet process as well. Weeks of rain have delayed the progress. Much like farms in the area, our plants went in late this year due to the weather and some are still waiting. Parts are looking withered, and I don’t know if they will survive. But the tomato plants are thriving. So are the herbs, and the broccoli.

This planting season has been so different, but I guess that’s to be expected. Over the past few years, I have learned that no two growing seasons are alike. Two years ago, we struggled with a month of rain in June that gave way to late blight. The blight meant that there were virtually no fresh tomatoes all over the northeast. That was hard, since tomatoes are the crown jewel of summer crops here. Last year, the season was so early that by the time we tried to pick strawberries in late June, there were nearly none left. This year, the strawberries are right on time … but we’re holding our breath a bit to see what the up and down weather will mean for gardens and farms this year. No one is quite sure yet.

For now, I am happy the herbs are doing well.

I called these Summer’s First Harvest, but this really isn’t my first harvest this season. I’ve used a little mint (which I grow on the edge of the property where it’s free to be as invasive as it likes). And I’ve picked a few herbs here and there. But these Herbed Grilled Red Potatoes are the first dish where my homegrown herbs really star this year. It’s a spectacular thing to be able to walk into the backyard with scissors and come back with enough herbs for a dish that hits the table about 30 minutes later.

When I was working on this side dish, I wanted to make it easy as can be. So, I skipped the mincing of the herbs. Instead, they are rinsed and left wet, which allows them to steam in the center of a pile of potatoes inside a foil packet. They lend fresh summery flavor to the sweet, tender, buttery red potatoes. But it only takes less than five minutes to toss this all together and about 25 minutes to cook. It couldn’t be easier.

Shawn wished they had the crusty outside of roasted potatoes. This just isn’t that type of potato dish though. They’re fork tender with bits of caramel-colored richness, making them easy for kids to eat with little help. I didn’t have to cut them up for my 3- and 5-year-old, which was great. And the flavor? It can’t be beat. I love the way the herb flavors permeate the potatoes like wisps and whispers. They don’t overpower the natural sweetness of the red potatoes, but rather complement it.

What are you grilling up these days?

Read the rest of this entry…

Earlier this week, a farm in our town started their preliminary work for the growing season. They begin by readying their greenhouse and planting seeds for their crops (and they sell some of the started plants too). In a month or so, the first crops will be planted in the fields, and their garden center will be hopping with hopeful people with fanciful dreams of amazing gardens.

As I look outside at our disheveled gardens, I am struck with how much work will have to happen before we can grow anything this year. Rocks from our gravel driveway were pushed far onto our lawn this winter. They need to be moved back again. Leaves, long forgotten under the snow, wait to be raked up and moved to our compost pile. My fenced garden of raised beds for growing veggies needs to be cleaned up, fertilized and planned. And will this be the year that I turn the grassy paths in it to gravel ones? I’m not sure.

And all this has to happen fast — between rainy days and chilly winds — so that it’s all picked up before the first blades of grass and rapidly growing weeds start appearing. It’s a race against Mother Nature, and I’m cold and sore just thinking of it.

I never really thought much about growing seasons and yard prep and all that until I had kids. It’s amazing how those sweet little people can make you so much more mindful about everything — where your food comes from, how you eat and living kindly with nature.

While I am in the beginning stages of planning for spring, it’s still soup season. And heck, when it’s cold like it still is (even on lovely sunny days like today), soup is just about the best thing ever — warm, comforting and belly-filling.

This Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a perfect late winter soup. It’s creamy, though it contains no cream, and flavorful, though the ingredients list is relatively short and simple. One of the greatest discoveries I ever made about soup making was that pureeing potatoes in a soup can give it that lovely creamy texture without the added fat of stirring in heavy cream.

The flavor reminds me of a broccoli and cheddar baked potato (which is especially good if you love broccoli … and broccoli and cheddar baked potatoes … like I do), except it’s in a comforting, warm soup.

Here I’ve topped it with some chopped roasted red peppers and Westminster Oyster Crackers. The cool, sweet peppers and crunchy, almost buttery crackers are a fabulous compliment to the soup.

A few months back, I received a box of these crackers in the mail, and was instantly smitten. Oyster crackers and I have a long relationship, dating back to my days in Catholic elementary school. I used to sneak them during band practice (I played the clarinet. Poorly. Um, yea. Might have helped if I didn’t eat during practice, I suppose).

So, these Westminster Oyster Crackers. They impressed me. First, there was the flavor and texture — an almost buttery flavor, and a satisfying puffy crunch. Then there was the ingredients list, which is simple and 100 percent pronounceable. They contain ingredients I have not only heard of, but own! So, we’ve been munching on these for a few months now — as snacks, in soups, etc. The kids love taking them for snack time at school.

It’s still chilly here, so this soup is perfect. With the crackers and roasted red peppers, of course.

Read the rest of this entry…

St. Patrick’s Day is next week, so it’s almost time to break out the Harp beer and slice the corned beef. Not kidding.

When Foodily asked me what we’ll be eating on St. Patrick’s Day, I giggled. As much as I am a firm believer in authentic foods, I am also a full-fledged, card-carrying, head-over-heels fan of corned beef and cabbage. And while that’s not really Irish per se, I have been eating it for St. Patrick’s Day since I was a wee little thing.

You bet your britches we’ll be having that this year too.

When it comes to purchasing corned beef, I prefer a flat-cut of it (instead of the more marbled point cut). I love marbling as much as the next girl, but in corned beef, leaner and more evenly sized slices are my preference — and you get that with the flat cut. As for the veggies in the dish, of course there has to be cabbage, which I love. Additionally, I always toss in potato chunks (red or Yukon gold) and carrot pieces.

So, here’s my Foodily St. Patrick’s Day menu. Let me call your attention to the cheesecake. Wow, it sounds amazing, right?

One of my favorite part of any holiday is the leftovers, and St. Patrick’s Day (at my house) means corned beef begging to be used. And what is corned beef perfect for? Hash, of course! This corned beef hash can be whipped up in about 15 minutes and is fabulous with a poached egg (or sunny side up, if you prefer).

To make the hash, you start by finely dicing the leftover corned beef and potatoes.

Then you mix it all up.

Then you fry it up. And voila! You have a fabulous Homemade Corned Beef Hash.

What will you be eating this St. Patrick’s Day?
Read the rest of this entry…

Like most people, I learned to love pierogies thanks to the frozen section of the grocery store. They were easy to heat up and eat fast, which made them all the more desirable. I never even thought of how the potato and cheese filled pasta was made, until I was working at the newspaper years ago and heard about a local group’s pierogi making party.

Even then, I never thought I would make them myself.

But I did decide to try making pierogies. Now, these probably aren’t as amazing as a polish grandmother’s time honored recipe, but they are easy, delicious and even better than the frozen ones that I fell in love with years ago.

The filling is a mix of potato from a baked potato (save the skins for potato skins!), cheddar, salt, pepper and milk. The pasta outside? Premade round wraps from the grocery store. You can find these in the produce section near the wonton wrappers. They are pasta, and are super easy to use.

Have you taken the Family Meals Survey 2011 yet? If not, please do! I am researching the topic for some writing assignments, and would love your input. It only takes a few minutes. Thank you!!
Read the rest of this entry…

Whenever anyone asks what my favorite recipe is, my recipe Potato Leek Soup is one of the first to come to mind. It’s ridiculously easy — just a few ingredients — and it can be made pretty swiftly with minimal hands-on work. And while simple, this unassuming soup is flavorful and warm — perfect for a chilly New England winter day.

Also, this soup is super waist friendly — it’s under 300 calories per serving, and they are generous servings. Nothing to feel guilty about here. (NOTE: I use SparkRecipes.com to calculate calories, and according to that one serving is 260.9 calories.)

To make this a meal, make a big green salad with veggies to serve with it. Crusty bread is a good side too.

Have a great weekend. Read the rest of this entry…

Is it really Tuesday? You’d think that working from home, I wouldn’t be phased by the short workweek — but I am. It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly half-way through the week already. It’s got me a little off-kilter today.

In any case, we had an awesome past few days. This holiday weekend was so much fun, filled with family parties, good laughs and splashes in the pool. And, of course, we cooked out a lot.

On Sunday, we had some of our family over for a barbecue. We served hamburgers, hot dogs, Antipasti Pasta Salad, tossed salad and this German Potato Salad. I adore German Potato Salad. The combination of sweet red potatoes, tangy vinaigrette and salty bacon just can’t be beat. You can bet we’ll be having this again and again this summer.

How was your long weekend?

Psst! Got kids? I give mine chalk and let them draw all over the foundation. It washes right off … and is so much fun. Try it! Read the rest of this entry…

After I photographed these fries tonight, I left the plate on the table while I finished getting dinner ready. I heard the scrape and squeak of a kitchen chair slowly moving across the floor, but didn’t look. Next thing I know, my husband is telling Paige to get off the table and stop eating all the fries.

I think the little angel likes these. She was helping herself. Smart girl.

It is absolutely amazing to me how many people adore sweet potato fries — even if they don’t like sweet potatoes. Take my husband, for instance. The man wouldn’t even touch a sweet potato until last year. But one taste of a good sweet potato fry and he was hooked. Love that. And I love that my kids can’t get enough of them either.

This is a new recipe for us — but one that is literally months (okay, maybe a year) in the making. I have been working, trying and testing to get the right combination of sweet and spicy for these fries. I wanted to get the heat, but not have it leave me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Finally – FINALLY – I got it right.

—————————–

Love these sweet potato fries? You may also like:

• Chipotle Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries
• Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed to get new posts delivered to your inbox. You can also become a fan of Sarah’s Cucina Bella on Facebook.
Read the rest of this entry…

Growing up, we ate a lot of baked potatoes. A lot. I would load mine up with butter and salt, at first. But that got boring. Then I turned to mixing in salsa and occasionally adding cheese. That’s tasty, but I like it to be a tasty treat — not an all the time thing. These days, I just slice baked potatoes and salt them. Unless I am making a meal out of them, which happens most often in the fall when the leaves are turning and air begins to take on that familiar chill, a preview of the long months of winter that will come. When I am making a meal of them, I like to add broccoli, bacon and cheese. Good combination.

In the spring and summer though, we eat a lot of potatoes — in fry form. Sometimes I grill them, other times I make delicious sweet potato fries (or my fave: Parmesan Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries) … and of course there are oven fries. Mmm. Fries are the perfect accompaniment for barbecued foods like burgers, hot dogs, chicken … you name it.

These steak fries are fabulous with chicken like the Salt and Pepper Chicken Breasts recipe I wrote about last week. The chicken is delicious served plain with these fries and a side of a colorful veggie. It’s even better if you put the chicken on a roll with some barbecue, cheddar and bacon. Mmmm.

(P.S.: I just ordered the Progressive International Vegetable/French Fry Cutter. If it works well, you will be hearing a lot more about it … and more fry recipes. Who doesn’t enjoy low-fat, crispy fries with fun flavors?)

Read the rest of this entry…