Family-Style Risotto Dinner for 4

I was so excited when I saw this menu in a recent issue of Bon Appetit. It was in the little section of the magazine where they always include a family friendly menu and fun ways to use the leftovers.
I love risotto and this version seemed really fun with all the vegetables, topped with the fried egg.
I included the recipes because I changed each of them a little bit. I used whole wheat pitas to make the pitas chips, I reduced the amount of oil in the salad dressing and made a few changes to the risotto that made it a bit healthier, mostly by reducing the amount of butter and oil.

Risotto is so delicious and can be made with just a tablespoon of oil or butter- it still turns out creamy. I really wanted to use the leftover risotto and make the risotto cakes recipe that they included, but we ate it as leftovers instead because it was so good!
Any of these dishes would make a great addition to an Easter meal.
The edamame dip was so good! I added some garlic to it, just to up the flavor and wow- that is really a great dip. If you like edamame, I am sure you will love it. The basil is such a great flavor enhancer. It would be great as a spread for a sandwich too.
I was a little bit worried about this salad made with fennel, mainly because I have never had fresh fennel. I knew that it had a anise/licorice type flavor and that is one of my least favorite things. I decided to go ahead with it and give it a try and I am so glad I did.
The celery and the fennel were really yummy. Nice and crunchy. With a little lemon juice and olive oil and the pumpkin seeds- it was amazing. It really surprised me.

The risotto was perfect. I liked the kid-friendly vegetables and it was really fun to top it off with a fried egg. Of course, I had to cooked my yolks all the way, because we don't do runny here. But you can top it off however you want.

This was such a fun menu! It turned out perfectly and was so delicious.

Edamame Dip with Pita Chips adapted from
Bon Appétit | March 2010 by Tamra Davis

Yield: Makes 4 servings 3 whole wheat pita breads, split horizontally, each round cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges 1 12-ounce bag frozen shelled edamame (2 1/3 cups), unthawed 1/4 cup olive oil 2 garlic cloves 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil plus sprigs for garnish Preheat oven to 350°F. Scatter pita pieces on large rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until crisp, 15 minutes; cool. Cook edamame in large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Place edamame, oil, garlic, and 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid in processor. Blend until smooth, drizzling in 1/4 cup cooking liquid and lemon juice. Season dip with salt and pepper. Blend in more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if too thick. Add minced basil; pulse until basil is just mixed in (do not puree). Transfer dip to bowl. Garnish dip with basil sprigs; serve with pita chips.

Fennel and Celery Salad with Pumpkin Seeds adapted from
Bon Appétit | March 2010
by Tamra Davis

Yield: Makes 4 servings 3 celery stalks, cut crosswise into paper-thin slices 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, halved vertically, sliced paper-thin 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves 1/4 cup toasted salted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese shavings (about 1 1/2 ounces) Combine celery, fennel, parsley, and pumpkin seeds in large bowl. Whisk oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss with vegetables. Toss in most of cheese; top with remaining cheese.

Primavera Risotto Nests with Fried Egg adapted from
Bon Appétit | March 2010 by Tamra Davis

Yield: Makes 4 servings plus leftovers 1 tablespoon butter 2 cups chopped button mushrooms (about 5 ounces) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 3/4 cup chopped onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups arborio rice 6 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth 3/4 cup 1/3-inch cubes carrots (about 2 carrots) 2 cups diced trimmed asparagus (about 9 ounces) 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving 1/2 cup shelled fresh peas or thawed frozen peas 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 4 large eggs Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper. set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until beginning to soften, 5 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add rice and stir until translucent at edges, 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth. Stir until liquid is absorbed, 1 minute. Add 1 cup broth. Simmer until broth is absorbed, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes. Add carrots, asparagus, and 1 cup broth. Simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring often, 5 to 6 minutes. Continue to add remaining broth, 1 cup at a time, until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy, stirring often and letting almost all liquid be absorbed after each addition, about 25 minutes total. Stir 1/2 cup cheese, peas, parsley, and mushrooms into risotto. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook eggs, without turning, until whites are cooked through and yolks are cooked to desired doneness. Mound 1 cup risotto on each of 4 plates. Using back of spoon, make hollow in top of each mound. Top each with egg.

Risotto Dinner for 4

Original Recipe for Edamame Dip with Pita Chips

Original Recipe for Fennel and Celery Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Original Recipe for Primavera Risotto Nests with Fried Eggs

Beef Stroganoff

Sometimes you have to make something for dinner that will please those who like meat and not tofu. Sometimes that meal will also include mushrooms. Most likely this dinner will not be too photogenic, but will garner rave reviews from everyone except the person who made it, because she couldn't make herself eat it. This is that dinner.
I do not like mushrooms. I shared that a few days ago. They are one of the few foods I really don't like. I can eat them on pizza or in small pieces, but when they are the star of the show along with beef (not something I enjoy), I just have a hard time.

So, I myself, didn't eat this (I was sneaky, so no one noticed), but everyone else did and they loved it, so I thought I would share it. It is another of my great grandmother's recipes that I revisited and changed a little (I didn't really think that cooking the meat in crisco was a good idea!) I also used sirloin steak and that reduced the cooking time a little bit.
If you want an updated Stroganoff, give it a try!


Beef Stroganoff by Great Grandma Ruthardt, adapted by Mary Ann
1 lb. 1/4-inch thick round or sirloin steak
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 T. flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 1/2 Tbls canola oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 cups water mixed with 1 beef boullion cube or 1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 lb fresh button mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup greek yogurt
2 Tbls chopped fresh chives or scallions

Rub steak with minced garlic. Mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika. Slice steak unto 1x1 1/2-inch slices and toss in flour mixture. Heat oil in a dutch oven or cast iron pot. Add meat and brown well. (Keep the flour mixture). Add the onions and cook until transparent.
Add remaining flour mixture, water/broth, and mushrooms. Cover and cook slowly until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours (or if you use the sirloin steak, 35-45 minutes)
Stir occasionally. If the sauce is not thickening, mix 1-2 Tbls cornstarch and a small amount of cold water in a small bowl. Bring the sauce to a bubble and add cornstarch mixture and heat until thick.
Add greek yogurt. Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes. Sprinkle chives or scallions on top.

Edamame Soup with Feta Croutons and Shrimp or Chicken Summer Rolls with Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce

This was a great tasting dinner. The soup was so simple, but very flavorful and the spring rolls were so much fun to make and eat. I made some of the spring rolls with chicken and some with shrimp (that was precooked). If you are looking for a fun, summery dinner, this is it! Hurry, time is running out!


Edamame Soup with Feta Croutons from BH&G Magazine

3/4 cup chopped sweet onion

4 tsp canola oil

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 14-oz cans chicken or vegetable broth

1 12-oz pkg. frozen shelled edamame

1 1/2 tsp snipped fresh thyme

1 egg white

1 Tbsp water

1/2 cup panko crumbs

4 oz. reduced fat feta cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1. In a saucepan, cook onion in 2 tsps of hot oil over medium heat or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add carrots and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute more. Add broth and edamame. Bring to boiling;reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until edamame and carrots are tender. stir in thyme.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat egg white and water with a fork until frothy. Place panko crumbs in another small bowl. Dip feta cubes, one at a time, into egg white to coat. Allow excess egg white to drop off; coat feta cubes with panko crumbs. In a large skillet, heat remaining 2 tsps oil over medium-high heat. Add feta cubes. Cook 2-3 minutes or until browned but not softened,

turning carefully to brown all sides of cubes. Drain on paper towels.

3. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with feta croutons, and if desired, additional thyme.

Chicken Summer Rolls with Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce from Health Magazine

For the dipping sauce:

2 Tbls honey

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

For the summer rolls:

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 pd. boneless, skinless chicken breast

8 8-inch round sheets rice paper

8 romaine leaves, sliced into large strips

1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, peeled and grated

1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add chicken, lower heat to simmer, and

poach about 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

Place chicken on a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, shred with you hands.

To assemble rolls:

1- Briefly dip on sheet of rice paper at a time into a pie plate or shallow bowl filled with warm water until soft and pliable. Lay each rice paper on a clean kitchen towel to absorb water.

2- Place romaine strips, about 1/3 cup shredded chicken, a few red pepper slices, and 2 Tbls each carrots and bean sprouts in the center of the rice paper. Sprinkle on scallions, mint and cilantro.

3- Fold the two side edges of the rice paper toward the center to hold in the ingredients and tightly roll up the paper. Repeat until you have made 8 rolls.

Tilapia Fish Sticks, Millet Pilaf, and Kale Chips

I have been reading lots of books about how to make your kids healthy lunches, how to feed your family better dinners, and books on eating locally and learning more about where our food comes from. All 3 of these recipes came from The Dinner Diaries: Raising Whole Wheat Kids in a White Bread World by Besty Block, check out here website HERE. She wrote about her experiences of trying to feed her family more healthily. Luckily, for me, my kids and husband love fish, so this was just a fun way to serve it. I finally used the last of that huge box of tilapia from the freezer, so the next fish recipe will be a different kind of fish. The kids loved these fish sticks and I felt good about serving them.
The millet was delicious as well. I had to drive 40 minutes to find it at a health food store, but it as cheap. I thought I had died and gone to heaven in that store. I was surrounded by quinoa, red lentils, couscous, blue cornmeal, etc. Keep an eye out for a fabulous red lentil soup coming up soon. I threw some fresh green beans into the pilaf just because I had them and they needed to be used.
Now, the Kale. This might just be the most delicious veggie ever. Spraying the kale with cooking spray and sprinkling it with salt and pepper and then letting it get crispy in the oven. I let it get really crispy and lucky I had bought 2 bunches of kale, because this was gone in a flash! I don't really like potato chips, but that is how crunchy it was and kinda salty, yum! I am going to make it once a week, just because that is how much I like it!




Crunchy Oven Baked Fish Sticks from The Dinner Dairies by Betsy Block, adapted from a KidSafe Seafood website recipe by Sara Moulton
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 cup low-fat milk
dipping sauce (recipe follows)


Preheat oven to 425 F.
Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, salt, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow bowl and mix well. Put milk in a second shallow bowl, and panko crumbs in a third.

Cut the fillets into strips or fingers, then rinse them under cold water. Dry with a paper towel and dip each piece in the flour mixture to coat on all sides, shaking off the excess. Next, dip the pieces in the milk, and then in the breadcrumbs, coating well.
Arrange fish on cooking sheet in a single layer. Bake on the middle shelf of oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them halfway through. Season with salt and serve with dipping sauce.


Dipping Sauce
Makes about ½ cup
¼ cup fat free mayonnaise
¼ cup ketchup
2 Tbs finely chopped dill pickle
1 tsp pickle juice
½ tsp fresh lemon juice


Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth. Add salt to taste



Millet Pilaf taken from The Dinner Diaries, adapted from Vegetarian Planet by Didi Emmons

1 Tbls olive oil

1 cup minced onions

1 cup hulled millet

1 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

3 cups chicken stock, plus more as needed

kernels from 2 ears of corn or 1 1/3 cup frozen

1 cup fresh green beans

1 tsp grated orange rind

1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned

2 Tbls chopped chives or scallions



In a heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the millet, coriander, and cardamom, and saute for another minute or two, stirring constantly. Add the salt, pepper, and stock. Bring to a boil over high heat; then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add the corn, green beans, and orange rind. Stir well, cover and continue cooking for 5 more minutes.

Stir the tomatoes into the millet. Taste for seasoning and then spoon onto plates. Garnish with chives or scallions.



Kale Chips from The Dinner Diaries, adapted from Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Heaven

1 head curly kale

canola oil cooking spray

salt and pepper



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Wash and dry the kale and then chop or tear it into medium-size pieces. Spread it out onto a nonstick baking sheet. Spray the kale lightly with oil, and then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until light and crunchy (check every few minutes and give the pan a little shake to avoid burning.

Prudy's Roasted Red and Yellow Pepper Soup and Tomato-Edamame Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

"I pledge my everlasting affection and devotion to this roasted pepper soup." These are the words that caught my eye when I was making my daily stop by Prudence Pennywise, sometime last week. In that moment, I knew that I was destined to make this soup and I did. I second Prudy's above statement and add "I will never make another recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Soup other than Prudy's". Maybe you don't have a love affair with this soup like I do. I have tried it a million times at a million places (even last friday), the best I have tried so far, is from Big City Bread Cafe, the most original, quirky place I have ever frequented. It was delicious there, with a fresh piece of mozzarella drop in, which melted ever so slowly. Oh, Athens, how I miss you!
Anyway, back to the soup. I have tried making it at home and Prudy's topped all the recipes I have tried. It was perfect! I used 2 red and 1 yellow pepper, left the skins on after roasting them and just pureed it all. I omitted the butter at the beginning and used 4 cups of chicken stock. I stirred in a little whole milk at the end instead of cream and even dropped a tiny ball of fresh mozzarella in mine, which was adorned with fresh basil leaves. (How I love growing fresh herbs!) I could go on all day about this soup. Really, it is that good. Try it!
A word about the awesome sandwich we had on the side and even dipped in the soup. It was wonderfully delicious. We absolutely love edamame at our house and this sandwich was great. I used a monterey jack/ colby combo for the cheese and grilled them in the George Foreman grill. This was a perfect fall dinner!




Roasted Red and Yellow Pepper Soup by Prudence Pennywise
3 whole bell peppers
1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon honey
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/4 to 1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
fresh basil, if desired

Roast bell peppers until blackened in most places. (I usually do it over a gas flame, but you can also do it in the oven at 450 degrees.) Place peppers in a ziptop bag for ten minutes. Remove from bag, remove stem and seeds and peel peppers, (I removed the tops and seeds before roasting on a foil-lined baking sheet) scraping with a knife. Chop coarsely. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add peppers, onion, garlic, and carrot. Saute until vegetables are softened, about five minutes. Add honey and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all vegetables are softened. Blend soup in blender, food processor, or with immersion blender, until not almost smooth, but with some chunky texture. Add cream and heat until just below a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh basil, sour cream and croutons if desired

Tomato-Edamame Grilled Cheese Sandwiches from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

1 bulb garlic

1 tsp canola oil

1 12-oz pkg. frozen shelled edamame

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/3 cup snipped fresh Italian parsley

8 slices whole grain bread

2 tomatoes, thinly sliced

4 oz reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Slice off top 1/2 inch of garlic bulb. Leaving bulb whole, remove loose, outer layers. Place bulb, cut side up, in custard cup. Drizzle with oil. Cover with foil; roast 15 minutes, until soft. Cool.

Meanwhile, cook edamame, according to pkg directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Squeeze 3 garlic cloves from bulb into food processor. Wrap and refrigerate remaining garlic for other use.

Add cooked edamame, lemon juice, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, and cumin to garlic in food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in parsley.

For each sandwich spread 2 Tbls edamame mixture on two slices whole grain bread. Top one bread slice with 1 oz thinly sliced cheese and tomato slices. Add second bread slice. On nonstick griddle or nonstick skillet toast over medium-high heat, turning once.