Munch Brothers» quick meals

Eclectic Kitchen™: Gourmet Meal without the Gourmet Fuss

Michelle Norris — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:05:09 +0000

Fresh Rosemary in the Eclectic Kitchen Herb Garden

Love gourmet food but don’t have time to fuss with the gourmet process? I hear ya! I am so tired sometimes I almost, that is almost, feel too tired to eat – let alone prepare a gourmet meal. I certainly don’t think eating fast food or a bowl of cereal is going to make me “feel better,” either. I love gourmet food but suffer from ADD so I have no patience when it comes to preparing it or waiting around for this step or that step so I have figured out how to get gourmet food flavors without the gourmet food wait and processes. This is a seriously quick gourmet meal. You will not believe how quickly it comes together, how divine it tastes and truly it is fairly low in fat unlike a lot of gourmet. I opt for light cream and light butter and you’re using so little to start out, quite in keeping with — everything in moderation.

Fresh Basil & Sage in the Eclectic Kitchen Herb Garden

I adore lamb so when I saw these lamb blade chops, I jumped at the chance to do something other than a typical leg of lamb. After washing them, sprinkle fresh cracked pepper over them and press it in. You’ll want to squeeze the lemon from the lemon you’ll zest first for the Citrus Creamed Spinach you’ll have with this, over them. Once that’s done, slather Dijon mustard all over, then sprinkle them with dried thyme, basil, rosemary & sage. Then place a few fresh sprigs of rosemary, thyme & basil on top of them as they grill. A few minutes per side on a hot grill is all it takes to grill them to perfection. Serve them with the Citrus Creamed Spinach (recipe below) and a bowl of mixed fruit for a well rounded gourmet meal. This meal is done in no time and it is so incredible. A nice glass of wine and you’re dining at Chez Gourmet. Bon Appetit!

Fresh Baby Spinach

Citrus Creamed Spinach

12 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 cup light cream (If you like your spinach wetter you can add ¼ cup)

2 teaspoons orange zest, finely grated (Put the orange segments in your mixed fruit bowl)

2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated (Use the lemon on the lamb blade chops)

2 teaspoons light butter

1/2 cup minced shallots

pinch of nutmeg

sea salt, to taste

Optional – 4 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Heat butter over medium heat in sauté pan and add shallots. Cook until shallots are translucent. Add spinach and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Add cream & citrus zest to spinach and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Season with a pinch of nutmeg and sea salt to taste. Garnish with sliced almonds.

Grilled Lamb w/Citrus Creamed Spinach

Eclectic Kitchen™: Curried Chicken Salad – You’ll be a Leftover Gourmet & They’ll Never Know

Michelle Norris — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:16:09 +0000

Well, did you add some extra chicken on the grill or have some left over from the roast chicken you made last night? Or are you just tired of the same old chicken and want a change of pace? – not to worry my friend…I have just the answer for you and even your kids will love it. My kids beg me to make this dish. In fact, for me, it’s no longer a leftover type of meal, I have to make it in huge batches – that get gobbled up immediately.

This is so simple and easy, you won’t believe it. It will become one of your go to meals, I promise. Chop up cooked or grilled chicken or if you really want to be a time saver, you can even buy a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store for this recipe. Place your chopped chicken in a large bowl. Add mayonnaise & mild curry powder to the chopped chicken, to your taste and preference. My family prefers a heavy curry flavor and lighter on the mayo. So the chicken is just coated with mayo but the salad isn’t dripping with it. In one cup increments chop up celery, apples, walnuts, green onions, and halve 2 cups of red grapes. (Make sure you vary these amounts if you have a lot of chicken. – this recipe is based on the amount of chopped chicken you’d get from one small roaster chicken.) After you have incorporated the mayo and curry powder then throw in all the remaining ingredients and toss to combine well. Add mayo and curry powder, if needed. I usually serve this with sliced avocados and tomatoes and a nice fresh fruit assortment of melon, peaches and berries. It’s a great low-fat, healthy meal that even your kids will love. Enjoy!

Eclectic Kitchen™: Grilling Two Steaks with the effort of One

Michelle Norris — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:17:19 +0000

Raspberry-Pomegranate Vinaigrette

I see this as the old adage of killing two birds with one stone…When you’re like me, you’re busy, you have a lot of irons in the fire and a schedule that rivals Madonna’s. Now, as much as I love to cook and find that cooking and the kitchen are my sanctuary…even I dare say my nirvana, I do need to be efficient at times and do some multi-tasking when I’m in there or in this case – at the grill. If you’re going to go through all the trouble to fire up the grill, doesn’t it makes sense to throw on a little extra beef (or maybe chicken) to cover for another meal or maybe even two?

We love grilling a good London Broil or a juicy sirloin in addition to whatever steak we’re having for dinner, to slice up and use for steak salads or steak sandwiches as a quick fix meal on another night when we have plans, a late night at work or we know we won’t have time to cook an entire meal.

I just start with a rub of a little olive oil all over the steaks, then a bit of cracked pepper and end with a light sprinkling of brisket rub. Throw those babies on the grill and pull em off when you find they’re done. We prefer medium – to medium rare, mmmm – excellente. Refrigerate the extra steak, whole and uncut until you need it then slice it up to put it over your favorite salad fixins or use it in steak sandwiches. This keeps it nice and juicy so the refrigerator doesn’t dry it out.

My favorite steak salad is over baby greens, with chopped celery, sliced baby cucumbers, sliced onions, avocado chunks, shredded carrots, sliced strawberries, sliced peaches, Clementine segments, chopped walnuts and fresh goat cheese with Raspberry-Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Steak salad is so filling and so quick to put together. Our kids love it, too! Mmm, that’s what we’re having for dinner tonight! Yum!

Steak Salad with Raspberry-Pomegranate Vinaigrette

1/8 cup Pomegranate Vinegar

1/3 cup Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 cup Light Olive Oil (I use Bertolli)

3 TBS Fresh OJ

1 TBS Dried Orange Peel

1 TBS Brown Sugar (You can use regular sugar)

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1 Finely Minced Shallot

1 tsp Poppy Seeds

1 TBS Pumpkin Pie Spice (if you don’t have this – a dash each of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice will do)

Honestly, I don’t measure this out, I’ve never had a recipe, this is something I just put together. I eyeball this and do it by sight. These are approximate values, I got from walking it through, today. I usually make up a large double batch of this. It seems like a lot to do or measure but really once you get this down it takes a couple of minutes to whip it together, the shallot takes the most time. It’s really easy and so flavorful.

Quick Meals

Justin Sweeney — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:19:59 +0000

Is it possible to have a quick meal without resorting to fast food? As a mom, I am always on the look out for restaurants that offer good (and good is the operative word) food fast and without it being served on a plastic tray.

Who doesn’t want to sit and savor a delicious, leisurely meal? I think most moms dream about that on a nightly basis. I know that I do. Then we wake up to the reality of needing to get our family feed in under an hour.

So does that mean you will always have to settle for a burger wrapped in greasy paper and restaurants filled with garish colors? No! It is possible for to find restaurants that serve good food, relatively fast.

There is a whole niche market of restaurants that are one step up from fast food. Take Noodles and Co. Sure it is technically fast food, but it is reasonably healthy fast food. You still have to choose wisely from the menu, but there is nary a French-fried item on the menu.

What makes it extra special, in my opinion is that the food is served on real plates. Not to mention the added bonus of having it delivered to your table. If you are a busy mom shuttling your kids around you deserve to have your food brought to you once in awhile.

A place like International House of Pancakes can be the perfect place to take your kids. I know, I know most adults look down on IHOP, but if you have a crew of hungry kids this place can help you get everyone fed ASAP. Even if you have picky eaters, and who doesn’t have at least one of those, in the family IHOP can usually tempt them with something. I don’t know many kids who would turn down chocolate chip pancakes.

As with Noodles and Co. you have to choose from the menu wisely. You can get a lot of sugar and fat from pancake and bacon, but then again, if you don’t go there everyday it can be quite a treat.

Of course, you can always choose to frequent a local restaurant or diner. There are some hidden gems in every town, plus, you get the satisfaction of supporting a local merchant.