Daily Loaf

The most important men in my life all have one thing in common: they are, among other things, die hard green chile fans. Watching my dad, grandpa and my uncles at the dinner table anticipating the goodness that was green chile stew, sticks in my mind like a movie reel. As young girls my sister and I would try to hang in there with the heat, knowing it was surely in our blood, but usually passed our plates onto the guys and opted for something less spicy.

Now as I look back on the tastes and flavors that shaped my palate, this is definitely one of them. Roasted Hatch green chile is divine to those raised in the Southwest. I’ve also seen newbies get hooked- and give into the craving of the pungent, roasty, mild spice of New Mexico green chile. Read the rest of this entry »

Chicken pot pies are not exclusive to cold weather or winter mealtimes. They are homey pockets of comfort fit for any weeknight dinner, and even elegant entertaining. When I’m having dinner guests, I look to a main course that serves more than one purpose so that I’m not in the kitchen all night while my friends drink all of the wine. This recipe comes together in one pot, and as long as you have the mise en place ready it’s a pleasantly quick preparation. Each serving offers the meat, vegetables, sauce and starch that would otherwise mean cooking 3 to 4 separate dishes.

You’ll likely be surprised at the abundance of flavor in the filling, which comes from taking care to caramelize the veggies in the first step, and using freshly ground black pepper. If you prefer a lighter crust then feel free to use standard pastry for the top, but rest assured that the flaky richness and volume of the puff is what gives the dish its awesome presentation.

If you’re cooking for two, you can freeze the extra filling and use it on another occasion. It also makes a delicious base for chicken and dumplings, or a simple chicken soup when some white wine and additional stock are poured on in.

Here’s the recipe: Read the rest of this entry »

A perfect warming element on a cold winter Florida night.

1 pound dried Great Northern beans (canned beans don’t work as well)
3 slices applewood-smoked bacon
2 c. chopped onion (about 2 medium)
6 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. chicken broth
2 c. water
1 1/2 T. minced fresh thyme
1 T. minced fresh rosemary (or you can use 2 t. dried)
1 bunch kale, stemmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 (2-ounce) piece Parmesan rind
2 T. fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation: Read the rest of this entry »