default dinners

go-to recipes, family favorites, familiar standbys. we all have them.

secret lasagna recipe

01/20/2009 | 11 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, freezer, Italian food

It is sooooooooo good. And in all my years of blogging, I have kept this recipe secret. Because it IS so good, and some part of me buys into the idea of cooks keeping secrets. But since you may not be visiting my door step soon, I figure I better share this recipe—because it is important that you have a chance to enjoy it. The irony is, of course,… [more]

pork: sugar and spice and everything nice.

12/27/2007 | 4 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food., recipes

My friend knows how to collect good recipes. When my kitchen is on the brink of a lull, all I need to do is call her up for an injection of inspiration. In fact, it was through her that I finally found a chicken curry I could trust. And now, this. She has done it again: supplied me with a blue ribbon recipe, another recipe that my… [more]

pecan & sage crusted lamb

12/07/2007 | 6 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food., recipes

It’s easy. I promise. I borrowed this recipe from Jess over at hogwash. As has been established, I am always on the lookout for any entree—or side dish, appetizer, dessert, etc.—that can be claimed for my default dinner list. I look for easy, delicious recipes. The more ingredients I likely have on hand, the better. The quicker to assemble, the more appealing. The bigger the praise from the… [more]

default dinner: sausage & pasta

10/25/2007 | 8 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

And tomatoes of coarse! I was browsing through my category of default dinners, and realized that this token fall, hearty and warm recipe was missing. Sure, you can eat it any time of year but truth be told, this is the time when we bring out the blankets, crank up the heat and draw the curtains. We love being warm and cozy inside while it is blustery,… [more]

the usual, but with tartar on top.

10/18/2007 | 7 Comments | Topics: default dinners, food spotlight, food.

The truth is, I make a lot of default dinners. We are a busy family, with school and extracurricular, sports, music and you name it pulling us in a million different directions. Though my pie in the sky would be to cook an elaborate meal with new recipes every evening, it just isn’t practical. Instead, I aim to add maybe 1-2 new recipes in a given week, hoping that… [more]

Peanut Saucied Chicken

07/25/2007 | 7 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

Chicken should be so lucky. This chicken is a GREAT meal to serve when you are looking for an alternative to the summer hamburger a la BBQ. If I invite a family over for dinner, kids and adults alike will rave about this sauce, giving erstwhile glances around the table before they scoop a much-too-large pile into their mouths. You marinate the chicken, then grill it to perfection. I… [more]

Bacon Tomato Sauce & Pasta

07/10/2007 | 5 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

Bacon and Tomatoes? Of course this sauce is divine. I have a special category [on this site] for tomatoes, you know. It is the only ingredient that has a special category—its own fame—and it has the name of this blog to thank (click here to find out why I called this blog talk of tomatoes). IF I had to pick out another ingredient, one that weaves in and… [more]

Pesto round 12: Pesto Halibut

06/22/2007 | 6 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

Well, it could be round 12. It seems pesto makes regular appearances in my life. Like a good dream that repeats itself with countless variations. There are so many versions of pesto, and how to use it, it is astonishing. You can find my recipe for basic pesto here, and cilantro pesto if you dare.Pesto lands in soups and risottos, on pizza and in pasta sauce. It can… [more]

tortellini: Peas, P's, Please!

05/24/2007 | 14 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

Prosciutto, peas, Parmesan, parsley and pasta. What is not to love? (Maybe guilt from all the cream and butter)? Well, at least the peas are healthy: so I add a ton of them! The fresh, sweet peas perfectly compliment the salty prosciutto and rich cream. The more peas, the less guilt in my mind. I am a fan of the book French Women don’t get Fat and have… [more]

default dinner: brown butter sage ravioli

05/11/2007 | 14 Comments | Topics: default dinners, entree, food.

This Butter & Sage Ravioli certainly qualifies as a default dinner: it is easy, quick, mindless AND delicious. It is perfect for a weaknight meal (weak as in: out of time/energy/ideas to figure out ‘what’s for dinner?’). And I say ‘weak’ lightly; by no means am I suggesting you are not an iron chef. It is simply an acknowledgment that midweek meals have a reputation for… [more]