Saturday, December 29, 2007

The Top 5, Plus 3

This was challenging...like choosing my favorite child. But when all is said and done I think I've selected some delicious and enjoyable posts. I consider these five main dishes very easy to make. If I think you need special equipment, I'll let you know. Did I miss something? Are you surprised by something? Let me know.

Don't read any further if you are on a diet...contact weight gain may occur.

The 2007 Year In Review



#5 Roasted Pumpkin Couscous

I really loved this couscous. As you can read in the entry, I had some pumpkins that needed cleaning up and I thought roasting some pumpkin for couscous would be a lot of fun. And it certainly was. This is a perfect side dish for a roasted piece of chicken or pork and pumpkin is very good for your; lots of vitamins and fiber.


#4 Spaghetti Carbonara

This really couldn't be easier. Please be careful about having the freshest ingredients. And on top of that, use caution if you're preggers or frail...the raw eggs can get you sick. But if you're not preggers or sick, dig in and enjoy the velvety, creamy goodness highlighted by smokey chewiness.


#3 Tinga Poblana

This is a versatile, slow cooked dinner that satisfies on many levels. Make it as spicy as you like. Serve it as is, or as a filling in tacos, burritos, enchiladas...you're call. Also a great make-ahead meal, like a great chili or soup, the flavors get better after sitting around for a bit.


#2 Ravioli with Rosemary Cream Sauce

The first time I threw this together I was shocked by how good it was. And it looks gorgeous as well. The ravioli are the fresh, packaged variety from the store and in the time it takes for your water to boil and the ravioli to cook, you'll have an elegant, rich dinner, perfect for impressing company.


#1 Indian Butter Chicken

OK, so this is a little cheat, but hey, it's my blog. The first time I made this was just over a year ago in December 2006. We loved it, but weren't sure about the authenticity of it. Move forward into 2007. I hear more and more people talk about how they love ordering Indian Butter Chicken. Then I go to a cooking class and one of the dishes being made is Indian Butter Chicken...and funny thing...my version, this version was sooo much better than the version prepared by a professional chef. If you think of making this for just two people, make the full version of the sauce...freeze it or refrigerate it for later use! DIVINE. The recipe calls for the sauce going through the food processor to make it smooth and creamy. I would say skip this step if you don't have the food processor or if you don't want to dirty it up; just say you're serving a rustic version of the Indian Butter Chicken.

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So...no desserts? HA! How can I not showcase some desserts? It's not fair to the desserts to be judged in the same category as our main dinner dishes!


#3 Brown Sugar Blondies

I made this just this week and wow! Rich, Chewy, Caramelly. If they were cookies, they would be the most perfect dessert ever, cuz you know I lurve the cookie, OK!...I guess a bar will have to do.

#2 Cinnabuns


So I had a major craving that really needed itching. WOW that scratch was scritched! Better than the mall variety!


#1 Pear and Vanilla Browned Butter Crisp

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty good in the kitchen. There are a lot of things that make me make funny noises while eating; oooohs, aaaahhhhs, mmmms! All sorts of moans and groans. But there are few times where I actually get the giggles that last for several hours. This dish did it. Enjoy!


Happy New Year Ya'll!

Thanks for spending a good year with Eat With Me.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Stef said...

Oh, you are so naughty! Each of these look and sound delicious - and the ravioli may be something I'd try on my own. Anything that mixes pear and cardamom, fyi, rocks my world. :-)

Mia said...

OMG! I am so making those brownies! I loved your 2007 highlights!

Dancer in DC said...

Those are some great choices. Although I die for the tinga, this has definitely been the year of Indian food in our house. It's been so exciting to delve into the cuisine of the subcontinent.

And desserts are always a treat. But I'm sad the whoopee pies didn't make the top 3!