London Fog and Kentucky Sunset Sour

We've been talking for years about starting a dinner club.  A night in with other couples, filled with great food and hopefully great company.  Between young kids and a shift working husband, it just never came together: until now.  We hosted three other couples recently for the inaugural event and I must say, I don't know what took us so long.  The plan is for each couple to host once a year.  The catch?  The entire menu must come from the most current issue of Food and Drink.  

Shredded Chicken Mole Tostadas

Luke came home from school excited to tell us about an upcoming project in Social Studies.  He would be assigned a partner, and they would be assigned a country.  Once given the country, they would complete research and create an Imovie presentation.  The finale would include a feast of food made from each country around the world.  Did I just hear ethnic food served at school?  My smile widened and questions came pouring out: who would be his partner? did they get to pick their country? what country would he want? Luke rolled his eyes and asked that I be patient, as he knew none of those answers yet. Everyday he came home I would ask: do you have a country yet?  The answer was always no and eventually, he explained that it was in fact his project, not mine (ouch).  

Breakfast Cookies (Vegan)

A couple months ago I started a new job, although still with the same employer, it is a different role for a year.  It was one of those opportunities that land on your lap and you'd be crazy to turn it down.  The role I was in already was a satisfying one, so leaving it was a tough choice.  Colleagues I loved, work that challenged me, coupled the ability to go home everyday, leaving work behind me.  Leaving that comfort behind was scary at first, but I've quickly settled into my new role.

Green Lentil Horseradish Apple Soup

It's Soup Group 2014 and my contribution this year is a Green Lentil, Horseradish, Apple Soup.  What it lacks in beauty (ever tried to photograph a bowl of brown mush?), it makes up for in taste.  The horseradish was a surprising ingredient for me to include.  Prior to the soup, my only experience has been served alongside roast beef.  And in that instance, I disliked it greatly.  Thankfully, a friend made this soup for me to try a few years ago and only out of politeness did I eat it.  Shocked at how tasty it was, I'm a convert now.

White Bean, Grain and Dill Salad in a Jar

I'm super late to the salad in a jar party, of this I am sure.  As someone who keeps a small kitchen in my cupboard at work, the need to pack every little bit of a meal into a jar was never necessary.  The genius of it that I missed was how it could be made for days in a advance and never lose its freshness.  In fact, those little bits in the bottom so close to the dressing?  They're marinating in goodness making the salad even better on day two or three.  How could I have been so wrong.

Black Bean Chocolate Chili Cookies

It's almost Valentine's Day and this might be our best one yet.  Don and I have never celebrated this silly holiday.  Perhaps because we were married a mere six days past the 14th, we have both passed on giving gifts or celebrating any sort of romantic notions.  Having kids changed this game plan a little, as the school system is quick to embrace the Valentine's culture.  For years we have made cards and chocolate dipped strawberries to share with classmates.  It's fun, but often a mad rush to have them completed in time.

Morocan Carrot and Lentil Soup

In February of 1998, I went to an Oscars party at the Hard Rock Cafe with some coworkers.  It was the first time I watched all the nominated films in advance.  I wanted to look like I knew what I was talking about.  When I ran out of people to watch movies with, I started seeing the films on my own.  What a revelation that was!  Movies could be enjoyed by yourself.  I was young and hadn't sorted out my own comfort or interests.  It was the beginning of something very special.  It helped that the films nominated that year were relatively mainstream: Titanic, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential, As Good As It Gets and The Full Monty.