Potato and Leek Bisque

This is a gem of a recipe from our very new Eating Well Cookbook!  It's a great velvety smooth, thick, rich creamy potato soup ( think delicious mashed potatoes!)- next time we'll keep some potatoes chunky and add some peas and lean ham to give it more stew texture and mix this up a bit.

Potato-Leek Bisque
8 servings, about 1 cup each

adapted from Eating Well

Bisque
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups nonfat milk
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground white pepper, or to taste
2 ounces grated Parmesan
Thinly sliced fresh chives for garnish

Croutons
1/4 cup minced pitted Kalamata olives
3 anchovies, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 slices baguette, toasted


Preparation

1.To prepare bisque: Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender but not brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary and add a bit of water if needed to prevent sticking. Set aside 1/3 cup of the leeks in a small bowl.

2.Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stir for a minute then add potatoes, milk and broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer (do not boil) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are very tender, 15 minutes.

3.To prepare croutons: Meanwhile, add olives, anchovies and black pepper to the reserved leeks; mix well. Divide evenly among the toasted baguette slices.

4.When the potatoes are tender, remove from the heat. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, lemon juice and white pepper. Divide among 8 soup bowls and float a crouton on top of each. Garnish with chives and Parmesan, if desired.

Fancy Frozen Pizza

Almost every Friday, we pick up a frozen pizza.  Now this isn't glamorous, but it's our way of "eating in" instead of out, to save money, and also to just relax after a long week.  The last thing we ever want to do is make an extravagant dinner with a sink full of dishes to clean after a week of long days and work overload.  That being said, we go back and forth between $5 take and bake pizza from Dominick's or frozen ($7.50) Home Run Inn pizza.  To fancify, we'll chop up fresh garlic, basil, tomato, sometimes red peppers and mushrooms too... pop it in the oven and finish with fresh grated parmesan, a glass of wine ( or a cold beer depending on the day) and a new movie in your very own living room, snuggling with the people ( and kitties) you love :)  ooooo Fridays, gotta love em! 

Basil Pesto Potato Salad

Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans

Bring a dish to pass!  The idea of taking along the perfect tasty dish to a party to share with other people can be daunting.  I didn't want to bring just any old potato salad.  We have TONS of bright green basil growing thick and fast at home... enter: the search for an interesting Pesto Potato Salad... this one I came by on my favorite food blog- Smitten Kitchen.  It adds green beans ( also in season!) along with green onion and champagne vinegar- unique and a great idea, plus it keeps the salad this uniform bright green palette!  I altered the recipe to suit what I found at the store ( 3 lb bag of potatoes not 4) and added my own little spin on homemade pesto.  All I can say is this: we didn't bring home any leftovers...

What is your favorite thing about potato salad? What is your favorite summer produce? 

Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Serves 10



3 pounds small red-skinned potatoes, quartered twice
12 ounces green beans, cut into one-inch segments
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
3 cups loose packed basil
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons (or more to taste) mild vinegar, such as champagne, white wine or a white balsamic
1/4 cup chopped green onions (scallions)
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 10 minutes. Add beans; cook four minutes longer. Drain well and let cool, then transfer potatoes and beans to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, discard the stems from the basil and wash and dry the leaves. Puree them in a food processor with garlic, drizzling in enough olive oil that it gets saucy. Add in toasted almonds and grated cheese, pulse till smooth.  Season the pesto with salt and pepper.
Toss the beans and potatoes with pesto. Stir in vinegar, green onions and season with salt, pepper and/or additional vinegar to taste.
I made this the night before serving, stored in the refrigerator.  It was delightful!

Chicken Tonight

CHICKEN

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 teaspoon EVOO, to coat

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Marinate the breasts with the above items, set aside

Heat a non stick pan over high heat (large enough for both breasts) for 2 minutes, spray with a little Pam, then place both breasts in the pan to sear, turn the flame to medium, cook about 7 minutes per side. Check for doneness, tent with foil to rest- 5 minutes before serving

ZUCCHINI:

1 large zucchini cut in to 3/4" chunks

1 teaspoon EVOO, to coat

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat over to 400 degrees

Toss the zuccs with the above items in a bowl and spread on to a baking sheet in a single layer.

Place on the middle rack in your oven for 7-10 minutes until they are slightly browned.

Mashed Potatoes:

4 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped in to 1/2" cubes

2 tablespoons butter, cubed

1/2 teaspoon chives, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon salt, to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper, to taste

1/4 cup warm milk

Cover the potatoes with water in a pot, bring to a boil, and continue to cook for another 20-25 minutes until they are fork tender. Drain them, and place back in the cooking pot. Turn the flame on your burner and heat the drained potatoes to get rid of excess water, this makes the potatoes fluffy. Add the butter, chives, garlic, salt/ pepper and mash with a fork or masher until smooth. Slowly add in the milk to desired whippy-ness, taste and adjust your seasonings. Serve with a small pat of butter on top for added indulgence!

Garlic Bread:

1" thick slices of Italian bread

spread with butter, thin layer

sprinkle with garlic powder

top with freshly grated parmesan cheese

toast in the oven about 5 minutes at 400 degrees

Serve warm!