Thursday, January 26, 2012

127th meeting. Barley Risotto

Where? D's
Attendants: G, A, Ch, L, M, and D

Menu:
1) Barley Risotto with shiitake mushrooms, lucky sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach
2) Meyer-lemon Bars
3) Fresh mangoes


Saffron


Home-grown bliss


Almost ready


Recipe: Saffron-and-mushroom barley risotto

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup of shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup of lucky sun-dried tomatoes
  • Pinch of saffron
  • 1 1/2 cups pearled barley
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • Splash of dry white wine
  • Olive oil
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • Parsley, for garnish
Preparation

Cook a chopped onion in olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add 1½ cups pearled barley and cook, stirring until it's glossy, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add a pinch of saffron, a splash of dry white wine and a handful of dried porcini mushrooms.

Stir and let the liquid bubble away on medium heat.

Add 4 cups hot vegetable stock, a cup at a time, stirring after each addition and waiting until the mixture is nearly dry before adding the next.

Meanwhile, cook a handful of shiitake mushrooms in olive oil until lightly crisped; stir into the barley when it's done and serve garnished with parsley.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

126th meeting. Use almonds in anagram dinner

Where? G's
Attendants: M, Ch, L, D and G with guests C and A

Menu:
1. Amaretto Sours
2. Sesame/Almond Noodles
3. Meyer Lemon bars


Sesame/Almond Noodles:
1 (8-ounce) package brown rice spaghetti or other thin pasta
1/4 cup wheat-free, reduced sodium tamari
2 tablespoons sesame tahini
2 tablespoons roasted smooth almond butter
1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more to taste
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions
Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta thoroughly.
In a large bowl, whisk together tamari, tahini, almond butter, vinegar, lemon juice, toasted sesame oil and hot sauce. Add pasta, cabbage, carrots and green onions. Toss to coat noodles thoroughly with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.




Wednesday, January 11, 2012

125th meeting. Quasquicentennial

Where? G's
Attendants: G, A, L, M, Ca, D, and guests A and A

Menu:
1) Black bean soup with pumpkin
2) Spinach Mushroom Quiche
3) Chili
4) Pasta with tomato sauce
5) Baklava


Quiche and Chili


Pasta


Baklava

124th meeting. Asian stir-fry

Where? C and L's
Attendants: A, Y, C, L, G, D, M, and guest C

Menu:
1) Citrus stir-fry
2) Another stir-fry
3) $24 vegan pumpkin pie