Cooking with Coley

Before we move forward into the new year–with resolutions, personal goals, plans for a bigger and better year–it seems only fitting to stop and reminisce over the best of 2011. For me, much of that has to do with food. The foods and restaurants that were memorable and impactful–those that will continue to be my favorites in 2012 and beyond. So please join me as I recollect…

Restaurant Highlight: I’ve been to plenty of new restaurants in 2011–some new for me and some new to market. Across North America, across food genres, across styles. From the finest in dining in NYC at Wylie Dufresne’s WD-50 to a hole in the wall burrito place in the Bay Area to Central Grocery’s muffaletta sandwich in New Orleans. Some places stood out and warranted reviews and praise. Some were forgettable where I can hardly even remember what I ate.

It’s tough to pick a favorite dining experience of 2011, so I won’t. What I will do, as a Boston native, is to highlight a new Boston restuarant that was delightful and delicious.  I’m going to have to give a shout out to Sweet Cheeks Q in Boston. This new hot spot in Fenway opened just over a month ago. With a smokey aroma luring in all of Boylston Street and Top Chef runner up, Tiffani Faison, essentially cooking in front of you in the open kitchen, it’s no surprise this place draws in the crowds.  The food doesn’t disappoint, nor does the drink menu, so check this place out next time you’re in the Fenway ‘hood. This place is sure to continue to make a name for itself in 2012.

Recipes: 2012 was certainly a year of cooking for me. Trying new ingredients, flavors and just having fun in the kitchen. While I first whipped up this dish almost a year ago, my Asian Noodle Salad recipe has been prepared time and time again. As a quick healthy dinner option or a family party hit, this salad has all the asian fixins to delight.

And in case you missed ‘em the first time around, there are a few other faves that I recommend checking out: Chili Garlic Edamame, Fiesta Pasta Salad and the deliciously rich Pesto Genovese with Orecchiette.

So Happy New Year all and thanks for your loyal readership in 2011! I’m off to celebrate in Hoboken with good friends, good food and perhaps a cocktail or two.  Cheers!

I had planned to grill turkey sausage patties for dinner the other night, but we didn’t have gas for the grill.  It was time for plan B. Plan B? Hmm, what would that be? As I scolded myself for not going to the grocery store that week, it hit me… why not utilize the Nueva Cocina rice I received for review?!

Rice + turkey sausage. It was practically an instant meal.  I sauteed the turkey sausage patties with some chopped red bell pepper and then added in the rice.  No extra seasoning or flavor was needed because the rice was so incredibly flavorful on its own.

Well, maybe I did end up adding some hot sauce, only because I love me some spicy.

Following is a quick recipe, if you’re looking for an easy dinner idea. But even if you’re just looking for a side, I highly recommend the Neuva Cocina Mexican Rice.  You won’t be disappointed. The classic Mexican dish (original to the Oaxaca region of Mexico they tell me), combines onions, garlic,  traditional Mexican seasonings with corn, tomatoes, carrots and roasted Poblano chiles. This isn’t your standard box of rice!

What you’ll need: (for approximately 4 servings)

• 1 box of Nueva Cocina Arroz a la Mexicana  (Mexican Rice)
• 3 servings of turkey sausage (I used patties)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (or any pepper you have on hand; I just liked adding a veggie of sort)

Procedure

• Cook rice according to the box directions
• Saute turkey sausage until cooked through
• Remove sausage from pan and cut sausage into bite size pieces
• Add sausage back into pan and add bell pepper; continue to saute for another five minutes
• Add cooked rice into sausage and peppers, mix
• Serve with hot sauce (optional) and enjoy!

I’ve been making quite a bit of pasta lately.  Not only have I had a lot of great ingredients on hand, but pasta is a quick dinner fix on week nights. It’s one of those foods that is fun to get creative with–there are no limitations if you ask me.  From different sauces, to veggies, to seafood and meats, you’re likely to have something to spice up a pasta dish.

Recently, Allen’s sent me a couple samples of its Popeye Spinach for review. I don’t traditionally buy canned spinach, so I was interested to give it a shot.  Combined with a few other ingredients, it made for a delicious pasta recipe!

What you need:

• 2 servings of whole wheat pasta; I love Wegmans’ Super Pasta
• 1/2 cup Popeye Spinach canned
• 2 tbsps Bella San Luci Sun Dried Tomato Halves (I’m officially obsessed with Bella San Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes and I’ve been using them in and on everything.)
• 1 tbsp chopped sun dried tomatoes (your standard dried version)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp Pecorino Romano Cheese (plus extra for serving)

Procedure: 

• Combine spinach, sun dried tomato halves and garlic in food processor
• Add 1 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese
• Heat spinach pesto mixture in a pan; once heated toss in pasta and chopped sun dried tomatoes
• Serve with extra cheese and enjoy!

If you like this recipe, you should also check out Bella San Luci’s Sun Dried Tomoato Bruschetta and Pasta Genovese with Orecchiette Pasta.