The Hungry Wife

Nothing says comfort to me more, especially in winter, then homemade Beef Stew.  The wonderful aroma fills the house as the hearty ingredients simmer.  It is a meal in itself, serve it with some crusty bread to mop up the left over juices in the bowl, and the family will be full and happy.  There are many, many recipes for Beef Stew out there, and I swear I’ve tried most of them.  Brooke’s Beef Stew arose out of 3 stew recipes, and contains the best of each one.  I hope you enjoy my personal version of Beef stew.
Brooke’s Beef Stew, continued…

Incorporating vegetables into every meal is a extremely important to healthy eating.  They help fill you up and eat less calories, something everyone is looking for.  Sometimes, finding new ways to make vegetables tasty and different can be difficult.  You don’t have to settle with eating the same veggies the same way.  There are plenty of delicious alternate ways to cook veggies and get your family to eat them.  Coconut Cream Kale is one of them.
Coconut Cream Kale, continued…

Herbed Adobo Pork Chops recipe is a wonderful alternative to breading and frying the chops, making them healthier and more flavorful.  Served with some fresh veggies, you can feel great about making this meal for your family.  It is quick and easy to prepare, making it the perfect weeknight meal.  The Herbed Adobo marinade would also be excellent on chicken breasts, if your not much of a pork eater.
Herbed Adobo Pork Chops, continued…

I can remember the exact moment when my love affair with Cheese and Beer Soup began.  I was 16 years old when I found a fantastic little German restaurant, it was in an old plaza with no sign on the outside, and it was fantastic.  Unsure of what to order, the waitress suggested to start with the Cheese and Beer Soup, and ever since that moment I’ve been hooked.  I’ve spent years trying to find another soup that even came close to that one, and was unsuccessful until I found this recipe.

Cheese and Beer Soup, continued…

Brussels Sprouts are in the Brassicaceae family, same as cabbage and broccoli.  They are a type of wild cabbage, and cultivated for their small size and delicate flavor.  Plants in the Brassicaceae family contain a chemical called sulforaphane, believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.  Although boiling reduced the level of anti-cancer compounds, steaming, stir-frying, and microwaving does not result in a significant loss.  If you have some picky eaters in your family, that like to avoid cabbage like the plague, Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Shallots is your secret weapon.
Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Shallots, continued…

Until recently, when I heard the word Schnitzel I thought of  something sausage like.  In reality, Schnitzel is a traditional Austrian dish made with pork or veal, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.  It is often topped with a sauce, and this is what determines the different types and makes them very special.
Pork Schnitzel Recipe, continued…

Making pizza at home is a great family activity, kids love to help out with stretching the dough and arranging the toppings.  Sicilian Style Pizza is a simple recipe with minimal toppings, but, by using your homemade Weekend Tomato Sauce this pizza packs a ton to flavor.  You can always add on a couple of your favorite toppings, some pepperoni or olives.  To make a traditional Sicilian Pizza, add some anchovy.
Sicilian Pizza, continued…

With the anticipation of fall food and Thanksgiving around the corner, I have been craving traditional comfort foods like your favorite bird, gravy, mashed potatoes, and cranberry relish.  In order to satisfy my desires I decided to cook up a mini Thanksgiving feast.  Herb and Mustard Turkey with Green Onion Gravy is the ultimate (and my favorite) recipe that meets this criteria.  To scale it down to size for a dinner for two, I used a whole chicken instead of a turkey.  This helped provide enough leftovers to make an amazing chicken salad and homemade chicken stock.
Herb and Mustard Turkey with Green Onion Gravy, continued…

I used to think that I wasn’t capable and it wasn’t worth my time to make homemade Tomato Sauce, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.  There is something extremely gratifying in making your own sauce, and I’ve come up with a recipe that is pretty simple, perfect for first time Tomato Sauce makers.  Using canned crushed tomatoes and a jar of ready-to-use peeled and minced garlic, makes this recipe a snap to make.  Due to the 5 hour simmer time, I decided to call this Weekend Tomato Sauce, because you can make it on a weekend when you have some free time.
Weekend Tomato Sauce, continued…

It is finally fall, even though it doesn’t quite fell like it down here in South Carolina.  With it still reaching 100 degrees during the day down here, hot soup is generally not on the menu.  But I just can’t wait anymore, I love soup and I’m gonna make it.  Soup season is officially on and what way to ease ourselves into it but with something hovering in the delicious middle-ground between broth and stew.
Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, continued…

Every now and then I like to go meatless for dinner.  It is a great way to pack in all those veggies and vitamins, and get a super healthy and filling meal.  One of the best things about The Greek Salad Baguette is that you can make it as a sandwich like the recipe suggests, or you can serve it as a side salad.  It is so good both ways.  I particularly like to make Greek Salad Baguette with a sourdough loaf and serve with a side of couscous.
Greek Salad Baguette, continued…

I love how chili has the ability to be very dynamic with flavors and spices exploding in your mouth.  Each chili has subtle differences, yet they are also very familiar.  There is nothing better than red chili, but every now and then it is nice to divert from the norm and create something every bit as flavorful but completely different.
White Chicken Chili with Aged Cheddar Cheese, continued…

Scallops and Vegetables with Citrus Soy Sauce hold a special place in my heart.  This is one of the first meals I made my husband when we had first started dating.  I love scallops, they are tender and sweet jewels from the ocean.  This dish is great for entertaining, and is sure to please even the biggest seafood skeptic.
Scallops and Vegetables with Citrus Soy Sauce, continued…

Grilled Fajitas are one of my husbands favorite things to eat.  They are easy to make and taste amazing, perfect for a family of four or two.  Don’t let the Barbecue in the title throw you off, it is not talking about the saucy, messy barbecue.  Using the barbecue spice rub on the sirloin and grilling it adds a delicious subtle flavor that totally enhances the Fajitas.
Grilled Barbecue Sirloin Fajitas, continued…

Mushroom caps can be filled with all sorts of ingredients, like crab meat, breadcrumbs, bacon, and cheese, and often times a combination of these ingredients.  These Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms are simple in their construction, but rich in flavor.  This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, and there are never any leftovers.
Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, continued…

Roasted vegetables served on a bed of pasta puts a new spin on classic comfort food.  Try them topped with a spinkling of Parmesan or feta cheese.

To ensure even cooking and a pleasing appearance, cut all of the vegetables into approximately 1-inch cubes or pieces.  Seed the zucchini if it has a very seedy center.  Roasted vegetables are best served soon after baking.  If you’re not serving them right away, leave them on the baking sheet; when hot roasted vegetables sit in a serving bowl for too long, they steam and lose some of their special roasted texture.
Roasted Vegetables for Pasta, continued…

Molasses-Glazed Chicken Thighs are a true summer time delight.  The combination of sweet and savory is what really makes this dish.  Molasses gets a nice carmelized flavor and the soy sauce keeps it from getting out-of-control sweet.
Molasses-Glazed Chicken Thighs, continued…

Oven Roasted Potatoes are a great addition to any meal.  They are one of the more healthy variations of potatoes yet they taste crunchy and full of flavor.  One bite of these and you won’t want to stop eating them.

Oven Roasted Potatoes, continued…

Kabobs make outdoor entertaining festive and fun. They can be easily assembled ahead of time, grilled to perfection in minutes and there’s little clean up after the meal. They’re perfect for backyard picnics and parties.  Who doesn’t love a kabob?  You can put anything you want on a kabob, and these are no exception.  The traditional meat for kabobs is lamb, but you can also use: beef, goat, chicken, fish, seafood (shrimp, scallops), vegetable or tofu.
Steak and Vegetable Kabobs, continued…

Cool and crisp, refreshing and cleansing, Cucumber Salads are important in cuisines around the world.  At The Hungry Wife we love eating them with Indian, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and North African main dishes.  Pour our easily prepared dressings on a few sliced cucumbers and you have a little side dish, salad, or garnish that can really make the meal.
Cucumbers with Arugula Caper Dressing, continued…