I was setting up to do a blog post on a little dinner party I was having and I had to stop and wonder what made this event something of note? And it occurred to me, then, how rarely I do this—cook for others. I used to, back almost a lifetime ago.
There was a time when I was living my hippie life, on the beach on Vashon Island in Puget Sound, when I used to cook—for myself and others. I baked bread, letting it rise on the wood heater. I had friends over for sumptuous Sunday brunches. I harvested apples from my great great grandfather’s trees, making apple butter and apple sauce. But those days are long gone and with them, the memory of how I used to cook. I no longer have the recipes, the knowledge, nor the confidence.
So, while I would love to have friends over for supper, breakfast, tea or desert, I don’t, because I no longer know how. And then I had the best idea. The fact is, you all are a tremendous resource out there. So I decided to ask for your help. I want your favorite recipes! Please.
Here are the primary guidelines: they must be simple to make (this is ME we’re dealing with here), using common ingredients—and delicious, of course. I’m thinking I’d like recipes for things that don’t require intense timing to bring to the table—so perhaps those that make up a meal in one dish like soup, for instance, or casseroles, that need only a salad to complete them (one of the few meals I make for company is roasted chicken with roasted potatoes for this very reason—I go nuts when I have to piece and time different foods together like an intricate puzzle).
I’m REALLY hoping a lot of you will respond. I’m thinking I can try out your recipes on my friends and then publish the results (and the recipes) on the blog. What do you think? Are you in? I truly hope so! If enough of you respond, I can create a whole new category on the blog: Reader’s Recipes.
Come on, make my day, my week, my month, my year. Help me remember how to cook.
Send your recipes to me through the comments below, the High Road Artist Facebook Page or use the the contact form to email them to me.
Here’s to some really great cooking from your kitchens to mine.
Love to you all,
Jeane
Super…especially since I rarely cook more than soup anymore lol
BUT its GOOOD soup:) I cook from the seat of my pants though..no recipes….I will look for some raw food recipes…I like raw too often.
Grace
Cool! I’ll watch for them. Your by the seat of the pants options would be lovely if you could take note of measurements as you’re creating them.
sent you some recipes,cant wait to see what others post.
Lee
Yes, I’m having to rethink getting these all cooked before passing them on. I’m getting such a great response!
Italian tomato pie
1 shortcrust savoury pie crust cooked
rub pie base with garlic,place in base a layer of grated cheese,a layer of onions thin sliced, a layer of thick ripe tomatoes.
Cook 10 mins. Thats it!Serve!
Remember I’m a neophyte here! Is a savoury pie crust something I can buy or do I need a recipe for that? I put the onion slices in raw? It sounds delicious!
Absolutely great veggie chili. One pot; simple to make; lasts for days in the fridge. Color and spice and everything nice. You can certainly add meat. I highly recommend this dish and make it all the time when I want something that’s easy, healthy, looks like a work of art, and tastes fantastic. All you need is some corn bread or a baguette and you have a splendid meal. As the recipe suggests, omit the radishes. I recommend cacao powder (unprocessed) instead of cocoa powder.
http://cookieandkate.com/2011/sweet-potato-chili-recipe/
Sounds divine! I’ll be trying it soon along with another chili recipe that uses cocoa powder. Where can I buy cacao powder do you think?
Cacao is available at any health food-oriented store. Whole Foods surely has it, and so would La Montanita Marketplace Co-op on Alameda in SF. If you ever make smoothies with vanilla flavored protein powder, add a tablespoon of cacao powder. Very tasty!
OK, I’ll find it at Whole Foods then. Thanks!