Archive | July, 2010

Parisian Almond Macarons

26 Jul

Parisian Almond Macarons are tasty little jewels that are all about finely crafted restraint.  These recipes are simplified using fillings of jam and easy to make ganache.

Wander through the city of Paris, and you’ll find shop windows piled high with brightly colored Almond Macarons.  Unlike the big, brash coconut version most of us are familiar with, these little jewels are all about finely crafted restraint.  In France, however, most macarons are filled with buttercream, so preparing them is a fairly labor-intensive process.  To make these Parisian Almond Macarons, The Hungry Wife simplified the fillings by using marmalade, jam, ganache, and curd.  There is a single batter that could be used to prepare five different cookies.
Parisian Almond Macarons, continued…

Grilled Barbecue Sirloin Fajitas

21 Jul

One thing I love about Fajitas are their simplicity.  All you need to make a wonderful meal is a good piece of steak, peppers and onions, tortillas, some cheese, and if desired lettuce, sour cream and a touch of salsa.

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…

Mango and Avocado Salad with Peanut Dressing

19 Jul

Mango and Avocado Salad with Peanut Dressing is something you will want to eat nearly every day.  This salad can be served as a starter dish or pile it up to make a super refreshing lunch to get you through the hot days.

With summer bringing the hottest days of the year, Mango and Avocado Salad with Peanut Dressing is something you will want to eat nearly every day.  This salad can be served as a starter dish or pile it up to make a super refreshing lunch to get you through the hot days.
Mango and Avocado Salad with Peanut Dressing, continued…

Grilled Fish Tacos with Tomato-Green Onion Salsa

13 Jul

Grilled Fish Tacos are absolutely one of my favorite things to make and eat ever! I use Halibut in these tacos, it is my favorite fish and has a delicious non-fishy flavor.

Grilled Fish Tacos are absolutely one of my favorite things to make and eat ever!  I can think of no better way to kick off my 100th post, then by share my special Grilled Fish Tacos with Tomato-Green Onion Salsa with you.  I use Halibut in these tacos, it is my favorite fish and has a delicious non-fishy flavor.  Halibut can be a little pricy, unless you are fortunate enough to live near the fishery.  Any white fish will work well with this recipe, tilapia or cod would be a good option.
Grilled Fish Tacos with Tomato-Green Onion Salsa, continued…

Orange Pound Cake

13 Jul

Orange Pound Cake, pristine in its simplicity, is perfect unadorned, but it's also good with orange slices or maybe with strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

There are many, many recipes for pound cake, but The Hungry Wife thinks we have the very best – rich, buttery, dense, and finely textured.  Here at The Hungry Wife, we love to make and eat a wide variety of pound cakes, all adapted from a recipe we found in Family Circle magazine for a pound cake that won a blue ribbon for Mrs. McCollum at the Rockingham County Fair.  Our hats off to you, Mrs. McCollum, wherever you are!
Orange Pound Cake, continued…

Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

10 Jul

Oatmeal Banana Pancakes are  fairly sweet, so you may prefer a fruit topping on them rather than syrup, although good maple syrup is mighty fine on them, too.

Oatmeal Banana Pancakes are a great weekend morning treat.  These are fairly sweet, so you may prefer a fruit topping on them rather than syrup, although good maple syrup is mighty fine on them, too.  Sliced strawberries with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar is one of our top choices, providing a lovely balance of flavors.
Oatmeal Banana Pancakes, continued…

Savory Cheddar Thyme Biscotti

9 Jul

Our notion was to create a savory accompaniment for a soup or main dish.  So we combined the essence of a cracker, crouton, or biscuit and the convenience of a biscotti.

Savory Cheddar Thyme Biscotti are great to have around for eating with soup, pasta, and even all by themselves.  I love nibbling on biscotti when drinking tea or coffee, and this Cheddar Thyme Biscotti is perfect when your not in the mood for something sweet, but for something savory.
Savory Cheddar Thyme Biscotti, continued…

The Zero Soup

7 Jul

Perusing some vegetable soup recipes on weight loss program menus inspired us to develop one of our own.  The Zero refers to the fat content and the calorie count is also fairly negligible.

Perusing some vegetable soup recipes on weight loss program menus inspired The Hungry Wife to develop one of our own.  The Zero refers to the fat content and the calorie count is also fairly negligible.
The Zero Soup, continued…

Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

7 Jul

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.

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…

Herb Garden Cucumber Sandwiches

6 Jul

Herb Garden Cucumber Sandwiches remind me of the finger foods served at tea parties.  They are delicate and make a great snack when relaxing by the pool with friends, bridal and baby showers,

Our home garden is overflowing with cucumbers, so I have been finding new ways to use the surplus of them up.  Herb Garden Cucumber Sandwiches remind me of the finger foods served at tea parties.  They are delicate and make a great snack when relaxing by the pool with friends, bridal and baby showers, or afternoon tea.  If you make the herb spread for the sandwiches ahead of time and keep some in the fridge, this snack can be made in a hurry when people pop in.
Herb Garden Cucumber Sandwiches, continued…

Red Velvet Cupcakes

1 Jul

Red Velvet Cupcakes are ultra delicious, and if you've never tried Red Velvet it's time you did.  It is a little richer than your average white or chocolate cake, which is why Red Velvet makes such good cupcakes.

These Red Velvet Cupcakes were the first thing that came to mind when I was planning my birthday dessert. Cupcakes are growing in popularity with speciality shops popping up everywhere. To me, cupcakes have always been one of my favorite treats. They are little personal-sized cakes from heaven, that will travel with you and not make a mess.

Red Velvet Cupcakes, continued…