A Pinch Of Spring Teases and Sneezes

Last week the weather got up to 60 degrees and that sweet tease of Spring was upon us. Here in the Northeast we’re always due for at least one fake Spring when temps rise for a few days straight, everyone stretches the days a bit longer as the sun sets a little later and the allergy pills break into the daily morning routine. (Everyone drop their favorite allergy pill in the comments 🥳)

With the start of a new month, we march into new seasonal ingredients. I’ve been diving into the fresh greens like broccoli and asparagus, bright citrus like lemons and oranges, and strawberries from grocery stores and soon local farmers markets as the season moves along.

Even just the thought of getting back into the groove of going to farmers markets on weekends gets me excited for the start of Spring. Already prepping my weekly shopping list of must-gets at the markets, leaving room for the unavoidable treats and unexpected finds. A goal of mine this year is to work at a market stand… whether that’s for someone else, or dare I tease the thought of producing my own Goods regularly 😅. Speaking this one into existence. (In the meantime, I’ll have a test run coming soon 👀)  

What’s Cookin’

Typically when the warm weather kicks in during a new year, my brain goes immediately to the grill. So maybe that’ll call my name this week for some good lemon fennel wings and a side of fresh asparagus, lemon and ricotta on some grilled fresh sourdough. Just spitballing here.

Also, is it too early to start thinking about ice cream? A little homemade vanilla could do the trick to get back into the swing of things, or I could satisfy the lemon-blueberry craving with something of the sort there.

Okay, maybe the warm weather really is getting to me…

French Onion Soup

Not so much for my mom this week for a meal with my family. Out of all the Winter weeks, my mom decided the warm late-February week was the proper time to take on the challenge of French Onion Soup. Fresh sourdough and the soup all in one day. A 10/10 making for a great meal.

I don’t want to know how many tears would come from my eyes if I had to slice up 6 large onions. That’s an answer for another time when I go back to follow the recipe she used here. There’s a high chance I order this if it’s on a menu from October through February, so to have a great go at it at home was a pleasant surprise.

Fresh sourdough likely isn’t recommended by the professionals, but toasting up the flavorful bread and topping with more cheese made it a standout meal.

Turkey Spinach Feta Meatballs with Tomato Cucumber Mint Salad, Roasted Broccoli over Lemon Parsley Orzo

That’s a long name for a meal, but each part of it makes the dish come together. I’ve mentioned this before as go-to weeknight meal. I love a bowl like this to prep for lunch or quick dinners for the rest of the week.

Let’s see if I can do a quick run through here of what I throw into the parts here, measurements not included because that’s just how it comes together (similar meatball recipe found here):

• Meatballs: ground turkey, chopped spinach, feta, chopped onion, parsley, egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper

• Salad: grape tomatoes, cucumber, mint, vinegar (I used champagne, could use white or red wine), salt and pepper

• Roasted Broccoli seasoned with garlic powder, salt and pepper with light squeeze of lemon juice when finished

• Orzo finished with butter, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper

• Optional: more feta and a dollop of plain greek yogurt

A big fan of this sort of recipe because you can do as little as simplify the meatballs, add a roasted vegetable and put it over plain orzo or rice. Switch up the sauce elements and mix of warm and cold ingredients, too.

From Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives: Silk City’s Pork and Sweet Potato Empanadas

Everybody knows Triple D as Guy’s road trip visits all over America. But did you know that’s the same man who’s a New York Times Best-Selling author? I guess I forgot as well because this book was stashed away.

I don’t think I would’ve batted an eye to donate it to the the next Triple D fan, but thankfully I opened the book. The Guy himself signed it specifically to me when my dad met him during a business trip more than 15 years ago. Maybe this is the real reason I’ve “kept cookin'“?

Funny enough there is a Philly mention from when he stopped at Silk City Diner. I have to admit, I’ve driven by it countless times and never stopped in. I can’t say I’m jumping at the recipe, so I may take this as a sign to go eat there, but here’s the 2007 recipe for Pork and Sweet Potato Empanadas, no longer on the current day’s menu.

Per sources, we are one (1) week away from sunsets AFTER 7 p.m. That may come with shifting our clocks ahead this weekend. Either way, I don’t think anyone will complain about longer days.

See you in Flavortown 🤘