One of the things I enjoy about Passover, aside from the 30+ person Seder that my mom hosts every year, is that it always brings friends and family into town. This year, I was lucky to have two of my oldest friends come over to visit on Sunday. I made a chicken and freekeh dish (from Jerusalem) before they came over and meant to assemble the vegetable packets as well, but I ran out of time. We got to talking, and before I knew it it was 7:30, we were hungry and ready for dinner, and Charlotte was exhausted and needed to be put down. Not wanting to put our guests to work, I asked Paul to make the vegetable packets while I put Charlotte to bed. When I came out of Charlotte's room, Paul was outside doing yard-work (as I've documented, Paul is a very competent cook, but I think yard-work is his favorite activity in the entire world) and my friend Sarah was making the vegetables. I pretended to be annoyed at Paul, but Sarah seemed happy to do it and is a much better cook than Paul anyway. Unfortunately Sarah had to leave to catch her flight before the vegetables were done (I'm such a bad host!), but Paul, Ilana, and I enjoyed them. I typically just steam bok choy and sugar snaps, so it was nice to learn a new (and easy) method of preparing them.
SO glad you enjoyed this...and your chicken looks amazing, too!!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about this Jerusalem cookbook, might have to check it out one of these days.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend. Your mom's passover sounds like fun, enjoy!
I had never had bok choy at home before so this is a new one for me. That cookbook has been on my Amazon wish list for a bit now. I may have to breakdown and buy it if I see more chicken like that! Yum.
ReplyDeleteLove the Jerusalem cookbook. I have made a few recipes but not this chicken one. Glad your dinner was a hit.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is such a great way to cook vegetables. I bought a giant bag of freekah at Costco, never having made it before. I followed the directions on the bag, but it was soggy. I'll check out the recipe you made because the chicken dish looks really good. You asked about Ancient Grains. I haven't bought it yet. I have it checked out from the library so I can test drive it. I've made the crust and a loaf of bread which were both good. Looking likely I will buy it :)
ReplyDeleteBoth dishes are delish! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI usually cook fish in pouches, so it is nice to find other things where this technique works as well (it saves so much clean up time).
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of people for Seder - it sounds like a lovely time.
Your dishes look delicious, but your description of your time with your friends and family even better! How fun!
ReplyDeleteI liked learning this method for sugar snap peas as well!
ReplyDeleteI would love a husband who likes doing yard work,,, but I have one who loves to bake bread, make jam, and beeswax candles. I don't like yard work either... so it's a jungle outside, but inside is filled with good food.... Happy Passover. I went to a great Israel restaurant in NYC. You might like her cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/Balaboosta-Einat-Admony/dp/1579655009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397934330&sr=1-1&keywords=balaboosta+cookbook
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I've only cooked bok choy one time before and I was not ecstatic about it! But I do like to cook vegetables this way. It makes them very tender but full of flavour.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be able to use a method where you don't have to keep an eye on the vegetables. The chicken and freekeh look amazing! I love that cookbook - so much inspiration.
ReplyDeleteNow let's see. Two of your best friends came over to your house for conversation and dinner and one didn't get fed! Hmmmm I bet they loved seeing that baby, however. I need to get back to "Jerusalem" - didn't cook from it for the entire winter. Thanks again for the inspiration. I think the veggie packets were a good combo with the chicken and freekeh. Hats off to a hubby who loves yard work.
ReplyDelete