Cookbook Project, Book #192

[ladysprite]

"America's Test Kitchen Cooking for Two 2010"

I have been a fan of America's Test Kitchen since jducoeur gifted me with a subscription to Cooks Illustrated, and I've never had anything but wild success with their recipes. A couple of years ago they started publishing yearly magazines of 'Cooking For Two,' with versions of their recipes (as well as some original recipes) cut down to two servings. I picked up one issue, and after using it nigh-constantly, started seeking out every issue I could find.

Earlier this year I was browsing the shelves at Barnes & Noble and realized that they have also started putting out book versions of the same magazines. With about twice as many recipes, variations on the base recipes, and a whole lot of other hints on how to manage shopping and using up ingredients when you're making food for only two. It is nothing shy of awesome.

Anyway, my garden has been putting forth cherry tomatoes at a truly alarming rate, and recently folks suggested roasting as a way to make use of them. I thought I had remembered seeing an appropriate recipe when I was reading through the book, and so dinner tonight was Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula, and Goat Cheese.

It was, as expected, amazing. The tomatoes were still bright and rich and the roasting just concentrated their deliciousness, and the balance with the peppery arugula, and the way the goat cheese softened to make a kind of creamy glaze/sauce.... so good.

I will make this again before the summer is over, and I've already bookmarked at least half a dozen other recipes to try, just in the first 50 pages. I cannot recommend this book (and all of the other years in the series) enough. The only challenge I have is not using it every single night....

Comments

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

That is not a bad challenge to have. :)

[z-gryphon.livejournal.com]

What the heck is arugula, anyway? I've seen it mentioned on restaurant menus, but I'm not good with all these green things. :)

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

It's also known as 'rocket', and is a slightly bitter/peppery leafy tender green often eaten raw (as in salads) or lightly cooked.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Arugula is just a kind of salad green - it's lettuce, just with a little more flavor than iceberg. It's a little peppery - not enough to be spicy, but enough to add some flavor to a dish.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I've thought of picking one of those up but my tastes are really basic (arugula and goat cheese are both too adventurous for me)... would you say most of the recipes are similarly "gourmet," or are there any simpler ones?

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Hm. That's hard to answer, since I don't really think of lettuce and cheese as "gourmet." :)

The recipes run the range from beef pot pie to chicken curry to spaghetti with marinara to burritos to osso bucco to buttermilk pancakes. Seriously, they have everything. Best thing I can suggest is to go to a bookstore and look through them; you know your own tastes....

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Makes sense - thanks!