Dinner

Arroz de Grelos (Broccoli Rabe Rice)

There will always be those dishes that the slightest smell or taste brings you right back to childhood. While some might be as simple as a soup or sandwich, mine is Arroz de Grelos, (Broccoli rabe rice).

I know, not your first guess ,but this particular dish is one that from as far as i can remember my mom always made.

I think mostly the memories are so strong because as a kid I was not that big of a fan of this dish. I knew the moment my mom began to boil that broccoli rabe that I would not be happy with the dinner choice.

But of course, as you get older, your taste for certain foods change, and i'm happy to report that i am now a BIG broccoli rabe fan!

A little bit of background on broccoli rabe.. it is a member of the brassica family which is known for being a vegetable family that is packed with all sorts of nutrients, like zinc, potassium, calcium, folate and vitamins A, C and K. ( no wonder my mom made it so much)

The combination of the fluffy rice with the bitterness of the broccoli rabe pairs well with any meat or even a pan fried fish, which is what i grew up eating it with!

Arroz de Grelos (Broccoli Rabe Rice)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of white rice

  • 1 bunch of broccoli rabe

  • 1 large onion

  • ¼ cup of olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • 3 cups of boiling water

  • Salt & Pepper

Recipe

  1. Wash the greens and roughly chop them. Peel the onion and garlic and chop finely.

  2. Heat a medium saucepan, saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Stir in the garlic and greens and cook until tender.

  3. Add the rice and mix well.

  4. Add the boiling water, season with salt and pepper and allow to boil again.

  5. Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked around 20 minutes.

Pasteis de Bacalhau (Cod fish fritters)

Pasteis de Bacalhau (Cod fish fritters)

Pasteis de Bacalhau are one of the most popular foods in traditional portuguese cuisine. Pasteis de Bacalhau ( Cod Fritters), are usually eaten as a snack or an appetizer. they are made with salted cod, potato, onion and lots of parsley, and if that didn't convince you yet… its fried!

These very popular fritters are seen and sold in every cafe around portugal, and even the portuguese cafes in the united states!

While it might be easier to buy some, nothing beats homemade Pasteis de Bacalhau! They are very simple to make and i promise it's worth dealing with the smell of cod fish for a few days..

Pasteis de Bacalhau can be eaten as an accompaniment to a delicious plate of rice, like this one.

Herbed Roasted Chicken

Herbed Roasted Chicken

Roasting a whole chicken may seem a little daunting , but this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa will take all your fears away!

I adapted Ina’s herbed roasted chicken by adding BUTTER! I mixed the butter with the herbs and rubbed it under and over the chicken. its cooked on top of thick country bread slices. The juices of the chicken soak into the bread and creates a beautiful dark, crusty and caramelized bread, that is also great to make croutons for a salad, or if you’re like me, eat it by itself.

What I like most about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt, the herbs and lemon in this dish can be substituted for whatever flavor combination you prefer.

Whats Gaby Cooking Steak Salad

Whats Gaby Cooking Steak Salad

I don't think there is a bigger avocado lover than Gaby Dalkin from What’s Gaby Cooking, who is one of my favorite bloggers. I came across her over two years ago and fell in love with her effortless california recipes and vibe. She has a great range of recipes from decadent pasta dishes to colorful salads, like this one.

This salad is exactly what's its called “LOADED”. I know some people avoid salads for being dull, or not filling but this completely changes the game. From the steak to the vinaigrette, it's packed full of flavors that will satisfy even the biggest of appetites!

I made this salad to enter her giveaway, and i actually won! I got a box filled with new cookbooks. One of the most exciting moments i've experienced! I do encourage you all to look at her blog and to follow her on social media too!