A Comfort Food Day

Woke up this morning hit with a massive cold, mostly residing in my chest and making it really painful to cough (which I’m doing a lot of, of course) and talk. Nicholas has had it all week, and well, he DOES like to share.

So, did a bunch of errands this morning, and then came home and napped off and on with Nicholas all afternoon. I really fought the urge to call and order take-out for dinner, and The Husband even offered to cook some burgers on the grill, but since I already had my meal planned out, and had gotten everything I needed, I got up and made dinner.

Dinner went as planned, except I didn’t make the salad. I did, however, make homemade croutons for it, but when I went to get the buttermilk for the dressing … well, let’s just say it wasn’t with us any longer. Buttermilk usually lasts quite awhile — not this one. So, although The Husband was all ready for a big salad (although he shuns all vegetables, him and Nicholas LOVE salad), it’s on tap for tomorrow.

I gotta tell you, making the Tortellini Soup with Ham and Peas, I really didn’t have high hopes for it. I mean, c’mon, with the sauce only being chicken broth, how good could it be? Well, it was REALLY good, in a comfort food sort of way, which worked out perfectly with me being sick. The Husband even ate the peas! The recipe really could not be simpler, and I hope you’ll try it.

The Salt and Pepper Shrimp were another hit for us. I actually didn’t have any of the shrimp myself since I just wasn’t up for it, but it left all this wonderful sauce behind, perfect for mopping up with a baguette. Now since it’s called Salt and Pepper Shrimp, the sauce was salty, but oh so good! I finished it all myself.

Both dishes will definitely be repeated in our household.

Going to a local street fair tomorrow and pretty psyched about it. There’s a vendor there that makes amazing Filipino food and we are kind of her groupies, making sure to attend the various fairs she goes to during the Summer and Fall. I met her a good 8-9 years ago when I was organizing a food court, and am really glad I did. Can’t wait to have her food.

Also, depending on how I’m feeling tomorrow, I’m going to try and go to a local Farmer’s Market.

Tune in tomorrow to see what’s for dinner. Who knows? Not even me! :) Until then…

Salt and Pepper Shrimp
1/2 teaspoon Five Spice Powder
2 tablespoons fine sea salt
4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
vegetable oil
approximately 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled, tails intact
baguette

Place the five-spice powder in a bowl with the sea salt and ground black pepper. Mix together. Add the shrimp and toss to coat thoroughly. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan. When hot, add the shrimp in batches and fry until just changed in color. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve with baguette for mopping up the sauce.

Tortellini with Prosciutto and Peas
1 box frozen green peas
1 medium onion, finely sliced
1 tablespoon butter (more to serve)
1/2 lb of prosciutto, diced (ask the deli to cut it in one piece for you)
2 cups chicken broth
Parmesan cheese
Tortellini, cooked

Defrost the peas. Cut onion in half and finely slices. Fry onion in 1 tablespoon of butter on low heat until softened and starting to slightly brown (about 5-6 minutes). Add the prosciutto and chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, add the cooked tortellini and peas and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the peas are heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide between 4 warmed bowls and add a little piece of butter to each. Serve with parmesan cheese.

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