Fried Rice-Style Quinoa

I was marinating flank steak the other night and asked Jamie what he wanted as a side. He requested peas. The flank steak was marinating in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, etc (Asian-style), so I was trying to think of an Asiany way to make peas - fried rice! I had just bought a bag of quinoa, so I figured I'd make it as if it were fried rice. It was delicious (and cheap and easy). Jamie loved it, and it even tasted great the next day.

Easy Scallop Spaghetti

I love going to Cor J in Hampton Bays for seafood. It's the best. Big variety and reasonably priced. This time I went looking for Peconic bay scallops, but unfortunately they didn't have any that day. I got sea scallops instead. I wanted to do a simple pasta and found this recipe online that sounded perfect. It was really simple, fresh, and light.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

6-10 sea scallops

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1/2 lb spaghetti

olive oil

butter

handful parsley, cleaned, dried, and chopped

white wine

Easy Spicy Anchovy Pasta

This is a great, quick dinner. Jamie loved it. (He just mmmed over my shoulder looking at the picture.) It's cheap and easy and may become a new favorite. I know anchovies turn some people off, but you wouldn't know they were in there unless you made it yourself. Jamie didn't know. It just adds a nice salty flavor. The bread crumbs are a crunchy addition.

Serves 2-4 (depending how hungry you are)

Ingredients:

1/2 box farfalle (or any other pasta - spaghetti would be good)

olive oil

5 anchovy fillets

3 cloves garlic, minced

big pinch red pepper flakes

bread crumbs

pecorino

15-Minute Fried Chicken and Pea Puree

I was in the mood for some comfort food last night and remembered a chicken I had made after reading the recipe in the times in 2009. It was Mark Bittman's 15-Minute Fried Herbed Chicken. I was daydreaming about it all day and couldn't wait to rush home to make the crunchy, herbacious chicken. I thought pea puree would be the perfect, homie side, also a pretty burst of color. It was a big hit. Jamie had two pieces of chicken and we devoured the peas. We followed with some delicious brownies (recipe to come). It's an easy dinner and the bright pea puree and the browned chicken are very tempting.

15-Minute Fried Herbed Chicken (served 4)
Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cheaper to buy with bone in/skin on and debone/take off the skin yourself)
1 medium onion, chopped
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs, I used sage and basil
2 tbsp tahini, or peanut butter
1/4 cup olive oil, more for frying
flour for dredging
lemon wedges for serving

Directions:
In a food processor, combine onion, herbs, and tahini. Puree the mixture and add just enough olive oil to make a smooth, thick paste (you don't want it too watery or it won't stick to the chicken).
Put flour in a small bowl. Smear the puree on the chicken and dredge in flour. Shake off excess and repeat, putting on more puree and dredging again - this makes it extra crispy.

Heat about 1/4" olive oil in a large skillet and heat until a pinch of flour sizzles. Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 4 minutes on each side. Serve with a lemon wedge.

Pea Puree
Ingredients:
1 box frozen peas
3 tbsp water
2-3 tablespoons butter
1 tbsp milk
salt and pepper

Directions:
Add the frozen peas and water to a small pot and cook about 5 minutes, or until peas are tender. Add to a food processor with butter and milk and puree. Add salt and pepper to taste.