blue artichoke

Now that Gentleman Caller and I have welcomed discrimination into our lives, we are tossing out recipes with abandon. Aside from that decidedly subpar Cuban meal, most of the food I make is good. Just good, not great. Last night, for example, I made a pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, cannellini beans and Parmesan cheese. It was really fast and easy to make, tasted good and made a satisfying light summer meal. But I tossed out the recipe. Why? Well, it is a simple dish that doesn't really require a recipe, just some pasta, olive oil and other stuff to throw in with it. Measurements aren't necessary. Also, "good" isn't good enough for us. If I'm to winnow down my thousands of untested recipes, keeping all the recipes that are satisfactory will only obscure those that are outstanding. And we do come across an outstanding recipe occasionally. This one, for example:

Sauced Broccoli The Cat Who…Cookbook

1 small clove garlic, minced
2 t. butter
2 t. flour
1 c. chicken broth
1/8 c. cream
¼ c. cream cheese
2 sliced cooked bacon, finely chopped
4-6 c. broccoli florets cut into small pieces

Sauté garlic in butter until golden brown. Stir in flour. Add broth and cream. Whisk or stir in cream cheese. Cook over med heat for several minutes until desired consistency. Add bacon just before serving. Steam broccoli to desired tenderness. Pour the sauce over the broccoli, tossing to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Serves 6.

This doesn't really require measurements either. I sautéed the bacon in the skillet first, then removed it to drain on paper towels. Instead of pouring out the bacon grease and adding butter, I just added enough flour to soak up the grease (more than the 2 t. called for in the recipe). I measured the chicken stock, but ended up adding a bit more so it wouldn't burn or curdle while I waited for the rest of the dinner to cook. I also used a 3-oz. pkg of cream cheese, which is a bit more than 1/4 cup. So, I used more grease, flour, stock, cream and cream cheese than called for in the recipe, but there was just enough sauce to nicely coat all of the broccoli. Adding cooked, shredded chicken could turn this side into a main course. I don't throw out all the easy recipes, just the ones that are merely "good."

Getting to Know All About You: Which starch do you prefer: rice, potatoes, pasta, or bread?