Tag Archives: harissa

A Week of Favorites: Flight Night, Cheese Soufflé & More

Posted on 04/06/2012 by Cookinfanatic | 4 Comments

Things I’m loving this week, now that it’s Fridayyyy and all…

Yayyy!

Monday flight night @ Secco Wine Bar with the ladiez.

Three wine tasting for $10.00.

Dealer’s choice. Whites and a red (pink?) upon request.

The Barboursville Reserve Viognier Reserve was killer. Loved it.

Partner in crime. Clearly

Photog cred

Recipe that I’d love to have just “appear” on my dinner table:
Cheese soufflé stuffed artichokes

I can’t even…

Photog cred

Right? Ummm YUMMM

This dress. Which I almost purchased a couple weekends ago.

Think I may have to take the plunge. Love its simple elegance!

Speaking of Anthro… this candle may be the best thing I’ve ever smelled.

I can’t stop with it, adore.

Baltic Amber. A little slice of tinned heaven.

And I think we’ve already been over this (maybe just a few times) before haha…

Just.Can’t.Get.Enough.

Whether in a simple orzo arugula salad, piled atop sliced baguette & cheese or slathered onto a whole wheat tortilla and wrapped up with warm steak slices…

This stuff is seriously phenomenal.

Whole Foods stash <— watch out now (??)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Hope y’all have a fabulous (holiday) weekend ahead

What are you loving this week?!?

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Posted in Dinner Outings, Fashion, Friday Favorites, Richmond Restaurants

Tagged Friday Favorites, harissa, Secco wine bar

In the Kitchen With: Spicy Harissa

Posted on 04/04/2012 by Cookinfanatic | 10 Comments

With a busy schedule and a few select quality ingredients on hand, this past weekend was one for simple no-cook recipes…

Like this!

Arugula.

Did you know I “didn’t like this stuff” until just recently…

Yea.

Not exactly sure what planet I was living on when I came up with that one.

Orzo. Round two.

And simple-to-serve cannellini beans.

Freshly chopped arugula…

Layered with steaming hot orzo…

And tossed gently so as to wilt the greens and cook them slightly.

Followed by some cannellini beans…

And seriously what could be considered one of my favorite foods ever that I about shrieked with joy over finding at our local Whole Foods.

Sadly, this is not a joke.

Cava Mezze harissa

Remember this “best meal of 2012” during my recent visit to Cava Mezze while visiting my bestie in D.C.?

Remember me raving about the harissa that they served with fresh, warm pita to start the meal?

Yea. This stuff. Find it. Buy it. And get ready to be amazed.

Seriously.SO.GOOD.

And what a great way to make a simple pasta salad into something super special!

Tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper, spices, olive oil.

Flavor.PUNCH.

Finish with just a bit of olive oil before really giving it a good toss.

Then voila!

Serve this cold, at room temp or even give it a quick heat in the microwave for a warm meal – do what ya want – it’s great any way! (I tried them all )

Have you ever had harissa before?

Spicy Harissa Orzo Arugula Salad
Serves 5-6

1.5 cups orzo (uncooked)
1 bunch arugula, washed & chopped
15 oz. can cannelini beans, drained & rinsed
4-5 tblsp harissa
2-3 tblsp olive oil

1. Boil orzo according to directions. While pasta boils, wash/chop arugula and rinse/drain beans.

2. Once pasta is done, drain. Add arugula to a large bowl and top with hot pasta, giving a good toss. Then add beans, harissa and olive oil, stirring until everything is incorporated evenly.

Serve! Cool, room temp or heated up if you want

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Posted in Dee-lish Dinner, Easy Yummy Dinners, Meatless Meals, Recipes

Tagged arugula, beans, Cava Mezze, harissa, orzo