resah's Profile

I could have written this post a few weeks ago. I was so busy with work that I served rotisserie chicken at least 4 nights a week. The other nights I brought home takeout food or cooked a frozen pizza. I loved how fast and easy dinners became but after a few weeks I grew really, really tired of that food. I did what so many people have suggested: I pulled down my favorite cookbooks, I visited a local spice store and I browsed my favorite cooking blogs. This week I have already baked fresh bread, cooked up a pot of low-fat gumbo, roasted my own chicken and made fresh chicken stock. It feels so good to be back in the kitchen.

Hellooooooo brussels sprouts! I cut them in half and pan roast them over very high heat with a bit of olive oil. Add in a handful of chopped walnuts at the end and let the walnuts toast a few minutes. If you are going to reheat these in a microwave, toast the walnuts separately and add right before you serve. Microwaving the nuts can make them seem soggy.

Bed, Bath and Beyond has some plain white dishes that are $20-$25 for a set of 4 dinner plates. Oneida® Chef's Table is the brand. They have both square and round available.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=124851&RN=780&

I bought a boxed set of 12 white plates from World Market for about $20 around the holidays last year, but I don't see them on the website. You might have to go to a store.

Also, Marshalls/TJMaxx are great places to find serving dishes. I don't think that I have ever paid more than $15 for a piece. I have found some great Italian serving bowls and platters. Some are basic white and I have bought more colorful ones for different occastions/holidays. You need to dig through the piles and avoid ones with chips.