Ramune

Yesterday, Nick and I found these strange Japanese sodas called "ramune" at World Market. The soda bottle is "capped" with a marble that is held in place by the carbonation of the soda. Ever a sucker for a gimmick, I bought one and brought it home to see how they work. Fun! And tasty--the lychee flavor is delicious.

Good for What Ails You

Why do people open cans for soup, when homemade soup is so easy to make and so much more delicious? Here's a simple chicken noodle soup that is rich and satisfying for dinner. Serve with a warm loaf of ciabatta bread and a glass of wine.

Hearty Chicken Noodle Chowder

1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 carrots, chopped
3-4 ribs celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 14-0unce can chopped tomatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 bag egg noodles
1/2 cup cream

In a large soup pot, heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. Saute the onion, carrots, and celery of medium flame until they are softened. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and thyme and heat for a minute until fragrant. Add the chicken, the canned tomatoes, and the broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat until the chicken is cooked through and the carrots are tender. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary. Add the egg noodles and cook until the noodles are tender. Add the cream. Serve.

Spicy Thai Chicken

Spicy Thai Chicken
Originally uploaded by mickeynick

Another recipe from Martha, this time she is a good influence with this light, tasty dinner. Dear husband was a bit put off by the prep work (I made him pick cilantro leaves off of their stems, grind toasted rice with a mortar and pestle, and grate carrots), but he was happy with the result. I mixed ground chicken breast and thigh, thinking that the breast only would be too dry and flavorless. Next time, I would increase the amount of lemongrass in the rice.