The Sunday Dinner: Mumbo Gumbo

Sorry for the absence, but last week I was down in South Carolina - sans internet - on vacation with the family. While there though, I was inspired to try my hand at a southern favorite that would be perfect for this week's Sunday Dinner. I am speaking of course about gumbo. A food that most are familiar with by name, but fall short when it comes to actually describing the dish. A soup? A stew over rice? Whatever it is, it's delicious, and for that reason if you're lookin to do some cookin I'd highly recommend you check this recipe out.


Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

In case you don't notice it, the recipe yields 12 servings, so just a heads up but you will probably want to adjust the measurements accordingly. Also, I added okra in place of the celery and that worked out quite nicely, so feel free to play around with what you are throwing in as far as vegetables go.

For a beverage to pair with your gumbo, the linked website recommends a good beer, and while I can't disagree with that, if you're in more of a wine mood you ought to think about a Malbec, like this one, that you can find down at Watergate Wine & Beverage

The Sunday Dinner: Summer Fun

First, I'd like to apologize for our absence over the past week or so. It's the end of the semester, so I'm sure you know how it goes. That said, there is no such thing as a bad time to eat a great meal, and to that end I'd like to present the perfect meal to celebrate the start of summer.


Its always nice to have something to nibble on while you're cooking, so start off with some chips and a little Blueberry Salsa.


The Starter: Stuffed Poblano Chile Peppers


The Main Course: Fish Tacos

If you are feeling especially ambitious, check out this recipe forFresh Strawberry Gelato. Make sure you allow a bit of time for that one though, the recipe says that it can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days to firm up. However long it takes though, you can bet its going to be pretty amazing in the end.

Were talking tacos here, so skip the vino and grab some beer. Pacifico, Corona, Presidente, really anything from south of the border should do the trick, and you should be able to find it at any liquor store in the area. Don't forget the lime.

The Sunday Dinner: Time for Tacos

Its been a bizarre couple of weeks as far as weather is concerned, but between the biblically-epic rain storms, the unseasonable cold, and the odd sunny afternoon or two, it appears as if Summer has finally come to stay. Today the mercury broke 90 for the first time this year, something that will must likely become a painfully regular occurrence as we move forward into May, but before you let the DC heat get under your skin why not escape the heat of the kitchen for a little outdoor cookin.


The Starter: Sausage Stuffed Peppers


The Main Course: Pork Tacos with Poblano and Tomatillo Salsa

And if you want to get a bit fancy with the Tomatillo Salsa, check out this alternate recipe for an interesting, grilled, take on the dish.

To wash it all down, skip wine for this meal and instead grab a sixer of Negro Modelo. It’s a dark, more complex cousin of Corona, that manages to pack in more flavor without sacrificing smoothness. You should be able to pick this refreshing beverage up at any respectable liquor store in the DC area.

The Sunday Dinner: There's Nothing Like A Pizza

There is a lot of great food out there. From the heartiest of home-cooked soul foods to the most nuanced dishes haute French cuisine has to offer, the range of great choices can be a bit daunting at times. That said there are a few constants, foods that are so universal in their appeal and consistent in their quality that no matter what the circumstances they're going to hit the spot time and time again. Disagree if you must, but for my money if anything belongs in that category pizza does. As a child it's cheesy goodness represent the ultimate treat. As a teenager, its the the ideal late-night snack. Finally as an adult you discover how unexpected, top-shelf toppings can turn this old standby into a truly "grown up" meal. Face it, there's nothing quite like a pizza, so this week why not whip up one of your own. Included below are three recipes that I'm sure you would enjoy, but if your feeling daring why not try a concoction of your own design. As long as you don't get too abstract with it its tough to go wrong, this is pizza after all.


Smoked Salmon Pizza


Goat Cheese Pizza


Pear and Prosciutto Pizza

The Sunday Dinner: Nice And Light

When the weather is as nice as it's looking like its going to be this coming week, the last thing you want is a stomach full of heavy food. To that end, this week if you find a moment and fell so inspired I recommend trying out this pair of tasty recipes that are light enough to enjoy but not to put an end to your evening. If you hadn't heard, the cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom about mid week, so why not eat early and head down to the tidal basin and enjoy the sunset.


The Starter Tangy Cucumber Salad


The Main Course Mint Pesto Pasta

A bottle of Smily Face White Wine is delicate enough to nicely complement the meal without overpowering it. You can pick one up at the Trader Joes on 25th Street for about $5.

The Sunday Dinner: It's Picnic Time

When the weather is nice and the sun shining, there are few dining options more satisfying than a picnic. As such, this Sunday dinner deviates a little from our usual starter/main course formula and instead offers up a trio of tasty dishes that are just asking to be enjoyed outside. DC may not strike you at first as a verdant, picnic friendly environment, but between the mall, the arboretum and the countless other parks dotting the city you should have no problem finding some place to throw down a blanket, so without further adieu...


Crab Salad with Pear and Hazelnuts


Pesto Pasta Salad


Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Toasts

Along with all the food, I suggest you enjoy a bottle of Kung Fu Girl. The Washington State riesling has a sweet, delicate flavor that will compliment the light summer fare nicely. You can pick a bottle up at Watergate Wine and Beverage.

The Sunday Dinner: Spring Has Sprung

For better or for worse, officially spring is upon us. Well, not officially, as it's not yet the 21st, but for all intensive purposes the bitter bite of winter is but a distant memory, and what better way to celebrate the new season than by dining outdoors. There is little argument that nothing pairs quite as nicely with pleasant weather than a bit of outdoor cooking, so this week if you get the chance, call your friend with the grill (or if you are that friend, be a pal and invite some others over) and start spring off in style.

The Menu:


The Starter Shrimp Ceviche


The Main Course Honey Mint Glazed Chicken

Wash it all down with a bottle of Wine That Loves Roasted Chicken from the San Francisco based Amazing Food Wine Company. You may not be roasting the chicken, but this mild red will compliment the delicate honey-mint flavors of the chicken quite nicely. You can pick a bottle up at Watergate Wine and Beverage.