Friday, April 18, 2014

FFWD Baby Bok Choy, Sugar Snaps and Garlic en Papillote


One of the things I enjoy about Passover, aside from the 30+ person Seder that my mom hosts every year, is that it always brings friends and family into town.  This year, I was lucky to have two of my oldest friends come over to visit on Sunday.  I made a chicken and freekeh dish (from Jerusalem) before they came over and meant to assemble the vegetable packets as well, but I ran out of time.  We got to talking, and before I knew it it was 7:30, we were hungry and ready for dinner, and Charlotte was exhausted and needed to be put down.  Not wanting to put our guests to work, I asked Paul to make the vegetable packets while I put Charlotte to bed.  When I came out of Charlotte's room, Paul was outside doing yard-work (as I've documented, Paul is a very competent cook, but I think yard-work is his favorite activity in the entire world) and my friend Sarah was making the vegetables.  I pretended to be annoyed at Paul, but Sarah seemed happy to do it and is a much better cook than Paul anyway.  Unfortunately Sarah had to leave to catch her flight before the vegetables were done (I'm such a bad host!), but Paul, Ilana, and I enjoyed them.  I typically just steam bok choy and sugar snaps, so it was nice to learn a new (and easy) method of preparing them.


13 comments:

  1. SO glad you enjoyed this...and your chicken looks amazing, too!!!

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  2. I've heard a lot about this Jerusalem cookbook, might have to check it out one of these days.

    Have a great weekend. Your mom's passover sounds like fun, enjoy!

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  3. I had never had bok choy at home before so this is a new one for me. That cookbook has been on my Amazon wish list for a bit now. I may have to breakdown and buy it if I see more chicken like that! Yum.

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  4. Love the Jerusalem cookbook. I have made a few recipes but not this chicken one. Glad your dinner was a hit.

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  5. Yes, this is such a great way to cook vegetables. I bought a giant bag of freekah at Costco, never having made it before. I followed the directions on the bag, but it was soggy. I'll check out the recipe you made because the chicken dish looks really good. You asked about Ancient Grains. I haven't bought it yet. I have it checked out from the library so I can test drive it. I've made the crust and a loaf of bread which were both good. Looking likely I will buy it :)

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  6. Both dishes are delish! Have a great weekend!

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  7. I usually cook fish in pouches, so it is nice to find other things where this technique works as well (it saves so much clean up time).

    That's a lot of people for Seder - it sounds like a lovely time.

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  8. Your dishes look delicious, but your description of your time with your friends and family even better! How fun!

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  9. I liked learning this method for sugar snap peas as well!

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  10. I would love a husband who likes doing yard work,,, but I have one who loves to bake bread, make jam, and beeswax candles. I don't like yard work either... so it's a jungle outside, but inside is filled with good food.... Happy Passover. I went to a great Israel restaurant in NYC. You might like her cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/Balaboosta-Einat-Admony/dp/1579655009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397934330&sr=1-1&keywords=balaboosta+cookbook

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  11. I have to admit that I've only cooked bok choy one time before and I was not ecstatic about it! But I do like to cook vegetables this way. It makes them very tender but full of flavour.

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  12. It's nice to be able to use a method where you don't have to keep an eye on the vegetables. The chicken and freekeh look amazing! I love that cookbook - so much inspiration.

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  13. Now let's see. Two of your best friends came over to your house for conversation and dinner and one didn't get fed! Hmmmm I bet they loved seeing that baby, however. I need to get back to "Jerusalem" - didn't cook from it for the entire winter. Thanks again for the inspiration. I think the veggie packets were a good combo with the chicken and freekeh. Hats off to a hubby who loves yard work.

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