Tasting

I've been missing my kitchen.  Over the past few months I just haven't been able to spend as much time cooking as I would like.  Cooking, I should say, AND eating delicious food.  I still don't have a great deal of time to spend in there, so I'm making an effort to find recipes for dishes that are healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare.

DH and I have been to a couple of small plates/tapas restaurants lately, and it hit me that these are just the kind of dishes I'm looking for to prepare in my own kitchen.  I am in love with Mediterranean flavors.  At home, I realized that I actually do own a Spanish cookbook, with loads of simple, delicious recipes.  I am pretty sure this means that I have too many cookbooks!

Putting together this simple salad of arugula, jamón serrano, blue cheese, and  a hazelnut vinaigrette was easy, quick, and oh so very satisfying - both to my need to make food and my need to eat good food!

This is my new favorite food.  Patatas Bravas.  I had versions of this at a couple different restaurants, and then discovered I had the recipe. (hanging my head in shame)  They are cubes of potato, boiled in water with a little saffron, then pan fried in olive oil to get a little crisp on the outside.  You drizzle paprika infused olive oil over the top and serve with garlicky aioli.   Just writing about it makes me want more.  I find the smell of paprika in the house very comforting;)

I do believe I hear my husband home, so I will leave you drooling over these potatoes and I'll see you on Friday!