Valentine's Test Run II- BROCCOLI NESTS

It's time to test my appetizer recipe idea. This time with broccoli...real deal with shrimp in a creamy sauce or maybe just bake the nests, and later fill them with crab or shrimp salad or something similar.

Shredded fillo dough is so versatile. And you can go in both directions: sweet and savory.  Instead of using broccoli, you can use all kind of other fillings: meat, chicken, shrimp. You can also just bake the nests and later fill them with crab salad, fruit salad, instant pudding, ice-cream, .... possibilities are really endless!

Broccoli nests are also a perfect way to introduce youngsters to broccoli. Who can possibly resist the crunch?

Broccoli Nests

"CEVABUN's" DUCHESS POTATOES

I saw this recipe on Food Buzz posted by my foodie friend "cevabun", check out the profile here. First, the photo caught my eye and I said to myself, what beautiful cookies. Then I actually read the title and to my surprise they were potato cakes or Duchess Potatoes. What a wonderful idea as a side dish to my sautéed zucchini I was planning to cook for dinner that day. To my big surprise, the blog is in Romanian language and I had no clue what to do. But thanks to Google Translate the problem was quickly solved. I changed the recipe to my liking: I added some more spices and reduced butter and eggs. And although mine Duchess Potatoes don't look as half as pretty as the original does, but they were super delicious!!! For the original recipe click here.
Update: And yesterday I received a note that all the recipes @SomethingGood are now translated to English. Yeepee, for there are some pretty wonderful recipes posted on their site. 

"Cevabun's" Duchess Potatoes

RICE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT

Rice is an often guest on our dinner table. But serving the rice in same way over and over again can get boring and uninviting. Mixing rice with other delicious ingredients and spices can make the rice eating experience new and exciting every time.
This rice with chickpeas and onions, cardamom and ginger, is rich and satisfying served just with a side of salad, but will nicely pair with chicken, meat or fish.

Rice Somewhat Different

A NICE SIDE OF RICE

I always prefer rice over potatoes. And today I had that perfect excuse to make a nice side of rice with eggplant stew. And it feels soooooo good on this gloomy rainy sad day indulge a good comfy dinner!

Nice Side Of Rice