The Sunday Dinner: Inspired Fajita Edition

About a week ago, having just gotten up, I stumbled bleary-eyed into my living room to a television set still aglow from the night before. The emblem in its lower right corner indicated the food network, so I, not yet able to muster the strength myself, opted to slump down and watch someone else slaving away in the kitchen. The lesson for the day was how to prepare the perfect, home-made tortilla chips and guacamole, which, according to the impossibly cheery lady on the screen were quick and simple to boot.

Perfect guacamole you say, and simple too? I like all these things, do go on cheery lady of the morning.

It turned out that she was not lying, so all day afterwards visions of a mexican feast began slow cooking in my mind. Guacamole would of course be invited, Fajitas too, and rice. No, just any rice won't do. Cilantro-lime rice. Now were talking.

With the meal in mind, several friends and myself set off that evening to Trader Joes, and returned rearing to cook armed with a bagful of fresh ingredients and an appetite to match.


The Guacamole: As the lady on the TV told me, a great guacamole needs nothing more than 2 or 3 avacados, mashed up and drizzled with a whole lime to keep from browning. Mix in a half an onion (finely diced) and a pinch or two of salt and you're done. Sure tomatos and garlic are nice, but sometimes simple is better.

The Cilantro-Lime Rice: Starting with about 2 cups of regular old rice, we mixed in around 2 tablespoons of salt, half a cup of chopped fresh cilantro, a pinch of garlic powder, and then squeezed a lime and a half over the whole concoction.


The Fajitas: For the Fajitas, we started with a pre-packaged carne asada flank steak, threw it in a cast iron pan, sprinkled it with lime and cooked it along with garlic, chopped onions and peppers. Once done, we diced it up and served it alongside the cilantro lime rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc. on a warm tortila. Done and done.

A couple of Pacificos (with limes of course) washed the whole thing down in style.

The meal was truly as simple as it sounds, and almost criminally tasty, so if you're looking for some culinary inspiration of your own, the search stops here.

The Sunday Dinner: Lime Time

A day late on this one, but last monday I had some friends over for a meal I think that you might like to try out yourself:

Curried Chicken Skewers with a Lime-Apricot Glaze and Lime-Scented Rice




I was drawn to the recipe in the first place, for no other reason that that I like limes, and as the names might suggest these dishes have them in spades. Throw an apricot glaze into the equation (how could something cooked in any sort of fruit glaze not be good?) and the deal was sealed.

Ideally the chicken ought to be cooked on a grill, so as to give it that perfect caramelized taste, but if you're like me and lack access to such things, the broil setting on the oven will suffice.

Another great aspect of the dish is that, as the chicken is skewered, its is a great way to feed a big group. Just pass around a plate of skewers and everyone can grab one or two. Same goes for the rice (which is awesome by the way).

To go along with this symphony of powerful flavors you're going to need a wine that can hold its own. I paired mine with a bottle of Dr. Jebediah Drinkwells Meritage (which for those of you who don't know is a blend of 5 different red varietals) and it packed more than enough punch to keep from getting swallowed up by everything else. It hails from Paso Robles, California, but you can score a bottle at the Trader Joes on 25th.

The Sunday Dinner: Chowder Power

It's the 5th of July. The day after. By now your belly must be full of barbecue and your firework quota met for yet another year. Suffice it to say, you've celebrated, and as such are probably not too keen on diving right in to the kitchen. If you are the resilient type however, and a little bit of home cooking is exactly what you need to get your life back in order, than this hearty Sunday Dinner should be just what the doctor ordered.

New England Clam and Corn Chowder with Herbs


Ingredients (serves 4 to 5)
5 thick cut slices of bacon - cut into half-inch pieces
1 large onion - chopped
3 large carrots - peeled and chopped
1.25 teaspoons of dried thyme
.75 teaspoon crushed and dried rosemary
4 tablespoons of all purpose flour
4 cups of whole milk
1 (8 ounce) white skinned potato - cut into half-inch cubes
3 (6.5 ounce) cans of chopped clams in juice
1 (8.75 ounce) can of corn kernels - drained
chopped fresh parsley

Fry the bacon in a pan over medium heat until it gets crispy, and then take it out of the pan to drain on a paper towel. Throw the onion, carrots, thyme, and rosemary into the pan to sautae in the left over bacon grease for about 5 minutes, sprinkling with salt and pepper as you see fit.

Next, transfer all of that into a big pot and add in the flour, stirring for 1 or two minutes until its mixed up evenly. Once you've done that, gradually add in the milk (stirring constantly) as you bring it to a boil.

Reduce to medium heat, and continue to let it cook until it reaches your desired thickness. Make sure to keep stirring throughout. Once you have that, add in the potatoes, the corn, and the clams (with the juice) and then bring the whole thing back to a boil one more time.

Bring the temperature back down again to medium-low and let the chowder simmer until the potatoes are cooked (about 10 minutes). Again, keep stirring so it doesn't congeal, and toss in some more salt and pepper.

When its all done, sprinkle on the bacon and chopped parsley, then serve up healthy portions in big bowls with hunks of fresh-baked bread. If that doesn't stick to your bones, than I don't know what will.

This is the original recipe as seen in bon appetite. For the most part, its the same as what I put up here, with the exception of a few ingredient / cooking changes, so check it out too if you're so inclined.

The Sunday Dinner: Cooking in the Great Indoors

I love living in the city. The convenience of having anything and everything that I might want within arms reach is tough to beat. While there are those obvious advantages though, being surrounded by an endless sea of concrete and macadam day in and day out can take its toll. Some days, I'd love to be able to escape the urban sprawl and stretch my legs in the great outdoors, but unfortunately, between internships and jobs that's not really an option. Why then, not go for the next best option and pretend? To that end, the inspiration for this week's Sunday Dinner is is the camping experience. You might not be out in the wilderness, but you can certainly eat like it.


There may not be any food that says "camping" quite like hot dogs, but there's no way that I'm going to tell you how to make those. And as some of my best outdoor dinners have been of the stew variety, I think this recipe forHopi Corn Stew would be one that will set the mood nicely.


And most importantly for desert, the Coup de Grace of all camping food - smores. If you don't know how to make smores, than there is something wrong with you. But just in case, they are a melted graham cracker-chocolate-marshmallow sandwich, and while its customary to do the cooking over an open fire, I'd caution against attempting that in your kitchen, so set the oven to broil and stick them in there open-face until the marshmallows turn a little bit golden on top (see the picture for an example).

The Sunday Dinner: Minty Fresh

While I am always open to trying new things, when it comes to food, I certainly know which flavors I prefer. I am also a firm believer in the school of thought that if two things taste good in their own right, than there is a good chance they are going to taste fantastic together (obvious exceptions to this rule being ice cream, pickles, etc.) That said, when I came across this recipe for honey mint glazed chicken I was rather intrigued. I liked mint, I liked honey, who doesn't like chicken? I could only imagine what they would taste like all thrown in together. Turns out, pretty damn good. So for this weeks Sunday Dinner track down a grill near you and try this recipe on for size. It's simple, tasty and perfect for a summer night.


Honey Mint Glazed Chicken

Aside from the chicken, I also made a bit of rice, but just before it was done cooking I mixed in a watered-down version of my leftover honey mint glaze, and I feel that it gave the rice a slightly sweeter flavor that complimented the chicken nicely.

As for a drink to go along with the meal; your grilling, so beer should be a no brainer. Perhaps try something a little creamier like Boddingtons, a pub ale from Manchester, England.

The Sunday Dinner: Purple Pasta Eaters

Pasta is great. I'm pretty sure there is no one out there who would disagree with that statement. The one really shortcoming that I can see as far as pasta goes is that once you've seen it you've pretty much seen all of it. Sure you can mix the sauce up, and dishes like ravioli or lasagna can throw you a curve ball on occasion, but honestly, when was the last time you were surprised by pasta? Before I tried out the recipe for this week's Sunday Dinner a few weeks back, I probably wouldn't have been able to answer that question, but red wine spaghetti has a taste as unique as its purple hue, and if you have any free time in the kitchen this week or an inclination to do a bit of culinary experimentation, than I'd highly recommend you check it out.

I think the flavor of the red wine pasta is at it's most robust when it's fresh out of the pot, so while you are finishing up with the cooking a batch Double Tomato Bruschetta would make an excellent appetizer / pre-meal snack.

The Red Wine Spaghetti is of course the main attraction. The linked recipe is what I based my dish on, but I skipped the broccoli and instead added diced tomatoes, as well as chicken sausage (that i fried in a the pan along with the garlic). I finished it with a handful of toasted pine nuts sprinkled over the top.

The red wine flavor of spaghetti is pretty powerful, so I would suggest against pairing this dish with any more alcohol, but if still water is to pedestrian for your palate why not grab a bottle of San Pellegrino.

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.

The Sunday Dinner: This Stew's For You

There is a 24 hour winter storm warning in effect for the DC area 2:00PM today until tomorrow afternoon, so what better reason to invite some friends over and wait out the inclement weather around a savory beef stew. When it comes to delicious, hearty food that will really stick to your ribs, beef stew is in a league of its own, so bundle up, chow down, and enjoy.


The Starter: Arugula Salad With Beets and Goat Cheese


The Main Course: Beef Stew

And while wine is nice, nothing washes stew down like a cold Guinness. You can find a six pack at your local liquor store.

The Sunday Dinner: A Culinary Vacation

As February is finally drawing to a close we are at long last flirting with springtime. Unfortunately for us thought, the forecast says cloudy skies and brisk winds so for at least a few days yet Washington will have to linger under the dreary mantle of monochromatic gray. Don't let it get you down though, this Sunday dinner pairs exotic flavors and vibrant colors from around the globe so even though your body is stuck in the city your taste buds can take off for warmer climbs.

The Menu:


The Starter Moroccan Carrot Salad


The Main Course Chicken Curry with Turmeric

Pair a bottle of Cederberg Bukettraube available at The Wine Specialist on M Street between 22nd and New Hampshire. The semi-sweet South African white will compliment the spice of the curry chicken quite nicely.

Bon Voyage.

The Sunday Dinner: Tangerines, Fennel and Crawfish Oh My!

Everyone loves a three-day weekend. It doesn’t just mean one more day before you have to head back to the real world, but also that the next Friday is just four days away. With all this free time on your hand, why not capitalize on the moment tonight and get your chef on. As always, we at The Sunday Dinner are here to make life easier for you, so if you do choose to brave kitchen this weekend, might we recommend:

The Menu:


The Starter Mixed Greens with Tangerine and Fennel


The Main Course Crawfish Etouffée

The citrus flavors of the salad and the crawfish in the etouffee would be complimented well by a bottle of Bodegas Y Vinedos Sur De Los Andes, an Argentinean Malbec that scored 85 on the wine spectator despite selling for about $10 flat. You can pick one up at Watergate Wine and Beverage down in the middle of the Watergate.

The Sunday Dinner: Tortellini, It's Whats For Dinner

There are few things in life more enjoyable than a delicious home-cooked meal shared amongst friends, but as I'm sure many of you are aware this is often easier said than done. Between selecting a menu, procuring the ingredients, and then actually preparing the food, the prospect of such a meal becomes considerably less attractive. Even more so after a long day of work. As such, every Sunday we here at Eat The District will try to take the guesswork out of dining in by constructing a two course meal of simple, delicious and above all easy to make food complete with recipes and even a nice bottle of vino to compliment the evening. Tonight, instead of eating out or ordering in, invite a few friends, throw on the aprons and sit down for a meal thats good, not just for the body, but for the soul.

The Menu:


The Starter - Cucumber Salad with Mint and Feta


The Entre - Tortellini with Brown Butter and Sage

For those of age, a bottle of Goats do Roam White 2008 from the South African vineyard of the same name will compliment the tortellini well.