I feel like I don’t cook much anymore. Sure we throw together dishes for dinner everynight, but it’s usually pantry + freezer based and I don’t enjoy it.
So I decided with my test over with, I’d devote tonight to cooking and enjoy every minute.
Of course that means sipping a little Black Box Wine while I cooked.
And some Celine Dion blasting out of Pandora!!
I told Matt to snap a photo of me singing "To Love You More" (my favorite Celine song)
[His response: "If you’re singing, I’m having wine too"]
The song got more powerful and so did I!
*This goes out to you LARBS!*
I played the violin
And ended hitting the high note
While I sang, this cooked:
I got a press release last week for a recipe for Pumpkin + Goat Cheese Risotto that caught my eye. I get tons of press releases and normally delete them but this one was something I knew I would love.
It comes from Executive Chef Kerry Heiber of the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago.
And here’s the nicely formatted recipe (click to enlarge)
It was INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And despite the scary risotto cooking technique, this recipe was super easy. And my very first time cooking a real pumpkin from scratch! Can you believe it?
The only changes I made were:
- The omission of onion
- The use of water instead of stock because we were flat out of stock
- Used 1/2 tbsp of kosher salt instead of a whole tbsp
- Used Parrano cheese instead of Parm (what I had in the fridge)
- Used about half a tbsp of butter instead of 2 tbsp
- Added some fresh thyme from the garden
- Served over wilted arugula (was going to use swiss chard, but TJ’s had arugula)
Otherwise I followed the recipe to a T.
It was out of this world good. Very much like mac and cheese actually. With a subtle pumpkin flavor. Not too gord-y. I did not add cinnamon or nutmeg, but I imagine they will be added for the leftovers 🙂 The recipe made a HUGE pot. Yes, this is a rich dish, but it’s actually not that bad when you think about the ingredients. The only thing that’s a bit over the top is the butter stirred in at the end and you could cut way back like I did or just leave it out. It would still be killer. Goat cheese is actually pretty low on the cheese spectrum, and pumpkin = superfood!
He hasn’t recovered but his spirits are up. He raved about the recipe and he’s not even a huge pumpkin fan!
Currently eating a piece of dark chocolate and closing down the kitchen. It was a fun day!
I have another test on Wednesday though, so I have to get studying for that. And I leave for San Francisco again on Friday for Foodbuzz !!!!!!!!!
coco says
youre so funny Kath! love all your singing expressive faces! 😀 you made me smile! I can’t wait to meet you in person in SF! 🙂
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet says
Mmm that looks incredible!!! I may have to try that soon. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE arugula! So I may have to try it the Kath way. Yumm!
MelissaNibbles says
Please entertain us at the next Healthy Living Summit with a Celine Tribute Show. Thank you.
kay (eating machine) says
the hitting the high note was a total celine face.
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
That sounds so delicious. Who am I kidding? Anything with goat cheese sounds delicious
Vanessa (Last Night's Leftovers) says
Cutest photos ever! That risotto looks heavenly 🙂
Joanne says
You’re too funny. Did you spill any wine?
The recipe does look really interesting and worth a try.
Enjoy San Fran.
ella says
LOVE that black top you’re wearing!! – where’s it from? i can’t wait to make the risotto :))))
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) says
The risotto looks amazing! I think its awesome that you took the time to “really cook”… I need to use more recipes- and I need more time! Love the snapshots from the Celine concert, too!
Julie says
Lol I love seeing you cute loose, too funny.
Julie says
cut loose*
ellen eats beets says
mmmm pumpkin risotto sounds soo tasty. I used to be afraid of making risotto, seemed like such a daunting task, but it’s really not that bad!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Hahahah I’m still laughing at your rockin’ out. You’re so cute, girl!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
I have risotto, pumpkin, and goat cheese in the house right now… that may have to be on the menu soon! Do me a favor and have some crab while in San Fran… its one of my favorite foods ever!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
Ahhhahaha, omg Kath you crack me up!! Love the look on your face on the high note!!
Erica says
ohhhhhhhhh noooooooooo- you’re going to be gone while I’m in Charlotte! Bummer 🙁 But I know you will have a blasty in San Fran. I will probably be too tired from training to really do anything too exciting anyways 😉 I use to always use to sing to celine with my mom in the kitchen when i was younger so this cracked me up. yummy dinner- I was thinking of making a pumpkin tomato sauce tomorrow night!
bobbi says
LOVE ALL THE SINGING PICS!!! KATH your too cute! Wish I was going to SF:(
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What cute pictures!! So fun!
eliza says
love those pics of you! so fun and you are so cute!
pumpkin and goat cheese risotto sounds and looks divine. such a great dish! loved your pumpkin butter + brie sandwich the other day, pumpkin sure goes great with loads of things, so versatile!
xx
Eliza
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) says
Those singing pics are too cute!
That pumpkin risotto sounds delish and very appropriate for the season… I’ve never had it before, so I’m curious- does goat cheese taste like regular cow’s milk cheese??
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Is it possible to make it without the wine? I don’t drink so I don’t keep wine around even for cooking.
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
LOL!!!! I cracked up at Matt’s response, too! Speaking of Matt, OUCH! That looks like it hurts 🙁
Pumpkin risotto sounds amazing!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says
Kath, I love seeing you rock out-it was too funny!!
Marissa says
Great photos! Cooking with wine is a must!
Lauren says
GET OUT! I made the SAME dinner tonight and it was devine!!! 🙂 I used coconut milk on a whim and really thought this brought out sooo much intense flavor.
Glad we are on the same food wavelength tonight! 😉
amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) says
LOL LOL LOL loved this post!
Maggie says
I feel like I don’t cook anymore either. Hooray for real cooking! I will be back on that soon 🙂
klm says
yum yum yum yum yum.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
Nothing like a power ballad for a power meal! That risotto sounds incredible. I looks incredibly creamy and satisfying. I like the touch of fresh Thyme. Yummmmmm.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
*It* looks incredibly satisfying. Long days at work = Typo Fingers
Meghan@traveleatlove says
Mmmm I love making pumpkin and b’nut squash risotto, so versatile. I am getting SO excited for Foodbuzz that I can not concentrate at work!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I love the photos of you singing – too fun! I love to sing at the top of my lungs in the car, but rarely do it in front of others 🙂
Ana @ Ana Puede says
You singing = Hilarious! Love it!
Good night
Kasey @ Fit For Wellness says
LOL… love the pic of you hitting the high note!
Jenna says
HAHAHA!!! Those photos are absolutely hilarious. Way to bring some entertainment our way 🙂
I made pumpkin risotto last night. Twas’ fabulous as well. Adding some goat cheese is a wonderful idea. Makes the creamy rice even creamier.
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) says
That sounds and looks delicious! I love the fall flavors!
Jackie @ TriToLose says
That risotto looks fantastic! I’m trying to get my husband on the pumpkin bandwagon, but he’s turned off by it. (I don’t know why! I love it!!) I might just have to make it and he’ll have to deal with it. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
cookienurse says
Those are great pictures of you singing, Kath!
candice says
Bahaha, I love Celine Dion. 😀 You look adorable, and risotto sounds awesome… I love goat cheese anything. Yay for roasting pumpkins–I roasted a red kuri today, and it was delicious 🙂
Tou Tou's Little Creation Cafe says
haha I LOVE that one when u hit the high note!! that might be exactly how Celine Dion do it ! well, maybe not with a glass of wine!
The pumpkin dish looks really good – Love that orange-ish color for the time of fall. Thank you for the recipe !
Maggie says
So much to love: Love the w00t. Love the pumpkin risotto. Yummmmmmm. But I think I love the pics of you singing most Fabu. (I do not love poor husband’s swollen face. Get well, get well soon, we want you to get well..)
amber says
omg that is adorable!! I love the rocking it out pics!!!!
Fancy says
Hey Kath! What do you mean that goat cheese is “low on the cheese spectrum”? I love goat cheese so I’m just curious 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Those pictures crack me up! I just LOVE your outfit! 🙂
What an awesome recipe and a great way to use pumpkin. It’s so nice to have all these wonderful squash choices this time of year!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
that recipe looks grand. i have been vowing to “cook from scratch” more lately too. my cousin just gave me a bunch of her old cookbooks so my goal is to make a recipe once a week, at least…
Lizzy says
love the singing photos. your so cute!
Erin says
That is totally hilarious because my sister and I have a TON of Celine inside jokes from when we were kids and used to belt out her CD! Gotta love it!
That pumpkin risotto looks amazing!
Emily Eats and Exercises says
You look like a rock star and so does your dinner!!!
Erin says
LOL, GREAT Celine cover band pics!
Poor Matt. 🙁
That dinner rocks my world. Holy chit girl. Yumz.
Lu says
I bet you sounded great! Wow, Matt is hurtin’. Good luck on the test. Pumpkin Risotto deliciousness. I would love to try this one out.
Jenna says
dinner looks great kath!
jenna
Jess says
You are AWESOME.
Laura @ Backstage Pass says
Lol you look like you’re having a blast here! I loooove singing while cooking as well 🙂
this pumpkin rissoto looks like a great Thanksgiving dish, thanks for sharing!
Tay says
OMG it sounds fabulous!! I’ve been meaning to make pumpkin pasta for a while…seems slightly similar!
The Duo Dishes says
It’s funny how pumpkin haters can find a recipe that changes their mind. The power of pumpkin is real1
Mama Pea says
I’m glad this is not a vlog. 😉
BethT says
Eh, just move here already 😀
Diana says
That dish sounds and looks good!
Have a great tuesday Kath!
Ashley says
Holy YUM!! I wish I was going to SanFran…I found out about it too late!! Super jealous, sounds like it’s going to be awesome!
Marina says
:)) you look really cute and like you’re having a blast 🙂
mhm, pumpkin rissoto. I would like to make it, but when I see that you need to use chicken or veggie stock…yeah. I don’t like that :))
molly says
this risotto looks delicious! we happen to have a small pumpkin in our kitchen, so i may have to give this a whirl. do you have the recipe any larger? even clicking on it, the jpg is pretty small. thanks!!
christie @ honoring health says
LOVE the singing photos and the risotto looks pretty good too 🙂
Stacey says
Hehe 🙂 I know what you mean about “cooking”. I had to stay at my boss’ house last week and ate out ALL THE TIME and I was sooo ready to get back in the kitchen after coming home!
Caitie says
Ella,
I think her black shirt is from Target, because I have one that looks identical!:)
Allie says
Your singing is awesome and dinner looks great! And, poor Matt! Has he seen a doctor? I have an allergy to some product in shampoos, lotions, etc. that I swell up like that. Hope he gets better, I’m sure it not comfortable at all.
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
LOL at your belting out Celine and asking Matt to take a picture – TOO funny, hehe!
That pumpkin dish looks amazing:) Glad you enjoyed yourself while cooking.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
dinner looks fantastic & it looks like you had one heck of a good time making it!!! 🙂
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
HAHAHA! This totally cracked me up – so something I would do 🙂 That dish looks delish! And poor Matt! I hope he’s better soon!
Kath says
ella,
It’s actually LOFT and on sale RIGHT NOW!
Mara,
I love crab!
Joelle,
I’d compare goat cheese most closely to feta – but it’s creamier and has a bit of a gamier taste. It’s sooo good!!
Cynthia,
Yes, definitely. Just leave it out.
Fancy,
Soft goat cheese is lower in fat and calories than harder cheeses like cheddar.
Marina,
I just used water!!! I didn’t have stock, and it still turned out delish.
molly,
Hmmm.. I don’t but I can email you the photo? Maybe that helps?
Kath
Diana(mymarblerye) says
I’ve been CRAVING pumpkin rissotto. Now I haveee to make it! Your post sent my cravings over the edge!
mkg says
loved that last pic CRACKED ME UP 😀
Molly says
So much emotion in that performance 🙂
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full says
I actually had a “one eyed monster” for breakfast this morning! Ha!
Kerry Hieber says
Thanks for all your great compliments Kath. I’m the chef that came up with the recipe. Your website is so funny!!
Caroline says
This is so completely after the fact, I know, but you want to be careful with poison ivy on the face because if it spreads to the eyes it can get in your blood stream and I don’t know what happens next, but I imagine it’s not good.