Easy Paella

After seeing Barefoot Contessa's Easy Lobster Paella recipe here, I still thought it looked too hard. Mainly because I was lacking the essential Dutch Oven, but also because I am not willing to dedicate a sunny Saturday afternoon to slaving over a hot stove, when I could be on a boat in Lake Washington. I am willing to dedicate an hour though. Instead of having the ingredients cook together and simmer in each others sauces for hours, I sauteed the veggies and spices together, steamed the rice in the chicken broth and then cooked the meat all separately. Then, I just threw them all together, added some Spanish white wine and topped with parsley and lemon wedges.


A few other modifications included substituting the lobster for a combination of shrimp, calamari and scallops, using chicken sausage, white wine for Pernod and adding extra peas.

I am really looking forward to making it again! Yum!

I must admit the tapas party was a huge success! Lianna's new house is awesome, her sangria to die for and you girls are so much fun - see you soon!

Arugula Salad with Warm Goat Cheese by Annika

Hello Ladies! I must admit, Cooking Club has quickly risen to one of my favorite pastimes. My goal is to become more familiar with basic recipes and eventually be more adventurous.

For this Valentines themed event, I decided to try the Barefoot Contessa Warm Goat Cheese atop Giada de Laurentis' Arugula Salad, with the recipes found here and here, respectively. After Inger Johnson stole every last beet in Seattle, I used strawberries and pomegranate seeds in lieu of the red root vegetable.

Obviously, the key to this salad is bread crumb crusted goat cheese medallions. I hope to use it as a key ingredient with any type of salad I make in the future because they were delicious and easy with only three quick steps: 1.) slicing the cheese log with dental floss, 2.) dipping in egg whites then bread crumbs (which are now conveniently sold at Trader Joe's) and finally, 3.) pan frying. Oddly enough, I have a picture of the salad I left for my husband because he got me a brand new camera for Valentines Day and apparently everything has become a Kodak moment for me.

Thanks again for making it a great night and I am already looking forward to next month! - Annika

Mediterranean Pizza Bites

Hi Ladies! Had such a wonderful time chatting and eating with you all last night. So excited we've started this club and I look forward to many more delicious meals with you all.

Here is the recipe for the little pizza bites I made-in the future you don't need to cut them into hearts:) and you can use this "sauce" on pasta and veggies if you prefer that.

• 1 large roasted red pepper (or combine red and orange)

• 2/3 cup of ricotta cheese

• 2 teaspoon of salt

• ground pepper to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, or Italian mixed herbs of your choice

I added a little shredded mozzarella, and I would recommend thinning this out by adding some juice from the roasted red pepper.

I topped the pizza with sliced kalamata olives and fresh basil. Baked for 8 minutes on 450 degrees.

Click here for the recipe.