Last-Minute Meals

Thumbnail image for Spring Pasta with Leeks, Green Peas, Asparagus and Sausage

Spring Pasta with Leeks, Green Peas, Asparagus and Sausage

May 16, 2012

Mariel here. We haven’t forgotten about Feast…just reveling in a little pre-Memorial Day mania, complete with, packing, moving, a full-scale kitchen renovation and a late-stage pregnancy. Feeling a little uninspired as of late, I turned to this easy-as-one-two-three dish brimming with loads of seasonal green veggies and a no-fuss sauce. Serve this alongside a simple [...]

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Thumbnail image for Rigatoni with Sundried Tomatoes, Pancetta, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil

Rigatoni with Sundried Tomatoes, Pancetta, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil

May 3, 2012

Mariel here. I’m not sure if it was Lana’s BLT Pasta over at Never Enough Thyme or How Sweet Eats‘ Creamy Caprese Pasta that originally inspired me, but somewhere, somehow this dish occurred to me while standing in front of the fridge. I was hemming and hawing over what to make for lunch – a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach

Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach

May 1, 2012

Mary Anne here. My generation got to enjoy the very first super-warehouse grocery stores like Sam’s and Costco. Actually, Costco was initially dubbed Price Club so I still find myself calling it that.  But the point is, I began to love a chore I had always hated – grocery shopping. The aisles brimmed with all [...]

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Thumbnail image for Asparagus Galette with Gruyere Cheese

Asparagus Galette with Gruyere Cheese

April 3, 2012

Mary Anne here. A galette is a term used to describe various types of flat, round or free-form breads and cakes. In this recipe, it’s used to describe more of a tart-like dish, while my Potato and Canadian Bacon Galette serves as a tart but actually bakes en casserole. Now that I’ve cleared that up… [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lettuce Wraps Stuffed with Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

Lettuce Wraps Stuffed with Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

March 22, 2012

Mary Anne here. This past weekend, when I ran into an old friend at the supermarket, he casually asked if I had stopped creating new recipes for Feast and was simply overseeing Mariel’s work. I literally stopped dead in my tracks. Two things struck me about the comment: first, I would never stop cooking, and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Meyer Lemon Pasta with Fresh Herbs, Shallots and Toasted Walnuts

Meyer Lemon Pasta with Fresh Herbs, Shallots and Toasted Walnuts

February 16, 2012

Mariel here. I’m a creature of habit. I wake up at the same time everyday – 7:45 – whether it’s a weekend or a weekday; I always kick-start the morning with a big bowl of berries and cereal; and the Today Show eases me into my routine before hitting the road for a run with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Curried Chicken Salad with Crisp Green Apples and Soft Raisins

Curried Chicken Salad with Crisp Green Apples and Soft Raisins

February 9, 2012

Mariel here. Lately I’ve been highly suggestible when it comes to food ideas. I trotted past a Dunkin’ Donuts ad for their new Tuna Fish Croissant and, BLAMMO, that’s all I wanted for dinner. After fielding a question from a reader about our Penne alla Vodka, I just had to remake it myself. So the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Grated Orange Zest and Greek Yogurt

Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Grated Orange Zest and Greek Yogurt

February 2, 2012

Mariel here. There’s been a spring in this winter’s step, so where I’d normally be elbow-deep in bowls of White Chicken Chili, Roasted Veggie Lasagna and Cassoulet, I have yet to make one of these cold-weather comforts. Instead, I’ve been living on fresh fruit, Egg Salad Sammies and super-sized dinner salads, which is what I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Simply Scampi

Simply Scampi

January 10, 2012

Mary Anne here. As I write this, the wind is positively roaring outside my window; the thermometer has plummeted into the single digits and the windchill factor boasts a cool minus 8. It’s this time of year when my body – revolting against well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions – craves all things butter. And what better [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gourmet Pizza with Gruyere, Crispy Prosciutto and Caramelized Onion Puree

Gourmet Pizza with Gruyere, Crispy Prosciutto and Caramelized Onion Puree

December 15, 2011

Mariel here. New York City is home to several famous slices, but it’s clear many Manhattanites have grown tired of the usual mozzarella-marinara combo. You can’t toss a garlic knot without hitting a menu touting “gourmet” or “artisan” ‘za. I’m all for it – everything tastes better when cradled by crispy, fluffy dough. Since the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Gouda, Sage, and Prosciutto

Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Gouda, Sage, and Prosciutto

November 8, 2011

Mary Anne here. It would seem that I’m having a love affair with fresh sage these days. It started in August when I grew weary of mayonnaise-laden pasta salads and concocted a Potato and Canadian Bacon Galette laced with sage and Gruyere. In September, the itch for this herb returned and I whipped up a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

September 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. At Feast on the Cheap, we’ve written our fair share about enjoying breakfast for dinner. And Mariel realized recently that when I broke out the pancake batter for our night-time repast when she was just a little girl, it was more an act of…ummm…laziness, rather than altruistic, motherly benevolence. Busted by my brood, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Whole Wheat Pasta with Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, and Fontina Cheese

Whole Wheat Pasta with Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, and Fontina Cheese

September 15, 2011

Mary Anne here. Hellooo autumn! Well, maybe I’m jumping the gun since the temp today was a humid 82, but the promise of the the season does put a glow in my heart. It’s the best of all weather, as the fading summer sun provides golden warmth during the day only to be replaced by [...]

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Thumbnail image for Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

August 4, 2011

Mary Anne here. It would seem we’re on a sandwich roll here – get it? Oh whatever. From Mariel’s Crispy Chicken, Fried Egg and Prosciutto Sammie and my Classic Lobster Roll to these ridiculously rich Open-Faced Peach and Prosciutto with Brie and Arugula Sandwiches, we could practically open a deli! Thanks to the steamy temps outside, I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Orzo with Creamy Brie, Bing Cherries and Fresh Basil

Orzo with Creamy Brie, Bing Cherries and Fresh Basil

August 2, 2011

Mariel here. Recently I’ve been feeling like a neglectful bloghost. Where I’d normally stop by the back-end every other hour to tend to Feast‘s stat log and answer any reader questions, now it’s more like every other day. I’m in the throes of several new work projects and they’ve been all but consuming my life….which [...]

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Thumbnail image for Fresh Summer Fruit Salad Topped with Yogurt and Granola

Fresh Summer Fruit Salad Topped with Yogurt and Granola

July 26, 2011

Mary Anne here. Although the thermometer is taking a much-welcomed nosedive, this fruit salad has been a Rittenhouse family summer staple for  years, appearing on our table anytime the temperature lingers above 90 degrees. Recently Mariel has featured a few breakfast-for-dinner treats here at Feast, so I just had to put in my two-cents and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sautéed Pork Medallions with a Ginger-Infused Balsamic Reduction

Sautéed Pork Medallions with a Ginger-Infused Balsamic Reduction

July 12, 2011

Mary Anne here. This past Sunday was my birthday, and in my family, if your special day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, you’re automatically entitled to a two-day “birthday weekend.” I dove headlong into queen mode, taking  full advantage and squeezing every last second out of my 48-hour party. To kick-start the festivities, I [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Classic Lobster Roll

The Classic Lobster Roll

June 30, 2011

Mary Anne here. It has always astonished me that the scavengers of the sea command such ridiculous market prices. A century or so ago, these hard-shelled crawlers were actually considered peasant food, but you’d never know it if you’ve bought Lobster Rolls on the eastern tip of Long Island. Last year, fresh shelled lobster meat [...]

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Thumbnail image for Mango-Spinach Salad Topped with Oven-Baked Panko Chicken and Carrot-Ginger Dressing

Mango-Spinach Salad Topped with Oven-Baked Panko Chicken and Carrot-Ginger Dressing

June 28, 2011

Mariel here. Brain. Is. Fried. I have four deadlines in advance of the July Fourth festivities so my vocab is running on empty – so empty that I stood snapping and clucking my tongue at a bewildered cashier, searching for what to call that tube dealie I use to drink iced coffee. I was literally [...]

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Thumbnail image for Open-Faced Peach & Prosciutto Sandwiches with Brie & Arugula

Open-Faced Peach & Prosciutto Sandwiches with Brie & Arugula

June 23, 2011

Mary Anne here. As I cruised my grocer’s aisles this past weekend, the plump, softly furred peaches captured my imagination. I wanted peaches, and I wanted them right then and there – even in their unripened form. Given their immature state,  I began daydreaming this “cooked salad” on bread and the following ingredients somehow landed [...]

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Thumbnail image for Farfalle with a Shrimp Pomodoro Sauce

Farfalle with a Shrimp Pomodoro Sauce

May 12, 2011

Mary Anne here. Dining al fresco is one of my favorite signposts that spring has sprung in earnest, and this creation beautifully captures the promise of warm weather staples like fresh basil and rosy tomatoes. It’s a simple repast that tastes as bright as the new season. I’ve been making this sauce in various forms [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crab Salad Sandwiches with a Zesty Grapefruit-Honey Dressing

Crab Salad Sandwiches with a Zesty Grapefruit-Honey Dressing

May 10, 2011

Mariel here. This weekend was one for the books. Despite the weatherman’s warnings that Saturday would be rainy and gray, Mother Nature pulled out the big guns and dished up two days of clear blue skies and 70-degree temps. My husband and I headed east to see both of our moms for Mother’s Day and [...]

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Thumbnail image for White Pizza with Sweet Pears and Balsamic-Glazed Figs

White Pizza with Sweet Pears and Balsamic-Glazed Figs

April 12, 2011

Mariel here. I’m at a loss for words today – back-to-back deadlines and a few weeks of working straight through the weekend have all but sapped my capacity to think. Thankfully, a plethora of writing assignments has only stoked my appetite, so whenever I’m looking for a break from my laptop, I’ll pop into the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Simply Salad: Mixed Greens with Walnuts and Dried Cranberries

Simply Salad: Mixed Greens with Walnuts and Dried Cranberries

March 31, 2011

Mary Anne here. Salad is the simplest of all preparations, and as far as I’m concerned, no dinner is complete without one. I love most things green, but nothing more so than the crisp snap of spinach or arugula tossed with dried fruits, cheese, and crunchy nuts. Often, when I’m just too tired to even [...]

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Thumbnail image for Easy Whole Wheat Mac ‘n Cheese

Easy Whole Wheat Mac ‘n Cheese

March 24, 2011

Mary Anne here. This past weekend the Rittenhouse/Baker/Goodson clan regaled Mariel with a birthday celebration fit for a princess. It’s not every year you face the daunting 3-0, so it needed to be a memorable occasion that would continue to make her smile for years to come. Since she was dreading the onset of a [...]

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Thumbnail image for White Beans, Sausage and Fresh Spinach

White Beans, Sausage and Fresh Spinach

March 8, 2011

Mariel here. There are several grocery stores within a five-block radius of my apartment – not to mention CVS and Duane Reade, which have become mini grocers in their own rights. But like everything else in NYC, the prices at the local Gristedes and D’Agostino are pretty insane. My mom tells me that when she [...]

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Thumbnail image for The College Cook: Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

The College Cook: Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

February 22, 2011

Mary Anne here. This is a guest post from Mariel’s step-sister, Kate. As I’ve mentioned in the past, ours is an unconventional, extended family and despite our scattered households, we all gather ’round the table several times a year to celebrate birthdays, holidays and any-given-Sundays. Even though Kate and I are only “related” in a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla Vodka

February 10, 2011

Mary Anne here. I realize that we’re only just recovering from Super Bowl splurges and now Cupid’s arrow is aimed squarely at our sweet tooth, so it only seems logical to eat light, lo-cal meals. But I’m sorry, the thermometer has been plummeting here on the East Coast and the wind chill is dancing with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Soy-Glazed Black Sesame Shrimp with Soba Noodles

Soy-Glazed Black Sesame Shrimp with Soba Noodles

February 8, 2011

Mariel here. Notice anything different around here? A little more color maybe? Some fancy new fonts? An entirely new design? You better, we just sunk a decent-size chunk of change into refreshing our beloved Feast on the Cheap. It’s official, we’re coming for you Contessa, hold on to your macramé Martha, and Paula, you’re fine [...]

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Thumbnail image for Butternut Bread with Quick Ginger-Apple Butter

Butternut Bread with Quick Ginger-Apple Butter

January 4, 2011

Mariel here. Happy New Year! If you’re anything like me, the calendar change came and went with little fanfare: I ate an entire cheese plate, my husband and I belatedly cut into our wedding day cake topper (and didn’t get sick from eating it!), and then I lay on the couch struggling to keep my [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ravioli with a Pumpkin-Spiked White Wine Reduction

Ravioli with a Pumpkin-Spiked White Wine Reduction

November 11, 2010

Mariel here. This is what I make for guests when I really don’t feel like making anything at all. These are – gasp – frozen ravioli, but I’ve dressed them up with a little pumpkin reduction that tricks people into thinking I’m a thoughtful, well-prepared host. In reality, this entire meal takes maybe 20 minutes. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Root Beer Baked Black Beans

Root Beer Baked Black Beans

August 30, 2010

Mary Anne here. Ready…aim…fire up those grills! Labor Day is upon us and those coals will glow red-hot for summer’s last official chow down. My family will undoubtedly be expecting the traditional assortment of Slow Roasted Ribs,  Macaroni Salad, Deviled Eggs, Corn Salad, Tomato and Brie and Mariel’s Cheddar Black Bean Cornbread. This year, I’ve [...]

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Thumbnail image for Stir-Fried Orange-Chili Beef with Broccoli and Spring Onions

Stir-Fried Orange-Chili Beef with Broccoli and Spring Onions

August 12, 2010

Mariel here. It’s cool and rainy here on the East Coast…and that’s not a complaint. I haven’t been in the mood for much more than creamsicles, watermelon bites and cold crisp pickles, but thanks to a looming cold front, I decided it was time to indulge in a real meal…one that requires cooking and everything. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Jalapeno Corn Fritters with Sweet Pepper Pineapple Relish

Jalapeno Corn Fritters with Sweet Pepper Pineapple Relish

August 2, 2010

Mariel here. My mother’s Jalapeno Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa are second-to-none. These snappy morsels aren’t loaded with filler like so many lesser cakes, instead they’re brimming with tender crab and the spice, well it’s just right. Because they’re so chock full o’ seafood, they’re also on the pricey side ($30 and that doesn’t include [...]

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Thumbnail image for Pesto Plain and Simple

Pesto Plain and Simple

July 12, 2010

Mariel here. Pesto is the type of thing that does wonders for sprucing up a lackluster meal. Pop it on toasted bread and you’ll instantly add pep to a Tomato Salad; spread it on chicken breasts for a little zest; or just blend it with your favorite pasta. And, there are more pesto renditions than [...]

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Thumbnail image for Pineapple Barbeque-Glazed Chicken with Mango Salsa

Pineapple Barbeque-Glazed Chicken with Mango Salsa

June 30, 2010

Mariel here. Like last week’s Spice-Rubbed Steak with Chimchurri, this recipe can be classified under “Indoor Barbecuing” aka, “recreating festive, summery foods in a small, cramped Manhattan space sans an actual BBQ.” A real mouthful. Whether you choose to slap this chicken on the barbie or roast it right in the oven, this delicious dish [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spice-Rubbed Steak with Chimichurri, White Beans and Cherry Tomatoes

Spice-Rubbed Steak with Chimichurri, White Beans and Cherry Tomatoes

June 23, 2010

Mariel here. I don’t do a lot of steak-making in my little Manhattan apartment. For me, a juicy slab of sirloin or a meaty rib-eye conjures up images of backyard barbequeing, beach bonfiring and otherwise frolicking in unfenced Elysian fields. My kitchen is about 4′X4′ and as for the outdoor space…yeah, I’m not a celebrity. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tummy Taming Stir-Fried Ginger Chicken with Leeks

Tummy Taming Stir-Fried Ginger Chicken with Leeks

June 21, 2010

Mary Anne here. By now you know I love a good deal and recently, whole chicken breasts were on extra-super sale at my local market. Thanks to the generous grocery gods, I was able to create this dish at an amazing 88 cents per serving! A word to the wise and frugal – post this [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ginger Chicken with Broccoli and Glazed Walnuts

Ginger Chicken with Broccoli and Glazed Walnuts

May 18, 2010

Mary Anne here. Recently, thanks to a tumultuous tummy, I’ve been revisiting an old friend in the kitchen: ginger. This multi-talented ingredient reputedly has multiple medicinal uses ranging from an anti-inflammatory, a diaphoretic that cleanses the system of accumulated toxins, and most popularly, an aid for nausea due to pregnancy, motion sickness and other digestive [...]

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Thumbnail image for Hoisin Chicken

Hoisin Chicken

March 23, 2010

Mary Anne here. This is a recipe that harkens back to my days as a very, very young mom. A dear friend of mine, Victoria, had a little boy exactly the same age as Mariel and when they were barely tots, Victoria and I used to take turns babysitting for each other’s kids, grabbing some [...]

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