Buon Appetito!

Today I'm participating in Holly Sinclair's Foodie Blog Tour 2014. This is one of my favorite blog hops ever because it lets me share with you another of my passions, which is cooking.


Holly has published a lot of cookbooks! The one I chose is 365 NIGHTS. I've owned the print copy of this cookbook for a few years, and I love it.

One of the reasons I love it is the way it's organized. Complete dinners for every night of the year. I'm not nearly put together enough to follow it through for a full year, but if I were, we would enjoy a totally different dining experience every single night.

Another reason I like this book is there's a back-to-basics section that includes basic recipes like rice, mashed potatoes, etc., plus an excellent substitution list and other kitchen basics.

I asked Holly a few questions, and you'll see those down below with the photos. The questions don't match the photos, but it's a good spot to put them. What? This is the Tiki Hut, LOL!

My final choice of what to prepare came down to a yummy favorite - a Southwestern chicken dish called Santa Fe Chicken with Rice and Beans - and one of my all-time Italian favorites called Spaghetti alla Checca.

Spaghetti won because this dish is pretty, and it's sooooooo easy to make. Even if you don't like to cook, you can make this dish in 30 minutes or so, and your family and/or guests will think you've been hiding your foodie obsession. It's instant gourmet with no fuss, no muss.

Why?

Because alla checca is a raw sauce using fresh, uncooked ingredients.

This is a perfect dish to make on hot summer nights, but it's also wonderful in cooler times of the year to bring back the fresh summer tastes we all love. Plus there's a surprise in the preparation that will make you smile :)

So moving along, here's the recipe:

• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 4-5 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 8 oz. whole-milk mozzarella, small diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, mozzarella, and herbs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a sautepan until smoking hot. Immediately pour over the tomato mixture. When pasta is done, drain and add to the tomato mixture. Toss until well coated. Cover the bowl and let stand 2 minutes.

See? I wasn't kidding when I said EASY!

I halved the recipe because only Live-In Handyman and I were eating. And I used grape tomatoes cut in two instead of chopping larger ones. This is all you need.

Me: How long did it take you to compile the recipes and dinner combinations for 365 NIGHTS?

Holly: I would love to say just 365 days, but it's more like two years. Many of the recipes were already in my files, but others had to be adapted and tested.

If you think my oregano and thyme looked a little wicked, it's because they were already drying in the pots. But the fresh flavor was still there. Here is everything in the bowl. Looks like the Italian flag!

Me: What's your favorite thing to prepare for dinner, and is the recipe included in this book?

Holly: This tends to be seasonal. In the fall, I love to make soups and stews. My favorite is Minestrone Soup. It goes together so quick and eating it give me a nice energy boost. It is in the book.

Another thing about alla Checca is you can add your favorites like green onions, garlic, black or green olives. You can also add grilled chicken or sliced Italian sausage. Or whatever you wish. And you it with other forms of pasta such as farfalle or penne, etc. But here's how it looks served in bowls after following Holly's recipe. See how pretty!

Me: How did you learn to cook?

Holly: Trial and error. Lots of both.

Thank you, Holly, for such a great cookbook!


One commenter on this post will win a free digital copy of this cookbook. To enter, just leave a comment. If you want to leave a comment but don't want to enter, add "I hate food" to your comment. The winner will be announced on October 31st on Holly's blog.

365 Nights: Menus & Recipes for Every Night of the Year
You can put something different on your dinner table each night for an entire year! The meals in this book are easy to prepare, and they are balanced to provide a variety of taste sensations, ingredients, and nutrients. The flavors will appeal to your family and to dinner guests of all ages.
Cost: $19.95 print | $3.99 ebook

If you buy the print version of the book from Amazon, you get the digital version free.

Where to get it:
Amazon (print) [http://www.amazon.com/365-Nights-Menus-Recipes-Every/dp/1479103926/]
Kindle [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009K7W5W0/]
Smashwords [https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295730]
ibooks [https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/365-nights-menus-recipes-for/id661949989?mt=11]
Barnes & Nobles [http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/365-nights-holly-sinclair/1114863722?ean=2940044378773]


Holly Sinclair, who goes by Southpaw on the Interwebs, finds cooking cathartic. The recipes she's created and collected grew into cookbooks. Holly's trying her hand at fiction and food seems to creep into most of her books.
Holly Sinclair Cookbooks, the website [http://www.iamhrsinclair.com/cookbooks/]
HR Sinclair, the blog [http://www.iamhrsinclair.com/]

Join Holly on the rest of her Blog Tour [http://www.iamhrsinclair.com/cookbooks/foodie-blog-tour-2014/], each stop features a different cookbook and a chance for a free ebook!

You can join in the fun by signing up for the End of Tour Foodie Blog Hop!
Talk about a fond food memory, describe your disasters in the kitchen, post your favorite recipe or pictures of food, or do anything food related. Sign up here. [http://www.iamhrsinclair.com/cookbooks/foodie-blog-tour-2014/]

This is the last week to push the big WIN button at the top of my right sidebar for a chance to win Susan Swiderski's two books:

HOT FLASHES AND COLD LEMONADE and OLD BROADS WAXING POETIC. 

They will make fantastic Christmas gifts for readers on your list!