Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Cookbook Week: Risotto and Collards

The Chef: Liz

The Menu: A savory meal that was bursting with greens! Liz made a double serving of Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms, Leeks, and Peas, and a lovely side of Sicilian Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins. Both of these recipes were from The Kind Diet, and both dishes have completely disappeared. The huge, beautiful kale salad you see was one of Liz's own recipes, and featured avocado, black sesame seeds, and Parma! Everything was scrumptious and promptly devoured.

The Goods: From the looks of the responses to yesterday's post, you all love some salad! We couldn't agree more—you might have noticed that just about every single post on this blog features some sort of leafy mixture. Speaking of things you might have noticed on this blog, we're giving away Alicia Silverstone's book! Congrats to GreyShore, who is the winner from yesterday's comments! GreyShore, send us an email, and we'll mail out your copy! To be entered to win today's copy, leave a comment with your answer to this question: Do you like raisins in savory food (such as in today's lovely collards?)

82 comments:

Sarah said...

I really don't!

TeDeeBeee said...

I love it. Just a touch of sweetness.

Maya said...

Yes, I love raisins in savory grain or salad dishes. They add just a bit of sweetness to make the dish pop! My love of raisins in savory dishes has now led me to experiment with dates in a variety of my favorite salads. Yum....

J Bretzman said...

Only Like Raisins in Sweets to be honest.
But in All Fairness, only ever tried (non-sweets/Meal type) two dishes containing them...

Fat Bottom Bakery said...

No thank you! I only like raisins by themselves actually (not in baking or sweet things, either). I do, however, think craisins go with everything.

Vanessa said...

I love raisins so adding them to different foods just improves them

Anonymous said...

Like em! They add just a little burst of sweetness,yum!
Lauren

Cindeelicious said...

Yes! I love raisins in curry dishes.

Amanda St.Lucas said...

At first I was going to say no, but after looking at the deliciuos plate, I can't wait to try it.

Tanya said...

I like raisins in some rice dishes, like stuffed cabbage and lentils w/rice. I'm willing to try it though!

Kelly said...

I most certainly do not - heck, I barely like them in sweet dishes! But I might be willing to give them a shot if someone made me Sicilian Collard Greens. :P

Stacy Carter said...

No - not a raisin person. I'll consider them in oatmeal though.

birdfeed said...

Yes, I literally like raisins in pretty much anything. Great stuff!

SSheilah said...

Yes, I love raisins in savory foods. With cooked greens, in couscous, in salads. I use a lot of different dried fruits in all my cooking, not just for sweets.

Unknown said...

Nope, but my roommate manages to sneak them into all our dishes anyway... :)

Moky in AZ said...

I never quite appreciated it... I think raisins are too sweet to be part of a savory dish!

Boneyardpixie said...

I only like to eat raisins by themselves or in salads.

Unknown said...

yes! the sweet/savory combo is great :]

Unknown said...

oh yeah! Raisins work both sweet and savory.

Jessica said...

I hate raisins! But I usually substitute dried cranberries which are much yummier :)

Verdant Sage said...

YES! especially with pine nuts or slivered almonds.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

raisins in savory food is really good!

i put them in my broccoli salad and vegan homemade slaw dressing that I make.

Anonymous said...

yes, I love raisins in anything!

SierraM said...

I love raisins in savory food! Each bite with a raisin gives a burst of sweetness that makes me search them out in the dish!

KateL said...

No, not really, although i'll give it a try in new dishes.

Kari Whitney said...

I do but not when they are paired with cinnamon in a dinner dish

Unknown said...

yess! they are soo good.. i love raisins!

Amy said...

No, I am not a raisin person. I pick around them in dishes! I do however feed them to my son.

Jenny said...

I do enjoy raisins in some savory foods like collards. We add raisins to our "not" loaf and it is a nice contrast.

Elle said...

I actually prefer them (especially the golden variety!) in savory dishes such as the posted recipe, or dishes such as dolmas, rice dishes, tart sauces for savory foods, etc. They're especially good if they're rehydrated during cooking so they're nice and plump versus chewy and dense.

Michelle said...

yes i do!

Lindsey said...

No, raisins are gross :( Sorry...

Zoe K. D. Lee said...

I do! The raisins give that unexpected burst of chewey sweetness. A nice surprise and compliment!

Mia C said...

yes,i like to scatter some raisins in homemade "meat"balls.my sicilian grandmother done taught me that :-). it's quite tasty.

Anoella said...

I like raisins in some savory dishes, especially when you have that sweet and salty thing going on.

Karla said...

it depends on what it is. i don't mind it in those rice salads and a couple other things. i don't think i'd want them in my greens...

EatingBirdFood said...

YES! I love raisins in savory dishes. I also like to have them around when I need a sweet snack after lunch or dinner.

Anonymous said...

i love raisins but not in savory dishes.

Unknown said...

I love this simple and savory rice recipe with raisins---it gives the rice a sweet and tasty flare and is oh so colorful!

1 cup brown rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup Raisins
1/4 cup Golden Raisins
1/4 cup sliced green onion
salt

Yummy! :P

Holmgirl said...

I love them (or other dried fruit, like cherries) in things like a savory couscous. It adds a little excitement to the palate.

Rob said...

No raisins for me in savory OR sweet food. Dried cranberries are another story-bring 'em on.

Unknown said...

I'm not a huge raisin fan (I also sub cranberries whenever they are called for), but after trying Bryant Terry's Citrus Collards with Raisins, I think I've been converted. They turn all plump, juicy and fruity - almost like they've turned back into grapes! Yum!

amyargh. said...

Up until two days ago, I would have said "absolutely not you sick freak". But now, I must admit that I have recently tasted the most amazing antipasti dish from a vegan-friendly joint here in NYC called Pala. It's called "zucca" and aside from plump golden raisins, it contains roasted butternut squash and carmelized onions. Basically, it was heaven in my mouth.

So yes, thumbs up to raisins.

Brandie said...

Oohh... Hm. Well... I'd have to say on a regular basis Nope, no raisins in savory food. I've had a dish maybe once that I liked that way but ... it's just weird, I'm not sure why! :)

These meals look So delish - I definitely need to get back in the kitchen!! Thanks!

Eve said...

I totally do - in greens, or in things like curries.

Erica Sara said...

Absolutely (but I love raisins in anything). Delicious with kale & toasted pine nuts. Yum!

Erin said...

I do love raisins in savory dishes. Especially golden raisins!

TracyP said...

Yes I do, especially in curry dishes.

KT said...

I think rasins in savory food provide a nice and subtle surprise sweetness.
Kimberlee

chellie_d said...

Oooh yeah. Raisins in couscous salad - yes, yes, ya'll!

Carla said...

Yes. I love them in stuffing especially.

Unknown said...

Nope...not a raisin fan at all!

Unknown said...

More than raisins, I prefer dried apricots or cranberries in savory dishes. But some of the raisin ideas posted here by commenters sound great, as do Alicia's collard greens.

Josiane said...

Yes, I love the touch of sweetness they bring to savory food. More often than not, though, I'll substitute dried cranberries, apricots, or even dates for the raisins because, for some reason, I'm not a huge raisins fan (even in sweet food).

HeyitsBeth said...

Raisins? Absolutely! They're like little bursts of sweetness to balance out all the other flavors.

Carmen said...

Yes, I love raisins in savory food. Sweetness of raisins complements savory--like yin & yang balance :-)

Jamie said...

Sometimes! Some people just put them in savory dishes where they really don't belong, but sometimes they go wonderfully with the dish.

Jen G. said...

I like raisins better in sweet things

Unknown said...

I prefer my raisins naked.

Renata said...

Yummy! I love raisins in everything, and for a twist I love currants...

Chrissy said...

I love raisins in stuffing. Does that count? :)

Sarah S. said...

Most of the time, yes I do! I especially like them in this raw broccoli salad, which also features onions and nuts -- the raisins give it the touch of sweet it needs.

Abby Bean said...

Raisins & currants are surprisingly good in savory food. Sprinkle some peanuts and raisins on thai curry: delicious.

Tracy said...

I love raisins in everything! Cookies to collards. Mmm!

Chazstarr said...

No thank you; I will leave my raisins for my sweet dishes!

Melisann1981 said...

I love raisins (and dried cranberries) in salads and cooked greens. Adds a lot of sweet flavor to the bittness of greens. Yummy!

Unknown said...

Yes! Especially in salads and sautes.

radioactivegan said...

I have to admit, it's not my favorite. I like cranberries a little better - the tartness is a nice touch.

Anonymous said...

most of the time i do! i really love craisins in broccoli salad-mmmm!
-toni D
toniisplanted@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

No, gross! Raisins are for cookies!-Sherry G

Anonymous said...

It depends-I like sweet chili (spicy with brown sugar) but I like my salads to be salty and that's it. (Jason D)

Anonymous said...

No, not really-I'll end up picking them out. Gracie D.

KellyH said...

I love cooked raisins in savory dishes...they're so good when they plump up! Especially golden ones....

Anonymous said...

I am typically not a fan of sweetness in my salad perhaps with the exception of mandarin oranges.

Lisa D.

Michelle said...

There was a time when I did not, but I've really grown to love raisins (and other dried fruits) in savory dishes. I'm glad I kept giving it a try!

Vegemini said...

Honestly, I dislike raisins in all food and will generally eat around them or pick them out.

I'm happy to substitute dried cranberries, apricots or other fruits though.

Lee Ann said...

I do, especially in Indian or Italian food or pilaf.

Unknown said...

I really don't like raisins at all, actually... something about them grosses me out!

dutchess said...

that is too weird. last night for dinner, i had collard greens and raisins together for the first time. the recipe was from Vegan Soul Food and it was delicious!

JP said...

yes! Last night my husband and I made an eggplant dish from the Eat to Live book that contained raisins. It was really good.

Lisa said...

I actually kind of prefer them in savory food instead of sweet!

Michal said...

I love raisins in just about anything!