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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Ralph

Our puppies have been officially named for a few weeks.  Ralph and Potsy.  We had a few names we were throwing around, but in the end, this is what The Shepherd decided.  Ralph decided to follow us around for awhile last night, he's so sweet.  He loves The Shepherd so much.

Breakfast was good.  Take a guess!
In the morning were unpictured snacks while running around the office.  An apple and a PB Larabar.

Lunch was a super toasted 1/2 sandwich on Black Russian bread with Laughing Cow cheese and turkey.  Also a fresh salad with radishes and peas.   Peas are so sweet fresh from the garden, it's the only time I'll eat them.

No afternoon snack today.  Not necessary. 

It was pouring rain, so I thought I'd make something a little more exciting for dinner than we've been having lately.  Even The Shepherd commented that dinner has been a bit boring compared to our winter meals.  I decided on a beet green and chicken risotto.  I found the original recipe here: Risotto with Chicken and Beet Greens Stalker, but changed it up a bit to this.

Beet Green and Chicken Risotto


3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water

Huge bunch of baby beets/beet greens
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic scapes, chopped
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
2 whole skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup Arborio rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 1 1/2 ounces)
freshly ground black pepper to taste


In a saucepan bring broth and water to a simmer and keep at a bare simmer.

Cut beets into 1/4-inch pieces and slice leaves thin. In a 4-quart heavy kettle cook onion and garlic scapes in 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until stems are tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and cook until opaque, about 2 minutes. Add remaining oil and saute over moderately high heat, stirring, until leaves are wilted and any liquid is evaporated.
Add rice to chicken mixture and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add wine and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until absorbed. Stir in about 1 cup broth and cook at a bare simmer, stirring constantly, until absorbed. Continue simmering and adding broth, about 1/3 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition be absorbed before adding next, until rice is tender and creamy looking but still al dente, 18 to 20 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and stir in vinegar, grated Parmesan, black pepper, and salt to taste.

With the risotto was salad very similar to lunch time.  This was a beautiful meal.


Catching up on the Bachelorette, which I still keep falling asleep through (so is it really that good?), I had some plain yogurt, mixed up cereal and strawberries. 
If I'm lucky, I bought enough berries to last until this coming Saturday.

Just a few shots I took around the farm last night.  It was so nice out.



Jess

17 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous property! And the pups are so big now. Crazy how fast animals grow. That risotto dish looks fabulous. Adding the beet greens took it up a few notches for sure! Have a great day!!

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  2. Ralph is such a cute name! I love human names for pets. And what a fluffy pupper. I have been craving that russian bread ever since you first posted about it. Beautiful dinner. Love risotto. Creamy deliciousness. Thanks for your thoughts on vacation workouts!

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  3. I love the name Potsy--so cute! Risotto is amazing and I love how it can be used in so many dishes.

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  4. I love the name Ralph! It's so cute!

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  5. beautiful dinner!

    My dinners are usually boring. By the time dinner rolls around, I am too lazy/hungry to patiently wait for somethin GOOD lol :P

    Your puppies are sooo cute. I need to get one ;)

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  6. Gorgeous property! And I love your dog--reading your blog makes me want to be a farmer, full time--ohh someday!

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  7. Awe Ralph is so big! and so sweet!

    I love the risotto! i feel inspired to make one!

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  8. Cute names! And cute dogs! :)

    I love risotto but I haven't had it in ages! This recipe looks great.

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  9. I love Ralph! He's adorable and has the sweetest face! I bet he's a lot of fun!

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  10. Love the dog - what a cutie! I'm wondering if the white coat gets dirty on the farm???

    I've made risotto a few times and I'm still getting the hang of it..

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  11. THIS BLOG IS FABULOUS! I love it , love it! So happy to find you. I want those tomatoes! BADLY.. Great stuff here. I'm going to follow you. Hope you come to my blog too, I'd be honored. Keri a.k.a. Sam

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  12. That risotto looks delicious. I am excited for my peas they are ready to start eating too.

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  13. What a cute pup!!

    Your risotto looks amazing!!

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  14. Those are cute names! And I would def. say that Risotto with Chicken and Beet Greens is exciting :)

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  15. Such beautiful dogs! I love when you post pictures of them :)

    I have never made risotto. That looks really good!

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  16. I love risotto - that looks great!

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  17. I love the beautiful pictures of your garden and fields. It reminds me of my mom's garden that she had when I was growing up. Thank you for posting!

    -Emily

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