Now that Zoë is here, we don’t get out for dinner as often and find ourselves inviting friends over after bedtime so we can enjoy a bottle of (inexpensive Trader Joe’s) wine and some new (or favorite) dinner recipe.
On Friday this weekend, our good friends Steve and Roger came over and we all feasted on a great vegetarian Fall/Winter dish that Ryan affectionately nicknamed – poor French food.
This is an adaptation from a Real Simple recipe. Click the link for the original recipe.
1. Saute 1 chopped onion in olive oil with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
2. Once onions are tender add 2 1/4 cups quick-cooking barley (the normal barley flakes will extend the cooking time by 45 minutes or more), 28 oz. fire roasted tomatoes, 1 cup sherry (or if short supplement with water), 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer for 12-15 minutes – until barley is tender.
4. Add 8 cups of spinach, as much brie as you have in the house (not less than 2 ounces, but we usually use 6), 1/2 cup parmesan and cook until greens are tender.
5. Serve with parmesan sprinkled on top.
We had Trader Joe’s Green Fin Red Table Wine with dinner. Totally drinkable and less than $6 for the bottle.
von drehle family dinners 