Easy Meal For Mom On Her Day

Light, Tasty Dinner That Dad And The Kids Can Make, On A Shoestring, From Chef Robin Miller

(CBS)  It's called Mother's Day - but you could also call it "Let's-Give-Mom-a-Break Day."

And that includes a break from cooking!

So chef Robin Miller of the Food Network's "Quick Fix Meals" stopped by The Early Show Saturday to help.

She accepted out "Chef on a Shoestring" challenge - making a three-course meal for four on a budget of only $40.

Miller's new cookbook, "Robin to the Rescue" (Taunton), is filled with quick and simple recipes that the busiest Mom - and even Dad and the kids - can tackle.

Her menu included Seared Goat Cheese over Mixed Greens, Chicken with Artichoke-Basil Pesto served with Mashed Chipotle Sweet Potatoes, and Mixed Fruit Tart with Vanilla Cream.

As a mother of two sons, Miller understands busy schedules.

"Robin to the Rescue" is all about "helping you get good food on the table with the least amount of effort in the way that makes the most sense to you and your family," she writes.

The recipes in the book give a gift for moms every other day of the year, since they're quite easy, but still homemade.

FOOD FACTS

Goat Cheese: Goat cheese can be found in many varieties, packed in various shapes and sizes, and varying in texture and taste. Fresh artisan goat cheeses aren't usually aged, so they're fresh and creamy-looking with a fairly mild, salty flavor. To store, you need to protect the cheese from air with the original wrappings, plastic wrap, or wax paper. Remove from refrigerator one hour before serving. Because goat cheese is often made in areas where refrigeration is limited, aged goat cheeses are frequently heavily treated with salt to prevent decay. As a result, salt has become associated with the flavor of goat cheese, especially in the case of the heavily-brined feta.

Artichokes: Nearly 100 percent of artichokes grown commercially in the United States are from California. While artichokes are a small industry compared to broccoli, grapes, and lettuce, they add nearly $50 million to the economy of the state. California artichokes are a delicious fit for a healthy lifestyle. One large artichoke contains only 25 calories, no fat, and is a good source of vitamins. The trick is to keep dressings, sauces and dips low in fat, too.

Sweet Potatoes: Although sweet potatoes may be part of the Thanksgiving tradition, be sure to add these wonderful, naturally sweet vegetables to your meals throughout the year; they're among the most nutritious vegetables around. Sweet potatoes can be found in your local markets year-round, but they're in season in November and December. The sweet potato has yellow or orange flesh, and its thin skin may either be white, yellow, orange, red or purple. Nutritionally, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A and a good source of potassium and vitamin C. When buying sweet potatoes, choose firm ones with no cracks or bruises.

Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce: Chipotle chiles are actually dried, smoked, red jalapenos. They come in a can and are packed in a red "adobo" sauce that typically contains tomato puree, paprika, salt, onions, oil, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and oregano. The chiles are spicy and smoky.

RECIPES

SEARED GOAT CHEESE OVER GREENS
Serves 4

2 Tablespoons Seasoned Dry Bread Crumbs
4 Ounces Goat Cheese, cut crosswise into 4 equal rounds
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
4 Cups Mixed Greens
¼ Cup Reduced-Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Broth
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Taste

Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish, add the goat cheese slices, and turn to coat both sides.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

Add the crumb-coated goat cheese to the hot pan and sear until golden brown, about 30 seconds on each side.

Arrange the greens on individual salad plates and top with the seared goat cheese.

In a small bowl, whisk together the broth, lime juice, and mustard.
Season with salt and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the goat cheese and greens and serve.


For more of Miller's recipes, go to Page 2.

[cfin5]

Uh oh, most guys don''t do kitchen things. Everything turns into a smoking carcinogen waste. Today is a good time to check those smoke detector batteries.

[mrs-smith1]

Nice, light recipes yet look flavorful. And thank you for a well controlled / mannered host. Very refreshing.

[ca29]

cfin5 you must be from the dark ages. My husband is an excellent cook and does 90% of the household cooking. My sister''s husband is a trained chef and my father made the best homemade noodle soup I have ever had.

[fabrat1]

cfin5 LOL I have known a few like that too but then again I have known a few that were quite good in the kitchen. I was married to one that really liked to cook too bad it never turned out any good.

[newsthought1]

Seared Goat Cheese? Artichoke-Basil Pesto? Mashed Chipotle Sweet Potatoes? Vanilla Cream?

OK, assembly might be do-able, but I don''t want to spent 2 hours in a supermarket hunting down weird ingredients.

[standlee5]

barbqued chicken, fried red potatoes, salad, strawberry cheesecake. done.

[cfin5]

cfin5 you must be from the dark ages. My husband is an excellent cook and does 90% of the household cooking. My sister''''s husband is a trained chef and my father made the best homemade noodle soup I have ever had.

Posted by ca29 at 10:26 AM : May 10, 2008------I know guys can cook. I''m one of them. Just funnin'' about some guys who just don''t get it. You know how they think,...If it takes two hours at 350degs, then it will be only one hour at 700 etc,.......Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful Moms out there!

[gmond]

Who needs to cook? For 40.00 I can order Italian or Chinese delivery and mom will be thrilled with either one.

[husein_pasha]

HAHAHA, take your wives to a good restaurant and give them a jewellery as a gift! Should I learn you?