This enchilada recipe will brighten up any winter day. Avocado, lime, pineapple and cilantro are tossed together for a crisp and flavorful topper. The filling: smokey chicken, poblanos, rice and cheese. It’s an easy one sheet pan prep. Simply mix, stuff, roll and bake and you’ve got yourself a healthier, […]
Recipes
A list of recipes.
Sear-Roasted Halibut with Blood Orange Salsa
Enjoy citrus as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges are at their peak right now. And blood oranges, with their beautiful pink/red color, create the perfect salsa to accent this flaky white fish. This dish is easy to prepare…start with a sear on the stove and finish in the oven for a […]
A Simple Carrot Soup
This is the simplest of carrot soups. It has 5 ingredients….onions, carrots, curry paste, coconut milk and lime. Saute and puree. To finish be creative. I topped with a squeeze of lime, micro-greens, roasted chickpeas and a few dollops of chili oil. Enjoy a bowl of warm, cozy, healthy and […]
Chocolate Panna Cotta with Spiced Pepita Brittle
This decadent dessert is simple to make and requires just a few ingredients. It can be made in advance of the big night and promises a creamy and chocolatey end to a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. The pepita brittle complements the panna cotta, offering a smokey and salty side. Chocolate’s not […]
Creamy Avocado Spinach Pesto
Do not go to the Dr. two weeks after the holidays! Randy came home from a physical with a slightly elevated cholesterol number. What!? The blogger wife needs to step up her Dr. skills. High cholesterol is one of those health issues that can sneak up on you. We really […]
Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad
I love beets. But even if you’re a hater PLEASE give this simple (15 minutes, 4 ingredients) garnet-hued salad a try. The beets are raw and take on a completely different flavor. This salad is earthy, bitter, savory and sweet…with a crunch. This will be part of my Valentine’s […]
Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin & Fennel
Pork and fennel are a distinctive pairing. It works. When the fennel roasts it takes on a subtle, earthy, caramelized flavor. It’s an easy one (sheet) pan dinner. Celery root puree is the perfect accompaniment to this meal. Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin & Fennel Serves 4 1 1/2 Ib. (or close) […]
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry
Do you have any left over red pepper jelly from the holidays? I did… thanks Biz. That single ingredient was the inspiration for this Asian inspired dish. Why order carry-out when this delicious low-calorie meal is ready in 15 minutes. You will likely have most of these ingredients in your […]
Greek Salad with Marinated Flank Steak
Healthy Mediterranean cuisine for a perfect and refreshing weeknight salad. All the classic Mediterranean ingredients are present…kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, green peppers and Feta cheese on a bed of Romaine lettuce. Adding flank steak makes for a hearty entree but feel free to swap out for a couple […]
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken
Here’s a quick and easy skillet dinner to start off the New Year. You simply brush a mixture of olive oil, thyme, fennel seeds, salt and pepper on the chicken and place them on a bed of lemon slices and onions. A splash of wine while cooking turns the […]
Mushroom Lasagna
You’re in menu planning mode for the holidays. Do you go with the usual beef tenderloin and all the perfect sides or shake it up?? THIS decadent lasagna just might be the answer. Pasta sheets layered with a simple mushroom ragout, nutty Parmigiana-Reggiano, and a creamy, rich béchamel sauce. Serve […]
Dark-Chocolate Bark with Dried Cranberries, Candied Ginger and Pepitas
Christmas bark is a great option for a quick and tasty hostess gift. It requires only a few ingredients that you most likely have on hand. Making bark can be as creative as you want to make it and NO BAKING REQUIRED. I chose sweet cranberries, candied ginger and pepitas…sweet […]
Baked Egg Boats
Baked Egg Boats. Hollow out a baguette, pour in a tasty mixture of egg, pancetta, green onions and cheese, then bake. It’s that easy. Serve with a side of pancetta wrapped asparagus or fruit. Baked Egg Boats Makes 4 4 demi sourdough baguettes 5 eggs 1/3 cup heavy cream 4 […]
Roasted Acorn And Delicata Squash with Pomegranate & Parsley
This is a perfectly simple way to prepare the season’s premier harvest. Acorn and delicata squash are drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper then roasted at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. The result is a tender, sweet and nutty side for your holiday table. To finish top […]
Maple Roasted Carrot Salad
A seasonal salad chock-full of ingredients we love this time of year. By roasting the carrots, they don’t just become tender, they become sweeter with delicious caramelized edges. The carrots are sliced diagonally to give them more surface to caramelize. Adding maple syrup sweetens them to the next level. Adjust […]
Apple Pie Pancakes
Apple Pie Season. Take advantage of those iconic flavors and create these delicious pancakes. Yep, take all the ingredients, add grated apples and you’ll have your go-to autumn breakfast. I’ll be replacing my traditional pumpkin pancakes with apple for the morning after this year! Apple Pie Pancakes Makes 7 or 8 […]
Spaghetti with Warm Bacon-Mushroom Vinaigrette
A KEEPER!!!! Smokey, earthy, savory and a touch of sweet. Did I forget anything? I used thick cut Applegate bacon which set the tone for this amazing dish that pulled together in less than 30 minutes. This pasta would make a nice appetizer or serve as an entrée with a […]
Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney
There’s a chill in the air, a hint of autumn….roasting season. Time for “pork chops and applesauce!” This recipe highlights how well pork plays with autumnal fruits. I’m using a leaner, flavorful, inexpensive cut of meat…pork tenderloin. The tenderloin cooks quickly, about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight […]
Pear Almond Tart
This Pear Almond Tart allows the seasonal pear to upstage that pumpkin and apple. The combination of flavors is a natural. A sweet crust is filled with a golden brown buttery almond cream and sliced poached pears. For serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, top with salted caramel ice cream, a […]
Balsamic Glazed Caprese Chicken
I’m savoring those last flavors of summer with this Balsamic Glazed Caprese Chicken. Another thirty minute meal in one pan. Simply saute your chicken, create a quick garlic balsamic glaze and then reunite the chicken with the sweet sauce. Add garden fresh cherry tomatoes and sliced mozzarella. Top with fresh basil […]
Mesa Grill’s Hatch Chili Cheeseburger
A fantastic cheeseburger to celebrate Hatch Season and a food flashback!!! After reading this recipe I was quickly reminded…I have had this burger before!! First bite put me at the dining table of Tom and Maureen a year ago. The chatter began around the table…..”best burger I have ever […]
Hatch Chili Chimichurri
The 2016 harvest of New Mexico hatch green chiles has arrived…a big deal for you pepper lovers. These peppers are only available once a year, harvested exclusively in Hatch Valley New Mexico August thru mid October. Hatch Valley provides the trifecta of soil, climate and altitude for these southwest […]
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
There are those rainy summer days that call for a cozy dinner away from the grill. This is it. This season’s harvest is coming to an end and this recipe incorporates all those farm stand favorites. The vegetables are roasted, giving them a rich flavor and the lasagna is […]
California Roll Salad
If you enjoy a good Maki roll, you will love this salad! The original recipe calls for imitation crab. Have you ever read what’s in imitation crab???? YIKES!!! I chose shrimp. The dressing ties all your favorite flavors together. This recipe is very forgiving…I added more ginger, almonds and […]
Basil Watermelon Cooler
Here’s a refreshing cocktail for the season full of picnics and watermelon. It’s the perfect cooler for sitting on the front porch swing. If only I had one. A kick from the ginger, herbal notes from basil and sweetness from watermelon make for the perfect summery libation. Cheers! Basil Watermelon […]
Pasta With Roasted Tomatoes And Walnut Pesto
A seasonal pesto is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual entertaining. In this recipe the walnuts add an earthy flavor to a dish that is rich with sweet, smokey roasted tomatoes. Charred corn and basil add an additional taste of summer. Arugula greens with shaved parmesan, drizzled with […]
Cherry Clafoutis
Clafoutis, (kläfo͞oˈtē) is a French dessert made of fruit, typically cherries, baked in a sweet batter. This tart is simple to prepare. Just arrange the cherries in a buttered dish and cover with a thick flan-like batter. Dust the clafoutis with powdered sugar and serve lukewarm. You may want to […]
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken (No Cream)
Another easy chicken recipe for a quick weeknight meal! This one-skillet meal is packed with mouth watering Italian flavors…boasting garlic, sundried tomatoes, Parmesan and basil. What I love about this creamy, rich sauce is that there is NO cream. I chose whole milk but next time I will go lighter. […]
Roasted Corn Caesar Salad
Roasted corn Caesar salad with Parmesan and Greek yogurt dressing is a perfect side to your grilled meats this summer. This dressing (no egg) is special and will be your go-to for all your Caesars. Grilled corn sweetens and adds a smokey flavor to this traditional salad for a seasonal […]
Grilled Potato Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese and Red Onion
Get your sides on! Turn your ordinary potato salad into extraordinary by grilling the baby reds. Then add sweet, smokey red onions, blue cheese and top it off with crispy bacon. My new favorite potato salad is perfectly paired with grilled meats. Grilled Potato Salad with Bacon Blue Cheese and Red […]