Summer entertaining calls for you to have quite a few side dishes in your repertoire. A fruit salad will brighten any picnic table. This adult version adds Limoncello to the berry mixture. The yogurt topping incorporates lemon curd, vanilla and honey that turns this seasonal staple into an elegant […]
Recipes
A list of recipes.
Spring Poke Bowl
The Poke (POH-keh) bowl is on many 2016 watch lists. It’s a dish I’ve been enjoying for a few years. Hawaiian Poke simply means “chunk.” It originated when fishermen began using the leftover cutoffs from their catch to create a snack which quickly became a staple in the Hawaiian […]
Crispy Salt and Pepper Shrimp
This recipe has been around a long time and I’m finally on the bandwagon. Right in my cooking wheelhouse, it requires just a few ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes. The traditional Cantonese dish uses the whole shrimp in the shell then gets deep-fried. Eating the whole shell is […]
Creamy Piquillo Pepper and Chickpea Soup with Chicken
Five ingredients and about 10 minutes. Done. The secret to this delicious soup is the piquillo peppers. Sweet. Smoky. Incredibly versatile, piquillo peppers come exclusively from Northern Spain. Their long, triangular shape resembles a birds beak. (Piquillo means beak in Spanish.) Adding hummus to the soup creates a creamy velvety […]
Chicken Verde Enchiladas
Here’s a festive way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo or Tuesday. This recipe pulls together in no time! The first eight ingredients are combined then simmered together for approximately four minutes. The remaining ingredients are then added to the pan. Fill and roll the tortillas, top with shredded cheese, […]
Kale And Hummus Salad
This is not your typical kale salad….it’s special. That Dressing!! Have you ever made a dressing with tahini? First time for me too. Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, adds flavor, texture (similar to peanut butter) and offers many health benefits, including macronutrients and a variety of vitamins […]
Pancetta Wrapped Asparagus On Pasta with a Poached Egg and Lemon Butter
I’m turning my last post, asparagus wraps, into an entree. The season’s signature vegetable is not only delicious, it has incredible health benefits. Low in calories, fresh asparagus spears are a good source of anti-oxidants and vitamins, A, B- complex, C, K and E. This recipe, adapted from Canal […]
Pancetta Wrapped Asparagus with Citronette
It’s a wrap! You’ve seen it before… sliced pancetta tightly wrapped around beautiful spears of asparagus. But have you made them? Have you made them with a tangy Citronette? NOT to be missed. This is just one way to serve the star of spring veggies. Make sure you have the […]
Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
Piccata means “sliced, sautéed and served in a sauce containing lemon, butter and spices.” It’s just that simple. A quick sauté of chicken breasts followed by an easy, luscious sauce (you will want to drink!) consisting of garlic, capers, chicken broth, lemon and Parmesan that will remind you that spring […]
Eggs in Purgatory
Eggs in Purgatory. There are plenty of theories behind the name of this dish. Growing up Catholic, I still get a little anxious just hearing the word Purgatory. Hangin’ out in limbo is not a place I ever want to be. I choose to think of these eggs poached in […]
Halibut en Papillote with Spring Vegetables
The cooking method known as En Papillote (pah-pee-YOHT) is a French cooking technique in which food is baked inside paper, typically parchment paper. The fish cooks quickly because it steams in its own flavorful juices. The papillote will puff up and the steam keeps the fish and vegetables moist. In this […]
Potato Pave
Pave, the French word for “paving stones,” is a term chef Thomas Keller uses to describe the preparation of these “scalloped-like” potatoes. Keller takes basic ingredients and uses this technique to create a flavorful and stunning dish. If you like the art of cooking (like me)… you will find […]
Feta Tapenade Tarte Soleil
Tarte Soleil or sun pie. This impressive appetizer is much easier to prepare than it looks. It’s made with store-bought puffed pastry that is defrosted overnight. In a food processor the tapenade is quickly made with sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, garlic, oregano, olive oil and salt and pepper. With some creative […]
Chicken Pot Pie Pizza
Who can resist a bowl of savory chicken pot pie, topped with a buttery, flakey crust? Who can resist pizza? When the two become one magic happens. I rolled out some store bought dough, made a quick béchamel, topped with diced veggies, shredded chicken and diced baby potatoes. I baked […]
Lentil Soup With Sweet Potatoes And Spinach
Lentils are small but mighty, often referred to as “the poor man’s meat.” A member of the legume family, they are an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering fiber (16 grams per cup). They are also beneficial in managing blood-sugar disorders. Lentils provide excellent amounts of seven important minerals, our B-vitamins and […]
Avocado Toasts
I was at a recent brunch and tried an entrée I usually overlook. Avocado Toast. Sure I like avocados, but this idea just seemed too simple or potentially bland. Wrong. A trendy Chicago restaurant, Bar Sienna, boasts it’s their number one brunch order. Sold. A simple concept recipe with endless possibilities. The basic […]
Herbed Shrimp Capellini with Spicy Breadcrumbs
If you’re planning a romantic evening at home this Valentine’s Day perhaps I can help. This entree is not only delicious and easy, it will certainly set the tone for this special night in. Breadcrumbs are combined with fresh herbs, lemon juice and butter, then baked for 10 minutes. You […]
Super Bowl Potato Skins
Super Bowl Sunday will not be your healthiest day of the year, so just go with it. And you may not be a fan of the big game, so turn your focus to the other competition in the room…the food. These crispy boats are filled with sharp cheddar, Monterey jack […]
Beef And Bacon Meatloaf… And THE Meatloaf Sandwich
Meatloaf. A staple on every Mother’s menu because it was an affordable meal that could feed the family for a few days. Here’s a tasty update on this little piece of Americana. Warning: this is NOT your Mother’s meatloaf. The seasoned stock keeps this meatloaf moist and full of flavor […]
Daube de Boeuf with Belgian Ale
In Andrew Zimmern’s words, “this is a warm hug from the inside out.” Daube de Boeuf, a classic Provencal stew, is the ultimate comfort food. This variation from Zimmern uses Belgian ale instead of the traditional red wine version. Like most braised dishes this dish is best the day after. […]
Roasted Chicken with Tomato, Basil and Ciabatta
When Courtney raves and receives raves about a comfort food recipe, I listen! This recipe is simply about the layering of ingredients that LOVE hanging out together. In a large roasting pan, start with chunks of a ciabatta loaf. Then add tomatoes, olives, a whole garlic bulb, fresh basil, salt, […]
Crispy Buffalo Cheddar Potato Nachos
I’m very aware it’s January. New year, new starts, new body, blah, blah, blah. It’s also game month. Enjoy your kale Monday thru Saturday. Enjoy these tasty, savory, splurgy nachos while watching your favorite game or just feet up with a good book (The Past), a binge watch (Making A […]
A Galette of Winter Greens
This stunning galette combines mushrooms, leeks, parmesan and 12 cups of spinach. TWELVE CUPS OF SPINACH. Delicious way to eat your greens!! An elegant side to a tenderloin or a simple weekend lunch. Galette of Winter Greens CRUST MAKE AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE OR UP TO TWO DAYS BEFORE, […]
Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
Mix AND bake a chocolate chip cookie all in one skillet!! This recipe had me at one skillet (and one spoon). Serve this giant baked cookie right out of the skillet with 4 scoops of ice cream and 4 spoons. Slightly under-cook for a gooey, chewy fun dessert. In […]
Leek Bread Pudding
My computer went to computer heaven and took along many of my December posts and photos!!! Fortunately, I had this recipe on my list from last year to try. Success with a capitol S! This bread pudding will be present on my Christmas menu to accompany beef tenderloin. Thomas Keller […]
Roasted Cranberries Ricotta And Honey Crostini
It’s the cranberries big season, the traditional condiment for your Thanksgiving table. These nutritional powerhouses also make a great appetizers for the big day. Roasted cranberries have a sweet tartness that make a perfect companion for ricotta or goat cheese. A drizzle of honey adds a sweet note and […]
Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
The Bitten Word is a highly respected food blog that scours current monthly food magazines and cooks at least one recipe from each. They are honest with their results, good or bad. So, I trust Zach and Clay when they find a winner. Every year they host a “Fakesgiving” (weeks […]
Roasted Cauliflower With Crunch Butter and Pickled Peppers
One of the Stephanie Izard’s most popular and long running dishes at “Girl And The Goat” is roasted cauliflower with crunch butter and pickled peppers. She combines caramelized cauliflower with a topping that includes butter, garlic, Parmesan and panko bread crumbs. She pickles peppers and then tosses them with toasted pine […]
French Apple Cake
Dorie Greenspan, the renowned cookbook author, calls this her “back pocket recipe,” meaning it can be made without a trip to the store. This trademark apple cake needs few ingredients and just a couple of steps to produce a rustic dish which is more apple than cake. Just mix in a […]
Sweet Potato Galettes
My last post, Crunchy Butternut Squash from Yotan Ottolenghi, was a hit. So… I’m back in his cookbook because I love the way he combines simple ingredients to create dishes that are memorable and delicious. For this seasonal stunner start with store-bought puff pastry, add a layer of sour cream, […]