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 […]
Recent Posts
Basil Vinaigrette
Basil. The taste of summer. This dressing, otherwise known as “Maureen’s Dressing,” is all you need for your seasonal salads, a drizzle for your burrata, a side for your grilled meats or…your shoe!! It really doesn’t matter what your put this on….it’s heaven in a jar. 1/3 cup extra […]
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 […]
Limoncello Fruit Salad
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 […]
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, […]
 |
 |
 |
 |