Chicken Cacciatore is a classic Italian comfort food. Cooking this rustic style, hearty dish makes for a perfect meal transitioning into the cooler months. Cacciatore means hunter in Italian. Hunt for your favorite version of this dish by adding cremini mushrooms, olives, red wine or other tasty ingredients. I am […]
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Sweet Corn Soup With Toasted Corn Guacamole
Make this soup! A simple, delicious, fresh corn soup with a touch of southwest flavors. The Avocado Salsa has the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with the poblano’s giving it a nice kick. This comfy soup has a creamy texture and is loaded with fiber, antioxidants and minerals. Thanks to Barb, […]
The Original Plum Torte
The New York Times published Marian Burros’s recipe for this Plum Torte every September from 1983 until 1995…the most famous recipe ever printed in the NYT. It’s perfect in its simplicity. Only eight ingredients, all of which, except the Italian plums, are most likely in your kitchen. When this torte cooks […]
Honey-Ginger Chicken With Lime
What a perfect entree for a beautiful Farm to Table dinner. This lovely evening started with fresh vegetable bruschetta, a puffed prosciutto appetizer and a few raw vegetables with green goddess dressing for dipping. The dinner began with a Thomas Keller gazpacho topped with kernels of sweet caramelized corn, followed […]
Summer Cucumber Drink
This is a light and refreshingly cool summer drink. The clean, crisp flavor of garden fresh cucumbers standout, while the mint adds a sweet herbal note and the lime adds just enough zing. Add Vodka or Gin and you’ve got yourself a summer stunner. The Cuke Serves 6 […]
Grilled Veggie Sandwich
What to do with all the goodies from your local Farmer’s Market? Try this grilled veggie sandwich. Combine all your favorite produce…slice, grill, add a savory spread, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, a soft, whole wheat bakery roll and you have yourself a delicious meal. Satisfying and healthy!!! Grilled […]
Peach Cobbler
A cobbler is simple. A homey, comfortable ending that typically shows up at a summer BBQ. In the height of your local farmer’s market harvest, peaches and our favorite berries are bountiful…perfect for this seasonal favorite. Top the sweet filling with a crisp, yet tender biscuit. As a perfect companion […]
Roasted Green Beans
What’s your favorite way to eat freshly picked green beans? Mine is raw….. until now. Roasting these summer farm stand faves highlight their sweet flavor. The result turns these beans to a nutty, caramelized, crispy side dish. Roasted Green Beans Serves 4-6 2 lbs green beans 1 to 2 tablespoons […]
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread probably conjures up the memories. Gram’s cooking or picking zucchini in your family garden or even …well I have no zucchini bread flashbacks and this is the first time I’ve ever made it. It will not be the last!!. This bread has a soft and moist texture….thanks to […]
Huevos Rancheros
The British Open and a festive breakfast was the start to a Funday Sunday. We decided to invite friends over early to watch golf, enjoy Huevos Rancheros, Bloodies…..and then play a round!!! (O.K. so this meal may have been more successful than my golf game!) Mexican fare is my go-to […]
Steak Salad with Creamy Horseradish Dressing
Dinner in 15 minutes! I think you will find the combination of fresh greens and a hearty flavorful steak spiced with an earthy dressing, the perfect weeknight meal. While the steak is cooking, assemble your salad and whip up this easy topping. Make it your own by adding additional […]
Fire-Roasted Red Pepper Relish
In anticipation of a bumper crop of red peppers, I have been searching for recipes….and this is a beauty! The Mediterranean overtones of this simple relish pair perfectly with a hearty white fish or grilled chicken. Serve over a bed of nutrient packed micro-greens simply dressed with a touch […]
Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad
One of my most popular posts to date is the Marinated Mozzarella appetizer, inspired by my favorite blog Lottie and Doof. I returned to this award-winning site in an anticipation of a bumper crop of carrots, (fingers crossed Sil and Courtney). For this recipe I par boiled carrots earlier in the day […]
Lobster Mac N Cheese
A very special side dish or a decadent entree…you choose. I’m pairing this rich, indulgent dish with BBQ’d Ribs. The tender chunks of fresh lobster are king here mixing well with the combination of Gruyere and cheddar cheese. Like I said, this is a very special meal for the MVP […]
Strawberry And Rhubarb Compote with Pork Tenderloin
A match made in heaven. Strawberries and Rhubarb. Typically, this combination is seen on the dessert table. I like the idea of a savory dish and am pairing this seasonal side with pan seared pork tenderloin. The flavor components work well with pork (or chicken) and kumquats add […]
Squash Blossoms Stuffed With Ricotta And Goat Cheese
Squash blossoms are the beautiful, yellow edible flowers that grow with zucchini and a variety of summer squash. They have a subtle flavor and make the perfect vessel for delicious fillings. Squash blossoms are a seasonal treat and sadly, hard to find in traditional grocery stores due to how incredibly […]
Watermelon Feta and Prosciutto
Here’s a variation of one of my latest posts. No cooking. No baking. Shop, slice, plate and go!!! We all have busy summers and last minute get-togethers…..this will make an impressive and delicious appetizer. Watermelon Feta and Prosciutto Platter Prosciutto slices, best quality (about 2 slices per person) 2 large […]
Grilled Steak and Fondue Sandwich
Looking for an alternative to a hamburger this grilling season? I think flank steak is a perfect and affordable lean option. Marinating in garlic, red chili peppers and “porcini dust”…and thinly slicing against the grain makes […]
Melon Mozzarella Prosciutto Appetizer
This is a fresh interpretation on a classic Italian antipasto using melon and prosciutto. Simple yet elegant…..refreshing with sweet and savory flavors. Don’t skimp on the cured ham….buy good quality. And as for the mozzarella, I found these tiny mozzarella balls which really were the inspiration for this appetizer. Use […]
Greek Feta Burger
Who’s bucket list doesn’t include Greece?? Those colors…cobalt blue seas and dove white buildings. Those flavors…salty, briny, and fresh herbs. This Big Fat Greek Burger contains cucumber, feta, onions, salt and pepper. Top with a tangy, creamy […]
Honey Lemon Chia Muffins
Lemon and Ricotta….fragrant and fluffy. Spring. Add poppy seeds and you have one of my favorite muffins. Ingredients like olive oil, ricotta, honey, and chia seeds make a lighter version. Chia seeds……another super-food on the block are rich in omega-3s, help reduce inflammation and cholesterol and are high in fiber and […]
Chicken-Apricot Skewers
Apricots…this is the season for those small golden jewels with velvety skin. Packed with fiber and vitamin C, these smooth and sweet stone fruits pair beautifully with chicken. Add a few skewers and some creamy peanut sauce and you have yourself a lovely entree. I like the idea of […]
St. Germain Cucumber Cocktail
California dreaming! Last week while visiting my daughter in warm, sunny LA…I came across a refreshing, flavorful cocktail. I’m not a sweet drink kinda girl, however this liqueur paired with muddled cucumbers, lemon and vodka had me…curious. What was this flavor I could not decipher??? St. Germain is a French […]
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Only four ingredients for a fabulous side. Really?? These smashers have the creaminess of mashed potatoes and crispy exterior of a fry. The concept is simple….par-cook, let cool slightly and then smash until flat but still intact…about 1/2″ thick.. Use Yukon’s that are approximately 2″ in diameter. Once smashed, the […]
Meyer Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote
When you think of ricotta…what comes to mind? Yep, me too…lasagna. However, ricotta’s creamy light texture suggests many other applications. Try lemon and ricotta. This classic combination is a perfect pair when whipped together in a pancake. Combining whipped egg whites, flour and Meyer lemon creates delicate, souffle-like cakes. Meyer […]
Artichoke Soup with Crispy Salami and Lemon-Parsley Quinoa
It’s artichoke season. As much as I love a braised artichoke, enjoying every leaf until I can get to that coveted heart….this soup is one more way to enjoy this healthy seasonal vegetable. Studies show that artichokes have more antioxidants than any other vegetable, aid in digestion, are great for liver health and […]
Crispy Salmon with Leeks and Beurre Blanc Sauce
Last week my neighbor, Courtney, asked me to guest blog on her fabulous site, A Life from Scratch. Of course, I was honored!!! While she was on spring break I decided to think spring. I know Courtney loves salmon and this Thomas Keller recipe may seem steppy and a bit […]
Soft Polenta with Rock Shrimp Ragout
This is a Mario Batali classic…fresh seafood accompanied by very soft polenta. Hard to believe that this Italian porridge, staple of Northern Italy, was once thought of as food for peasants. Now this versatile gluten-free ingredient can be found in many healthy dishes. The ragout pulls together quickly and has […]
Corned Beef and Cabbage Flatbread
When you think of Irish cooking, a notable classic of corned beef and cabbage may come to mind, accompanied with a pint of Guinness…of course! Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day with a crowd can be festive and simple. While I can appreciate the traditional feast of corned beef, veggies, bread, potatoes and […]
Guinness Chocolate Cake
I’m not a baker but look what happened!!!! This single layer cake with its frothy crown of frosting is so easy to pull together and the results so delicious…it’s a must try. The signature bitterness of Guinness disappears and leaves a moist dense cake. Guinness works well with desserts due […]
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