Recent Posts

Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Heros with Honey Mustard

Game Day…what’s cookin’? This big, messy and tasty Street Fair sausage-and-pepper hero is happening here. One pan with all the veggies and sausage ready in 30 minutes. The honey mustard sauce is the perfect condiment. Don’t skip it. Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Heros with Honey Mustard 1 package Mild Italian […]

Buffalo Chicken Bites with Blue Cheese Dressing

A game day favorite. This healthy-ish version of wings hits all the classic flavors minus the deep frying and bones. Simply cook the cubed chicken breast pieces in a little olive oil, then add in Franks Red Hot Sauce, butter and spices til fully coated. Serve with the usual suspects…celery […]

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Pomegranate Arils and Pecans

This festive holiday salad will let you celebrate all the flavors! Walnuts, pomegranate, pear, gorgonzola and mixed greens, all drizzled with an easy maple dijon vinaigrette! Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Pomegranate Airls and Walnuts 2 cups mixed greens 1/4 cup pomegranate arils 1/4 cup halved pecans or walnuts 2 tablespoons gorgonzola 1 pear, […]

Beef Tenderloin Sliders

Here’s a fancy EASY appetizer to celebrate the end of 2020 and the hope of 2021. We are celebrating with beautifully rosy, fork-tender, beef tenderloin open face sliders. Simply slice the Brioche buns in half, layer a thinly sliced piece of tenderloin, top with horseradish cream and garnish with a […]

Biscuits and Gravy Egg Bake

This is a new one for me…not so much for my husband’s liniage. Two thumbs up from RL!!! This delicious, savory casserole-style dish combines eggs and cheddar baked up with tender flaky biscuit pieces buried under a blanket of creamy green chile sausage gravy. Don’t skip the green chilies… they […]

Homemade Peppermint Mocha

Nothing says the holidays like a Peppermint Mocha topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. While traditional peppermint mochas are a bit calorie laden, this homemade version boasts bittersweet chocolate, milk and peppermint extract for a healthier choice. You’ll be saving calories and coins! Peppermint Mocha 1/2 cup milk 1 cup coffee […]

More Than the Perfect Cookie

I heard of this perfect cookie perfected by pastry chef Ravneet Gill. Intrigued, I went on the hunt. And just days later it showed up in The New York Times and was coined, ” life-changing.” Why??? Well, this recipe claims meticulous attention to detail, including chilling the dough for 12 […]

Pan Seared Halibut with Orange Sauce

Three ingredients: orange juice, soy sauce, butter. This simple, rich citric sauce (another Keller stunner) is the perfect companion for Halibut. I could not love this dish any more!!! A good substitution for halibut is grouper, sea bass or mahi, mahi. Orange Sauce 1 cup orange juice, about 3 medium […]

Kielbasa Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is one of my favorite comfort foods. This creamy, smokey, earthy soup contrasts nicely with the crispy sausage. Adding a ham hock enhances that smokiness. This soup is super easy to make. You simply sauté vegetables, then add all other ingredients into the pot and simmer for […]

Pecan Tart

I love a taste of pecan pie. One bite. The flavor is great, but the sugary sweetness can be overwhelming. This recipe transforms the traditional pie into a buttery tart that requires less sugar than the original, but preserves the crisp top layer of nuts. Gooey, sticky and just the […]

Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

This 30 minute side will add the perfect veggie to your holiday table. A blistering 425 degrees ensures the tender sprouts will develop a nice caramelization and a crunchy charred exterior. To finish, drizzle with balsamic vinegar to create a sweet, savory flavor. Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts 1 1/2 pounds Brussels […]

Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc Cranberry Sauce

As you can see, I’ve been diving into Keller’s Ad Hoc cookbook, a great read for the home cook. This essential holiday recipe will brighten any table. It’s got that perfect combination of tart and sweet, a beautiful gingery kick and a subtle orange flavor in the background. Ad Hoc […]

Pumpkin Pancakes

Don’t you think we all deserve a pancake!? Pumpkin Pancakes. These soft and Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes are a comforting Fall breakfast that your family is going to love! They’re easy to make and full of pumpkin flavor! Servings: 12 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off 2 teaspoons baking powder […]

Skillet Roasted Chicken with Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes

Sunday cooking!! Even if you’re not a cabbage lover, you will be with this winning combination. A whole Chicken atop cabbage, Yukon potatoes and carrots are roasted at 400 degrees. The cabbage cooks slowly in salty buttery drippings until charred and caramelized. The juices from the chicken create an unbelievable […]

Sheet Pan Quesadilla with Jalapeño Ranch

The term “sheet pan” in the title for a recipe says one thing…it’s going to be simple! Skip the stove and save time with these oven-baked quesadillas! They’re easily customizable, so use this as a blueprint for whatever you have in your pantry or fridge. Serve with this jalapeño ranch dipping […]

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

One of my favorite things to make for dinner in the colder months is a big batch of soup or chili. And this Green Chile enchilada soup combines two of my fav’s, tortilla soup and white bean chicken chili. It’s loaded with juicy bits of chicken, lots of white beans, […]

30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen

This 30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen is for those nights when you need a cozy, healthy dinner with little time to pull it together. All made using healthy, pantry staple ingredients. The tender noodles, juicy chicken, and colorful veggies are soaked in a rich broth that is nutty, savory, […]

Roasted Delicata Squash and Apples

It’s Squash and Apple season. Let’s celebrate with this side dish that combines both your favorite Fall flavors. Delicata is my favorite squash by far. You can eat the skin, which adds a slight crunch to this creamy, nutty flesh. This salad boasts Fall’s aromatics: kale, apple and the crunch […]

Creamy Shrimp and Corn Ravioli

Creamy Shrimp and Corn Ravioli sautéed in a browned butter sauce……I KNOW! This dish is super simple to make using wonton wrappers as a brilliant shortcut!  Corn kernels are combined with ricotta, mascarpone, garlic and shrimp to create a sweet and savory appetizer or entree. I take this complement seriously….Randy […]

Mongolian Beef

Better than take out!! This Mongolian Beef takes just about 30 minutes and is made with mostly pantry staples. Tender slices of beef are coated with with a sweet soy ginger garlic sauce. I added tiny florets of broccoli and served on a bed of white rice. Mongolian Beef 2 New […]

Honeycrisp Apple Pandowdy

An old fashioned American favorite! Dating back to the 19th century, this autumn stunner features apples tucked beneath a flaky crust. Traditionally, the pastry dough is cut into squares placed and overlapped to create a disheveled look. You can keep it simple and just place the store bought puff pastry […]

Best Chicken and Dumplings

Heartier than chicken soup, this classic comfort dish is more like a stew with a simple biscuit dough added in the last minutes. Typically you start with whole chicken or pieces to make a broth, but there are many shortcuts. I made my broth with 2 lbs of chicken breasts. […]

Blistered Cheesy Poblano Peppers

These peppers are just too easy to make with amazing results! Perfect appetizer or served with a side of greens. 1 large shallot, halved, thinly sliced lengthwise 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 tsp. sugar ¾ tsp. kosher salt, plus more 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 large poblano […]

Mint and Pea Risotto

Hope Springs Eternal. Hoping for the best, even in the face of adversity. Let’s think positive. Spring. Easter. Family dinners. For Easter this year I’m planning on serving grilled lamb chops and this mint and pea risotto. This creamy arborio rice is brightened up with petite peas and plenty of […]

Quarantine Cooking

We will get through this! With fewer trips to the grocery store you need a plan. When meal planning, make a plan. Think leftovers. Roast a chicken and turn that into chicken tacos, chicken enchiladas, chicken & wild rice soup, immune boosting chicken soup, Pozole verde de pollo or white […]

Poached Cod in Tomato Curry

Faithful readers, thanks for waiting. I’m still dealing with tech issues on this site, and have made this dish 3 times since my cyber-ordeal began!!! It’s that good, and it’s prepared in less than 30 minutes. The technique of poaching is the perfect method to gently cook fish (I also […]

White Chocolate Mousse

There are fancier mousse’s out there, BUT this simple, (eggless), white chocolate mousse recipe with just TWO ingredients, is perfect for that last minute dessert. It’s light, airy, rich, decadent and works beautifully for all occasions. Top with red berries or salty pistachios. White Chocolate Mousse Serves 4 6 ounces White […]

Caramelized Pear Tart

  It’s pear season. Let’s celebrate with this simple and elegant Caramelized Pear Tart. Start with a sheet of puff pastry. Place very thin slices of a Bosc pear on the pastry sheet. Sprinkle with brown sugar and bake for 18-20 minutes. To finish, dust with powered sugar and a […]

Baked Chicken Taquitos

These baked taquitos are a great, easy-to-make Game Day appetizer! The taquitos are stuffed with a mixture of shredded chicken, cheese, salsa and spices. We like to serve them with sour cream, avocado, salsa, cilantro, tomatoes, and cheese! Double up and freeze for a later date. Baked Chicken Taquitos Makes 10-12 1/3 cup cream cheese […]