Red Potato Gratin with Caramelized Shallots and Crispy Prosciutto
This Red Potato Gratin with Caramelized Shallots and Crispy Prosciutto is the perfect side dish for your upcoming holiday meal. Delicious layers of thinly sliced baby red potatoes, sweet caramelized shallots, salty crisped prosciutto, nutty parmesan/asiago cheese are covered with heavy cream, fresh sage and a crispy panko topping. Cooked until creamy and bubbly on the inside and crispy on top. Resulting in a potato gratin that is anything but ordinary. And making it a beautiful compliment to roasted meats (turkey, ham, prime rib, etc..), sausages, salmon, shrimp, seared scallops and more. Not hosting this year? In need of a dish to bring? This dish is not only yummy but it…
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pecans
These Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pecans are crunchy and sweet with just a touch of spicy heat. They’ll make a perfect party snack for your next holiday gathering. Place them in little bowls around the room for your guests to snack on. They also make a nice addition to a cheeseboard, snack mix or tossed into a salad. They do come with a warning though: Highly Addictive!!! Once you start munching on these tasty little morsels, it will be very difficult to stop! These would also make a nice addition to a holiday gift basket or a really great hostess gift. Just place these little jewels in a pretty jar…
Vanilla Pastry Cream (crème pâtissière à la vanille)
I just realised that I haven’t posted a dessert recipe in quite a while. I decided to go with a simple yet classic dessert recipe this time, Vanilla Pastry Cream. One of my favorite ways to use it is in a Fresh Strawberry Tart. So Yummy! It tastes so decadent but is actually very easy to make and not a lot of crazy ingredients either. Just spread the chilled Pastry Cream into your favorite baked tart shell, pie crust or graham cracker crust and then top with fresh sliced strawberries. For added decadence, drizzle a bit of melted white or dark chocolate over the top! Yum! Vanilla Pastry Cream is…
Pinot Noir, Garlic And Peppercorn Roasted Pork Loin
This Pinot Noir, Garlic and Peppercorn Roasted Pork Loin is marinated in a mixture of pinot noir wine, olive oil, garlic, fresh ground peppercorns and shallots creating a tender and flavorful roast. Nothing says fall like the smell of a delicious roast cooking in the oven. And paired with a mound of potatoes, it becomes the ultimate comfort food. Roasted pork loin makes an elegant addition to any holiday gathering. And it pairs beautifully with all of your traditional holiday side dishes. Or try something non-traditional like these colorful Grilled Polenta and Vegetable Stacks or Roasted Vegetable Lasagna. To make this roasted pork loin, combine wine, olive oil, shallots, garlic, salt and peppercorn…
Pineapple Banana Upside-down Banana Bread
Pineapple banana upside-down banana bread is not your typical banana bread. It’s more like a cake than a bread but I call it bread since it is baked in a loaf. Plus, it sounds better to say that I ate bread for breakfast instead of saying I ate cake! This rainy, fall weather has given me the baking bug. Along with a craving for something sweet to pair with a warm cup of coffee or tea. So, what is it that makes this banana bread so amazingly good? Is it that it is chalked full of chopped pecans, coconut and pineapple? Maybe it’s that caramelized glazed banana, pineapple and pecan…
Taco Tuesday! Ole! Guacamole
Taco Tuesdays would not be complete without a delicious, fresh guacamole. And Pico De Gallo. Since you are already making fresh salsa, why not use it to make your guacamole as well. Two birds, one stone, Right?!? When i’m cooking I like to make things that have multiple uses. Not only does it make cooking easier and less time consuming (because, who wants to spend more time in the kitchen after a long day at work?), but it also helps prevent waste. Don’t get me started on the food waste thing! Lol! Anyway, back to the guacamole recipe. First, prepare the Pico De Gallo using the recipe below. Then, take the avocados…
Pico De Gallo
Pico de Gallo, also known as salsa fresca or salsa cruda, is a fresh tomato salsa made of fresh ripe tomatoes, onions, chili’s (jalapeno, serrano or habanero), cilantro, lime juice and salt. This traditional Mexican staple is perfect for chips, tacos, fajitas and more. Serve this yummy salsa at your next game day get together, taco party or anytime, really. Add shrimp and/or avocado for a special treat! To make, I start with fresh, ripe roma tomatoes. I use romas because they are a bit firmer than other tomato varieties, they hold their shape and don’t become mushy in the salsa. Cut the tops off of the tomatoes and then cut…
Simple Weeknight Chili
Fall has definitely arrived. That means football, basketball and a big pot of chili! Simple weeknight chili is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or game day get together. It’s quick and easy to make, so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen. But so flavorful and delicious, people will think you did! I tried several different kinds of beans for this recipe, and my favorite is a combination of pinto and black beans. But, in my photos, I used only pinto beans (which was delicious as well). To make, heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute’ the onions and garlic until tender. Then add the…
Autumn Broccoli Salad
Mmmmm, I just love salads. If you have been reading my blog for very long, you will notice that I post quite a few salads on here. Salads aren’t just for summer! And this Autumn Broccoli Salad makes the perfect side dish for all of your fall/winter delights. Pair this sweet, savory, crunchy salad with everything from roasted meats to soups, stews and chili. This would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table as well. To make this simple and delicious salad, I start with 2-3 broccoli crowns. Wash and dry the broccoli, then cut the off the florets (into bite sized pieces) and place in a large bowl.…
Tomato, Avocado and Sweet Onion Salad
Tomato, Avocado and Sweet Onion Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is so fresh and yummy with sweet summer heirloom cherry tomatoes. Can you believe summer is almost over? Pretty soon it will be pumpkin everything! I will miss the sweet, juicy tomatoes of summer, as they will soon be replaced by those flavorless look alikes. Just look at these gorgeous beauties! I love the vibrant colors of these organic heirloom cherry tomatoes. And, bonus, they were on special this week! I decided the best use for these little jewels, would be to showcase them in a salad. Along with some creamy avocado, sweet onions and a bright citrusy lime vinaigrette.…
Simple Weeknight Beef Tacos
Can you believe summer is almost over?? Soon the kids will be back in school and the weeknight dinner rush will be back in full swing. These Simple Weeknight Beef Tacos are one of my favorite things to fix on those nights when you are short on time or too tired to cook. I buy ground beef when it’s on sale and cook up a big batch of taco meat. Then I portion it out and freeze it for those nights when you just don’t have the time or energy to spend in the kitchen. Then you can just grab a package from the freezer, transfer…
Power Greens Salad with Roasted Beet, Orange and Avocado
This Power Greens Salad with Roasted Beets, Oranges, Avocado and Walnuts is so yummy! And Healthy. The power greens are a combination of baby kale, baby chard and baby spinach. They’re called power greens because they are packed with antioxidant(cancer fighting) rich nutrients. The Roasted Beets are also a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. And Avocados are loaded with heart healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. And contain more potassium than a banana! Walnuts are also a great source of heart healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also the only nut to contain significant amounts of ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is considered to be beneficial…
