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Holiday Chicken Salad
This festive Holiday Chicken Salad contains all the wonderful flavors of the season. Sweet, dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios and hints of orange and rosemary. It’s savory with a hint of sweet and oh soooo good! To make this yummy salad I started of by seasoning and roasting chicken breast. Once cooled, pull the chicken into small pieces. You can use rotisserie chicken from your supermarket deli if you like. Place chicken into the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until well combined. The paddle will shred the chicken while mixing. I like to leave a bit of chunks to…
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Mom’s Cornbread
Mom’s Cornbread, nothing warms the soul like a big pot of homemade soup or chili and a hot skillet of cornbread straight from the oven. I have tried many a cornbread in my lifetime, and all of them were good, but there is just nothing as good as mom’s cornbread. I’m not sure what she does to it but you can just taste the love. And it’s always best when it’s fresh out of the oven, slathered with a pat of butter. I like to crumble some into my chili as well. Yum! Here’s Mom’s Cornbread recipe. I’m not sure where it came from originally but it is my favorite.…
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Seriously Good Pot Roast
Happy Sunday Everyone! I hope you had a great week. Are you looking for something simple and healthy to make for your Sunday dinner? Something that is comforting but doesn’t require all day in the kitchen? This Seriously Good Pot Roast is the answer! Tender roast beef, carrots, onions and mushrooms are slow simmered in broth, red wine and savory seasonings. Making it the perfect “one pot meal” for a laid back Sunday afternoon. And best of all, there are usually leftovers! Making Monday dinner a breeze. I like to use the leftover meat for tacos or enchiladas. Or just create a stew or pot pie. Tips for Making Pot…
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Simple Weeknight Bolognese
There is nothing more comforting than a big bowl of pasta. This hearty Simple Weeknight Bolognese is the ultimate comfort food fix. It takes little time to make but is big on flavor! Making it a great weeknight meal and not just a Sunday Gravy. To make it even easier, I like to chop up and measure out all of the vegetables the day before (carrots, onion, celery and garlic). Then it’s just a matter of adding everything to the pan in a few simple, easy steps. To make this hearty meat sauce, start by sauteing the vegetables in good quality olive oil. Cook until soft and just lightly browned.…
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Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Bars! Who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate? Yum! Now that Thanksgiving weekend has passed, it’s time to get in that holiday baking mode. Have you started baking yet? I decided to start out with this simple recipe, just to get me in the baking mood. Hahaha, actually, I was just craving a yummy peanut butter and chocolate treat. And these little taste treats, totally hit the spot! Peanut butter and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations. I would never turn down a Reese’s or peanut butter m&ms. It just wouldn’t be right! I came across this recipe in the cookbook A Taste Of Oregon. I just…
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Mom’s Southern Cornbread Dressing
Mom’s Southern Cornbread Dressing is so simple to make and so delicious to eat! It has been a staple at our Thanksgiving table for as long as I can remember. And a favorite! I make the cornbread (recipe below) and chop the onions and celery a day or two before, making it a breeze to put together on Thanksgiving day. Or you can make the whole thing in advance and just pop in the oven the day of. If you make it up the day before, add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time. I recommend using the recipe for Mom’s Cornbread to make this dressing. But if you use a different…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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. To make, heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute’ the onions and garlic until tender. Then add the ground beef to the pan and brown, stirring frequently, until cooked through. …
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Olive Crostini with Fresh Mozzarella
I recently had these Olive Crostini with Fresh Mozzarella at a friend’s little birthday gathering and they were so yummy that I could not stop popping them in my mouth! I was not the only one indulging in these yummy little bites either. They were the hit of the party! Actually everything they served was delicious, but these were my favorite. And so simple and easy to make. First, slice up some Baguette and drizzle with good quality extra virgin olive oil. Toast until lightly browned. Spread each of the toasted breads with Olive tapenade and then top with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Place the Crostini bake in the…
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Spicy Shrimp and Andouille Sausage
Derby Day: Spicy Shrimp and Andouille Sausage for the win! Serve up this simple and flavorful dish at your upcoming derby party or any day for that matter. Yum! Well, now that it’s almost May, I think that spring has finally arrived! What a crazy year of weather! I’m sooooooo looking forward to a nice long stretch of sunnier and warmer days. Looking ahead at the calendar, I noticed that May 5th is not only Cinco De Mayo but also Derby Day. I thought it would be fun to throw some Derby Day recipes into the mix. Will you be watching the races? Having a Derby party? What type of southern delights will…
