“I watch cooking change the cook, just as it transforms the food.”
–Laura Esquivel
Penne alla Vodka
Another one of my all time favorite pasta dishes and incredibly simple. As you can probably guess by now, I only...
Chicken Pot Pie with Cheddar Bay Biscuits
We aren't really sure why we haven't tried a pot pie recipe until now but after sifting through...
Cherry Yum Yum
I've been hearing about this dessert for maybe 2 years now and I sort of blew it off...I don't particurarly care for cherries. I always pick the cherries off anythng I'm eating and sit it aside for someone else if they want it. I was recently asked to put...
Party Cheese Dip
Ingredients 32 ounces Velteta Cheese 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chillies (like Ro-tel) 1 8 oz package chorizo 1 lb package breakfast sausage Directions: Cook Chorizo and breakfast sausage then drain fat. Add cans of tomato with green chilies. Melt cheese...
Wild Mushroom Pappardelle
During my Charleston trip this summer, I was sort of trapped in the hotel room with our pupper for part of the day and unable to explore some due to the rain and I didn't want to leave him in the room to go eat at the restaurant downstairs or elsewhere. So,...
Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
Aside from pasta, I'm here all day for tacos. A particular favorite of mine is this very simple shrimp taco with cilantro lime sour cream. Very little prep time. This could also add tomatos, salasa, or whatever else you may like. I prefer it very simple. It's...
Alfredo Sauce
A good Alfredo is just...good. I always find myself wanting a little extra sauce that a lot of places don't provide. This recipe provides some extra sauce for two people. Double this recipe for more servings. The garlic will be noticeable in this recipe but I think...
Marinated Eggs
When I decided to make a more permanent switch to adapting a more healthy lifestyle, I quickly got tired of the same thing everyday and ventured out to see how I could add more flavor to my routine with subtle changes. So, as I was sitting and eating my Daves bread...
White Bean Cassoulet with Pork & Lentils
Perfect for a cold winter evening. Soups and stews just aren't the same in the spring and summer. Adding more heat and comfort to an already sizzling hot summer day just seems....uncomfortable. So for the fall and winter, I really get the experiment with these...
Astoria
When I'm in an area, I search for Michelin-reviewed restaurants. So far, they've never disappointed. For me, spending my time on disappointment is just a waste. Relying on friends and social media to give recommendations can also be a hit and miss. When I plan my...
Chicken Marsala with Polenta
I've always liked chicken marsala. I was never really blown away by it. It's was an ok dish if I didn't see anything else on the menu I was interested in. So, when my husband decided we needed to make chicken marsala...not going to lie, I secretly did an eye roll....
Drunken Noodles
I LOVE a good drunken noodle dish, however, too often they are far too spicy for me to stay comfortable while eating it and after. I've never been into spicy foods. I can tolerate eating them but my stomach does not agree with the decisions my brain and mouth is...
Thia Chicken Coconut Curry
I love a coconut curry. The coconut milk makes it feel so light and healthy but at the same time it tastes like comfort food. It is comfort food. This is one of the few curry/soup-like dishes I actually make in warmer months. Not all recipes can make the cut...
Gumbo
This is a time consuming recipe, but it's TOTALLY worth it to make the shrimp stock. It adds an earthiness to it that I cannot find from a grocery store stock. The stock really does make all the difference. Also, grilling the andouille sausage is far better than...
Beef Stock
Also, a work in progress. I'm on a mission to make a rich beef stock. Lessons learned thus far...more bone marrow and adequate roasting. Ingredients: 5 lbs beef bones (nice mix of knuckles and marrow bones) 1 lb cubed meat. I prefer sirloin. Can use...
French Onion Soup
I've been on a quest to make the best french onion soup. Every recipe I find lacks a richness and I cannot stop thinking about WHY and HOW. This recipe will be in progress for quite some time until I feel I've perfected it. I've also been working on a beef stock...
Chicken Tikka Masala
This is one of my favorite things to make for dinner when I allow myself a dairy cheat day. This is also the recipe I get most of my questions about when I post about it. My husband asked me to make this for him a few years ago, something not in the regular...
Italian Seafood Pasta
Ingredients 1 lb fresh Linguine pasta 1 1/2 lb Calamari, sliced into rings 1 lb Mussels, cleaned and debearded 6 Garlic cloves, minced 1 Shallot bulb, diced 1/4 Parsley bunch, chopped 2 Tbsp Cooking oil 1 1/2 tsp Anchovy paste (optional) 1 Tbsp Capers 1 ...
MiniBar by José Andrés
MiniBar José Andrés by is 2 Stars on the Michelin Guide, 2020. 4 Stars by the The Washington Post, 2019 and #1 Best Restaurant Washingtonian, 2019.Prices: $275 per person, without drink pairing or gratuity. Drink pairing: José's Pairing, which includes unique and...
Saison
While I was really hoping to snag a reservation at another Chef's Table, Atelier Crenn, my husband had sent me an article "Michelin restaurants and fabulous wines: Inside the secret team dinners that have built the Spurs' dynasty" on Gregg Popovich's favorite...
Lola 55
Lola 55 was on Baja Fish taco, Pork Belly Al Pastor taco, Smoked Carnitas, Rainbow Cauliflour taco, Filet Mignon taco, Chipolte Rice, and Churros
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
Ah. my entire childhood. I cannot tell you how many times I've been let down by store-bought apple butter with overpowering spices and extra-thick texture. It feels offensive and tastes like disappointment. Unless you're into that kind of thing or never grew up on...
Royal Poolside
I snagged this recipe in 2008 from the bartender at P.F. Chang's in New Year's. I remember it well because I spent all of 2009 drinking them (very necessary, of course) right after the collapse of the economy, among other things. Bad times. I can't believe I still...
Pecan Pie
Finally, I found the recipe my grandmother used throughout my childhood...written on a small State Farm notepad titled "John's Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe". Ingredients: 1 10 inch unbaked pie crust 3 eggs 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 cup corn syrup (Karo) 2 tbsp unsalted...
Galbi (Korean BBQ Ribs)
Ingredients 5 pounds Korean style beef short ribs* 1 small onion, peeled and rough chopped 1 small Asian pear, rough chopped 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil 1/4 cup mirin (rice wine) 4 tablespoons garlic (around 7 cloves) 1/4...
Barbacoa
I love Chipolte. This recipe makes plenty for a family or enough for two that allows for extra to freeze for a later date. We make enchiladas, salads, burritos, burrito bowls, and nachos out of this recipe. Searing the beef is a huge part of the flavor in this...
Pot Roast
I will not forget the day my mother became adamantly against putting wine in food. She had one bad experience with wine and pheasant and refuses to believe wine enhances a dish to any degree, but rather, that it makes it taste like barf. I've been secretly feeding...
Meatloaf
This recipe is my mothers. Very simple and apparently child-friendly since we always seemed to enjoy it as children. This recipe makes one large load or two smaller ones. I usually make 2 smaller ones and freeze one or use the second for a couple of lunches....
Garlic Noodles
If it's not obvious, we love pasta and Parmigiano. Also, garlic goes into most of our dishes, and it's something we never run out of in the kitchen. I pick up garlic on every grocery trip, that's how much we use it. Don't ever use the jar or powdered garlic, it's...
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of our favorite items to pick up down the road. It's quick and easy...ready in no time. However, we prefer to cook at home and avoid the unknown in our food. I've finally put together a recipe we like that is also quick and doesn't require hard to...
