Recent Posts

Moroccan Chicken

Moroccan Chicken

We were in the mood for some sort of Moroccan/Tagine type of chicken.  Quickly ruled out anything requiring preserved lemons as it would take all day to locate them, if at all.  It seemed that the spices in various recipes differed greatly, some with cumin 

Pot Stickers – Pork Dumplings

Pot Stickers – Pork Dumplings

  When I was a kid, we called dumplings, “Pot Stickers,” but I guess now we have adjusted to calling all Asian noodle wrapped parcels either boiled, steamed or fried as dumplings.   We tend to stick to the pork and chive or green onion 

Almondy Cinnamon Granola

Almondy Cinnamon Granola

It was my mom’s  idea to make granola. Then my mom told me the story of my uncle Roger who made granola for Christmas presents. Then we had this idea to make granola for our teachers, so we did and now Jackson and I are 

Ribollita – Tuscan Bean and Vegetable Soup

Ribollita – Tuscan Bean and Vegetable Soup

Clearly the translation will not sound appealing, as Ribollita means reboiled. Who would like a bowl of reboiled for dinner? Doesn’t sound quite as appealing when translated.  Even better, the consistency of this “soup” is thicker and well, more mushy than soup, so who would 

Pasta Carbonara with Peas

Pasta Carbonara with Peas

Traditional Carbonara does not have peas or cream, onions or garlic, but this is the version that our family loves, and since it has bacon and eggs…what else could we call it? Cooking bacon in the oven ensures that all pieces are cooked evenly.  I 

Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos Al Pastor

Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos Al Pastor

As I understand it, Al Pastor refers to the method of cooking sliced pork topped with fresh pineapple in a vertical roasting style similar to shawarma, however, we are accustomed to referring to anything marinated with chiles, spices and pineapple as Al Pastor.   Pork 

Indian Eggplant

Indian Eggplant

While cooking Indian food for dinner, I realized that the Chana Masala (garbanzos) already contained many of the same spices required for Bainghan Bharta,  (Indian roasted eggplant) such as tomato, turmeric, garam masala and dried coriander.  So, one mushy dish was enough, we certainly didn’t 

Lemony Garlic Chicken

Lemony Garlic Chicken

The zing of lemon and garlic plus a few shallots and spices work together to create a bright and smoky marinade for grilled chicken.  We currently lack access to a barbecue, or backyard for that matter, so we cook the chicken on a stovetop grill 

Juicy Bacon Cream Cheese Bites

Juicy Bacon Cream Cheese Bites

I love the Bacon Cream Cheese Grapes. I made this because it is a delicious appetizer. I was inspired by it when my Grandpa had his 8Oth birthday and we made it with Red Grapes rolled in creamy Blue Cheese and Diced Nuts. Then we 

Smoky Cilantro Pesto with Penne and Cherry Tomatoes

Smoky Cilantro Pesto with Penne and Cherry Tomatoes

I love love love cilantro.   Swap out basil for cilantro and then replace pine nuts with smoked almonds! While visiting friends in Madison, WI, we were challenged to utilize a bumper crop of cilantro.   We decided to make pesto and decided to use