this is a page for
Category: Recipes
Today I made a simplified beef barley soup – something satisfying without a huge amount of effort. I adopted some of the tricks from both America’s Test Kitchen and this Serious Eats recipe to help this dish not become an all day cooking event. This recipe makes a two healthy portions – perfect for sharing with a friend or saving for delicious leftovers. Since the cooking is done in a covered dutch oven or stock pot in the oven, the likelihood of drying out is minimized. I paired this soup with a few slices of whole wheat baguette toasted with melted gouda – another simple add-on that makes this simple meal just a bit more. With this crazy Spring weather, it is a perfect time…
Tonight’s cocktail is another tequila based tipple – the Tequila Old Fashioned. Simple to make and easy to drink, this cocktail is muddled orange slices, agave nectar, Grand imperial, and tequila – preferably a reposado or anejo tequila for maximum flavor. The reposado and anejo tequilas will most closely match up with the whiskey in an original Old Fashioned, so you will be rewarded by using a good tequila (my favorite – Herradura Anejo). This cocktail can be made with any oranges, but think of the stunning color and flavor a blood orange would bring to this drink. I had Cara Cara oranges, so I used one of them – the flavor was wonderful. So let’s enjoy our favorite south of the border liquor…
Tonight’s dish was created to support the side dish I wanted to make. Sounds backward, right? Well, it is but let me explain. Recently I had a friend extol the spice blend known as Berbere. This spice blend is a key ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine and I was thoroughly intrigued. Recently, I bought some to taste and use in new recipes. Berbere is spicy and robust… and wonderful! Now my mind was in overdrive as I contemplated ways to use this unique combination of flavors. I settled on tonight’s side dish – Sauteed Broccoli with Berbere – and knew that I would need a robust main dish to pair with it. So as you can see… the side dish drove the main…
I was recently exposed to this Ethiopian spice blend and just had to find a new way to use it. This spicy and robust blend of chilis, coriander, cumin, etc. just screams to be used. But I was stumped for a little bit on how to incorporate it into the ingredients and way I cook. Then I had that lightning strike epiphany… use it like a curry powder and kick up some vegetables. First up, broccoli. And I was not disappointed! The flavors enhance and deepen the sweetness of the sautéed broccoli and the lemon juice – used mainly to steam and soften the broccoli – brings another layer of flavor with its acidity. When paired with the Smoky Maple Sous Vide Salmon, all of it…
Ok, ok… I know it is a lame name for a homemade knock-off of that box meal Hamburger Helper™, but I thought it was appropriate to describe my twist. Packed with vegetables and balanced with meat, pasta and cheese, this meal is as hearty as it is simple to make. This recipe is for a one pan casserole with Italian flavors, but I can see many variations possible. So skip the box and cook with fresh ingredients to enjoy that same simple and hearty meal with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavorings. Are you up for the change? Then give this one a try! Save Print Hamburger Henchman Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 2…
Today I made another dessert to share with others – this time for a friend to share with her co-workers. This cake was easy to prepare and is unique in flavor and texture. I liked it… a lot! The hazelnut flavor is present but not obtrusive. The simple chocolate glaze enhances the hazelnut flavor (think Nutella!) without overwhelming it. This cake is nutty but not sweet in flavor and different enough in texture; moist yet fluffy and slightly grainy that gives a pleasant toothsome aspect to it. As I said earlier, I like it a lot. I will make this one again… and again… and again I am certain. You should try it too – I am sure you will enjoy it as much…
Tonight’s cocktail is the James Bond inspired Vesper. This cocktail was first described in the book Casino Royale as 3 parts Gordon’s Gin, 1 part vodka, 1/2 part Kina Lillet – shaken until it is very cold before serving in a deep champagne goblet (i.e. a coupe glass) with a large lemon peel added. I am going to make this cocktail close to the above recipe – but as you now know how I am – I just have to play with it. I have 3 gins here: Tanqueray No. 10, Bombay Sapphire, and Citadelle to play with. The flavor profiles for these 3 gins are very distinct and will produce very different drinks. I also plan to make a slight change…
Today I want to share with you a delicious Irish Freckle Bread recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This hearty whole wheat bread (or should I dare call it a fruit cake?) is chock full of flavor and delicious fruits – raisins, cranberries, currants, prunes, and dates. Moist and dense, you would think a little goes a long way – which it does – but it is also addicting; you just have to have a second slice! I found this recipe on the King Arthur flour website and loved its simplicity, but made some changes of my own. So here’s my take on this tasty Irish breakfast bread. Give it a try and you’ll agree… this tasty treat should…
Tonight I decided to perform a different type of mash-up. This one is doing a Creole flavored fried rice cooked like an Asian fried rice. As many of you know, gumbo is served over rice, jambalaya is everything cooked together, etc so I thought “Why not do an Asian fried rice with Creole seasonings and such?’. Hot country sausage, the trinity (onion, bell pepper, celery), long grain rice, Tabasco, and Creole seasoning replace chicken, broccoli, soy sauce, etc. The results were, if I say so myself, fabulous. If you enjoy Cajun and Creole cooking, this is a recipe I suggest you try. It’s easy and it’s a whole lot of flavor. Can you hear the zydeco playing already? Save Print Creole…
It has been a while since I did a breakfast post, so today I am rectifying that oversight. These banana pancakes are simple to make and very tasty. The subtle sweetness and light banana flavor fires on all cylinders. I paired these with a butter pecan syrup for a wonderful flavor combination and I bet these would sing just as well with honey or a light maple syrup. And the best part, this recipe makes a single stack of pancakes – just enough for one – which means you can skip the breakfast diner and enjoy a tasty breakfast in the comfort of your home! Save Print Banana Pancakes Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 1  …