Smoked Cauliflower

Tonight I am sharing with you another side dish perfect for summer grilling. I tested this dish for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. It is simple to prepare and uniquely robust in flavor, definitely a change from your usual cauliflower dishes. I prepared this dish with just smoke, but you can also enhance it any way you like – season the cauliflower with dukkah, berbere, garam masala, curry, coriander, etc or drizzle with a sauce like balsamic glaze, sriracha mayo, apple cider vinegar, etc or any combination of the above! Of course…

Balsamic Cherry Yogurt Sorbet

Here’s a delicious dessert that perfect for Summer. This simple combination of ingredients and a little time in the freezer is well worth the effort and wait – and you don’t have leave home to enjoy freshly made frozen yogurt. Of course, you can play with other fruit and flavor combinations; this balsamic and cherry was just something I concocted on a whim. And am I glad I did! Lightly sweet and slightly sour, this dessert is great for satisfying that need for a sweet treat on a Summer afternoon or after…

Chicken Picatta with Asparagus

Tonight I made a quick family favorite dinner; chicken picatta with asparagus. This dish has always been a hit; the lemony sauce and the briny capers are the stars here. A perfect way to change up your ‘same old’ chicken while making a different pasta dish. This dish is surprisingly light and a great warm evening dish when you may not want a big heavy meal. It is also quick to prepare – another benefit on those warm Summer evenings and who would have thought you could get so much flavor from such a…

Tom Collins

Here is a throwback to the old days. This cocktail is one of the first I ever ordered at a bar once I turned 21 and could legally order a drink. Basically it is a fizzy gin lemonade. What’s not to like about that? Perfect for a warm late Spring or Summer evening, the Tom Collins (gin based) can be made with vodka (a Vodka Collins), tequila (a Juan Collins), or whiskey (a John Collins) to suit your tastes. There is a lot of interesting information about the convoluted history of this cocktail, but…

Frijoles

How about another side dish?  This one is a versatile and easy dish, albeit a bit time consuming to make. But won’t you agree that some dishes just need that bit of extra effort or time because they deliver on taste? Frijoles is one of those dishes. When you really think about it, frijoles is a simple concept in cooking. Clean and soak some beans overnight and add them to a pot with a liquid, simmering until tender. Now here is where the fun comes in… think of all the ingredients you can…

Chicken Kebabs

I warned you that with the nice weather this weekend, I would be grilling. Tonight is another grilled dish. Chicken kebabs are so simple and versatile… and perfect when cooking for one. Packed with vegetables of your choice and flavored as you desire, this dish is great for summer dining. Having guests – no problem. This recipe is also easily extensible. And the best part is you can enlist your guests to build their own with the ingredients they like. That is one a way to get the party going. So get out and grill…

Sunday Picture Post

Well another month has passed and it is time for a Sunday Picture Post.  These are some of the meals I had this month that did not become posts – some are previously made meals, others are experiments, and some are just plain simple fare. I hope these dishes inspire you to make something for yourself. Be creative, be bold, and enjoy! Biscuits and Gravy with 2 Over Easy Eggs Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry over Rice Flakes Pepperoni, Olive and Sweet Pepper Pizza Skillet Macaroni and Cheese Double Cheese Bacon Burger and Chips Beef Fajita…