Pop up dinner: Italian Beef Sandwiches

I know you all have a friend that reminisces about something from their childhood or neighborhood where they grew up. My friend from Chicago routinely grouses about not being able to enjoy a Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwich. Being in the Pacific Northwest, he just has not found anything that claims to be Chicago-style Italian Beef compare to what he enjoys back home. So, after a lot of research I decided to take the challenge to silence his fussing and try to satisfy that taste of his hometown. Now I have never been to Chicago…

Bableves Kolbásszal

Tonight I am making a simple, but tasty Hungarian bean and sausage soup – bableves kolbásszal. Since finding this gyulai kolbalsz at a local international market, I searched for recipes to try with it. This recipe is a mash-up of several I found on Hungarian blogs and web sites. I think the sausage is the star, but do not count out the supporting players, These supporting ingredients bring a wonderful depth of flavor – turnips, parsnips, carrots, onion, parsley, garlic and of course… bacon! Add sour cream and vinegar and this soup has…

French Martini

Tonight’s cocktail is based on a sale item I saw at the grocery store earlier today. Yet, to be honest, I was perplexed on what cocktail to make with it. So straight from the Chambord website comes this French Martini recipe. While some may debate the ‘martini’ aspect of this cocktail, I cannot deny the fact that this is a tasty drink. Having pineapple juice in a drink that is not island based or paired with rum is a bonus in my book. So with the sun setting here in the Pacific…

Making Kimchi

Tonight I am going way out on a limb. I have never made kimchi before, but I had some napa cabbage to use up so I thought, “what the heck, why not?”.  I found several recipes online and from them I settled on the tweaked recipe below. I have to say the process for this ‘easy kimchi’ was fun. And do you know what the best part is… I can say I made it!  Now, I wonder what fun things I can make with my kimchi later this week? Save Print…

Yellow Curry Chicken

Do you ever get a hankering for a certain flavor or dish?  Tonight, I really wanted a robust yellow curry but did not feel like going out. So… I made it for myself. I increased the variety of vegetables and flavors with two types of peppers, pickled galangal and ginger, and sambal. I paired it with jasmine rice, but I bet it would work just as well with thin rice noodles. The results were delicious, if I say so myself. This dish really satisfied my ‘hankering’ for yellow curry.  I can’t…

Clam Chowder

I know, you can get this soup from a can. Campbell’s Chunky, Progresso, etc… there are plenty of options. Most are tasty and make for a quick meal. Yet, making clam chowder at home is really easy. I challenge you to try this recipe and even tweak it as you desire. I am positive you will enjoy the results. Since this recipe makes enough for two as a perfect first course or appetizer, maybe you can use this dish to get your Valentine’s Day dinner started off on a delicious note…

Mexican Mule

I am sorry I missed posting this cocktail last night, but I was enjoying a show at the 5th Avenue Theater with a friend. I think when you try this twist on that current rage – the Moscow Mule, you will forgive me. In a Mexican Mule, you simply swap the vodka with tequila.  Of course, I had to tweak it just a little and I think the results are stellar! Give this cocktail a try… I know you will love it! Save Print Mexican Mule Prep time:  5 mins Total time:  5…