All posts filed under: Gourmet Cooking & Recipes

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cuban Chicken in Avocado Salsa

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After every successful meal, my family asks what we are having for dinner the following night. And my answer is always – I don’t know yet. And then I get to work and search online for ideas, or variations for the norm. Chicken is something we either hate or love in our household and adding a creative recipe to the meat has become challenging. So naturally I found this amazing recipe and guess what we are having for dinner? INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1/4 cup fresh chopped oregano 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons orange zest + orange juice zest + juice of 1 lime kosher salt and pepper 1 sweet onion, sliced 2 russet potatoes, cut into wedges 1 bell pepper sliced 1 small orange, sliced CITRUS AVOCADO SALSA 1 avocado, diced 1 orange, diced 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped juice from 1 lime pinch of flaky sea salt {more}

Christmas Morning Breakfast – Cinnamon Swirled Baked French Toast

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Oh the smell of cinnamon on Christmas morning is one I am more than certain everyone around the wold appreciates and since naturally that is the way to go in our household, I plan to make this amazing treat for the family: INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup real maple syrup 1/2 cup brown sugar 6 tablespoons butter, melted 8 large eggs beaten 2 1/2 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 loaf challah bread, sliced into 1/4 inch slices 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 jar (10 ounces) raspberry preserves {more}

I Love the Idea of A Relish Tray

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What a wonderful idea for those watching or trying to watch their weight during the holidays – A Relish Tray full of healthy bites INGREDIENTS ½ bunch dill, large stems removed, divided 6 teaspoons coriander seeds, divided 6 teaspoons fennel seeds, nigella seeds, or mustard seeds, divided 2 Fresno chiles, thinly sliced 2½ cups thinly sliced vegetables (such as fennel, scallions, celery, peeled carrots, and/or peeled beets) Kosher salt 2 cups apple cider vinegar ⅓ cup light agave nectar 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground turmeric Pinch of cayenne pepper 8 large eggs, room temperature 8 ounces black Cerignola olives 1 cup smoked almonds Flaky sea salt

So You’re Incharge of Bringing Dessert or That Appetizer For Thanksgiving

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Some of us are fortunate enough to get invited to that wonderful relative’s house for Thanksgiving or even a group of friends if you happen to be far away from family. The only upside or down, is having to bring either a dessert or an appetizer to contribute to one of the most important meals in the U.S. – Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s a list of suggestion for the chef and not-so-much on how to proceed: If baking is not your thing – then consider ordering a ready made dessert from here And if you’re curious as to what I am planning to surprise my family with for dessert this year –

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon Sicilian Style

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Salmon is a must in my household. At least once a week and although I love my simple oven-baked variation with ginger, sliced lemon and olive oil – I occasionally crave a more robust flavored variation – like this wonderful recipe from here: INGREDIENTS 4 salmon fillets extra virgin olive oil, for rubbing juice from 1 lemon 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon paprika kosher salt and pepper 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano zest from 1 lemon splash of white wine 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lasagna with a Butternut Squash Twist

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I stocked up on all sorts of Autumn squash, not only for cooking, but for decor. These wonderful vegetables with the hard shells last forever. Although since they are my favorite, I am more than certain they won’t last in my household. For example, like this recipe for butternut squash lasagna for dinner tonight paired with my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon and a simple tossed salad: INGREDIENTS 4 cups butternut squash, cubed (about 1 medium squash) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon honey kosher salt and pepper 6 tablespoons butter 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped 1 tsp dried basil 1/4 cup flour 3 1/2 cups whole milk 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg 1 cup shredded fontina cheese 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated 2 cups whole milk ricotta 2 cups shredded provolone 1 jar (8 ounce) oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained and chopped 1 box no-boil lasagna noodles 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Skillet Chicken Enchiladas

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We dined in a fusion Mexican restaurant yesterday, where I ordered a skillet beef, and chorizo dish. The idea of melted cheese, beans in a skillet with a side of tortillas made me feel warm and fuzzy even in the 93degree temperature outside. So, I rushed back home and searched online for a recipe I could copy for the next time around. I found this wonderful recipe and although the tortillas are mixed into the dish, I prefer to leave them on the side,  using the chips to scoop out the perfectly flavored goop. (I mean that lovingly).   The crunchy chips give the meal the perfect consistency if you ask me. But either way, here is the recipe just in case you want to experiment at home, and the link to the restaurant just in you want to make a pit stop on your way to Tahoe.      

Online Finds For the Always Curious

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I laughed when I came up with today’s post title since I’m always accused of being too curious In my opinion, one is never too curious if they want to feel alive. Anyway, while doing research for my next novel, I came across a few perhaps trivial topics and figured I’d share it with all of you. Just in case you are stuck indoors due to the weather.

Food: For The Love of Trader Joe’s Quick Meals

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I used to dread grocery shopping before Trader Joe opened up in my neighborhood because I craved all things organic but couldn’t find it at my local grocery store.  Now I look forward to my grocery shopping day – Sunday early morning – when all the items are neatly stacked and the store is near empty of all the madness that usually happens mid afternoon to early evening. There isn’t much that’s changed in their products, and I couldn’t be happier buying everything organic and putting my meals together every day from scratch. But once in a while I don’t mind a quick pre-packaged option I keep handy for those days I factor in working out after work, or perhaps an errand I need to run. So I was glad to stumble upon these ideas just as well to add to my selection: