Basil Pesto for President!!! All summer long I enjoy beautiful homegrown or market bought basil in the form of Pesto. Basil Pesto is the bomb. Seriously! This Pesto is so versatile… It pairs well with a variety of dishes. The recipe is very simple and it is nut-free. Not because I can’t have nuts, I just never added them to the recipe to start and I feel it’s just as delicious without. If you feel so inclined, add a good handful of pine nuts or walnuts to your batch. Have you ever made pesto and it turned brownish and yucky by the next day? Yeah, it’s happened to me a…
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Chicken Piccata
I have been making this Chicken Piccata recipe for years. It never gets old, it’s easy, quick and super delicious. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend feast. The best part, you only need 30 minutes for it. This Chicken Piccata recipe is made for 2 to 4 people. It is how much I make for my husband and I for a meal and sometimes we have one serving left over. It is perfect reheated as well. I highly recommend butterflying the chicken breast and tenderizing it. I love a thin breast and it also cuts down on the cooking time. Season the chicken with kosher…
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Deviled Eggs
Ready for Easter? Make these Deviled Eggs for the holiday. They are quick and easy to put together with just a few ingredients. 10 minute eggs were used for this recipe. I brought a small pot of water to a rapid boil and placed the eggs in the boiling water. I set the timer for 10 minutes. When done, I rinsed the eggs under cold water and allowed them to cool off on the counter. Next, I peeled the eggs, cut them in half, mashed the yolks in a small bowl and added the rest of the ingredients. I mixed them well to make a smooth-ish filling for the eggs.…
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Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread Muffins make a wonderful side for all of those comfort meals that we crave once in a while. Or, comfort meals that I crave daily during these Michigan winter months. These Cornbread Muffins happened because I made my Chili Recipe and needed something to go with them. We usually eat chili with Fritos or crackers but thought I’d go for something homemade and even more delicious this time. Now, this recipe makes a batch of 22-24 muffins, depending on how well you fill each cup. So, cut the recipe in half if you don’t need so many muffins. These Cornbread Muffins freeze really well too and get warmed up real…
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Creamed Spinach with Eggs
Me and this Creamed Spinach with Eggs dish, go way back to my childhood in Romania. My mother made this Creamed Spinach with Eggs dish often and I imagine it was due to the fact that this is a very inexpensive meal to make and that it’s quick to get on the table for a family of five. It’s also very delicious and filling. Sorry Mom but, I made this my own with a few added ingredients. 🙂 All you need is some essential kitchen ingredients and cooked greens. I used spinach here, but you can substitute with whatever cooked greens you wish. Like: Swiss chard, dandelion greens, etc. I…
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Chipotle Chili Dressing
A flavorful dressing for any salad but especially delicious with Mexican flavors. This Chipotle Chili Dressing is just perfect! Serve it with a bowl of fresh greens, taco meat (beef, chicken or pork), rice, beans and avocado. For extra spice, add an extra Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce. You’ll find a can of this goodness in the Mexican Foods isle at your grocery store; next to the taco seasonings and sauces. To bring your taco party to the next level make your own Mexican Seasoning Blend as well, and a side of Pickled Onions and Avocados. This dressing was inspired by Chipotle’s “Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette” and it is extra yummy.…
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Charcuterie Board
Are you ready to receive those guests? Whether for the holiday season or a friendly get together, a simple Charcuterie Board with all the delicious bites is sure to get your guests eating and enjoying themselves. The word Charcuterie is French, and it means cold cooked meats. While I love the cold cooked meats idea, I do need to pair them with cheeses, breads/crackers, fruit, veggies and nuts. I mean, why not?! So, this is my kind of Charcuterie Board. Add a glass of fine wine and i’m content! The more colorful, the better. And all these different textures on one platter make me so happy. So, for a holiday…
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Potato and Sausage Stew
This is such a great one pot weeknight meal! Just a few ingredients in one pot, about 30 minutes of your time and voila! You got yourself a delicious Potato and Sausage Stew. Every good meal starts with a little sautee of onions and other veggies. Next, add the potatoes, the spices, chicken stock and sausage slices or cubes and you’re done! Easy as that. I used Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage from Trader Joe’s for this batch because that’s what I had on hand. Feel free to use any type of sausage you might like for this. It is great with Italian Sausage and ham bits as well. Give it a…
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Salmon Salad
Looking for an easy lunch option to add to your weekly menu? I’m always looking for new meals that are easy to make and great for a filling lunch at home or to go. This Salmon Salad is a winner in my book. I get the Wild Alaskan Salmon from Costco. It’s a great pantry item to have on hand. It’s very versatile. No salmon for you? Canned Tuna would be a great substitution here. Also, if you prefer freshly baked or sautéed salmon instead, feel free to use that. It all works here. The recipe is super easy and not time consuming at all. It comes together in under…
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Butternut Squash Soup
This soup came together easily and very quickly, on a Tuesday afternoon after a long day at work. I had purchased a Butternut Squash at Trader Joe’s with zero plans for it. It’s the season, it was pretty and I just had to have it. Similar story to a lot of the items I pick up at grocery stores lately. Naturally, this squash was sitting on my counter for about a week. I got home and needed a quick meal, so I decided it would be a soup kinda day. It took less than 30 minutes, and it turned into the best Butternut Squash Soup I have ever tasted.…
