Rigatoni with Crumbled Sausage & Tomato Cream
If I had to choose three foods I couldn’t live without, I’d choose pasta, bread, and cheese. Talk about health foods, right? Throw chocolate in there, and I’d be a happy camper. I LOVE pasta. The weekend has almost arrived, and I’m practically and literally drooling on my keyboard over the idea that I will be making myself a giant bowl of this pasta dish. Rigatoni is a perfectly-shaped pasta…
View Post
Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon
Salmon doesn’t have to be dry. It really doesn’t! This salmon is literally (my favorite word LOL) melt in your mouth. Contrasting salty and slightly sweet flavors from soy and maple syrup create the perfect flavor profile to compliment a warm, buttery piece of perfectly cooked salmon. The brininess of mustard cuts the richness of salmon while freshly chopped thyme adds a brightness. Whether you’re looking to make this glaze,…
View Post
Roasted Eggplant Spread with Garlic-Olive Oil Crostini
Never did I ever think that eggplant could be so sweet and creamy. Roasted in the oven until charred on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, eggplant makes the absolute perfect accompaniment to homemade crostini infused with garlicky extra virgin olive oil. This recipe lets these cute little plants shine pretty much on their own. The natural sweetness and slight smokiness of roasted eggplant are intensified by…
View Post
R-Rated Meatloaf (Hot or Chilled)
This meatloaf is fantastic served both hot and cold. It’s moist and earthy from a mushroom purée that’s mixed into the meat mixture, it’s bright from parsley yet homey from baking spices. If you love wine as much as I do, this dish is wine pairing heaven. Served hot, it is a perfect match with pinot noir which has allspice and clove notes. Served cold, it is a perfect match…
View Post
Vanilla Bean White Russian
Before this post, I’d never tasted a White Russian. I’m not sure why, given my love affair with coffee. But what’s so special about this recipe compared to the millions of other White Russian recipes out there? Instead of simply adding cream to the mix, I use a 50/50 ratio of cream and ice cream. The slight sweetness and depth of vanilla beans make a relatively one-dimensional drink come alive! …
View Post
Authentic Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
First: could food get any sexier than this? Second: Bolognese is not what you think! Americans have screwed this one up. The typical Americanized Bolognese is smothered in tomato sauce. This is a big no, no, no in Italy! This dish originated in Bologna as a meat stew mixed throughout a generous helping of pasta. Emphasizing slow-cooked veal, pork, and beef – and intensified by the rich flavors of wine,…
View Post
Moroccan Pan Chicken
Need a one pan dinner for the family that’s fast and delicious? Or are you looking to “meal prep” for the week and need a hearty and healthy recipe to save for the whole week? I have your recipe! My One Pan Moroccan Chicken can be made in a few easy steps, and it’s my go-to when I cook for large groups or when I want leftovers. When life gets…
View Post
Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
A stressful last week yielded a crazy weekend of pizza, pasta, and wine. It was a well-deserved splurge, but now it’s time to reset my body with Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad. One of my favorite parts of this dish is you can easily make a big batch of this fabulous goodness and keep it in Tupperware for the perfect lunches for the week. Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad is loaded with briny Kalamata…
View Post
Blood Orange Cranberry Margarita
Monday blues. Anyone feeling the same way? Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I’m counting down the moments until I have an excuse to stuff myself with more stuffing than I should rightly consume. And obviously, whipping up a fantastic complimentary cocktail makes all the Turkey Day fixings that much better! Planning on making a classic cranberry sauce to accompany your turkey this year? This Blood Orange Cranberry Margarita…
View Post
Mushroom Bolognese
I can’t say I could ever be a vegetarian because I love meat too much! Yet this dish is 100 percent vegetarian and 100 percent perfection. I love a classic meat bolognese. But this Mushroom Bolognese that’s all about umami gives the classic a run for its money. Although the recipe calls for quite a bit of prep, Mushroom Bolognese will keep in the fridge for up to a week…
View Post
