Fall is undoubtedly my favorite season of the year. Why, you may ask… hold on one moment while I pull out my handy-dandy laundry list of reasons: well, there’s pumpkins. Pumpkin everything. Pumpkin carving, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cupcakes, and of course, pumpkin cookies (I’m sure I’m missing many other pumpkin-things. Like pumpkin soup….
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Spice-Rubbed Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Yes, yes, yes. To say I’ve been slacking on posting recipes would be a serious understatement. In my defense (okay, it doesn’t sound like much of one!) but I’ve been on vacation in the Dominican Republic with my now fiancé (a.k.a. the sous chef) – we are very excited! And to add to the whirlwind…
Sausage, Peppers and Onions in a Spicy Tomato Sauce
The beach may be calling your name. The sun may be whispering for your glistening skin. The palm trees may be seeking your company – and it just doesn’t matter. Summer, winter, rain or shine – sausage and peppers are an any-time-of-the-year-just-because type of dish. Just because it doesn’t get better than this. Think of…
Basil Pesto and Smoked Balsamic Chicken Skewers with Melted Mozzarella Cheese
You must know those days when you open your refrigerator and you find yourself staring blankly at odds and ends of ingredients and you have no idea what to make. Yes, this recipe is the baby of that very moment. A beautiful, delicious baby if I may say so.. okay, we’ll leave it at that…
Three Bean South-of-the-Border Burgers
The beauty of a veggie burger is that you can make it exactly how you like it. And I like mine hot, spicy and oh so… beany. The best part about making a three bean burger (no, no, it’s not the song…) is that the texture of the beans serve as an adhesive in and…
Lemon and Garlic Roasted Artichokes
Canned artichokes simply don’t hold a candle to fresh artichokes – they are nutty, creamy and slightly buttery. Simply divine. And the most important part of this dish? I had you there – you thought it was the artichokes. Let’s be real, it’s the sauce (go figure). I’ve been eating artichokes for as long as…
Chilean Sea Bass with Basil Pesto, Creamed Corn and Arugula
The condiment queen strikes again… I have two words for this dish: Sauce. Galore. Okay, okay, maybe there’s more than that. Because there’s the fish, too, of course. Or we could always rename this dish to “Basil Pesto and Creamed Corn with a Side of Sea Bass”. Just kidding – I adore sea bass. It’s…
Southwest Grilled Chicken with Avocado, Chipotle Crema and Vegetable Kebabs
Sometimes, we just need an easy dish. Something so simple that we can create the dish completely absent-minded; because after a long day, we could all use a break – not to mention, a glass of wine or three. And admittedly, while the kitchen always has a place in my stomach, er… heart (it really…
Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Chicken with an Herb-Tomato Sauce
Let’s face it – I’m a sucker for cheese. Just like wine. And any other condiment on our planet. So you get the cheese – with the tomato sauce as a condiment – and wine to boot? Hello, heaven. Friends, this is creamy, savory and such an easy weeknight dinner. It’s one of those dishes that…
Peruvian-Style Cornish Game Hens with an Aji Amarillo Sauce
If you’re around the Washington, D.C. area, you’re likely familiar with the many Peruvian chicken restaurants – especially Pollo Rico, famed by Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations. And they’re famous for a reason: the chicken is fall-off-the-bone delicious with so, so much flavor (if you haven’t tried them, you’re really missing out!). The chicken also…
Spice-Rubbed New York Strip Steaks with a Horseradish Cream Sauce
My sous chef and I were in the meat and seafood section of the grocery store yesterday, perusing for something that tickled our fancy for dinner. We’re very much so planners – but yesterday we decided to be wild and crazy and walk down to the store on a whim to pick something up (I…
Blackened Shrimp Skewers with Avocado-Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing
Fire up your grill, memorial day party-goers: these treasures will be the chocolate to your peanut butter; the bonnie to your clyde; or… the spicy shrimp bites to your coronas (yes, plural). Yup, we’ll stick to that third one. These are seriously a perfect appetizer – but we went wild and even had them for…