I have a couple of recipes I can’t wait to share with you (and I promise I will)… but we had an amazing birthday celebration for my dad and I this evening and I couldn’t help but prioritize this wonderful recipe. Think of cioppino as a seafood stew. It’s not an everyday meal or a…
Vegetable
Cajun Rubbed Steak Salad with Creamy Chipotle-Cider Dressing
Salad is to summer what soulful soup is to winter. And in the depths of February, I find myself craving sunshine, warmth and bright, fun recipes. So, to break up the monotony of hearty winter dishes (and my bacon-in-everything streak – but don’t think it didn’t cross my mind for this one) we are going…
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onion and Bacon
You’re going to have to trust me here. Yup, I know. Most people don’t have a hankering for brussels sprouts, or baby cabbage heads as my sous chef refers to them. Even he had a baseless aversion to these beauties until… well, this recipe walked into his life (it’s a pretty permanent fixture now, too. And might I…
Cedar Planked Salmon with Shallot and Thyme Cream Sauce
Well, well, well, we meet again. Under the most favorable of circumstances. That is, of course, because I come bearing a great recipe. A simple and easy recipe that is delectably satisfying. The cedar plank and rosemary add a depth of flavor to the salmon, beautifully complemented by a white wine cream sauce. Now, here’s…
Seared Sea Scallops with an Apple Cider and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
I love sea scallops. Big, beautiful sea scallops. You know when you have your mind set on one dish you really, really want to make for dinner? Yeah, that happened. And the grocery store was out of those big, beautiful scallops. So, we improvise. It’s a critical and necessary function of cooking. Nonetheless, I settled…
White Wine Drenched Shrimp with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spaghetti Squash
This dish is an all-time favorite. I mean, sous chef approval is a serious label and this has recipe earned it. There are so many complex elements to this wonderful marriage of flavors. Yes, I hear you: another shrimp dish? And, well, admittedly yes. I am a seafood addict that is currently in denial and…
Spinach and Arugula Salad with Raspberries, Avocado with a Red Wine-Dijon Vinaigrette
I am really, really excited about this salad. It’s perfect, seriously. It has the savory from the goat cheese, a bite from the red onion and the creaminess of the avocado. It’s simple – yet so complex – and in unison, delicious. Folks, this salad is a simple elegance. It’s wonderful as an appetizer and…
Chilean Sea Bass with Brandy Creamed Leeks and Mushrooms
Sea bass is definitely at the top of my list for favorite food contenders. Given that hot dogs and Kraft macaroni and cheese dominated the top of that list for a solid part of my childhood, this is a big step. But sea bass is light, flaky, naturally buttery and melts in your mouth – how…
Crunchy Greek Salad
This recipe is all about ease. Though it was my dinner tonight, it would make for a great small salad before dinner, a lunch or an afternoon snack. As my sous chef is taking a vacation from cooking, (he escaped the 12 degree Washington weather for -10 degree Missouri weather) I just didn’t feel confident…
Roasted White Wine Carrots and Parsnips
Seasonal dishes are inspiring for me. When the temperatures drop and the fireplace is glowing I want nothing more than to make a hearty dinner full of winter goodness (and naturally pour a glass of red wine). These parsnips and carrots fit the bill. They are the perfect side dish for any fall or winter…