I picked my first jalapeno pepper from the garden yesterday to make this recipe.  I don’t know if because it was just picked but….that little sucker was volatile!  This recipe for the nachos called for two jalapenos;  one in the Pico de Gallo salsa, and one in the beef and beans.  I used half of…

 Our lives are busy now and it’s sometimes difficult to have a quick meal that satisfies and keeps you going!   Please the whole family with these quick and delicious weeknight dinners. Monday:   Cauliflower Mac & Cheese –  Instead of macaroni alone, add lots of cauliflower that is loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals.  Tuesday:  Classic…

This chicken is very similar to a dish we order from our favorite Mexican Restaurant – Jose Tejas.  Their version is very, very spicy.  I had to tone down the rub mixture to my own taste.  You really should cook these in a cast iron skillet to get the full blackened effect (and lots of…

I’ve always been on a mission to try and find the best pizza dough.  There are so many methods, different flours and yeasts, it’s hard to find the perfect dough.  I’ve come to the conclusion that it is the oven that makes the best pizza.  Yeah, I’d love to have a brick-oven in my backyard…

Did you know that the first pies were often made from pastry that was intentionally barely edible?  Pastry was used as a method of keeping meats and fillings moist during cooking and also to seal the filling to keep it from spoiling. YUM.   Many believe the term “pie” has its beginnings from “magpie”, a bird…

Lou Di Palo shared his grandmother’s recipe for the meatballs that he sells at his family’s store Di Palo’s Fine Foods in New York City and some fond memories of Sunday Sauce. “She’d start the meatballs early in the morning, and they’d simmer for a long, long time in the sauce, along with beef bones she’d…

Here is another traditional Polish comfort dish – we could really call it a deconstructed Pierogi!  All the flavors without all the fuss.  These make a great side dish along with some crispy grilled kielbasi – yum!    A favorite of all of Eastern Europe.  The cabbage prepared this way is very nutty and sweet. …

The Holiday Season is upon us.  Time to get together with family and friends and celebrate!  Grab your glass  and enjoy!   Let us all count our blessings at this time of year and every day for the love of family and friends. Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip This is my version of that great dip…

This week #SundaySupper is taking us “back in the day” with Retro Recipes that we all grew up with. Do you remember your Mom making you English Muffin Pizzas? We had them alot growing up and it’s a great memory of mine. It was fun for us to create our own little pizzas. Does anyone…

It’s time to clean out the fridge.  You’ll need storage space for the freezer and fridge for the turkey and the do-ahead dishes. Go through your serving pieces and table linens to see what you need to clean, press or what you will need to buy. 3 to 4 jalapenos, finely chopped 8 cups cranberries…

This is a great meatless main dish with the addition of edamame – my new favorite snack.  This recipe called for Chili Pepper Sauce.  I  just saw an Asian recipe using Sriracha Chili sauce.  I went to the Asian Market, put the Sriracha on the counter and the woman asked me, “Do you like spicy food”? …

It doesn’t get any simpler than this classic Italian dish. 1 lb. spaghetti or vermicelli 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 10 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil…

Chinese take-out at home. I tried this recipe with Hoisin Sauce and Thai Chili Sauce, but the Oyster Sauce worked the best. You probably have almost all the ingredients for this! It goes together very quickly.  For protein add tofu, chicken or pork. Vegetable Lo Mein 1/2 lb. Lo Mein Noodles or Linguini Sesame oil…

Calling all cheese lovers!  Have you heard?  Everyone is going gaga for goat cheese!  Goat cheese is packed with calcium and protein, it’s easier to digest than cow’s milk and promotes totally gorgeous hair, skin and nails.  Goat cheese is far more than just for salads.  Joan of Arc® Goat Cheese is a full-flavored appetizer for…