Category: Dinner


Jan
2016

Sicilian Split Pea Soup!

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Dinner, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Recipes, Soup

Show winter who is boss with a big pot of hot soup! I think of this soup as a vegetable soup but somehow adding peas automatically makes it…Sicilian Split Pea Soup!

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Maybe it is because we rarely add peas to soup. Because they get super mushy, yes. The fix? Add the peas last or start with dehydrated split peas. The broth base can be chicken stock, bouillon, or this recipe can easily be made into a vegetarian recipe. I didn’t have one on hand, but a ham bone is traditionally put in the stock for even more depth of flavor. Stay warm! Enjoy!

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Here is the recipe…

Sicilian Split Pea Soup

Ingedients:
4-6 cups of your favorite chicken stock
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 carrots, sliced into rounds
3 celery stalks, diced
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. ditalini/tubetti pasta
12 oz. peas/ 3/4 cup dehydrated split peas (soaked overnight)
salt/pepper to taste
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. dried basil

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot.
Add onion and shallot, cook until soft.
Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil.
Add carrots and celery and cook for 20-30 minutes until softened.
Season with rosemary, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper.
Boil water in another pot and cook pasta until slightly under, al dente.
Drain and return pasta to the pot, adding 2 ladles of soup broth to keep it from sticking.
If adding cooked peas add them last.
Add 1/4 cup of noodles to a soup bowl.
Pour over 1-2 ladles of soup.
Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese and serve hot with a crusty bread.

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Ciao!


Jan
2016

Steak Stroganoff

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Recipes

Beef stroganoff is a mix of sautéed onions mushrooms and tender beef finished with sour cream. Usually served over buttered noodles, traditional Russian stroganoff is served over mashed potatoes or rice. Definitely a true comfort food, the stew-like dish warms the belly… and the heart.

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The trick to stroganoff is creating tender bites of meat. This recipe uses the “london broil” method instead of a braised beef top round, which I find to be too tough.

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Other options are beef tenderloin or a sirloin steak cut into 2 inch strips. I finish the meat in red wine to tenderize and add flavor. Red wine softens the meat’s muscle fibers creating a juicy, tender bite.

Here is the recipe…

Steak Stroganoff
Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Butter
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thin
2 8oz. Packages of button mushrooms, sliced (or any of your favorite mushrooms)
2 lbs. “London broil” labeled beef or Beef tenderloin filet
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup beef stock
3/4-1 cup sour cream, add until desired richness
Salt/pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven on high broil.
Heat butter in a pan.
Add sliced onions and cook until soft.
Add mushrooms, drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix all together and sauté 3-5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
Salt and pepper steak and broil 4-5 minutes per side until slightly under medium rare in the center.
Let stand for 10 minutes and slice against the grain.
Meanwhile, boil water and cook orzo according to package.
Add wine and stock to pan to heat placing meat in the middle to absorb flavors, tenderize, and finish off to desired doneness.
Add mushrooms and onions and mix well.
Remove from heat and add sour cream and stir until creamy.
Serve stroganoff over orzo.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!


Nov
2015

Potato Soup!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Lunch, Recipes, Soup

I am convinced that sometimes we want things only because we can’t have them! I made this creamy and delicious soup last week for Meatless Monday, and all I could think about was adding bacon. Crispy delicious totally crunchy bacon bits were on my mind. Hearty, creamy, and full of your favorite vegetables, this soup is a meal! Think loaded baked potato and add some fun toppings like chives, shredded cheese, sour cream, even chili. Serve with your favorite crusty bread and Enjoy!

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Potato Soup
makes approx. 2 quarts

Ingredients:
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 carrots, chopped
5 celery stalks, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 cups water
4 cups vegetable stock
4 tbsp. Butter, sliced into tbsp.
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
6 tbsp. Flour
1 cup heavy cream
Salt/pepper to taste
(Optional- 1/2 lb. bacon/pancetta, finely chopped and cooked until crunchy)

Directions:
In a large stock pot, add potatoes, carrots, and celery. Fill 4 cups water or to top of vegetables and heat.
Cook in water until tender.
Remove vegetables and set aside.
Add onion and butter to pot and cook until the onions are translucent, add stock.
Stir in flour and Parmesan cheese.
Add heavy cream, little by little, while stirring.
Bring to a boil to thicken, and add vegetables.
Add more vegetable stock until desired consistency.
Salt/pepper to taste

Top with bacon, shredded cheese, any of your favorite baked potato topping would be delicious!
Enjoy!
Ciao!


Oct
2015

Rosemary Shrimp Pasta

categories: Dinner, Homemade Italian, Recipes

My food friend Tasha from The Food Tasters was coming over and we were baking with Wigle Whiskey‘s rums for a super fun event. Of course, we had to eat! So I whipped up a pasta with rosemary, lemon, shrimp, mushrooms, and tons of parmesan cheese. It was amazing!

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The Food Tasters’ Tasha said it was her best meal in months! Good old home cookin’ is the best and I can’t wait to share this recipe with you! It’s so easy and absolutely delicious.

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I served it with my favorite salad- baby greens tossed with candied pecans and dried cranberries and topped with a homemade honey lemon dressing! I am hooked on a local honey “The Wright Stuff” made by the beautiful beekeeper and WTAE-TV news anchor Michelle Wright! It is smooth and not too sweet making delicious dressings, sauces, and baked goods! Click here for the HONEY LEMON DRESSING RECIPE!

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And oooh the pasta- Setaro pasta is my favorite dry pasta because it cooks up like fresh pasta. A little more expensive, like 5X, but it is so worth it! In Pittsburgh, I get my pasta at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. in the city’s shopping district, the Strip!
Ok, I will stop talking…
Here is the recipe!

Rosemary Shrimp Pasta
(Feeds 6-8)
Ingredients:

1-1/2 – 2 lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 tbsp. butter, melted, halved
1 lemon, cut in half
1 tbsp. rosemary, finely chopped, halved
1 pint mushrooms, sliced
1 2 lb. bag Setaro linguini/fetuccini pasta
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbsp. olive oil
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
rosemary springs for garnish
lemon wedges for garnish
salt/pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place shrimp on a foil-lined cookie sheet.
Drizzle half of the melted butter, half of one lemon, and sprinkle 1/2 tbsp. chopped rosemary on the shrimp.
Bake 7-10 minutes or until shrimp are pink.
Line mushrooms on a foil-lined cookie sheet.
Drizzle the remaining butter, squeeze one half of a lemon, and sprinkle chopped rosemary.
Bake 5 minutes or until fragrant and slightly cooked.
Boil pasta in a large pot until al dente.
Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil to a large sauce pan.
Add white wine, shrimp, and mushrooms.
Drain pasta and add to the pan.
Mix in parmesan cheese and coat.
Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish, and enjoy!

Ciao!


Oct
2015

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops with Apple Pear Cranberry Risotto

categories: Dinner, Homemade Italian, Recipes, Sides

My quick pan pork chops are just like grandma’s except I add a Parmesan crust. I use the traditional 3-step crusting process, egg dip, breadcrumbs, Parmesan topping. You might say why not mix the Parmesan and herbs with the breadcrumbs? Save a step? Yes, but you chance not getting half as much Parmesan to stick! We can’t have that! By tossing the pork chop twice, the tiny spots that the breadcrumbs didn’t cover get filled in with parm!

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So I was totally in the mood for an apple -pear side dish to accompany these chops, something sweet but still fall. I came up with an Apple Pear Cranberry Risotto! The best part is I rehydrated the cranberries with Wigle Whiskey’s “Landlocked” rum!

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With all of the favorite holiday flavors, this risotto would be fabulous alongside Thanksgiving dinner, your Holiday ham, or just because! Serve it with a savory meal or top it with ice cream for dessert!

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Apple Pear Cranberry Risotto
Ingredients :
1/2 cup dried cranberries, soaked
in rum until plump
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
1 red delicious apple, chopped
1 d’anjou pear, chopped
3 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp.sugar
2 cups arborio rice
3-4 cups milk
1 tbsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan.
Add apples, pears, and sugar.
Cook until they turn golden and soften.
Add cranberries with any rum left in the pan and arborio rice. Mix well.
Heat milk until hot but not boiling. I used my large glass measuring cup.
Add milk 1/2 cup at a time, constantly stirring and allowing the milk to absorb into the rice and cook each time. You will need anywhere from 3-4 cups. Keep adding milk and stirring until rice is al dente.
Remove from heat and add spices.
Mix well and serve warm.

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Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
4 -6 bone in pork chops
2 eggs
2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
2 cups fresh grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 tsp. chopped basil
1 tsp. chopped parsley
Salt/pepper to taste

Directions:
Set up 3 pie plates in a row.
In the first pie plate, whisk 2 eggs.
In the second plate, add the Panko breadcrumbs.
In the third plate, add the Parmesan and remaining ingredients.

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Dip the pork chops in the egg, flipping to coat both sides.
Then cover both sides with Panko breadcrumbs, and then the Parmesan mixture.
Continue with all chops.
Heat 2 tbsp. Oil in a large pan.
Add pork chops, flip when brown approximately 5 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.
Let stand to absorb juices and serve!

Enjoy!
Ciao!


Sep
2015

Sweet & Spicy Veggie Soba Noodles!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes

We are totally serious about our Meatless Mondays. Why not have one day during the week where meat is out? I find it is much easier to scrape up a quick last minute dinner when meat is not involved. No worries of defrosting or pre-planning. Monday’s veg dishes are simple and delicious!

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I bought some soba noodles because, like pasta, they are a blank canvas. We love a sweet and spicy sauce so I made a light honey sriracha soy sauce using a ginger infused soy. Oh my is this sauce perfection for a soba noodle dish! Of course I added lots of veggies including shitake mushrooms. Not only are shitake mushrooms a big part of Japanese cuisine, but they add that “meaty” bite that is totally not meat! Ha! This dish can be made in under 20 minutes and is 100% kid approved, just adjust the heat based on preference. A little of the sauce goes a long way especially because the dish is already lightly coated with the oil. Here is the recipe!

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Sweet & Spicy Veggie Soba Noodles
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
4 green onions, chopped
3 carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, drained
1 pint shitake mushrooms, stems cut and halved/quartered to desired size
1 1/2 lb. package pre-cooked buckwheat soba noodles
3 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. sriracha
1/4 cup ginger infused soy sauce

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a pan.

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Add veggies that take the longest to cook first, then add the rest of veggies and cook until al dente.

In a small saucepan, add soba noodles and 1 tbsp. sauce.

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With your fingers, gently separate noodles until all come unstuck.

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Heat through and add to pan with veggies, mix well and add more sauce until desired amount is reached.

Top with green onions!

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Enjoy!
Ciao!


Sep
2015

White Clam Pizza!

categories: Dinner, Homemade Italian, Recipes

Linguini clams is probably my all time favorite dish besides seafood pasta, which is pretty much the same thing. I think because it has a light “sauce,” just a splash of garlic olive oil, white wine, lemon spritzed yum on each bite. Sooooo good- there is seriously something addicting about it! I was thinking, what if I put these heavenly bites on a crispy pizza crust? And so my white clam pizza was born…topped with fresh mozzarella, red onion, and fresh basil.

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Yep! As classy as a fancy appetizer or as “game day” as a buffalo chicken dip, you can take this pizza anywhere!

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The no yeast easy pizza dough recipe is one to keep forever. One time I was out of yeast packets and added some baking soda to my pasta dough recipe, totally worked! It’s a thin crust. You can add herbs for flavor or leave it plain! Experiment, try different things, and let me know what works!

White Clam Pizza

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 lb. clam meat (I use PanaPesca clam meat in juice)
2 tbsp.lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine
salt/pepper
1/2 cup shredded provolone/mozzarella
6-8 slices fresh mozzarella
2 tbsp. fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/2 red onion, frenched, then cut in half if too big -depends on the size of your onion 😉
Handful of fresh basil or arugula
Pre-made pizza crust or recipe below!

Directions:
Preheat over to 400 degrees.

Heat olive oil in a large pan.

Add garlic, cook 2-4 minutes until aromatic.

Add clams, white wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

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Lower heat and simmer until heated through.

Brush pizza crust with olive oil.
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Top with shredded mozzarella/ provolone mix.

Add strained clams.

Top with fresh mozzarella slices and sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan.

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Bake until crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, approximately 12-18 minutes.

Top pizza with red onion, basil or arugula, fresh grated parmesan cheese, and sea salt.

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No Yeast Easy Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
3/4 cup water
2-1/2 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
Make a volcano and fill the center with water and olive oil.
Gradually push the flour into the liquid little by little until well mixed.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!


Sep
2015

Fried Heirloom Tomatoes!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Homemade Italian, Lunch, Recipes, Sides

Traditional Southern fried green tomatoes are actually tart, unripened red tomatoes, breaded and fried in oil. Their firmness makes them perfect for frying! I was given some gorgeous, solid heirloom tomatoes that were so sweet, not mushy at all, so I decided to fry them for a sweeter version.  Of course topping them with parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a totally perfect mix of flavors!
Heirloom tomatoes are the best. Passed down from generation to generation, heirlooms’ taste will far exceed any tomato you find at the grocery store. Found in an array of colors, they all taste a bit different.

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I made a Caprese salad last night using really ripened heirlooms. I’m not sure which ones tasted better yellow, orange, red/green striped, brown? They are all amazingly delicious!
Ok, back to frying them. So the trick is to use firm tomatoes, and fry them in a hot pan. This way the outside “crust” will be nice and crunchy.

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Fried Heirloom Tomatoes
Ingredients:
2 firm heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 cup flour
1/2 tbsp. dried basil
1/2 tbsp. dried rosemary
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
3 tbsp. olive oil
salt/pepper
fresh grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil

Directions:

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Add olive oil to pan and heat on high.

Mix flour, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder in a bowl.

Whisk eggs in a second bowl.

Add Panko breadcrumbs to a third bowl.

Prepare tomatoes by lightly salting slices, coating in flour, dipping in egg, and covering in breadcrumbs.

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Add slices to pan, fry until golden brown on first side, then flip.

Remove slices, let oil absorb on a paper towel covered plate.

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Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and serve!

Enjoy!
Ciao!


Aug
2015

Summer Zucchini Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Healthy Living, Lunch, Recipes

Do you have zucchini coming out of your ears? I definitely do! It is that time of year when I have had enough- totally zucchini breads, zucchini boats, and zucchini breakfast-ed out! What else can you make? There is always the chocolate-zucchini craze of hiding the veggie in chocolate cake, muffins, cookies or brownies. Chocolate is always a great idea, but how about a salad sans lettuce and a smooth and summery homemade vinaigrette? Now that sounds perfectly summer!

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Summer Zucchini Salad
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
2 medium zucchini
2 vine ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 lemon
salt/peper to taste

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Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dijon mustard
6 lemons- squeezed for juice approx. 1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grapeseed oil or canola oil

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Directions:
Peel zucchini with a vegetable peeler in long strips and place into serving bowl or platter.(I roll-up some of the strips for easy eating and because it adds to the beauty of the dish.)

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Cut tomatoes into wedges and add to the salad.

Sprinkle with 2-3 tbsp. crumbled goat cheese.

For dressing:
Whisk all ingredients except oils.

 

Add oils, lid, and shake vigorously until well mixed.

Top salads with 2 tbsp. of dressing and squeeze a halved lemon over salads.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!


Jul
2015

Walleye Tacos With a Roasted Corn Peach Salsa!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Around Pittsburgh, Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes

My neighbors are awesome fishermen and who do you think gets a bag of fresh caught fish after the trip? The neighborhood food blogger of course. Ha! Thank you so much! The fresh walleye I was given this week soaked up the marinade beautifully and made a delicious base for some fresh fish tacos.

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I made a totally amazing roasted corn and peach salsa by cutting spicy pan roasted corn on the cob off the cob and adding the sweet flavors of a diced peach, a small onion, and a handful of chopped chives. Fresh squeezed lime juice pulled it all together!

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Seriously, Pittsburgh might just have a new “thing”…fish tacos!
Fish tacos are most definitely one of my favorite dishes to order out in Pittsburgh.  Believe it or not,  many of our restaurants have nailed a fabulous fish taco entreé! Some of my favorites…Penn Avenue Fish Company, Kaya, Täkõ, and Round Corner Cantina. All totally exceptional! Of course I make them at home, too!

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Walleye Fish Tacos
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. raw walleye fillets
1 lime
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin

Directions:

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Cube raw walleye.

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Mix lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, and cumin in a mixing bowl.

Add walleye cubes, coat with marinade and refrigerate.

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Heat a pan and cook walleye cubes until just cooked through- pink turns white and flake with a fork.

Roasted Corn and Peach Salsa
Ingredients:
2 corn on the cob
1 peach, chopped
2 pats butter
2 tsp. cayenene pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 tsp.cilantro or parsley, chopped
1 lime

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Directios:
Roast buttered corn in a pan or on the grill until desired doneness.
Sprinkle with cayenne pepper.

Cut corn off the cob after it cools a bit.

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Add onion, chives, cilantro or parsley to corn.

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Squeeze the juice of one lime into bowl.

Fish Taco Sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp. sriracha

Mix together and add more or less sriracha to taste

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Build your taco with your favorite flour tortilla.
Add the roasted corn and peach salsa, and top with sriracha sauce.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!