Category: Recipes


Apr
2014

My First Experiment With Sriracha…Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quinoa Salad!

categories: Dinner, Grill, Healthy Living, Recipes

After hearing the latest Sriracha headlines, “Residents of Irwindale (Sounds totally like Arrendale from Frozen – although opposite problem -is the Southern California city where it is made-Go USA!!) Say The Air Is Too Spicy and Are Fighting to Close Sriracha Plant,” to “America’s Most Popular Condiment” and “Sriracha Shortage Imminent,” I was dying to buy some and try it!!

Photo from 4/23/14 courtesy of Washington Times! Air so spicy your eyes water and itch! I need to try this!
Photo from 4/23/14 courtesy of Washington Times! Air so spicy your eyes water and itch! I need to try this!

I love sweet and spicy together! The most flavorful taste combo!
So here it is, the family says the best meal I have ever made.

Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup Sriracha sauce

Directions:

Mix 1/2 of the honey and half of the Sriracha in a bowl.

It's one part honey one part Sriracha. Hard to say how much I used! Mix more if needed!
It’s one part honey one part Sriracha. Hard to say how much I used! Mix more if needed!

Remove chicken from package and place in a container with an airtight lid.
Brush or spoon to coat raw chicken and marinate.

I didn't drench the chicken with the sauce...it is pretty strong stuff!
I didn’t drench the chicken with the sauce…it is pretty strong stuff!

Refrigerate to marinate 1-9 hours ( I did mine at 8am and pulled it out at 4:30 to grill.)

Heat grill on medium high heat to 350 degrees.
Cook chicken on one side for 12-15 minutes.
Coat with another mixture of honey sriracha.
Flip and cook another 8-10 minutes.
Coat with remaining sauce.

I love a little char when I grill. Medium/High heat keeps the chicken moist and you still get the char! The gauge on the grill read 350-370 degrees.
I love a little char when I grill. Medium/High heat keeps the chicken moist and you still get the char! The gauge on the grill read 350-370 degrees.

Pineapple Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa uncooked
1 1/2 cup water
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
Baby greens salad
Pint of grape tomatoes
2 tbsp. red pepper flakes

Directions:
Cook quinoa in a saucepan.
Add water bring to a boil.
Simmer for 20 minutes until water is absorbed.

1 cup uncooked quinoa and 1 1/2 cup water- always!
1 cup uncooked quinoa and 1 1/2 cup water- always!

Meanwhile, add lettuce to a serving bowl.
Layer it with tomatoes, quinoa and pineapple.
Sprinkle on red pepper flakes.

No dressing needed! But I'm sure a honey sesame would be awesome! Next time!
No dressing needed! But I’m sure a honey sesame would be awesome! Next time!

Serve together or make your own sides! I think corn on the cob was the only thing missing tonight!

The perfect spring or summer meal!! We loved it! I hope you will, too!!
The perfect spring or summer meal!! We loved it! I hope you will, too!!

Enjoy!
Ciao!


Apr
2014

Skinny Girl Bethenny Frankel’s Blueberry Muffins!! Plus a Few Extras!

categories: Breakfast, Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

We woke up in the mood for breakfast muffins!  I absolutely love this recipe! It is quick and easy! 5 minutes to mix the ingredients and 20 minutes to bake!  Bonus, they are gluten free!!
Makes 9 muffins!!

An explosion of flavor!! Warm chocolate chips and blueberries are the best!
An explosion of flavor!! Warm chocolate chips and blueberries are the best!

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Bethenny Frankel’s Skinny Blueberry Muffins

(We add chocolate chips, too! And maybe a spoon of chia seeds!)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups oat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup soy milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup blueberries
(We add 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 tbsp. of chia seeds!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Insert baking cups into muffin tin or spray with nonstick spray.

Mix dry ingredients add wet ingredients and gently stir in blueberries and chocolate chips last.

Throw in some Chia seeds for health and youth!
Throw in some
Chia seeds for health and youth!

Fill half of muffin tins with batter.

I love my non -stick muffin tins ! No messing with baking cups!
I love my non -stick muffin tins ! No messing with baking cups!

Bake for 20 mins. Rotate pan half way at 10 minutes.

These muffins are so delicious and Super easy to make!
These muffins are so delicious and Super easy to make!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

 


Apr
2014

Homemade Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes! Yellow Cheese is Fake Cheese- That Is What My Kids Will Tell You!

categories: Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping, Sides

As we strive to learn the key ingredients in our forever young and healthy life recipe, we are experimenting with superfoods, eating more vegetables, and taking the processed “fake” ingredients out of our diets. A deli worker told my kids that cheese is white and yellow cheese is just white cheese dyed yellow. True statement, BUT they translated that into “fake” cheese. Ever since, I have been on a mission to make dishes with “fake” cheese alternatives. This led to our latest obsessions with Fontina, Manchego and my absolute favorite, Parano.

Always grate your own cheese. The difference in taste, freshness, and basic cooking properties will blow you away.
Always grate your own cheese. The difference in taste, freshness, and basic cooking properties will blow you away.

Gruyere is known to make the best potato casseroles, so I tried it for Easter!! 100% correct! Gruyere did not dissappoint! In fact, I can’t remember what cheddar scalloped potatoes even taste like anymore! Here is my recipe!

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:
7 large potatoes scrubbed and sliced into 1/8 inch rounds
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 lb. freshly grated gruyere cheese
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt/pepper

My little helpers love scrubbing the potatoes! Get the kids get involved! They will eat it because they made it!
My little helpers love scrubbing the potatoes! Get the kids get involved! They will eat it because they made it!

Directions:

Warm the cream and garlic in a scauce pot and add 2 cups of Gruyere 1/2 cup at a time continuously stirring.

Gruyere melts beautifully, no chunks. Perfect consistency!
Gruyere melts beautifully, no chunks. Perfect consistency!

Add sliced potatoes to a deep baking dish.

I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8 Inch is perfect!
I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8
Inch is perfect!

Pour cheese/cream mixture from the saucepan over the potatoes.

Mix well and coat all potato slices.
Mix well
and coat all potato slices.

Top with the remaining Gruyere cheese, the Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 350 degrees. It will be creamy and bubbly. Mix well and let stand 10 minutes to thicken and serve hot!

Indescribable flavor burst with only a few ingredients!! You would think there had to be extra ingredients in this dish like sour cream, cream cheese, many different grated cheeses? Nope! Welcome to the power of Gruyere!
Indescribable flavor burst with only a few ingredients!! You would think there had to be extra ingredients in this dish like sour cream, cream cheese, many different grated cheeses? Nope! Welcome to the power of Gruyere!

Enjoy!
Ciao!


Apr
2014

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes!! The Perfect Spring and Summer Side Dish!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes

The three A's of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!!
The three A’s of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!!

Ingredients:

6 artichokes washed, cut in half up and down.
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Fill a sauce pot with 3 inches of water and place artichokes in the pot to steam on the top rack of your grill.

You can always steam the artichokes on the stove! Just do not overcook- about 15 minutes if you are grilling!
You can always steam the artichokes on the stove! Just do not overcook- about 15 minutes if you are grilling!

Steam for 15-20 minutes until the artichokes soften and a sharp knife easily pierces the stem.

Cut along the axis of symmetry -up and down.

The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip!
The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip

Brush olive oil on both sides – salt, pepper.
Grill cut side down until grill lines appear and they have a nice char.

My grill gets the 6pm sun! What a beautiful evening!
My grill gets the late afternoon early evening sun! What a beautiful evening!

Serve with drizzled lemon juice.

Bursting with flavor! Serve grilled artichokes as an appetizer on a Friday paired with a refreshing Reisling !
Bursting with flavor! Serve grilled artichokes as an appetizer on a Friday paired with a refreshing Reisling !

Always top with freshly grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

Ciao!


Apr
2014

Spring 2014 Hot Food Trend…Gourmet Toasts! Salute!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Breakfast, Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes, Travel

Hot right now for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, are the quickly trending gourmet toasts! Chefs are getting extremely inventive with a new spin on what was mainly a traditional totally boring breakfast staple.

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/slushed.html?m=1

Started in 2012, the toast trend is picking up momentum and is showing up in big city hotspots like The Shakespeare in New York City! They offer an afternoon toasts menu!
Started in 2012, the toast trend is picking up momentum and is showing up in big city hotspots like The Shakespeare in New York City! They offer an afternoon toasts menu!

Consider it the melting pot of appetizer and small plate chic, you cannot go wrong with a meal on a piece of toast. Call it portion control! For breakfast, indulge in almond butter on top of toasted whole grain bread smothered in bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of coarse salt!

Avocado screams Spring!!

http://www.thebittenword.com/thebittenword/2012/03/avocado-toast-with-chile-flakes.html

Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular too!
Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular, too!

Blue cheese and pears are amazing…drizzle honey and I am in love!!

http://myfancypantry.com/2012/11/18/pear-honey-and-blue-cheese-appetizer-toasts/

Served on a toasted baguette!
Served on a toasted baguette!

 

Julia Turshen, chef and coauthor of Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Good” cookbook shared her faves in People magazine’s April 28 issue!

BUFFALO
Toast country bread
Spread blue cheese
Top with celery
Drizzle with hot sauce

TAPAS
Toast country bread
Rub with garlic and a halved
tomato
Add slices of Manchego cheese
Top with a slice of prosciutto

Serve toasts as an appetizer or small plates for dinner while entertaining. Have kids? There are so many endless ideas with Nutella, peanut butter, almond butter, veggies, raisins, etc.  Maybe even cookie cutter the bread into cool themes or seasonal shapes!!

Enjoy!!
Ciao!!


Apr
2014

You down with D.O.P ? Yeah, you know me!

categories: Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping

D.O.P… How can I explain it…

Yes, I am a wife, mom, nanny, cook, maid, journalist, fashionista, and old school rap sponge!!! Do you get started and just can’t stop? (I hope it is not just me! Well, I know Kevin does it, too! Ha!)

Of course I pair it with the perfect shoulder bounce or hammer dance ; )
Of course I pair it with pursed lips, the perfect shoulder bounce maybe even a hammer dance ; )

I forgot to add tomato snob to the mix. The distinction between San Marzano tomatoes versus a can of whole peeled tomatoes is one of taste. The San Marzano tomatoes are sweeter, picked only when ripe, and grown in the richest of soil in Campania, Italy. Once you start cooking with San Marzano tomatoes and taste the difference you will NEVER use plain, old, sour whole peeled tomatoes in a can ever again. Pay the extra buck! So what is DOP?

DOP Approved!
DOP Approved!

DOP is a further designation that stands for Denominazione d’Origine Protetta from the European Union for the processed product. These tomatoes are grown at the base of Mount Vesuvious in rich soil blended with volcanic ash. This soil produces DOP certified tomatoes that have few seeds and cook down perfectly! DOP is written on the label and means completely legit by the European powers that be. So now you know what DOP means on your San Marzano can AND you know what to look for next time! My faves right now are Ciao brand! You can crush them with a potato masher and use them for pizza sauce…naked!!! Just add your toppings and seasonings!

Easiest pizza sauce ever! Try it! San Marzano DOP!
Easiest pizza sauce ever! Spinach, tomato, mozzarella, salt and pepper! Try it!
San Marzano DOP!

Ciao!


Apr
2014

Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh named “The Greatest Cake America Has Ever Made!” Sweet!!

categories: Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping, Travel

Pittsburgh’s own Prantl’s Bakery’s Burnt Almond Torte has been named “The Greatest Cake America Has Ever Made” today by Huffington Post! I spoke with co-owner Lara Bruhn at Prantl’s downtown store located in Market Square!! She was absolutely beaming amidst the super sweet news!
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5133580

Prantl's Downtown location shares a space with Mancini's Bread! One stop baked goods!
Prantl’s Downtown location shares a space with Mancini’s Bread! One stop baked goods!

A Pittsburgh institution for over 40 years, Prantl’s flagship bakery in Shadyside has been a bakery for over 100 years!

A traditional German bakery, they can’t help but get excited about their new offerings like the most buttery, light and fluffy croissant you have ever put in your mouth!

Photo courtesy of Huffington Post! Perfectly Pittsburgh Burnt Almond Torte!
Photo courtesy of Huffington Post! Perfectly Pittsburgh Burnt Almond Torte!

Don’t live in Pittsburgh? No plans to visit? No problem!
Prantl’s will ship their famous Burnt Almond Torte!!

http://www.prantlsbakery.com/order-online/

Enjoy!
Ciao!
 


Apr
2014

Totally Amazing Auricchio Artichoke And Tomato Pasta Salad!! Meet The Best Member Of The Provolone Family!

categories: Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Party Time, Recipes, Sides

Auricchio Provolone has an unmatched taste and texture! Super easy to cube for my pasta salad! I find the largest selection and most cheese knowledge in town at Pennsylvania Macaroni in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

Auricchio is very sharp and aromatic! Brush before kissing for sure with this one!
Auricchio is very sharp and aromatic! Brush before kissing for sure with this one!

According to Pennsylvania Macaroni’s website,
“Auricchio Provolone is an aged Italian Provolone that is particularly sharp. It is often regarded as one of the best-tasting Provolones in the world. In Italian grocery stores, this cheese is often seen dangling by rope from the rafters, which makes it a very well known cheese throughout Italy. The aging process allows for the flavor of the cheese to develop over time, which ultimately adds character to its eventual taste.”

My kids love cheese! They love the cheese counter and taste testing! Bella's favorite is Havarti!
My kids love cheese! They love the cheese counter and taste testing! Bella’s favorite is Havarti!

Dear Heart will gladly give you a taste when you visit Penn Mac in the Strip! Or buy online!
http://www.pennmac.com/items/236//aged-italian-auricchio-provolone

Auricchio Artichoke and Tomato Pasta Salad!

Feeds a party as a side dish!

Ingredients:
2 lb. auricchino provolone, cubed
1 15oz. jar artichoke hearts in water, chopped
5-6 Roma tomatoes chopped
4 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup Salad Supreme pasta salad seasoning
1 1/2 lb. cavatappi pasta cooked

Only add two or three ingredients into your pasta salad. It is easy to get carried away!
Only add two or three ingredients into your pasta salad. It is easy to get carried away!

Directions:
Mix it all together and refrigerate!

I make my pasta salad the night before a party! The flavors will have time to mix and it is perfectly chilled through when served!
I make my pasta salad the night before a party! The flavors will have time to mix and it is perfectly chilled through when served!

This recipe will serve 25+ as a side dish. Feel free to half it! It is great to make ahead and chill overnight! Just add a few tsp. of lemon juice and stir!

Always top with freshly grated Parmesan!
It’s party time!
Ciao!


Apr
2014

A New Twist On An Old Fave Beans and Greens! Garlic Garbanzo Kale Pasta!

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

Garlic Garbanzo Kale Pasta!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil
3 cloves of garlic,pressed
1 15.5 oz. can of garbanzo beans
1 35oz. can San Marzano tomatoes
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. rosemary(chopped fresh or flakes)
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. basil
1 cup curly kale, washed and chopped off stems
1 lb. of your favorite pasta

Directions:

Warm olive oil in a frying pan on low/medium heat.
Add pressed garlic. (Be careful not to burn!)

If the garlic burns, throw it away!
If the garlic burns, throw it away!

Add tomatoes, garbanzo beans, all spices and simmer.

Want a little more spice? Add extra red pepper flakes!
Want a little more spice? Add extra red pepper flakes!

Boil 6 quarters of water and cook pasta.
When pasta is strained, turn heat off and add kale to frying pan. It will wilt but you don’t want it to cook.
Mix well.
Pour over pasta serving.
Always top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

If you like greens and beans, you will love this dish! Enjoy!
If you like greens and beans, you will love this dish! Enjoy!

Ciao!


Apr
2014

Super Chips! Garlic Parmesan Baked Kale Chips!

categories: Fun for Kids, Gluten Free, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes, Sides

Healthy. Superfood! Delicious. Superfood! Bonus, Kid friendly! Superfood!
Kale chips can be a healthy snack or a side dish served with paninis for lunch! Whether dressed up or dressed down, kale chips can be accessorized with salt, garlic salt, freshly grated cheeses, hot pepper, hot sauce, taco seasoning…their styling possibilities are endless!! Experiment!

Garlic Parmesan Kale Chips

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Separate kale leaves from thick stems.

I buy bunches of curly kale! Wash well!
I buy bunches of curly kale! Wash well!

Rinse and dry well.

Rip kale into chip size.

I have found that the kale chips bake the best on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet!
I have found that the kale chips bake the best on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet!

Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Brush or spray with olive oil.

Use any flavors you like! Sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc!
Use any flavors you like! Sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc!

Shake on freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.

Bake for 10 minutes or until chips are brown around the edges.
(There is a fine line between crispy and crumbling. You might need to experiment!
10 minutes seems to be perfect!

image

Enjoy!
Ciao!