Tag: recipe

Gourmet Grilled Fruit! Why not?

Island grilled mangoes and papaya with a rum butter sauce, Exotic grilled pear salad with goat cheese and balsalmic drizzle…These menu items can be found in high end eateries all of over the world! They sound ultra sexy and complicated, right? They are not! These delicious tastes can easily be replicated at home in your kitchen!!

Restaurant taste at home!
Restaurant taste at home!

Fruit is made up of sugars and water. Grilling fruit takes out some of the water and caramelizes the natural sugars leaving delicious sweet fruit with a charred texture. This method is quick and easy, and the delicious grilled fruit leaves our taste buds craving more!

Hard fruits are easier to grill. They won’t get mushy and fall apart on you. My favorites are apples, pears and pineapple!

Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!
Grill fruit as an appetizer, side, salad topper or skewer it with veggies, meat or fish!

One of our breakfast favorites is grilled peaches! (With a squirt of whipped cream!)

Grilled Peaches

Ingredients:
(Yields 4 servings)

4 Sliced white and yellow peaches
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp.cinnamon
1 tbsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Clean grill grate and spray with non stick cooking spray. (Olive oil is too strong for these fruits and will leave a dull taste. If anything use a little butter.)

Dust fruit with the spice mix.

Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don't leave them on too long!
Because the peaches are juicy, they caramelize quickly! Don’t leave them on too long!

Grill the fruit on medium heat until it is softened to your liking.(Pierce with a fork. The fruit should be cooked but still firm.) Approx. 4 minutes per side.

OR grill them in a frying pan! Peaches are soft enough to be cooked quickly right on the stove!

A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!
A breakfast treat! Hold the pastries!

Don’t forget a fabulous cheese pairing! Grilled pears are delicious with goat cheese or a creamy fontina, while grilled apples are most delicious when served with Gruyere or Brie.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts!

Brussels sprouts are healthy, easy to prepare, and pair well with so many foods! Here is a delicious, super easy recipe the whole family will enjoy!

I started with the roasted sprouts and ended up with a fabulous pasta dish!
I started with the roasted sprouts and ended up with a fabulous pasta dish!

Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. brussels sprouts, halved
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 lemon, squeezed for juice
Fresh grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

Add pressed garlic and cook for a few minutes.

Add cumin and brown sugar.

Brussels sprouts are one of the world's healthiest foods! Fiber containing, cancer fighting, cholesterol lowering, vitamin filled...Visit http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=10 to learn more about their health benefits!!
Brussels sprouts are one of the world’s healthiest foods! Fiber containing, cancer fighting, cholesterol lowering, vitamin filled…Visit http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=10 to learn more about their health benefits!!

Place brussels sprouts on foil lined cookie sheet.

Pour frying pan mixture over brussels sprouts.

Squeeze lemon and sprinkle with salt and pepper .

Cook for 16-20 minutes, until softened but firm. (Test by piercing with a fork.)

I think these would be fabulous on the grill!
I think these would be fabulous on the grill!

I had 8 more ripe Roma tomatoes, so I made a pound of pasta and tossed it with the chopped tomatoes, the brussels sprouts, and 2 tbsp. olive oil!

Of course, always top with fresh grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

What an easy dinner! The sprouts have almost a candy coating!
What an easy dinner! The sprouts have almost a candy coating!

Ciao!

 

 

 

Pork Chops and Applesauce: A Tribute to Alice! R.I.P. Ann B. Davis

Ann B. Davis, who played Alice on The Brady Bunch, passed away today, June 1, 2014, at 88 years old. Did you know she grew up in Erie, PA?

Ann B. Davis played Alice on the television sitcom "The Brady Bunch"
Ann B. Davis played Alice on the television sitcom “The Brady Bunch”

Alice did the cooking in the Bradys’ household. She made simple, All-American dinners and published hers and cast member’s recipes in a cookbook “Alice’s Brady Bunch Cookbook” in 1994. Meatloaf, fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese …The recipes are quick and easy, positively timeless!

Remember the pork chops and applesauce episode? Click and watch!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jB4tJgzcVJE

Here is the recipe!

Ann B. Davis’ Pork Chops and Applesauce

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp. olive oil
8 pork chops
Salt to taste
2 tsp. black pepper
2/3 cup dry Vermouth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 tbsp. finely grated lemon zest

Directions:
Flavor chops with spices.
Combine vermouth, lemon juice, butter and oil in saucepan.
Fry chops.
Grate lemon peel as garnish.
Serve over applesauce.

Give Tiger a bath…and don’t play ball on the house.

My Notes:
Be sure to brown the chops and cook only until cooked through. (Pork chops can easily be overcooked and turn into hockey pucks)
Low/Medium heat!
Meat thermometer temp for pork 160 degrees!

Thanks for the laughs, Alice!

Ciao!

Sautéed Broccoli- A Grilled Entrée’s Perfect Side Dish!!

Nothing beats grilling outside in the warm air! Yay, it’s that time of year again!! I have been grilling for the past few weeks and trying new Spring side dishes!

This sauté is amazing !  The sunflowers add a nutty flavor to the mix!
This sauté is amazing ! The sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor to the mix!

Have you ever tried cooking with sunflower seeds? Like pine nuts, sunflower seeds have incredible health benefits! They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!

Here is one of my family’s favorites!

Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!
Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!

 

Sautéed Broccoli with Sunflower Seeds

Ingredients:
1 lb. broccoli, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup raw, shelled sunflower seeds
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Warm oil over low/medium heat.
Add garlic and stir. Be careful not to burn! No brown!

I think I use garlic in every recipe!!
I think I use garlic in every recipe!!

Add onions and cook until tender.
Add broccoli and sunflower seed.
Mix well to coat all.

Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don't want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.
Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don’t want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.

Add sunflower seeds salt and pepper to taste and mix well again.
Let it cook 10 minutes or until broccoli is hot but crisp!
Serve with your favorite grilled entree! Enjoy!

Ciao!

Happy Friday!! Gotta Love Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel’s Recipes For A Skinny Life! Have You Tried Her Mexican Chili Or Her Cocktails?? It is 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Right?? Salute!

Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel created a healthy way of living with her skinny recipes! From low carb, no carb to superfoods, she has paved the way for reinventing mac’n cheese, burgers and even desserts! It is no wonder she has gone from a Real Housewife of NY and “skinny chef” to having her own liquor line and a daytime talk show with her name “Bethenny!”

Photo courtesy of www.theartfulgourmet.com Kristen Hess! I popped on her site and picked up a quick recipe from Mario Lopez! Avocado, mozzarella, tomato salad on a toothpick! Add a basil leaf. Drizzle with olive oil - salt and pepper! What a great app, Slater!!
Photo courtesy of www.theartfulgourmet.com Kristen Hess! I popped on her site and picked up a quick recipe from Mario Lopez! Avocado, mozzarella, tomato salad on a toothpick! Add a basil leaf. Drizzle with olive oil – salt and pepper!

What a healthy and easy app, Slater!! Thanks!
What a healthy and easy app, Slater!! Thanks!

Whether you have tasted her Skinnygirl cocktails or love her balls to the wall attitude, Bethenny is a real mom with a great product! Who says what she thinks! Love that !!

I am a fan of Skinnygirl margarita! But Bethenny's skinny fried chicken recipe is amazing!
I am a fan of Skinnygirl margarita! I earned my shirt a long time ago when Bethenny’s skinny fried chicken recipe won over my family…amazing!

I want to share some of her favorite skinny recipes…from her book “Naturally Thin”
Try this recipe!

Bethenny’s Mexican Chili

According to Bethenny,

“This is a popular recipe on my Web site. It substitutes ground turkey for the typical ground beef; or you can just skip the turkey if you want a vegetarian version. If beans bug you, you can even leave those out. It will still be good. This chili also tastes great the next day!

Ingredients
1/2 medium onion, chopped
Nonstick cooking spray
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 each red and yellow bell pepper (or half a bell pepper of any color), chopped
1 small can of pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce (about 8 ounces)
1/2 cup zucchini, chopped
1/4 pound ground turkey breast
1/4 cup canned red pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Cooking Directions

Over medium-high heat, saute the onion in a nonstick skillet coated in cooking spray until soft. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the garlic and bell peppers, and cook until the peppers are soft and the garlic is golden but not burned.
Stir in the tomato sauce and the zucchini.
When all the vegetables are soft, add the turkey breast and beans.
Let the chili simmer for at least 10 or 15 minutes. The longer you simmer, the better the flavor.
Serve.”

This chili is awesome!! Plus it’s Friday!! Serve with Skinnygirl margaritas and tortilla chips for the perfect Friday happy hour! It is Lent…leave out the meat, no problem!

Ciao!!

Father, Son, Holy SHRIMP!- Try my Friday Menu! Panko Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw and OldBay Steamed Shrimp!

Why do we eat cheese pizza every Friday during Lent? Why do we wear our black blouse, silver jewels, favorite jeans and boots every time we don’t know what to wear? We are content-it is easy- everybody will eat it. There are many awesome alternatives! Have you ever tried quinoa??

Let me share with you a quick, delicious menu! Panko Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw and OldBay Steamed Shrimp!! Voila!
 

Panko Parmesan Zucchini fries

Ingredients:
2 zucchini peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick rectangles
2 eggs
1tbsp milk
1c.flour
2c.Panko bread crumbs
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:
Beat eggs and add milk
Set up your assembly line- zuchinni strips – beaten egg bath-flour, Breadcrumbs

Cut zucchini in half or leave long for long fries!
Cut zucchini in half or leave long for long fries!

Dip and dunk each stick!

Assembly line

Shake on your Parmesan!

Shake it on be generous!
Shake it on be generous!

Place on an untreated stoneware pan or a jelly roll pan sprayed with Pam.
Bake for 15mins at 400 degrees- flip for 10 mins. Until golden brown

Zucchini fries

Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw
Ingredients:
1/2 jar Mancini red peppers chopped

I use these for everything! Great as a Pizza topping!
I use these for everything! Great as a Pizza topping!

1/4 c.quinoa
1 bag coleslaw mix
1 can crushed pineapple
1tbsp. Spicy mustard
1tbsp. Olive oil
salt/pepper

Directions:

Boil quinoa for 10 mins.in 2 cups of water and then simmer for 15 mins

Boil and simmer with lid for 15 mins. Turn off heat until liquid is absorbed!
Turn off heat and let sit until liquid is absorbed!

In a large bowl mix coleslaw mix , red peppers, quinoa with spicy mustard, olive oil mixture

Add salt and pepper to taste!

Slaw

Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
I use equal parts beer- yes beer! – white vinegar and water! Excellent recipe!! Cook only until pink!! Once the water is at a boil throw in thawed shrimp!! Love love love!!!

Shrimp

Old Bay shrimp!
http://www.oldbay.com/Recipes/Shrimp/Appetizers/OLD-BAY-Steamed-Shrimp-with-Cocktail-Sauce.aspx

Miss Bella and I visited Penn Ave Fish Company today! We found the freshest seafood and a wonderful surprise!!! The best fish tacos I have found, yet..spicy!!! Sushi bar and a dining room if you visit for lunch. Just walk in and buy fresh fish!

Penn Ave Fish Company

Obsessed Right Now! Tory Burch and Fontina Cheese!!

I am in love!!!! Mama got some new shoes! Finally, I’m learning!! Why do we go every Spring to Macy’s sale and then TJMaxx and then DSW and buy 3 pair of flip flops on sale for $30-$40/ pair only to actually wear one pair ever on our feet all summer???? That’s $90! Let me introduce you to the Tory Burch thin enamel flip flop in khaki…

Tory Burch Thin Enamel Flip Flop Khaki
Tory Burch Thin Enamel Flip Flop Khaki

$50!! Get one pair now before Spring-in khaki! (They sell out fast!) You will love them! These flip flops compliment all of the current trends- maxi dresses, high lows, skinny jeans, spring summer sundresses, rompers…love, love, love. And you will, too!! OK, on to the cheese and totally delicious fontina white pizza recipe!

I am also obsessed with fontina cheese right now! It’s meltability (is that a word?) is incredible! which is why I recently began experimenting with fontina on pizza!
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Use to make mouth watering grilled cheese, paninis, even shredded beef sandwiches!! Here is my favorite recipe so far!

Fontina Fabulous -White Pizza
Ingredients:
Uncooked 12″pizza shell-Yep I do! ; )
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
2/3 cup of shredded fontina cheese
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella
Salt/pepper/basil/ rosemary/or your favorite Italian seasoning

Directions:
Preheat oven with pizza stone @ 375 degrees
Press garlic and mix with olive oil
Brush shell with oil/garlic leaving 1/2inch on outside edge untouched
Add shredded fontina, mozzarella

Bake for 10-15 mins until golden brown and cheese melted!

 

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Always top off with freshly grated Parmesan!! Enjoy!

A Must Have…Great Sauce!

Hello World!! All women need a great handbag, a great pair of pumps, and a phenomenal sauce! A delicious, super easy sauce is the key to happy stress- free entertaining! Start the sauce in the morning, boil some pasta, make a salad, pick up a loaf of fresh ciabatta and Voila! After realizing that my grandma’s sauce is impossible to replicate, I decided to make my own! I stripped it down and learned from countless episodes of “sauces gone wild.”

I realized I was burning my garlic! Pitch it and start over if this happens because it totally ruins the taste! No brown! I always use San Marzano tomatoes. Why? Their taste is absolutely incredible! The low acidity gives you a bold, rich flavor as opposed to a sour tasting sauce.  Red Pack will not cut it, the extra $2 is so worth it!!

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www.pennmac.com

I love the selection of tomatoes at Pennsylvania Macaroni  (you will find I get all of my fresh ingredients here) located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District! Or online!

So here is the most basic (still totally delicious) recipe:

Ingredients:
2cloves of garlic chopped
2tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
2 cans of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can water
4-5 basil leaves chopped
Salt/pepper
 
Directions:
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat add onions and sauté
Add garlic and press with a wooden spoon to release flavors
Cover pan with basil, ground pepper and sprinkle with salt.
Add 2 cans of tomatoes, 1 can tomato paste and 1 can of water to a stock pot and stir well
Add contents from frying pan
Cook on low- medium heat covered with the lid slightly propped.
 

Cook a pound of pasta. Add one spoon of sauce to serving bowl and coat to avoid pasta sticking together!

Always top off with freshly grated Parmesan!! Enjoy!