I was at the store the other day grabbing some vinegar when I happened to notice a small bottle of Balsamic Reduction for sale, right next to the Balsamic Vinegar I was buying to make a reduction. But lemme tell ya, it was pricey! The bottle was darling, though, with a cute little cork, but even that couldn’t justify paying that much for a Simple Balsamic Reduction.
Simple Balsamic Reduction
I think these Cider & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are going to be my new signature app. There’re scrumptious little bites that are going to be a hit as an hors-d’oeuvre at a cocktail party, a starter for a family feast (especially Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years) or snack on game day.
Cider & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
You know the other day, I posted out my recipe for Poor Man’s Mock Prime Rib, and I wanted to get you my recipe for Creamy Horseradish Sauce to go with it. I know Thanksgiving is looming and I have a few recipes coming up, but I wanted to tie up this loose end, first. Just as a teaser, don’t forget to watch for my easy and outstanding chocolate tart, because the Holidays can’t be all about the pumpkin!
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
When I worked on my family history, I was surprised to find out how many Pennsylvania Dutch & Amish ancestors I had. Of course, those ancestors multiply quickly as you work back. You start with 4 grandparents, then 8 great, then 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and by the time you get back a few more generations you realize that you’re related to half the people in the US! Our good neighbor in South Dakota was a 9th cousin! Hi Auntie Mary! But what I’m getting at I’m wondering if I have a predisposition for the sweet/sour flavors so often found in Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, and especially this Pennsylvania Dutch Broccoli & Bacon? Is there a gene for that?
Pennsylvania Dutch Broccoli & Bacon
Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish is the final condiment that I made to go with the fabulous Home Style Chicken Shawarma I made earlier in the week. And that was fabulous and can be made on the grill or on a sheet pan. Gotta love that! (I’m a little relieved that this is the final post because I have a cake coming up – and what a cake! Now that’s a shameless teaser, isn’t it?)
Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish
A lot of that recipe and the condiments to go with it, the Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce, the Zhoug and this recipe for the Sumac Red Onion & Cucumber Relish came from Chef Ottolenghi, the famed London Chef who’s known for kind if mixing things up and breaking a few rules to delicious effect.
I’m a huge fan of Sun-Dried Tomatoes like these Oven Dried Tomatoes (or Un Sun Tomatoes I hear them called sometimes!) And I’m a fan of Slow Roasted Tomatoes, too. Both have such an intensity and are so easy. But taking those intense tomatoes and make a dressing/vinaigrette like this Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette is a way to get incredible flavor with very little effort!
Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
I grew up on Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad and if you’re from the Midwest, I bet you did, too! There’s just nothing like fresh garden beans soaking up all the sweet, tangy marinade!
Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad
It’s a perfect summer salad for a potluck or to have on hand to fill out dinners or lunches. On a hot day, Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad is so cool and refreshing!
I’ve been on a bit of a Meditteranean kick. I’m trying to health up the rest of the summer, at least until Labor Day comes. Besides it’s August and it’s hot and it’s humid (whine whine whine) and I want to eat (and cook) cool and light. And so I made Greek Brown Rice Salad to go with my soon to be posted Spicy Beef & Feta Skewers.
Spicy Beef & Feta Skewers with Greek Brown Rice Salad (made with Instant Pot Brown Rice)
I just did a post for Horiatiki Greek Salad not too long ago. Gosh, that was good. And I wanted to carry some of those flavors forward with a little twist. Funny how I listed so many variations of our American Style Greek Salads, but I didn’t mention or think about combining it with rice, let alone brown rice.
A bit of cooked Barley was the “by-product” of my Healthy Lemon Ginger Barley Water recipe awhile back. Well, if you know me, you know I try to waste nothing, and sure didn’t want to waste a morsel of wonderful, chewy, nutty Barley. (I love it, and so should you, btw! It’s really good for you!) And so I went on a quest and that quest ended in this Salad with Smoky Sheet Tray Roasted Vegetables & Barley. It’s a lot to use a cup of Barley, huh?!
Salad with Smoky Sheet Tray Roasted Vegetables & Barley
I can hardly wait for the summer tomatoes to make big, gorgeous salads. And this one qualifies. It’s a straight up play on the classic BLT…behold the Bacon Lettuce Tomato Salad.
Bacon Lettuce Tomato Salad
If there is ever a show stopper of a dessert that’s really just a big, easy “cheat” it’s got to be Pavlova. And this White Balsamic Strawberry Pavlova is a perfect ending for a summer party.
White Balsamic Strawberry Pavlova
It seems I’m all about the summer party recipes, lately, not my typical everyday fare! (See the explanation marks? That proves it!) And this Loaded Baked Potato Salad is definitely one. Heck, it’s a party in a bowl.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
I wasn’t sure whether to call these Old Fashioned Marinated Carrots or Classic Marinated Carrots, but either way they’re delicious, especially in the Summer. They’re cool and refreshing. The Marinade is almost like a tangy Catalina (or “French” dressing, if you’re as old as I am) and they’re the perfect thing for a summer picnic or potluck.
Classic Marinated Carrots
When I made my Lechon Asado the other day, of course, I made Cubano Sandwiches with the leftovers. I love love love Cubanos! I wasn’t feeling the usual suspects, fries or chips as a side. No, I wanted something bright, fresh and summery. So why not Cuban Cabbage Salad?
Cuban Cabbage Salad
I have a thing for Cabbage Rolls and try to make a pan of them every year. This year, though, I decided to “roll” all those flavors into Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup, instead. No worries if you don’t have an Instant Pot because the stove-top instructions are here, too.
Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
My Grandma’s Refrigerator Pickled Beets are a simple, classic pickled beet that makes just enough to fill a jar. Because Grandma’s Refrigerator Pickled Beets are so easy, you can just knock them out when you have a few minutes.
Grandma’s Refrigerator Pickled Beets
I’m still working on a few leftovers from Easter, how about you? One thing I love to do is make soup with my ham. This year I made a Honey Glazed Cajun Spiced Ham, so I knew that Cajun Ham & Rice Soup would bring those flavors home.
Cajun Ham & Rice Soup
If you follow me (and if you don’t, please do!) you know I posted about my Dozen Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot the other day. So now I’m making lots & lots of egg stuff. I love my Egg Salad and my Classic Deviled Eggs but needed a changeup, so I hatched up (ahem!) the idea for these Deviled Eggs with Bacon & Smoked Paprika.
Deviled Eggs with Bacon & Smoked Paprika
Sometimes you just need a little something to fill out a meal or a lunch, and this Carrot & Cabbage Slaw will hit the spot every time. Super easy and fast to make, this is a great little back pocket recipe to know.
Carrot & Cabbage Slaw
When was the last time you had Black-Eyed Peas? And how about the last time you had Black-Eyed Pea & Rice Salad? If you only think about Black-Eyed Peas on New Years (they’re lucky and I have a recipe for Traditional Black Eyed Peas on my site) or as the strange little bean in Cowboy Caviar, think again.
Black Eyed Pea & Rice Salad
When I made my Steak Ramen Bowls with Chipotle Yum Yum Sauce, I wanted to toss some Pickled Carrot & Daikon in them. Depending on where you live, they can be hard to find, so I made mine.
Simple Pickled Carrots & Daikon
If you grew up in the Midwest or any area with German (or Eastern European) roots, you might have grown up with this hearty & healthy soup. And you already know that Smoked Sausage and Cabbage Soup is absolute comfort food. A bowl of this will warm you up from the inside out even on the coldest days.
Smoked Sausage & Cabbage Soup
These Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts are pretty special. Roasted to perfection, they’re gorgeous as is, but you’ll want to take these one step further: Finish them off with a sweet, tart White Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brussels Sprouts, Dried Cherries, and a White Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette
There’s nothing like a little Mexican food when you’re just absolutely over Christmas & Christmas leftovers & New Years and New Years leftovers. And then there were the leftovers from the leftovers. So change it up and make enchiladas!
Home-made Enchilada Sauce, quick & from the pantry.
Caramelized Onions are my JAM! Well, not literally, but there’s an idea, for a recipe, huh? But today, I used them in a healthier Skinny Caramelized Onion Dip. Perfect to take to a party or serve at home.
Skinny Caramelized Onion Dip
I always make my salad dressings. Oh, I may have an “emergency” bottle in the fridge but I just pretty much ignore it.
Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
It’s been about a year since I last posted a recipe for a Panzanella – that would have been during our last glut of tomatoes. This year I wanted to change things up a bit and go Greek style.
Greek Panzanella with Seasoned Oven Roasted Pita Triangles
We’re finally getting some cool days and that means the tomatoes in our little garden will be slowing down. I snuck a few to make this very easy Rustic Tomato & Cararmelized Onion Galette.
Easy, Rustic Tomato & Caramelized Onion Galette
