Pasta, my greatest love… I can’t think of anything more comforting than curling up on the couch after a long day with a big bowl of pasta. It’s my ultimate comfort food and nothing fires up the serotonin in my brain quite like carbs tossed in a tasty sauce and generously dusted with finely grated…
Tag: easy
Fried Pork Chops with Pineapple Thyme Reduction
Whatever happened to pork chops? Do people still eat pork chops? Are they celebrated with great joy and gobbled down with sheer food lust like Homer Simpson? Granted it has been over 13 years since I have lived in my home country so I am not sure if they are still quite as popular…
Red Pesto made with Roasted Red Peppers and Cashews
Can’t get enough of roasted red peppers If you are a follower or even a fan of this blog, you’ll know that I love roasted red peppers (also pork belly, pasta and all things chicken but I digress). No offense to fresh, crunchy, raw red peppers, but roasted is where it is at. Soft, sweet…
Pork Shoulder and King Oyster Mushrooms Stir-Fry
How do I describe this pork and king oyster mushroom stir-fry? Well, it’s difficult to put in words. Have you ever eaten something that made you question why you don’t eat that exact same thing every day? A food that is so tasty, so layered in flavor, succulent, juicy, salty and just a little…
Lemon Pepper Calamari with a Lemon and Thyme Aioli
I dream of calamari. Crispy, tender, salty calamari with a dipping sauce I could pour all of my troubles into. Pair it with a pitcher of quality margaritas and it’s a delicious happy hour fantasy. I don’t know why I always picture this scenario alone. Probably because I would enjoy the solitude but…
Roasted tomato, anchovy and garlic spaghetti
Carbs Rule We’re big fans of carbs in this house. Can’t get enough of them. I know in this day and age, a statement like that can be controversial given the popularity of low carb diets and cauliflower everything. However, my husband is an avid cyclist who needs to (seemingly constantly) carb load for…
Seafood Stir-Fried in Thai Chili Paste (Nam Prik Pao)
What is Nam Prik Pao? Nam Prik Pao, or Thai chili paste, is a delicious concoction of mild red chilies, garlic, shallots and a tad of shrimp paste. Sweeter than it is spicy, Nam Prik Pao can very easily be transformed into a sauce that can rescue even the dullest of dishes. Stir fry…
Anchovy Pasta with Parmesan Breadcrumbs
There needs to be more anchovy pasta in the world Nowhere do I like anchovies more than in this pasta dish. Minced garlic and anchovies slowly cooked in olive oil and tossed with added breadcrumbs to soak up the oil and provide a bit of texture. Since I’m American and can’t help putting cheese on…
Kedgeree (Curried Rice with Scallions and Smoked Fish)
What is kedgeree? Kedgeree is a British breakfast dish inspired by the Indian rice and lentil dish of khichdi. To anglicize to fit to British tastes, the lentils were swapped out for the beloved breakfast fish that is the kipper (smoked herring). When it came upon my turn to make this dish, I…
Easy Vegan Friendly Tomato and Basil Sauce
Pizza, pasta and more This tomato basil sauce is as versatile as it is quick and easy to make. Use it as a base for your homemade pizza or pour it over some pasta for a quick meal. I personally love it spooned over crispy chicken to make Chicken Parmesan. Just take some smashed…
Spicy Spanish Chorizo and Tomato Pasta Sauce
Salty Spanish Chorizo in a light garlic and tomato sauce with a bit of added heat. Serve over pasta for a delicious and easy meal.
Thai Chili Paste, Garlic and Ginger Pork Belly
If you are what you eat, than I am a mess of pork belly. This fatty pork remains my Achilles heal of food weaknesses. Granted I don’t eat it as much as I want but, when I do, it has to be cooked to perfection. Now, in my humble opinion, no (vast)…
Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff without Dill Sauce
No Dill, no problem. Beef Stroganoff is one of those dishes that remind me of my childhood. The tender beef, the succulent mushrooms all in a creamy sauce over a pile of egg noodles. It was always quickly devoured up in our house. The only problem with trying to recreate…
Pasta Primavera with Oven Roasted Vegetables
Springtime is here! In Italian, Primavera means springtime. Springtime with its awakening gardens and brighter days. So it makes sense that a pasta primavera be filled with all the garden has to offer. A colorful rainbow of fresh vegetables and mushrooms. Now if I am going to toss all those lovely fresh vegetables together with…
Chicken and Pineapple Poached in Soy and Sesame Sauce
For me as a kid, nothing was as big of a bummer as being served Hawaiian pizza. This was a time in my life when I keep the sweet and savory completely separate. To quote my father, “Leave the fruit in the bowl”. So I did just that and painstakingly removed all…
Creamy and Savoury Carrot and Leek Soup
Put that veg in a soup! If you are like me and struggle with getting your beloved family members to eat more vegetables, then this soup is for you. Loaded with veg and full of flavor, my husband and child are none the wiser to my diabolical plan of getting them both…
Non-Traditional Cheesy and Foolproof Carbonara
When I’m feeling particularly hedonistic, I find myself time and time again throwing together pasta carbonara for a decadent meal. One day I found myself in the midst of putting it all together when I discovered that there just wasn’t enough Parmesan cheese to make it to my liking. Still, the bacon was…
Vegetarian Bean and Cheese Crispy Burritos
I have fond childhood memories of my mother going to Taco Time and coming back with crispy burritos for my brother, sister and I. Long and crispy and wrapped in that crispy paper bag with unsealed open ends on both sides…I can hear myself crunching into it now. Recently I…
Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit
Weeks ago, I had a multi course Italian themed dinner party complete with anti-pasti, pasta, carne and dessert. As with most dinner parties, this little get together entailed quite a bit of work and prep, leading me to the conclusion that a dessert made the day or night before was best. What is easier…
Croque Monsieur (French Ham and Cheese Sandwich)
Ham and cheese sandwich, en français The French do many things well when it comes to food however they are not particularly creative when it comes to sandwich making as can be seen in the Croque monsieur. You likely won’t find new and innovative ingredients between 2 pieces of bread but you will find quality. …