I’ve never quite understood why so many people favor boneless chicken breasts over bone-in ones. Bone-in breasts, properly prepared, are so much more juicy, tender and delicious. Here is a method for roasting bone-in chicken breasts in the oven that is virtually foolproof. The recipe is for two chicken breasts but can easily be doubled. Give it a try! Ingredients: 2 bone-in c … [Read more...]
Classic Cheese Fondue
For New Year's Eve this year, my wife and I are planning to celebrate at home by opening a great bottle of wine and enjoying homemade cheese fondue. This is a basic recipe for classic Swiss-style cheese fondue that's easy to make and pretty much foolproof. Ingredients: 1 garlic clove, halved 1 pound Gruyère cheese, grated 1/2 pound Emmentaler cheese or o … [Read more...]
Harissa Mussels with Chorizo
Ever since I first visited Brussels, I’ve loved steamed mussels and make them at home frequently. They are very easy and quick to prepare. I have about a dozen different steamed mussels recipes that I use and this is one of my favorites. It’s got a Moroccan flair with the use of spicy harissa paste and chorizo. Many markets carry harissa, but if you can’t find it you could subst … [Read more...]
Recipe for Tender Roasted Pork Loin
This is a very easy, but delicious, recipe for roasted boneless pork loin (not tenderloin) that makes for a terrific fall/winter main dish. The recipe is based on one published on a food website called Kitchn. Ingredients: 1 (3- to 4-pound) boneless pork loin roast 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black … [Read more...]
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
After Thanksgiving winds down, I always look forward to using some of the turkey leftovers to make turkey tetrazzini. Although it sounds like an Italian dish, tetrazzini was created in America at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, and named for opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, who was a long-time hotel resident. Ingredients: 12 oz. spaghetti or other pasta or noodles … [Read more...]
Quick and Easy Pad Thai
Pad Thai might seem like one of those dishes that you can only get in restaurants. However, it is surprisingly quick and easy to make at home. The key is to have all of the ingredients prepped and ready to go, since the actual cooking time for this recipe is just a matter of a few minutes. Ingredients: 8 ounces flat rice noodles (I like linguine or fettuccine width) 2-3 … [Read more...]
Chicken Fried Rice
One of my wife’s favorite comfort foods is Chinese-style fried rice. It’s one of mine, too. Fried rice is a good way to utilize leftover rice, chicken or other foods you might happen to have on hand. And, while this recipe is for fried rice with chicken, you could easily use shrimp, ham or other favorite proteins, or just make veggie fried rice. The key to success here is to hav … [Read more...]
Braised Chicken Quarters with Herbs
This braised chicken is a terrific fall dish, full of hearty, robust flavor. If you prefer to use individual chicken thighs and legs as opposed to chicken thigh-leg quarters, go for it! The chicken and sauce is excellent with rice, noodles or mashed potatoes alongside. Ingredients: 3 Tbs. olive oil 4 bone-in chicken thigh and drumstick quarters (or separate thighs & … [Read more...]
Crawfish & Andouille Fettuccine
This recipe is a Cajun-Creole slant on popular fettuccine Alfredo, with the creaminess of a cheesy Alfredo sauce combined with andouille sausage and crawfish from Louisiana. Based on an original recipe from Louisiana Chef John Folse, this is a very rich and delicious dish that your family will love. Ingredients: 12 ounces fettuccine, cooked al dente 1 pound crawfish … [Read more...]
Red Curry Tofu
Here is a vibrant tasting vegetarian dish with very robust flavors. Although there are a fair number of ingredients, don’t let that deter you. It’s actually a pretty simple recipe in terms of technique and time. Once you have everything prepped, the cooking is pretty rapid. My version is an adaptation of a recipe that first appeared in the New York Times. Ingredients: 14 oun … [Read more...]