Posts Tagged ‘cheese’

I’ve never met a carb I didn’t like. And this Parmesan Black Pepper Focaccia has become a bit of an obsession ever since I started developing the recipe a few weeks ago. The first batch was too dense. The second batch tasted good, but was too wet. The third batch was getting close, but my [...]

I’m the first to admit that when I entertain, my focus is on the entree and dessert, with appetizers being a bit of an afterthought. I usually prepare, and I use the word “prepare” very loosely, a riveting cheese plate and my guacamole, whether it goes with the night’s Italian/Moroccan/Hungarian/Asian menu or not (I know, [...]

I wouldn’t go within 18 feet of a mushroom before the age of 20. Now, I can’t get enough of them. They’re delicious raw, irresistible when roasted and unbeatable when sauteed. So when I came across this mushroom appetizer on one of my favorite blogs, I was ecstatic to spruce it up and give it [...]

My fridge is stocked with endless sorts of meats and cheeses. The pantry is loaded with my favorite childhood snacks. The counter is overflowing with fresh fruit and homemade funfetti cake. Yep, my mom Noni must be visiting. I came home today to one of the most amazing spreads of sweet and savory tastes. It [...]

I’m not the type of person who turns to food for comfort, so I’ll spare you the Star Jones “food never judged me” speech. But this pizza was undeniably the result of a much needed emotional release. To me, that’s the beauty of cooking - it’s a welcome distraction in my mind, allowing me to [...]

I’d been dying to put my stash of refrigerated pie dough to use, and these finger-friendly appetizers featured in a recent issue of Cuisine at Home were the perfect solution. I spiced up the mix of sweet corn and bacon with roasted chilies that I charred over an open flame. You can prepare the [...]

One portobello mushroom has about 30 calories and no fat or cholesterol. The hearty mushrooms are great substitutes for meat and cook up quickly over a grill. Fresh garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil season the portobellos while the tomato, basil and mozzarella toppings add Caprese-inspired flavors to the meal. Tuck the ingredients into soft, [...]

From recessionary-themed dinner parties to “recessipes,” we’re all feeling the crunch. And I’m not talking about the sound of my hand diving into a bag of potato chips. Tough economic times means even tighter budgets, and I’ve found that shopping what’s in season is the number one way to cut costs. In addition to being [...]

This recipe represents a balanced meal all in one dish. Whole grains, protein-packed chickpeas and vitamin rich spinach offer endless health benefits, while onions sauteed in cumin and paprika provide all the flavor. Rice pilaf is a great substitute for heavier pastas and absorbs any flavor of the ingredients it’s combined with. And if the [...]

This recipe combines the flavors of garlic, cilantro and cumin into chimichurri, an authentic Argentinian sauce and marinade. Using the chimichurri as a sauce, this recipe is part pizza, part quesadilla. Leaving the quesadilla open-face allows the tortilla to crisp up and adds a visual benefit to enjoying the meal. You can toss on some [...]