Smoky Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon Topping

Adapted from and Inspired by Bakeaholic Mama I recognize that I use every excuse in the book to eat anything dripping with cheese and/or bacon….but this time I really needed some comfort food.  If any of you have ever had a pinched nerve in your back, you know what I’m saying.  Ouch!  Although I was… Continue reading Smoky Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon Topping

Pan-Seared, Blackened Flounder

The secrets to a really tasty piece of blackened fish are 1) a really tasty Creole seasoning, and 2) not overcooking the fish.  I use a slightly modified version of  Emeril’s recipe for Creole Seasoning – because he should know, right?  The seasoning is easy to make fresh with your own spices, and it’s really… Continue reading Pan-Seared, Blackened Flounder

Seared Sea Scallops over Zucchini Ribbons with Goat Cheese

This is the first weekend we’ve had in Atlanta that really felt like spring, with temperatures warm enough to sit outside comfortably in the sunshine without shivering.  There are trees and flowers bursting out with blooms and things are getting greener by the day.  Nice time of year to be in the Southeast! These plump… Continue reading Seared Sea Scallops over Zucchini Ribbons with Goat Cheese

Chicken Lasagna with Mushrooms and Fontina Cheese

Modified from Daniel Boulud’s Chicken Lasagna I have to warn you straight up about this recipe – it is incredibly rich.  Not rich as in “I always fly first class.”  Not rich as in “We fly our own plane and have a time-share ski cabin in Aspen.”  It’s rich like “Please have the pilot ready… Continue reading Chicken Lasagna with Mushrooms and Fontina Cheese

Spring Rolls with “No-Peanut” Sauce

Are there foods that you suddenly have an powerful desire for?  I’m sure this happens to us all, whether it is for chocolate fudge or Chex Mix (ahem).  I wonder what drives those cravings.  Is it simply the power of suggestion, or is there some physical or psychological need that is begging to be filled?… Continue reading Spring Rolls with “No-Peanut” Sauce

Chicken Tamale Casserole (with Roasted Tomatillo, Cilantro and Green Chile Sauce)

When we are in Santa Fe, I like to attempt at least one Southwestern-inspired dish, and with that, hopefully add an ingredient that is new to me. This recipe for Chicken Tamales sounded interesting and included tomatillos – a tart little tomato-like fruit that I have not cooked with before. However, I didn’t want to… Continue reading Chicken Tamale Casserole (with Roasted Tomatillo, Cilantro and Green Chile Sauce)

Smashed Red Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary

Inspired by Love That Food It’s vacation time, and you gotta indulge.  Since white potatoes are not normally in our diet, when we have them we want them to be extra-special.  This recipe for “smashed” potatoes is like the bridge between roasted and mashed – they are boiled until tender, then flattened and crushed so… Continue reading Smashed Red Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary

Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast

Outside of winter holidays, we rarely have turkey.  For some reason, I never think about turkey – and for the two of us, even a small whole turkey is too much.  A 2-3 pound turkey breast, however, is just right for a meal or two, plus a couple of sandwiches.  I ordered this boneless, skinless… Continue reading Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast

Zucchini Noodles with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Who’s a fool for sauce?  I don’t know about you, but if there’s a sauce or condiment I can drench my food with, I will do it.  My husband, not so much.  Not too long ago, I made some salmon patties and asparagus – and on a whim, whipped up a quick lemon-butter sauce to… Continue reading Zucchini Noodles with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Game Day / Party Food Roundup

There’s a big day coming up soon in the US for football enthusiasts.  We rarely watch sporting events, but we appreciate any excuse to graze through party food and make a meal of appetizers.  I’m not sure what we’ll be feasting on this year, but here’s some ideas from our archives. You can’t have a… Continue reading Game Day / Party Food Roundup

Crème Brûlée

Modified from Bon Appétit After my last episode of playing with fire in the kitchen, you might be surprised to see me back in there with a blowtorch.  Rest assured, nothing was engulfed in flames! This is my go-to recipe for crème brûlée that I found on Epicurious years ago.  I’ve since modified it to… Continue reading Crème Brûlée

Seared Tuna Steaks with Spicy No-Carb “Miracle” Noodles

Last week a wise reader alerted me to a zero carb, low-calorie noodle called “Shirataki de Konjac” – well, that’s what they are called in France.  (Thanks, Donna!)  I did a little research and found that shirataki are are thin, translucent, gelatinous noodles made from the konjac yam (also known as elephant yam or devil’s… Continue reading Seared Tuna Steaks with Spicy No-Carb “Miracle” Noodles

“Great Balls of Fire” Bourbon Mustard Sauce

Hat tip to Pork n Whiskey blog! Bourbon, mustard, and pork…great combination!  Oh look, the recipe says to flambé the bourbon.  “I can do that”, I think to myself.  “This will make a great photo for the blog”, I tell James.  I set my phone on the butcher block, in camera mode.  I want to… Continue reading “Great Balls of Fire” Bourbon Mustard Sauce