Recent Posts

Jalapeno Popper Macaroni and Cheese

Jalapeno Popper Macaroni and Cheese

Jalapeno Popper Macaroni and Cheese is one of our favorite cozy winter meals. Although it’s actually spring, our weather today is as cold as any winter day. So, I want to make a hot winter meal tonight to warm us up. I start this dish 

Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice

Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice

Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice is one of our favorite fish dinners. I start this dish by sprinkling my salmon with lots of spices. Then, I cook it in a skillet with a little butter. Next, I make some creamy coconut milk infused 

Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette is one of our favorite spring salads. I start this simple salad by tossing together lettuces, tomatoes, olives, red peppers, fresh mozzarella, and shaved Parmesan. Then, I added on my homemade Basil Pesto Vinaigrette. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this salad in only fifteen minutes. Secondly, I like that this salad is hearty enough to be a main course. I served it with some crusty Italian bread and it was a filling and delicious meal. Thirdly, I like that this is a meatless meal. Since, we don’t like to eat meat every day. And, lastly, we all love how delicious this salad is.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Food Processor- You’ll need this to make the Basil Pesto Vinaigrette.
  • A Salad Spinner- Use this to dry your salad greens. If your lettuce is wet the dressing will not cling to it.

The Ingredients Needed for Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

  • Parmesan Cheese- Use a vegetable peeler to shave large pieces off your Parmesan block.
  • Mozzarella Cheese- If you can use a good quality fresh mozzarella cheese. It is the star of this salad.
  • Olives- I used green Italian olives, but you can use whatever olives that you like.
  • Lettuce- Use a mixture of romaine and baby lettuces.
  • Olive Oil- I always use California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil. I like its nice mild flavor.
  • Vinegar- Use a white balsamic vinegar.
  • Garlic- I buy the peeled cloves and store them in my freezer.
  • Basil-Fresh basil is a must here.

How I Made my Salad

  • First, I tossed together all the salad ingredients.
  • Then, I made the Basil Pesto Vinaigrette in my food processor. Be sure to taste it to see if it needs more cheese or a pinch of salt.
  • Finally, I tossed it all together in a big bowl.

If you like pesto you need to try this delicious and fresh Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette.

Tossed S
Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
Tossed Salad with Ba

Tossed Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

A Tossed Salad filled with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, red peppers, olives, mozzarella, and Parmesan. And, topped with a Basil Pesto Vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad, Vegetables
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups chopped romaine and baby lettuce
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • ½ cup olives
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cut in half inch cubes
  • 1 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup sliced red onion
  • ½ cup shaved Parmesan

For the Basil Pesto Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, toss together the lettuces, cheeses, tomatoes, red onions, red peppers, and olives.
  • In the food processor, process together all the Basil Pesto Vinaigrette ingredients. Add as much dressing as you like to the salad bowl and toss it all together.
Keyword meatless, salad, vegetables
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Broccoli Cheddar and Bacon Quiche

Broccoli Cheddar and Bacon Quiche

Broccoli Cheddar and Bacon Quiche is one of our favorite spring dinners. I start this quiche by making a homemade pie dough. Then I fill the crust with bacon, steamed broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, eggs and creme fraiche. We like this quiche for several reasons. 

Beef Birria and Bean Enchiladas

Beef Birria and Bean Enchiladas

Beef Birria and Bean Enchiladas are one of our favorite winter dinners. I know it’s already spring, but here in New York it still feels like winter. So, we’re still enjoying cozy cold weather meals here. I start this dinner by braising the beef in 

Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad

Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad

Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad is one of our favorite winter salads. I start this recipe by roasting some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Then, I toss it with sliced oranges, goat cheese, red onions, pistachios, mint leaves, pomegranate arils, and spring greens. Finally, I drizzle on my Orange Vinaigrette. We like this salad for several reasons. First of all, I like that this salad can be made ahead of time. I often make this early in the day and then add the dressing right before serving. Secondly, I like that I can serve this salad as a main course. The chicken makes it very filling. And, lastly, we all love the fresh and delicious flavors in this salad.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Salad Spinner-Use this to dry all your salad greens. If your greens aren’t dry the dressing won’t cling to them.
  • A Small Jar- This is for shaking up your dressing. You could also whisk it in a bowl. But I like that I can store any leftover dressing right in the jar.
  • A Zester- This small tool is great for removing the orange zest.

The Ingredients Needed for Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad

  • Chicken- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I highly recommend Bell and Evans chicken. I find it to be much more tender than other brands. Especially, if you buy breasts that are on the smaller side.
  • Spring Greens- I really like the Earthbound Farms organic greens. They’re prewashed but I always wash them again in my salad spinner.
  • Oranges- Use navel oranges. Peel them and remove all the pith.
  • Red Onions- You could also use Vidallia onions.
  • Pistachios- I buy the shelled pistachios to save time.
  • Goat Cheese- I store my goat cheese in the freezer and defrost it before I need it.

How I Made my Salad

  • First, I roasted my chicken. Check the chicken after 20 minutes. If it’s still pink inside cook it five or ten minutes longer.
  • Next, I make the vinaigrette.
  • Finally, I toss together all the ingredients and serve it.
Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad
Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad
Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad

Orange and Roasted Chicken Salad

Sliced roasted chicken tossed with oranges, spring greens, goat cheese, and pistachios. Topped with an Orange Vinaigrette.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Vegetables:

  • 2 naval orange, peeled and sliced
  • ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup chopped pistachios
  • 4 cups spring greens
  • ½ cup sliced red onions
  • ½ cup pomegranate arils
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • 1 tbsp. orange zest

For the Orange Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp. orange zest
  • 1 tbsp. lemon balsamic or white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper

For the Roasted Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp. each extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ tsp. each ground cumin and oregano
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. fresh orange juice

Instructions
 

  • Begin by roasting the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the breasts in a small baking dish and top it with the rest of the ingredients. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle. Slice the chicken and set aside.
  • While the chicken is baking, mix together all the Vegetable ingredients.
  • Also, make the Orange Vinaigrette: Simply shake all the ingredients together in a small jar.
  • Toss the chicken with the vegetables. Add as much dressing as you like.
Keyword Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Crispy Orange Caramel Chicken

Crispy Orange Caramel Chicken

Crispy Orange Caramel Chicken is one of my family’s very favorite dishes. I have been making this dish regularly for many years. I start this dish by frying chicken until it’s very crispy. Then, I toss it with a sweet orangey caramel sauce. This is 

Steak and Snap Pea Salad with a Lime Mint Vinaigrette

Steak and Snap Pea Salad with a Lime Mint Vinaigrette

Steak and Snap Pea Salad with a Lime Mint Vinaigrette is one of our favorite Spring salads. I start this salad by marinating skirt steak in a Thai inspired marinade. Then, I grill the steak until it’s a perfect medium rare. Next, I make a 

Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls

Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls

Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls are one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this meal by cooking noodles, mushrooms, carrots, and spinach. Next, I pickle some radishes and carrots. Finally, I fry some eggs and serve it with the veggies on top of the noodles. While there are a few different parts to these bowls, I can make the whole thing in less than an hour. We like these bowls for several reasons. First of all, I like that there is no meat in this meal. While we like meat, we enjoy having lots of meatless meals. And, I promise between the mushrooms and eggs, you will not miss the meat. Secondly, I like that most of this meal can be made ahead of time. I can make everything ahead of time, except the eggs. Then, I just reheat all the warm parts in the microwave. Finally, we all love the spicy and delicious flavors in this dish.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Nonstick Skillet- I like to fry my eggs in this.
  • Bowls- You’ll need four bowls to serve this in. Or use four plates.

The Ingredients Needed for Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls

  • Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves and store them in my freezer.
  • Gochujang- This is a Korean sauce. You can find it in the Asian section of your market.
  • Lemon Juice- Use fresh lemon juice.
  • Rice Vinegar- This is a mild white vinegar. You can find it either with the vinegars or in the Asian section.
  • Sugar- Use granulated sugar.
  • Mushrooms- Regular white mushrooms are fine. Clean them well.
  • Cucumbers- I like to use the English cukes.
  • Radishes- Regular red radishes are fine here.

How I Made my Bowls

  • First, I cooked the warm veggies. Be careful to not burn them.
  • Next, I pickled the carrots and radishes.
  • Finally, I cooked the noodles and eggs. Don’t overcook the noodles.

If you like Korean inspired dishes, you need to try these tasty Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls.

Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls
Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls
Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls

Mushroom and Gochujang Noodle Bowls

Somen noodles topped with browned mushrooms, marinated carrots, radishes, and cucumbers, fried eggs, and gochujang sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tsp. gochujang
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 6 tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. sugar
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 pound sliced mushrooms
  • tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 9.5 ounces Somen noodles
  • 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
  • 1 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
  • 2 julienned carrots
  • 4 tsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp. sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the gochujang sauce: in a jar combine the gochujang, lemon juice, garlic, a quarter cup of the vinegar, and two tablespoons of the sugar.
  • Next, prepare the mushrooms: In a large skillet, melt the butter on medium heat. Cook the mushrooms with a half teaspoon of kosher salt and the pepper for thirty minutes, until all the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are brown.
  • Next, prepare the radishes and cucumbers. Sprinkle each with a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt and let sit ten minutes. Squeeze each dry. Stir in one tablespoon of rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of sugar to each vegetable.
  • Stir fry the carrots in a small skillet with a teaspoon each soy sauce and sugar, and a teaspoon of olive oil until they're crisp tender. Remove and keep warm.
  • Add the spinach to the pan along with a tablespoon of butter and cook until it's wilted. Add one teaspoon of sesame oil and one teaspoon of soy sauce.
  • Also, make the Somen noodles: Cook and drain them according to the package directions.
  • Fry four eggs. Serve the eggs and vegetables on top of the rice. Drizzle with the Gochujang sauce.
Keyword gochujang, meatless, rice bowl
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Burrata Topped Pappardelle Bolognese

Burrata Topped Pappardelle Bolognese

Burrata Topped Pappardelle Bolognese is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start this dish by making a big pot of rich Bolognese sauce. Then, I toss it with wide cut pappardelle pasta. Finally, I top my pasta with rich creamy burrata cheese. We like