Tag: cooking


Jun
2012

Coconut Pancakes

categories: Recipes

I love all things coconut, especially during the summer.  I also love all things pancake – so when I saw this recipe for sweet and salty coconut pancakes posted on G+ I just had to try it.

Coconut milk is used in the pancake batter to give it coconut flavor.  But what really makes these pancakes stand out is the coconut syrup made with maple syrup, coconut milk, brown sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt to bring in that Thai flavor combo of sweet and salty (like coconut sticky rice, or salted caramel).

These are some seriously tasty pancakes.  Really.  Make them.  Right now. (more…)


Jun
2012

Phyllo Wrapped Salmon with Pea Salad

categories: Recipes

In my ever-continuing quest for salmon recipes, I came across this one for salmon topped with goat cheese and baked inside phyllo dough – yum!  Who wouldn’t want to eat that?  I wanted something pretty light to balance out the dish, so I decided on a fresh pea, feta, and prosciutto salad that was great as a side, but also good enough to eat on its own. (more…)


May
2012

Food ‘n Flix – Sideways

categories: Recipes

This is my second month to be a part of the Food ‘n Flix bloggers’ circle (see here for my first month).  This month is hosted by Tina at Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor; and she has chosen the movie Sideways to be our inspiration.

Sideways is a movie about friendship, relationships, happiness, and most of all – WINE.  Set in Napa Valley, vineyards and wineries provide the background to the film and wine almost becomes a character itself.

I wanted to make something that would feel like it belonged in Napa Valley, and that would pair well with wine.  I thought about coffee rubbed pork with a wine sauce, or braised ribs, but eventually I settled down on something simple and fresh – Focaccia with grapes, rosemary, pine nuts, olive oil, and sea salt served with fresh homemade ricotta. (more…)


May
2012

Creamy Chicken and Pasta

categories: Recipes

This is a pretty decadent dinner, but sometimes we need a little comfort (and a lot of cream).  “Melt in Your Mouth” Chicken is topped with seasoned mayonnaise and baked to make it juicy and flavorful.  Creamy Lemon and Chive Farfalle is surprisingly light – with the gentle flavors of white wine, shallot, lemon, and chives. (more…)


May
2012

Spring Orzo Dishes

categories: Recipes

I was looking for a light (but filling) Spring side dish and stumbled upon this recipe for a Zucchini and Orzo Salad with Feta – perfect!  It was so delicious and refreshing that I ended up eating it by itself for lunch instead of pairing it with salmon like I had intended.

But I did still need a side for the salmon, and I had extra orzo and some Mascarpone that I needed to use up.  So I made this Creamy Mascarpone Pasta with Peas and Chives – yum! (more…)


Apr
2012

Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Casserole

categories: Recipes

I am obsessed with all things spinach and artichoke right now, it must be Spring getting to me.  Tossed in a casserole with chicken, pasta, and cheese these veggies become instant comfort food (similar to my long time favorite Spring Shells casserole).  This comes together quickly and only needs to bake for 10-15 minutes, just enough to brown the top (all the ingredients are already cooked). (more…)


Apr
2012

Food and Flix – Big Night

categories: Recipes

Last week, I stumbled upon this really cool concept blog called Food ‘n Flix that invites bloggers to watch a movie, make a dish inspired by the movie, then blog about it.  This month, the movie is Big Night (hosted by Spabettie) starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub as two hilarious Italian brothers that own a restaurant together.  In order to save the restaurant from bankruptcy, they risk everything they have on one extravagant dinner to impress a celebrity singer.

I loved the movie, it was cute and funny and well acted, and it made me SO HUNGRY.  It inspired me to make a Tricolore Lasagna in the colors of the Italian flag (green, white, and red). (more…)


Apr
2012

Beefy Macaroni and Cheese

categories: Recipes

Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese?  Seriously.  Because I do.  I even love the kind from the box, powdered cheese and all (I know it’s wrong, don’t hate me).  Growing up, Hamburger Helper was a special treat that we would get really excited for – so when I found this recipe for a homemade version, I couldn’t wait to try it. (more…)


Apr
2012

Anniversary Dinner

categories: Recipes

A few weeks ago, we celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary!  We went on a lovely trip to Texas over the weekend, but our actual anniversary fell on a Tuesday.  We had plans to eat at some very nice restaurants on our trip, so we decided to stay in on our anniversary and have a nice home-cooked meal.  I made steak with compound butter, spinach and Gruyere souffle, and vanilla bean panna cotta with mixed berries. (more…)


Apr
2012

Easter Dinner

categories: Recipes

We didn’t really do anything for Easter this year, and I didn’t want to let it pass without a little bit of celebration – so I made some adorable little egg dishes in honor of the holiday. (more…)