Taco Soup

A hearty soup, perfect for winter. I got the idea from work... but I'm a meat-eater so this recipe uses the good stuff. :-) No soy crumbles here! Also a good alternative to a traditional chili if you're sick of the same 'ole! Super easy, filling, and well-rounded meal you can throw in the crock pot before work!

Taco Soup via Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/taco-soup-recipe/index.html

Chicken Enchiladas

I had a hankering to get busy in the kitchen this past weekend. It was the Jets first real season game against the Cowboys and a festive meal always gets me in the right mood! I decided on enchiladas, spanish rice, and red velvet cake... recipes to follow. :-) The enchiladas were tasty, creamy, and not too heavy.

Chicken Enchiladas via Epicurious:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Enchiladas-772

Chicken & Dumplings

I got a craving that I probably shouldn't have acted on last week... and this was the result. This was the delicious, hearty, calorie-filled, amazing result! In hindsight, this probably would have been a more appropriate meal for winter time, but what can you do! A craving is a craving. Luckily I had a lot of help in the consumption process. Everyone was a fan, and once again the Pioneer Woman has yet to let me down. Now I hear about her new show that's coming out on Food Network and I can't hardly wait!

Chicken & Dumplings via The Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/12/chicken-and-dumplings/

Swordfish Kabobs with Avocado Butter

Swordfish is my all time favorite fish, has been for as long as I can remember. I'm not a big fan of cooking fish myself, but when I saw the avocado tag-teamed with the swordfish in this recipe I just could not resist. This turned out great even on my indoor Cuisinart grill. This is a perfect summer dinner recipe. Avocado butter is to die for! You can make the butter ahead, it keeps in the fridge just fine... no gross browning like guacamole.

Swordfish Kabobs with Avocado Butter via Nestle USA:
http://nestleusa.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/fishin-in-the-garden-marinated-swordfish-with-avocado-butter/

Lemon Roasted Vegetables

I'm always looking for a way to gussy up some normally plain veggies and lemon zest has been on my mind as of late! Perfect pairing. The original recipe for this was just for lemon roasted potatoes, but I thought I would switch it up a bit and add some less starchy items to the mix. I did use some red potatoes, along with red and yellow bell peppers, and leeks. You can stick with just the potatoes like the recipe, or switch it up with your favorite veggies. This is a great pairing for a fish or chicken dish.

Lemon Roasted Potatoes via Bon Appetit:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Lemon-Roasted-Potatoes-364596

Black Bean-Pineapple Soup/Stew/Chili?

Let me start by apologizing for this horrible picture. My camera is on hiatus, but this turned out SO good, I absolutely had to include it on the blog. This combination of black beans and pineapple was an instant intrigue to me when I saw this recipe on foodgawker. Finally got around to trying it last night and I was so impressed! If other veggie/vegan dishes I had tried before tasted THIS good... I might actually consider passing on the meat. This is really simply, hearty, and super healthy. Enjoy.

Black Bean-Pineapple Soup/Stew/Chili via Fat Free Vegan Kitchen:

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/04/black-bean-pineapple-soup-stew-chili.html

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is a fond memory of my childhood. We used to get giant scoops of it for dinner from the hot deli at Gerrard's Market in Redlands when my Dad would take us grocery shopping with him. It was always so simple, yet hearty and delicious. This time around I tried to convince myself it was healthy and packed full of lean meat and veggies. :-) I did use 96% lean ground beef instead of the lamb. I doubt that made any difference. The end product was a success. I've been eating it for the last 3 days. So satisfying! I also added 1/3 cup grated parmesan to the mashed potatoes & garnished the top of the pie with paprika. (That's how Gerrard's used to do it!) Do a taste test for spices before you assemble the pie. I ended up adding some salt and cayenne. I always add cayenne!

Shepherd's Pie via Epicurious:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Shepherds-Pie-240224

MLT's Mac & Cheese

So we all know I'm a cheese-lover... I had the privilege of testing out someone else's mac & cheese recipe while in Arizona for Spring Training baseball in March. This dish was a true crowd pleaser (myself included). I'm giving up my first guest blog spot to a true winner & excellent hostess: Ms. Mary Louisa-Thompson! Remember: Cheese makes the heart grow fonder. Enjoy! 

MLT's Mac & Cheese via Mary-Louisa Thompson:

1 lb. box elbow macaroni

2 cans Campbell Cheese Soup

1 16 oz. Sour Cream

1 bag Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Salt, pepper, & garlic powder to taste

Sharp Cheddar & Parmesan to top dish

1. Put oven on 350.
2. Boil 1 box of elbow macaroni pasta, until soft.
3. Drain pasta.
4. Put pasta in a long, oblong, 13x9 glass casserole dish.
5. Mix in 2 cans of Campbell cheese soup, 1 16oz sour cream, 1 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese, pepper, garlic powder (milk is optional).
6. Cover the top with shredded Sharp cheddar cheese and then sprinkle Parmesan cheese over that.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and put in oven for 20 minutes.
8. Take aluminum foil off and put on broil for 5 minutes and then remove from oven when the top is lightly brown.

Spaghetti with Lemon & Olive Oil

I was SO delighted upon my arrival to San Jose to find a Whole Foods right around the corner from my new house! WIN! I had spotted this recipe on Smitten Kitchen a few weeks ago and then saw this fresh lemon pepper linguine at Whole Foods that I decided would be a perfect pasta for this dish. They also had these tequila-marinated shrimp on skewers that I grilled up quickly on the Cuisinart to top this luscious pasta with some protein. AMAZE. I did omit the heavy cream and arugula (didn't have any on hand), but this still turned out wonderful. I am LOVING lemon-carb-like sides lately... see this previous post for an irresistable lemon risotto: http://ovenphilosophy.blogspot.com/2011/02/most-perfect-meal-ever.html

Spaghetti with Lemon & Olive Oil via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/02/spaghetti-with-lemon-and-olive-oil-al-limone/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29

Best Lasagna Ever + Oven-Roasted Asparagus

This was the last meal I cooked in my Redlands apartment before the big move to San Jose. It didn't disappoint! This is also one of those great meals that you can make ahead. The lasagna was equally as good the next day. This was paired with some Yellowtail Bubbles Champagne & Peach Cobbler, (recipe to follow.) Hopefully I can find a Norcal crew that will be equally as appreciative of my cooking. Parting is such sweet sorrow!

The Best Lasagna Ever via the Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_lasagn/

Oven-Roasted Asparagus via the Pioneer Woman:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/11/oven-roasted-asparagus/

The Most Perfect Meal EVER

This is the ULTIMATE surf & turf. If you are planning on any kind of celebration feast, this is your meal! Pick your favorite dessert & wine and you are set for the ultimate feast. The flavors in this combination are undeniable. Each component is completely unique, but at the same time pairs together elegantly. Try this out for your next celebration and let me know about your response. Mine was a true crowd pleaser! Happy Valentines Day!

Lemon Risotto via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/06/catch-up-solstice-edition/

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Red Pepper via Epicurious:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Broccoli-with-Garlic-and-Red-Pepper-351031

Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp via Food Network:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/surf-and-turf-for-two-recipe/index.html

Porcini Crusted Filet Mignon with Fresh Herb Butter via Epicurious (& my previous blog entry)

http://ovenphilosophy.blogspot.com/2010/11/porcini-crusted-filet-mignon-with-fresh.html