Blog of Ten

It's that time of year again...end of the year, heck, end of a decade! Everywhere you look there is a top ten list, best ofs....well, I am no exception apparently! It's the end of a decade, so I, in Rachel Ray style, have compiled a list of my favorites that I have not shared with you yet. Hope you enjoy!

1. Favorite Cake: Raspberry Ripple Cake. With fruit on top, it's almost like not eating a dessert! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/raspberry-ripple-cake-recipe/index.html

2. Favorite Homemade Snack: Granola. All the snack foods I love smooshed together. Thinking about it makes me want to go for a hike right now! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/homemade-cranberry-nut-granola-recipe/index.html

3. Favorite Dip: Rocco's Healthy Artichoke Dip. So simple and always wins raves at a party. And at 17 calories per tablespoon...no guilt! No link, but it's really too simple: drain 14oz can of artichokes, chop and put in microwave dish, stir in 3/4c low fat plain yogurt and 1c fresh parmigiana-reggiano, 2 gloves garlic and 2T fresh basil. Microwave 3 minutes on high. stir. microwave 2 min more. serve with pita chips.

4. Favorite Salad: Village Salad. Here's the thing, I love Greek Salad, but not olives, so this is perfect for me! It's another snap to put together and always wins raves reviews. Chop 8 oz feta, 2 medium tomatoes, 1 lg cucumber, and 1 medium onion. Toss with 1/2c Italian dressing.

5. Favorite Side Dish: Mesa Grill's Southwest Potato Salad. You know I love anything from Bobby Flay, but this is the dish I always bring for a summer BBQ. A lot of ingredients, but soooo worth it! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/mesa-grills-southwestern-potato-salad-recipe2/index.html

6. Favorite Comfort Food: Hamburger Stroganoff. I don't know what it is about it, but every once in a while, I have to have it! http://www.cheapcooking.com/Recipes/hamburgerstroganoff.htm

7. Favorite Quick Winter Dinner: Italian Garden Soup. sshhh. Don't tell anyone it was this simple! Pretend you slaved all day! :) http://recipes.delmonte.com/dlm/Recipe.aspx?id=1102

8. Favorite Alternative to ordering a pizza: Pizza Crudo. I have a new love for chiabatta bread, and I have always been a pizza fan, so this is the best of both worlds! http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipes/rachael-ray-30-minute-meals/Pizza-Crudo

9. Best Burger: Latin Burgers with Caramelized Onion and Jalapeno Relish and Red Pepper Mayonnaise. Doesn't the title sell itself? Meaty, creamy, spicy, trust me, the men in your life will thank you for this one! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ingrid-hoffmann/latin-burgers-with-caramelized-onion-and-jalapeno-relish-and-red-pepper-mayonnaise-recipe/index.html

10. Best reason to run the oven all day: Chianti Braised Short Ribs. You know how much you enjoy that glass of Chianti with dinner?? Well, just think about how good dinner would be if you cooked it IN your Chianti...exactly! http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/dinner-recipes/Chianti-Braised-Short-Ribs

Well, that's it folks. Another year, another list, another reason to flip on the Food Network! Happy New Year Everyone! Here's to a fantastic 2010 filled with joy.

Hanukkah Happiness

There are many things I miss about living in LA, but one of the biggest ones is living right around the corner from the lovely Sarah. She is not only a friend to the end, but she cooks up a mean Traditional Jewish Holiday Meal. I have come to crave her Brisket the second any holiday comes around. Without her to teach me, I went to where I go for all of my inspiration.....The Food Network, and my gal Sunny Anderson. This brisket is simple and yummy, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/20-clove-brisket-recipe/index.html. I have been eating the leftovers on a baguette with a lovely horseradish sauce, and using the juice as a dip....yum!

Since I have not yet coerced Sarah into giving me her Kuegel recipe, I made some comfort sides to go along with it. What is better than cheesy, gooey, Scalloped Potatoes? http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/scalloped-potatoes-recipe/index.html

or a creamy veggie topped with cheese and crunchy onions? Try this Swiss Casserole: http://www.campbellkitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=27341&EID=2624&MID=2948428&LID=1519 (I use the frozen broccoli/cauliflower mix, and omit the carrots....not my favorite!)

I may not be Jewish, but I am a fan of comfort food and Holiday traditions. This is one tradition that I will continue for years to come. Thank You Sarah, for being my friend and my inspiration! XOXO

PJs Please!

This past weekend was one of those lazy, rainy weekends that just begs you to stay in your PJs, cozy up with a book or a movie, or in my case, the Food Network! Nothing screams comfort like a big pot of something yummy bubbling on the stove, so here is what I made to comfort my soul and my belly!

First off, a copycat of my favorite restaurant foods, Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli Soup. All the comfort of going to the restaurant, without leaving the house! I really does taste exactly like the original and it was so easy and quick-cooking. http://www.copykat.com/2009/03/29/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli/.

Next up, for those of you who now me, know I love sandwiches....and this one does not disappoint! I am so in love with this sandwich, which is a meal in itself! This Cuban Style Monte Cristo still has my mouth watering for more! http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/cuban-style-monte-cristos-pineapple-slaw/.

Lastly, it wouldn't be comfort with out something sweet to top off your meal, so I made a Pumpkin Bundt Cake. The credit on this one goes to the Libby Pumpkin Bread Kit. It is hard to find, but it makes delicious, moist cake, that is so simple and makes the house smell fantastic!

I hope you enjoy these on your next rainy, lazy weekend. I'm off to dream some more about that sandwich!

Lusting for more Leftovers!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not eat leftovers. period. They never taste the same and I HATE eating the same thing a few nights in a row......except for Thanksgiving leftovers! I could eat that meal over and over for a week...and usually do! This year I decided to use those leftovers and make new dishes with them....and boy am I glad I did! Check out these tasty treats, all courtesy of Sunny Anderson:

First up: Second Day Turkey and String Bean Pot Pies: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/second-day-turkey-and-string-bean-pot-pies-recipe/index.html This were simple and so delicious! The crust was a little mushy on the bottom of the pies, so maybe a refrigerator pie crust would be better, but it was very good as is!

Next up was the Second Day Fried Stuffing with Cranberry Pesto: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/second-day-fried-stuffing-bites-with-cranberry-sauce-pesto-recipe/index.html. These were to die for! Simple, delicious and just goodness in a bite! Don't tell anyone, but Mom and I ate the whole pan of them...and nothing else...for dinner last night! The pesto itself was so fabulous, that I made an extra batch to just have on hand to use for sandwiches or on toast another day!!

Lastly was Cream of Asparagus Soup: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cream-of-asparagus-soup-recipe/index.html I tried this one to use up all the pieces of asparagus that I didn't use for my bacon-wrapped asparagus on Turkey Day. It was so simple, but it had SO much flavor! I did have to strain it because my blender didn't break down all of the strings, but regardless, this one will definitely be used again!

Thanks again to Sunny Anderson for her inspiration on these recipes... She is quickly becoming one of my favorite Food Network chefs! Case in point...these leftover recipes! It made me look forward to leftovers....not an easy feat! Hope you enjoy trying these for yourselves!

Many Thanks!

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE day of the year....Family, friends, favorite foods (pumpkin pie!) and football. Things I am grateful for this year: a job, a roof over my head, money to have a great Thanksgiving feast, my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, and a great sous chef to help me in the kitchen---thanks Mom!

This year's food spread included all the normal favorites: Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, bacon-wrapped asparagus, cranberries, rolls and, of course, pumpkin and apple pies. To kick it up a notch, my gravy was a Chipotle Gravy:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/pressed-herbs-and-spices-turkey-breast-pumpkin-zucchini-muffin-stuffin-with-chipotle-gravy-recipe/index.html and a new Sweet Potato recipe that tasted more like a sweet potato pie! http://www.parade.com/food/recipes/parade/11152009-best-chefs-perfect-thanksgiving.html?index=2 Both received rave reviews!

I hope everyone had a lovely Turkey Day with their families. Check out my photo of the spread....don't I look like I am posing for a cookbook cover?? Stay tuned for recipes on how to use all those leftovers! Enjoy!

Fiesta!

Here's a weird fact about me you may not know: I am not a fan of Mexican food! I do not believe in throwing anything in a tortilla and calling it Mexican, or making something hot for the sake of being hot.....I do however love anything with chipoltes, chorizo or guacamole. My Mexi-Cali tastes were the inspiration for this week's football menu. Take at look at these tasty treats and just try to not crave a margarita!

Mexican Potato Skin Bites: This one I have made before and it was such a hit it was requested again. Super easy and a croud pleaser! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/mexican-potato-skin-bites-recipe/index.html

note: you will need at least TWICE the chorizo this calls for.

Corn with Chipotle-Cilantro Butter: A lot of folks were scared of the this butter, but you can make it as mild or as hot as you like. I have made this multiple times and whether I grill the corn, or boil it like I did yesterday, it's always easy and delicious!http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/grilled-corn-skewers-with-chipotle-cilantro-butter-recipe/index.html

Barbacoa Tacos: I have a confession.....this recipe was a complete accident! The night before my mexican feast, my sister and I sent my nephew and his girlfriend to the store to get the largest pork butt they could find. Well, there was none, so they asked the butcher and he said he would special cut one for them. Somehow the communication broke down and they came home with a 6 lb. RUMP roast! So, change of plans! Instead of pulled pork tacos, it became shredded spicy beef tacos, also known as Barbacoa. It took a little longer to cook than pork, but boy was it worth the wait! Make sure to serve them with all the toppings: salsa, limes, cilantro, cheese, sour cream.....http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pulled-pork-tacos-00000000008021/index.html

Want that margarita yet????

A hit and a miss

OK, not really a miss, but maybe a tie....not exciting, but not disappointing. This week I made a recipe from the Rachel Ray collection I have growing in my recipe binder......Mac n Cheese Jalapeno Poppers. Sounds great right?! Two favorites in one bite! Well, not so much. I have to say, they were just OK. For all the prepping of the peppers- thanks Mark!- and making the cheese sauce, the final product was a little lacking in the excitement category. Here is the recipe for you though, in case you want to make your own call on this one!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/mac-n-cheese-jalapeno-poppers/

Now, for the hit! This is a recipe my sister and I both saw on a Food Network show a few weeks ago. We both fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to make it! The next day, another sister emails me the recipe.....a sign it HAD to be made! There are many recipes for Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip out there, and they all are similar, and yes, they all taste JUST like eating a chicken wing! Well, thanks to Jan for trying this one out, not once, but THREE times this weekend! That's how much of a HIT it was! I put the last one together, so I can take at least part credit! :) By the way, it is SO simple and easy, it is sure to be a staple at football parties for years to come! Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/buffalo-chicken-dip-recipe/index.html

tip: serve with celery sticks, then it really tastes like the real thing!

Pumpkin Pleasure!

This week I bring you double pumpkin-pleasure! I was feeling very fall-like and craving all those comforting flavors. I pulled two cupcake recipes from my arsenal that were similar, yet different. I have mixed reviews about them, but I couldn't stop eating them!!!!

The first one is a simple Pumpkin Cupcake with a Cream Cheese Frosting. It was very simple to make and sooooo delicious! I did have a sad felling when the candy corns on top started to melt, and they were no longer perfect, but what can you do in the FL heat?! Definitely try this one out at home this fall! http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting-00000000021359/index.html#

The other cupcake was also delicious, but SO labor intensive! Rachel Ray, if you are reading this, tsk tsk on you! This recipe was the most labor intensive, dirty dish making thing I have ever made! I admit, I did not read the recipe ahead of time- I rarely do- but read the ingredients and it sounded great so I went for it. Well, 2 minutes into it I was frustrated and grumpy! I used every mixing bowl in the kitchen, washed and re-used my bowl for the mixer twice AND had to pull out the double-boiler! All this for only 12 cupcakes! Once done, tasting these Cheesecake-Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes, made me (almost) forget all the labor though....they are super yummy! I was not a particular fan of the brown sugar frosting (it's pretty sweet!), but everyone seemed to think it was OK! This recipe was from the Rachel Ray Magazine, and they made life even more difficult by not putting it online for us! I have the recipes scanned, so if you want to even try it after reading this review, then email me and I will send it directly to you!

Happy Fall everyone..time to go have a cupcake for breakfast! :)

Bam!

I have had this recipe in my arsenal for a long time, given to me by my friend Sheri years ago. She swore this was a great go-to for football parties....and she was RIGHT! It is a warm corn dip from Emeril, and boy did he kick this one up a notch- it's got a bite to it! It is pretty labor intensive, but the outcome is worth it! It made a good size casserole dish full, so it fed a lot of folks. Perfect for a Fall Football Sunday. I will definitely make this one again. Thanks Sheri!

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/dip-recipes/warm-corn-dip.htm

tip: use the new Fritos scoops, they work much better that the original.

Opa!

Tonight I revisited a recipe that I have made multiple times in the past year. (Not something I do often!) I had a year's subscription to Gourmet Magazine, and I only took two recipes total from it in that time- too fancy for me! But this, this recipe, is simple, delicious and warms the soul. The temperate dropped to a chilly 76 today in South Florida, so it was a perfect time to enjoy this dish and a great football game! Greece is a place I have always wanted to visit, and definitely one of my favorite cuisines, and this dish puts a smile on my face every time I make it. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Greek-Spiced-Baked-Shrimp-350590

I add an extra dash of the red pepper flakes to kick it up a notch, and make SURE you have some great crusty bread to soak up all the juices.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

This is a recipe I will remember for a long time! Not only because it was delicious, and disappeared quickly, but also because I am stubborn and did not wear gloves when I prepared the jalapenos, so my hands burned for HOURS after they were gone! Take my advice and either wear gloves when you make this, or use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and ribs. The Gouda in this popper really makes it different, and who doesn't just love oowey gooey cheese on anything?! If you are afraid of the heat of the jalapenos, rest easy, because you really do take out all the heat in them when you take out the seeds. I was disappointed that I really couldn't taste the chorizo, but the over rating on this???? 5 stars! Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/smoked-gouda-chorizo-jalapeno-poppers-recipe/index.html

note: I forgot my camera, so I have no picture to show of these tasty delights, so here is a photo of Sunny Anderson, whose recipe this is!

Are you seeing a trend here?

You may have noticed that my first three recipes have included Pesto....this is NOT a coincidence! Of all my herbs, basil is not necessarily my favorite, but it is my most abundant! One can only eat so much Caprese Salad, so I have been making a lot of pesto this summer....salads, dips, topping grilled chicken or meat, pastas.... I love pesto anyways, but the fact that it keeps well is also plus for me! Here is another recipe that I used my pesto for. I only made a 1/2 recipe, and it made enough for 5 sandwiches, so unless you are feeding a party, I would do the same. Enjoy!

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1160573

cook's note: I used good old canned chicken for this instead of rotisserie, and it was still delicious, but again I think it's because of the homemade pesto! (see original post for that recipe!)

Dip Baby Dip!

So I guess I have been on a dip kick lately, because I just had to try this dip yesterday. I saw Rachel Ray making it on Oprah, and I knew if Oprah could do it, I could do it better! It was definitely not the mega hit as last week's dip, but it was delicious in it's own right. I think it actually tasted better the longer it sat out. It was very easy to make, but I do admit that spreading the cold cheese was a bit of a pain, but fingers work well in a pinch! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.oprah.com/article/food/recipesappetizers/20090408-tows-rachael-ray-dip

Take note of the football printed Ritz crackers! I swear it makes them taste better, even though most guests preferred the cucumbers!

The new "IT" dip!

I saw this recipe last month in a Kraft publication of all places! It struck my fancy, so I did what I always do....rip it out and put it in my recipe binder. Then comes Labor Day and I was in charge of chips and dip for the party I was attending. I pulled out my binder and found this little gem in there....a dip to be cooked on the grill? Perfect! I took it to the party and it was beyond a hit! Everyone loved it! I was lucky to even get a bit myself! I made it the next two weekends and it got RAVE reviews from everyone on both occasions. Well, it's settled folks, this one is a keeper! I happen to think what makes it so good is the pesto from my homegrown basil, so I included that for recipe for you too....enjoy!

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/warm-italiano-spread-113699.aspx

suggestion: try the new Fire Roasted Triscuits with this instead, it works very well together!

Pesto:

2 cups fresh basil

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt & pepper

Blend all ingredients in food processor until smooth.