Creamy Chicken and Orzo Salad
I know a lot of people are looking for clever ways to stretch a dollar while eating well. It is a topic near to my heart. Just because I am saving money, however, does not mean I want to stop entertaining or enjoying foods I love. It just means I have to find clever ways to make the most of what I have. Using pasta to stretch meals an excellent way to feed a crowd with out breaking the bank. My Creamy Chicken Salad with Orzo...
Pasta with Zinfandel Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
Don’t you just love meals you can make in the snap, but taste like you cooked all day? I work three part-time jobs at the moment (long story) and I also attend culinary school at night, so I understand and adore quick meals that do not taste quick. What makes this pasta sauce so tasty is the addition of a little zinfandel. Now, we are not talking that prissy white zinfandel (and if you like that wine, sorry!), we are talking a...
Pancetta Risotto Cakes
Do you remember a few months ago when I posted that a recipe I created won a contest and the prize was a trip to San Francisco? At the time I was not able to share the recipe due to the ‘super-secret’ nature of the contest. Well, the contest is over and I am free to share, and share I shall. These are my Pancetta Risotto Cakes and they are among my favorite appetizers to prepare, and consume. They are hearty enough to...
Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Let’s talk about party food, shall we? When I host, or attend and help cook for, a cocktail party I like to think about finger foods and two-bite dishes that are easy to eat, pretty and not too messy. I like savory dishes that stand up to a variety of cocktails and beers, and nothing does that better than mushrooms. These mushrooms are stuffed with a mixture of cheeses which is studded with crisp fried bacon and minced...
Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese
Make no mistake, I adore macaroni and cheese. I have posted a recipe here before and it is sublime. It is one of my favorite things to eat, and I love to tinker with my original recipe and see what new variations I can come up with. This new recipe combines macaroni and cheese with another of my culinary loves, Tex-Mex food. Trust me, this recipe really, really works! How do I know this? Well, aside from my own judgment in the...
Maple Thyme Chicken Legs
I don’t know about you but after a long day at work, or a busy day out and about, the last thing I want is dinner that takes any kind of effort to prepare. This is about as easy as they come. That is why I love, and adore, chicken legs! They make dinner so easy. They require little attention, cook within 45 minutes, and they are admired and loved by young and old alike. I also love that you can eat them with your hands! Of...
