Recipes
Chili Contest Winner Recipe
Chili contest winner recipe are a dime a dozen. I've tried many different ones until I came up with this simple layered chili recipe that is impressive. This may have not won a fair contest, but it won the most important contest of them all, the families. I remember thinking that chili was no big deal, just throw some chili powder in with tomatoes and there you go, I was mistaken. It is however very simple to make with the right ingredients and process to deliver a quality recipe. The thing to remember is you layer each ingredient to the chili
Maqluba (Upside Down) Palestinian Recipe
Maqluba, means "upside down" in Arabic. It is a Palestinian recipe that is made in one pot and then tossed upside down to serve. It is beloved all over the Arab world.
Southern Cornbread
Granny was the master of her southern cornbread, probably because she made it every day. I enjoyed watching her cook, she never measured anything. I think probably most Southern cooks are measured by eye and habit. A pinch of this and a sprinkle of that was their rule. I find a lot of help in Southern cooking through chef Sean Brock, in his new cookbook, Heritage. He says that perfect cornbread is the subject of much debate. There are the Southerners who like it with flour and sugar, the Northerners sweet and cakey and there's everyone in between. Granny didn't put
No-Knead Bread Recipe
Revolutionary Bread The no-knead bread recipe method has become a revolutionary form of baking. No-knead means, No-work, and you can thank Jim Lahey for this. I've had his book for several years and found that as long as you plan ahead, you will have a true artisanal loaf to enjoy. I start my process after dinner and allow it to do its magic overnight. In the morning I have a beautiful bubbly dough ready to form. I've chosen the No-Knead Pane Integrale-Whole Wheat Bread, it is the perfect ratio of whole wheat and white. My whole wheat of choice is
Hungarian Kifli Recipe
Christmas Cookies When I got married to my Hungarian husband, I was thrilled by the first Christmas we shared with his family. Traditional recipes were very important and Grandma Gigi was in charge of keeping them as the focal point every Christmas Eve dinner. Here the Hungarian Kifli recipe, which put simply, is "walnut crescent cookies" which are simple to make and a delight to eat. They are light, buttery, and with a meltaway texture. The Hungarian Kifli recipe is a Christmas tradition along with Kolach and stuffed cabbage in our family. Traditional recipes will always remain the center of
Basic Sweet Crust
This basic sweet pastry crust recipe is perfect for pies, tarts, and tartlets. The crust is sturdier for tart and adding some sugar and two egg yolks alters the savory pie crust to create a sweet, slightly crunchy, but tender crust. This crust is forgiving, but it can be a little more difficult to work with, however, it can be patched easily when tears happen by pressing it together. A longer chilling and careful handling will enable you to work this pastry with success. See my savory pie crust recipe also. 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoon sugar 1/4
Savory Pie Crust
Have you ever been intimidated by making a homemade pie crust? I'm here to tell you to have no fear. This savory pie crust recipe is full proof. Once you loose your apprehension and try this simple method, you'll be confident and won't go back to store-bought. Owning a food processor makes this job a snap. I can literally make a pie crust in 3 minutes or less. It can be made a day ahead, however, I don't recommend letting it remain too long in the refrigerator, it will discolor. If you don't plan to use the pastry soon, put
Leftovers Turkey Crêpe Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Do you ever wonder what to do with all that leftover turkey? I came up with this leftovers turkey crêpe mushroom sauce recipe to give the humble turkey L'élégance. I had enough of turkey soup, turkey pot pie and turkey sandwiches. Don't get me wrong, I do like turkey but not in large quantities. I tried giving leftovers to our guests, but everyone said they had enough of their own at home. What is a chef to do? Well, come up with a delicious turkey recipe with pazzaz. If your short on time you can prepare the crêpes in advance, place them
Zucchini Bread with Streusel Topping Recipe
Best Zucchini Bread with cinnamon streusel topping. Sugar and spice and everything nice for the holidays. Making memories that twinkle the eye with delight and fills the air with the sweet smell of goodness the season brings. This is a beautiful loaf topped with an oat streusel that gives it a distinctive texture. I also used olive oil instead of canola, which lends a richer flavor. Serve the Zucchini Bread for breakfast or as a dessert topped with sweetened crème fraîche. 3 cups grated zucchini 2 cups sugar 2 cup all purpose flour sifted 2 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon
Oven Fried Chicken Recipe
Oven fried chicken recipe would make Granny roll over in her grave. Granny may be surprised that her method of frying chicken in a cast iron skillet has been replaced by the cookie sheet and hot oven. This healthy and simple fried chicken recipe takes the mess and work out of frying a chicken. Producing a crisp crust, while the meat remains tender and juicy, finger lickin’ good. Serve with a true Southern buttermilk biscuit here. Try cooking in a fabulous cast iron sheet 1 cut-up organic chicken 1 cup buttermilk 1½ teaspoon kosher salt 1½ teaspoon ground pepper 1
Fusion Shrimp Dumpling Recipe
Dim Sum fusion shrimp dumpling recipe is a Chinese fusion steamed dumpling. They are packed with protein and will impress your guests. The Chinese love their dim sum and they make an array of varieties. I wanted to add tofu and uncommon flavors that I liked and came up with this style of dumpling. Packed with protein they can be used for a meal or added to soup. They are simple to make and will be the hit at your next dinner party. Very few things impress your guests like dim sum that you made yourself. Try my traditional Har Gau
Chicken Fried Steak
This Southern Chicken Fried Steak Recipe oh my, does me good. My grandmother was a full blown southern cook. She was raised in North Carolina, a land of great cooks. Cooking was an everyday event, nothing was frozen or prepackaged at her table. I still remember her salty green beans, cornbread and chicken fried steak with milk gravy just like it was yesterday. Cooking her recipes produce a memory that consoles and comforts my hunger. Southern cooking is quintessential comfort food. And Chicken fried steak is the prototype of Southern, simple and satisfying. Serve this wonderful dish with my creamed
Drunken Peanut Chicken Satay Salad Recipe
Drunken peanut chicken satay salad recipe is easy to make. Kids enjoy the flavor and gobble it up, adults feel it's sophisticated and exotic. Great summer dish when it's hot in the house and you don't want to make it hotter! Try placing it on a bed of lettuce for a healthy refreshing addition. See my other asian salad options here. SAUCE 4oz peanut butter 3 clove garlic crushed 1 oz finely chopped shallots 2 tablespoon red curry paste 1 teaspoon fish sauce 8 tablespoon coconut milk 6 tablespoon fresh lime juice 2 tablespoon coconut sugar 1tablespoon Japanese mirin vinegar 1
Chicken Kebab with Yogurt Mint Sauce
Chicken kebab with yogurt mint sauce is delicious and simple to make for a party. Summer time is BBQ season especially when the sun is shinning. The BBQ's get dusted off and the grills get scrubbed down. Why not break out your skewers and start shish kebab'en! Marinading the meat is an important step for flavor and texture. For these chicken kebabs I use yogurt which adds moisture and tenderizes. The calcium in dairy products activate enzymes in meat that break down proteins. Did you know that the practice of kebab is ancient? Traditionally it was thought that the dish was invented