Za’atar Chicken

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021

We had friends over for din on the other day & we served this amazing chicken dish. It’s so flavorful and the chicken is really tender & juicy. Have you tried za’atar? It varies greatly depending on where you are in the Middle East and every family has their own secret blend. It is generally a combination of dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, sumac and toasted sesame seeds. Za’atar may also contain salt, dried orange zest, dried dill, or the wild herb za’atar (also called hyssop, which also grows throughout the Levant & is the mixture’s namesake). This spice mix is tangy, rich & nutty, and is a must have in every kitchen! You’re going to love this chicken!

Rigatoni w/Mushrooms or SWAT Rags

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021

ENTREES

My hubs used to be the SWAT commander for our local police department & somehow this pasta became known as “SWAT RAGS. One of his officers taught me how to make this when the hubs and I first started dating. He was friends with a local restauranteur and this was a secret dish he made for his friends. I used to make huge pans of this stuff in my tiny apartment kitchen for SWAT team get togethers & special events. When we got married in a friend’s backyard, you better believe this dish was served. Later, we started adding grilled chicken and that was a hit, too. This dish has been a staple at the many large parties we have thrown over the years. A party is not a party without SWAT Rags. Awwww…the memories!

Creole Pasta w/Andouille Sausage

April 17, 2021April 21, 2021

This is an incredibly easy dish to put together and it’s so flavorful. The creole seasoning really elevates this pasta. It’s just a great diversion from the typical Italian pasta dish. You’ll love this New Orleans inspired meal!

Irish Goulash

March 14, 2021March 17, 2021

Happy St. Paddy’s Day! This simple & comforting pasta goulash is perfect for a little Irish celebration. Just add an Irish kiss for the cook!

Sweet & Sour Chicken

January 30, 2021January 30, 2021

This dish is flavorful and so easy to make. Just a few steps and you’ll be enjoying this yumminess in no time. I served mine with jasmine rice and blanched broccoli.

Carne Guisada

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

We have a Mexican restaurant here in town that makes the best carne guisada. I’ve studied it for years and this is as close as it gets. Enjoy!

Italian Orzo Soup

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

This is a delicious & simple soup that can be made as a vegan version. It’s very satisfying and a great addition to your soup repertoire. Who else loves cozy soups?

Chicken (or Turkey) Spaghetti Casserole

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020

This is a one of our go-to leftover Thanksgiving turkey recipes. It travels really well, so it’s something I make to deliver to our kids. Simple to prepare and it feeds a crowd. Whether you use turkey or chicken, it’s a super satisfying and cozy meal.

Glazed Miso Salmon

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

I was looking for an Asian recipe for making salmon and found this gem. It is originally from My Diary of Us. She has a blog and Instagram page by the same title. I made a couple of tweaks for ease of preparation. I really love this twist on baked salmon.

Summer Pasta w/Roasted Tomato Pesto, Corn, Zucchini & Feta

July 7, 2020July 7, 2020

I made this for a family gathering and everyone went crazy over this dish. It’s great as a side dish or as the main meal. It has a few steps, but it is well worth it. The best part is that I used cherry tomatoes from my garden! This is gonna be a permanent fixture on our table. The original recipe is from Half Baked Harvest and was made with gnocchi. In addition to using pasta, I made a few other tweaks for my taste. The link to the original recipe is on the recipe.