Chicken Pastry by Mrs. Barnes

June 7, 2020June 8, 2020

This post is dedicated to all the fabulous food of black origin. Bernice “Lady Bug” Barnes is my daughter’s boyfriend’s mom. Marcus is from North Carolina and his family makes some of the most scrumptious looking dishes I have ever seen. The Barnes family has a huge family reunion each September, where many of these dishes are shared. I asked Marcus what I should make to celebrate the food he grew up with and he said it had to be Chicken Pastry. His mom usually makes this with turkey, but she explained chicken was fine, too. This is her recipe.

My Mom’s Lentil Soup

March 12, 2020March 12, 2020

This hearty soup is my mom’s recipe. It kind of reminds me of an Irish stew, my reason for sharing this in a series of St. Patrick’s Day recipes. You could easily eliminate the sausage and make this vegan. Either way, this soup is flavorful and feels like a hug!

XL Meatballs & Pasta in Hearty Red Sauce

January 26, 2020January 27, 2020

I was inspired to make this dish after seeing something similar posted by a fellow foodie. These meatballs are tender and filling. One will do; maybe even just half. My hubs loved this dish and the hearty red sauce is what makes it. I hope you try it!

Old Fashioned Chicken Soup

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020

ENTREES

We had a cold wave here in San Antonio & that means my hubs will ask for this chicken soup. I got this recipe from a friend’s mom over 10 years ago. Ok, I’m lying…it was way further back than that. This soup requires stretchy pants, a fire & a comfy chair. Enjoy!

Buttermilk Pecan Chicken

December 29, 2019December 29, 2019

This recipe has been a family favorite for years. I first found it in my 1989 Southern Living Annual Cookbook. I’ve made a few tweaks over the years for ease of preparation. This chicken is flavorful, rich and impressive. I served it with Mustard Roasted Potatoes and a simple salad. You will love this recipe!

Creamy Saffron Linguine & Prawns

December 17, 2019December 17, 2019

If you’re looking for a fancilious holiday dinner idea, I highly recommend this easy meal. I promise you can do it! The hardest thing is peeling & deveining the shrimp. I sautéed the shrimp with a homemade tomato sauce, but you could certainly use store bought. To make it extra special I topped it with lightly browned Italian chickpea crumbs and lemon zest. Amazing flavors and so festive!

Chicken Pozole

November 10, 2019November 10, 2019

ENTREES

It’s cold outside! This spicy soup is both comforting and fresh! From the rich red broth, the crisp toppings, to the tender shredded chicken, this hearty soup will warm your soul.

Chicken Shawarma

October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

Remember the Shawarma White Sauce I posted about the other day… Well, here is the chicken they made on the Today Show to go with that sauce. It was shared by Ayesha Nurdjaja, the executive chef of Shuka in NYC. This chicken has an incredible flavor and was very easy to prepare. We really enjoyed eating this chicken in butter lettuce leaves. Yum!

Pad Prik King by The Culinary Institute of America

September 22, 2019September 22, 2019

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a CIA Plant-Forward Cooking Boot Camp at the San Antonio location. Over the 5-days of cooking amazing foods, I also learned many new techniques. I actually made major improvements in my elliptical cutting skills & so much more. I also used products, such as the tofu in this dish that I have been curious about, but have never been brave enough to try.

This particular dish was a bit labor intensive, yet so worth it. I found all the ingredients easily at my local grocer. I encourage you to try out this type of cooking!

Lemon Spaghetti w/Parmesan & Basil

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019

Fresh, easy and delicious! This pasta is great in its own or as a side dish. I serve this with salmon or other fish, and it is a wonderful compliment. It was also an awesome opportunity for me to use basil from my herb garden. Another hint: Keep a small block of Parmesan in your freezer & you’ll always have it in hand, when needed. Enjoy!