A preservative free taco mix!

Who doesn't love tacos? But who wants to take the time to marinade or put together seasonings, when the store has it done for you? The only problem with that is they often contain ingredients such as silicon dioxide (sand), MSG(monosodium glutamate) and sulfites. This recipe allows you to enjoy your tacos with less guilt and pure ingredients. It is great on vegetables and beans as well!

Taco Seasoning Mix

Yields-approximately 3 cups

• 1 1/4 Cups Chili Powder
• 1/2 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
• 3 1/2 Tablespoons Granulated Garlic
• 1/2 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Ground Coriander
• 2 Tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients until well mixed. Store in an air tight container.

To use: Place 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet. Heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound ground meat of your choice. Cook until browned and cooked through. Stir to break into pieces. Add 1/4 cup taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water or broth(chicken, beef). Cook until mixture thickens. Top meat with your choice of veggies (avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapenos) and serve with your choice of cheese. Keep this mix on hand to make a quick and easy dinner! Enjoy your taco night without the preservatives!

A spring breakfast!

French toast is a childhood favorite. It requires little ingredients and not much skill to make. By making the stuffed version, it becomes something even more miraculous. It add depths of flavor and texture. This french toast is perfect for spring and summer. Once you try this dish you will be making it again and again!

 Meyer Lemon and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Cream Cheese Filling

Serves: 3-4 servings      Cook Time:  5 min   Prep Time: 5 min

Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese,softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 meyer lemon, zested
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• pinch salt

Strawberries

Sweet Strawberries

• 2/3 pound strawberries, quartered
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon strawberry jelly

French Toast

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 slices crusty white bread or brioche bread
• butter to fry in

Directions

Combine all ingredients for cream cheese and set aside. Combine all ingredients for strawberries and set aside. For French toast, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and mix to combine. Place bread in egg mixture until soaked through. Place on preheated nonstick pan and cook until golden brown, then flip and repeat with remaining side. Repeat with remaining bread. To assemble, place2-3 tablespoons cream cheese on one side of toast. Then place a generous spoonful of strawberries and top with a slice french toast. Garnish with additional strawberries and powdered sugar.

Fabulous French Toast

A spring pasta!

Pasta Primavera is a culinary classic! It screams spring with vegetables such as zucchini, peppers, and peas. You can adjust the spring vegetables according to what you have on hand. Asparagus is fabulous addition in this dish! The fresh herbs bring fantastic and fresh flavors. The cream gives it just enough richness to carry all the amazing flavors. Make this dish at home and taste spring!

Lemon Zest

Onions

Peppers

Basil

Peas

Mushrooms

Garlic

Sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes

Sautéing onion and mushrooms

Pasta Primavera

Serves: 6-8 servings      Cook Time:  15 min   Prep Time: 5 min

1 Lb. Fettuccine
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 vidalia onion, diced

Reducing the sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 zucchini. halved and sliced 1/4" on bias
1 yellow zucchini halved and sliced 14" on bias
1 red pepper, sliced thin
8 oz cremini, quartered
1 cup peas
3/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 lemon, zested
1 cup fresh basil, chiffonaded
1/2  cup italian parsley, chopped
10 oz heirloom or cherry tomatoes,quartered
parmesan or romano cheese to garnish

Adding fresh herbs at the last minute to preserve flavor

Directions

Heat large pot filled with water. Bring to a boil. Add sliced zucchini to water and cook for approximately 1 minute or al dente. Remove and run under cold water or place in an ice bath. Repeat with yellow zucchini or squash and peppers. Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook approximately 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add cremini mushrooms. Cook throughly. Then add tomatoes, thyme and salt and pepper to taste.  Once tomatoes have cooked slightly.  Add white wine and cook until reduced by half. Then add chicken stock and let reduce by half. Finish with heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once sauce has thickened slightly, add lemon zest, parsley and basil. Garnish with additional basil, parsley and cheese.

Gorgeous Pasta!

A pantry soup recipe!

Need a fantastic recipe for a quick and an easy soup? Well this is it! It can be made with pantry staples, which makes it even more appealing. It only gets better the next day as most soups do. This is a recipe vegetarians and carnivores alike will love. My husband who is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, loves this soup. It can be made in 30 minutes or less. Make this soup next time there is a chill in the air or want something quick on the table!

Simmering tomatoes, broth and herbs

Tortellini Soup

Serves: 4-6 servings      Cook Time:  15 min   Prep Time: 5 min

Cooked Tortellini

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup leeks, sliced
• 1 35 oz. can whole plum tomatoes,
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp basil
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 can chickpeas,drained
• 1 package cheese tortellini
• 10 oz bag baby spinach
• salt to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add sliced leeks and saute until soft. Add tomatoes and using a wooden spoon break into bite size pieces. Then add basil, thyme, and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Then add chickpeas and tortellini.  Cook tortellini in broth according to package. When tortellini is done, stir in spinach until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can garnish with parmesan and basil if desired. Enjoy this quick and wonderful soup.

Finished Soup!

Cheese puffs for a crowd!

Gougeres are the french term for cheese puff. They are little bits of cheese heaven. It is made with a pate a choux dough. This is the same dough that is used to make eclairs and cream puffs. Pate a choux maybe a little tricky if you have never tried it before. Don't worry, I will guide you through it.

In this recipe it is very important to weigh out the flour and the cheese. Also, make sure to use extra large eggs. They provide the structure of this dough and it may not come out properly if you use large in place of them. If you follow this recipe exactly as written, it will come out perfectly every time. I guarantee it.  These are great served with champagne or other sparkling bubbly.

Gougeres

Serves: 40-50 puffs      Cook Time:  30 min   Prep Time: 20 min

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
• pinch of salt
• 5 oz bread flour
• 3 extra large eggs
• 5 oz gruyere,shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Directions

Heat milk, water,nutmeg, salt and butter in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Then add the flour. Stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Place back over heat and mix until dough comes away from the side of the pan. Transfer dough to a mixer. Continue mixing on low speed until cool. Let cool 4-5 minutes or until you can touch the dough with your fingers for 5-10 seconds without burning. If you put the eggs in to early they will cook and you will need to start again. Once cool add eggs one at a time. Wait until the egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Once the eggs are all incorporated add rosemary and gruyere cheese. Place a tablespoon of the dough on a parchment lined tray. Space about 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Cook at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

An elegant appetizer!

A delicious dessert!

Chilled soups are delicious on spring or summer night. This cherry soup is a little unusual, but once you taste it you will definitely be craving more. I made this soup for an event and it was the hit of the night. Its the perfect balance of tart and sweet.  It makes a gorgeous presentation in shot glasses or a shallow bowl.  As an added bonus, this soup could not be easier to make. This will become a regular dessert in your rotation!

Chilled Cherry Soup

Serves: 6-8      Cook Time:  10 min   Prep Time: 0 min

• 1 pound frozen tart cherrys
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 oz cherry lambic or cherry juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 lemon juiced
• 4 oz sugar
• pinch salt
• 3/4 cup cream
• Garnish with cherry and cream

Directions

Place cherries in crockpot with water and their juices. Make sachet with cinnamon stick and add to stockpot.  Add lambic, lemon juice, and salt. Simmer until  cherries are tender 10-15 minutes. Chill and let sit overnight. Remove half the cherries to save for garnish. Remove sachet of cinnamon and add almond extract and heavy cream. Puree all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with reserved cherries and heavy cream. If you want to make this dish gluten free use the cherry juice instead of the lambic.

A clever presentation for cherry soup!

An appetizer for entertaining!

This chicken salad appetizer came about because I needed to a filling appetizer for an event. It needed to be something easy and be made ahead of time.  This appetizer is perfect for that. The wonton cups can be made a few days in advance. The chicken salad can be made one or two days in advance. To make this dish completely gluten free, serve on cucumber slices or in lettuce cups. If you make this dish, I promise you guests will be craving more!

A brunoise cut measures 1/8x1/8x1/8 of an inch. It is a cube that is smaller than a small dice. For this recipe is it necessary to cut this small in order to fit in the wonton cups. If you are serving this dish another way fell free to cut everything bigger.

Asian Chicken Salad In Wonton Cups

Serves: 60 cups      Cook Time:  0 min   Prep Time: 10 min

• 1 package wonton wrappers
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 lime juiced
• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Tamari 
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 pounds rotisserie chicken, small diced
• 1 red pepper, brunoise
• 5 snow peas, brunoise
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 scallions, sliced on bias
• 1 carrots, brunoise
• 1/4 head cabbage, chiffonaded and chopped

To make wonton cups, cut 1 1/2" circles with cookie cutter. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray. Place circles in cups. Cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. 

To make chicken salad, combine first 8 ingredients together. Set aside for dressing. Combine remaining ingredients except cabbage. Add enough dressing to chicken salad to taste. Combine cabbage lightly with enough dressing to coat. To assemble, place enough cabbage to coat the bottom of the wonton cup. Add about 1 teaspoon chicken salad on top. Garnish with sliced scallions or cilantro leaf. Enjoy at your next holiday party. Alternatively bake wonton chips for dipping into salad or serve as a sandwich.

Finished Appetizers!

A magnificent cheesecake!

Cheesecake is a classic dessert. This version uses a unique citrus fruit called a Meyer lemons.  It's a combination of lemon and Mandarin orange. It gives the lemon a sweet flavor. It can be used to replace lemons in any recipe. Frankly, I love Meyer lemons. I use them frequently at home. They can be used is sauces, desserts, salads, pies, chutneys and the list goes on. Of course if you cannot find them at your local grocery store, substitute lemons.

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake With Blueberry Ginger Sauce

Serves: 8-10      Cook Time:  40-50 min   Prep Time: 20 min

Cheesecake

A great presentation!

• 3 cups gingersnaps, crumbs
• 9 tablespoons, melted
• 4 8oz  packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup Sour Cream
• 4 meyer lemons, zested
• 1/2 cup meyer lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Blueberry sauce

• 1 1/2 pts blueberries, seperated
• 3/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1" knob fresh ginger
• 1/2 meyer lemon juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. To make crust combine gingersnap crumbs and melted butter. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper. Press gingersnap crumbs in an even layer on sheet pan. Bake in oven 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. While crust is cooling, make cheesecake filling. Place cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of the mixer. On low speed mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally until throughly combined. Once combined, add remaining ingredients until completely mixed.  Spread mixture evenly over crust.  Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until set in the middle.

To make the sauce, combine 1 pint blueberries with water, sugar and ginger in  small sauce pot. Cook over medium heat until blueberries burst.  Place in a container and let sit overnight with ginger. The next day, remove ginger and add lemon juice and vanilla. Puree blueberry mixture until smooth. Place back over low heat. Meanwhile combine cornstarch and second measure of water.  Stir into blueberry sauce and heat until thickened. Mixture will boil. Remove from heat. Add remaining  blueberries to sauce. Serve on top of cheesecake.

Delicious cheesecake!

A magnificent butternut squash soup!

Nothing is better than a warm bowl of soup on a freezing cold day. Right now we are experiencing very frigid weather with temperatures of 7 degrees or below. A soup like this would be perfect serve with this weather because it will warm you and your household.

This butternut squash soup is full of flavor and looks beautiful as well. It has settle complexities of flavor with the curry, sweet pears and delicate squash. If you didn't like butternut squash soup before you will now. It is sure to change your mind. As a added bonus this recipe is perfect for entertaining because it can be made a day ahead and then reheated and garnished when served. It is sure to impress your guests. To make this recipe vegan, omit the cream and use vegetable broth.

sauteed onions

roasted butternut squash

roasted pears

prepped pears

Curried Butternut Squash and Pear Soup

Serves: 4-6      Cook Time:  30 min   Prep Time: 40 min

Simmering squash to enhance flavors

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash, roasted
• 6 d'anjou pears, diced and roasted
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon ceyenne
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 1/4 cup pepitas toasted for garnish

Directions

To roast pears, toss with 2 teaspoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons evoo. Roast at 400F for 15 minutes. To make soup, heat stock pan over medium heat.  Saute onions in olive oil until tender and translucent. Add squash and 4 pears. Saute for a couple minutes more. Add broth, curry powder, and ceyenne. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes. Add cream, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with reserved pears and pepitas.

An amazing butternut squash soup!

A fall quesadilla!

Quesadillas are often filled with chicken, beef, shrimp or veggies. This recipe takes them in a different direction. It's inspired by my favorite restaurant in Athens Ohio, Casa Nueva. They served a quesadilla similar to this. It was featured in the fall and it changed what I believed a quesadilla should be. The flavors compliment each other and it keeps you coming back for more. I kept returning to the restaurant hoping it would be on the menu again, but was always disappointed. Saddened by this turn of events, I had to create my own of version of the wonderful fall delight! I promise you won't be displeased by this beautiful and satisfying appetizer!

Half the quesadilla with filling

Adding remainder of cheese

Sautéed apples

Heating through butternut squash

Butternut Squash, Apple and Cheddar Quesadilla

Ready to serve!

Serves: 2-4  Cook Time: 40 min      Prep Time:  20 min

• 2 cups Butternut squash, peeled,diced and roasted
• 1 teaspoon butter or olive oil
• 1 sweet tango apples, cored and diced
• 5 fresh sage leaves, chiffonaded or 10 small sage leaves
• 1 teaspoons honey 
• 8 oz cheddar, shredded
• large tortillas
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat skillet and add butter. Add sage and let cook for 30 seconds. Add apple and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Once slighted softened, add butternut squash, honey, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 1 minute more. To assemble: Place 1/8 cup of cheddar on one half the quesadilla, then add 1/2-3/4 cup of apple and squash mixture.  Next add 1/8 cup of cheddar. Fold over tortilla on top of cheese.  Heat a cast iron griddle on medium on heat.  Place quesadilla on pan.  Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes and then flip.  Cook remaining side, 1-2 minutes more until cheese is melted and filling is warm.  The tortilla should be golden brown and charred on both sides.  Using a pizza cutter or knife cut into 3 or 4 pieces.  Enjoy as appetizer, lunch or dinner!

Healthy and delicious quesadilla!

Make ahead brunch for a crowd!

 I usually make this dish for easter brunch, but it is delicious anytime of year. Fritatta's are a fabulous way to utilize leftovers. Feel free to substitute other cooked vegetables such as peppers, spinach, or whatever you have on hand. For a richer dish, substitute cream for milk. For a lower fat version use skim milk.

Ready to go in the oven!

Mushroom and caramelized onion frittata
Serves: 12-14  Cook Time: 40 min      Prep Time:  20 min

• 18 eggs
• 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced and sauteed
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 onions, caramelized
• 1 tablespoon rosemary, minced fine
• 8 oz gruyere, shredded
• salt and pepper

Directions

Whisk eggs until blended. Add milk, rosemary, salt and pepper and combine. Add mushrooms, onion, and cheese. Stir together. Place in a sprayed 12x9 dish. Cook at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Let cool slightly before cutting. It will allow for easier slicing. A slice in between an english muffin makes a fabulous breakfast sandwich!

A fabulous breakfast!

Back to Basics:hard boiled eggs

Hard boiled eggs are simple food, yet many people struggle with leaving the sulfur ring behind.  It is easy to loose track of time and forget about those pesky eggs.  But they are great to have on hand to add to salads, snack on or make the perfect deviled eggs. Of course you can find various methods on pinterest, but this way is reliable and will give you great results everytime. So if your looking for the perfect hard boiled egg, look no further. This is for you!

Perfect Hard boiled eggs

• 10 eggs
• water to cover

Directions
Place eggs in sauce pot or pan.  Cover with cold water.  Heat until boiling. Let boil one minute. Turn off heat and let it cook 9 more minutes. Place in an ice bath until cold to stop the cooking. Peel and enjoy!

Delicious Hard Boiled Eggs

The best way to make butternut squash!

Butternut squash is an orange vegetable delight!  It's highly nutritional and low in calories.  Many people see a this large squash and wonder, how do I prepare that?  The answer is simple, roast it.  I know that I have repeatedly said this, but it does wonders for any vegetable.  Squash is one of the best to roast.  All the sugars create a wonderful caramelization and that allows the squash to exponentially increase its flavor.  Once roasted, it can be used on salads, turned into soup, pureed for a dessert or pasta or eaten by itself.  Squash lends it self to so many flavor combinations and can be any where on a menu.  So when you see this tastey treat in supermarket, don't pass it up.  It may surprise you!

Diced Squash

Roasted Butternut Squash

• 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced

• olive oil to coat

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss all ingredients and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Cook 20-35 minutes or until its easily pierced with a fork.

Beautiful Roasted Squash 

Conquering home made ricotta cheese!

Ricotta cheese is very versatile, but tends to be pricey at the store. It is an extremely easy cheese to make. The exponential taste difference makes it worth the extra time. Once you make ricotta cheese, you will never go back to the store brand. It keeps for a week or so in the fridge. Homemade ricotta will elevate strawberry bruschetta. It can also be used in:

• ravioli
• lasagna
• ice cream
• cannoli
• cheesecake
• crostini

Homemade ricotta

Yields: approximately 2 1/2 Cups

• 8 cups whole milk
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat milk and salt to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scalding. Once it starts boiling add the lemon juice and stir. You should see the milk curdle and separate from whey. Once it curdles remove from heat. The yellowish liquid is the whey and will be strained off. Remove from heat and strain the mixture through cheesecloth in a strainer. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

1. Bring milk to a boil while stirring	2. Lemon juice to curdle
3. Ricotta formed	4. Cheesecloth placed in a strainer

5. Straining ricotta from whey

A quick and easy week night meal!

Cavatappi translates into corkscrew.Which is fitting for this hollow and spiral pasta. It often has ridges to hold the pasta sauce. The tube is great for allowing peas or herbs to slip inside. This shape can also be used to make a more elegant presentation for macaroni and cheese. If you cannot find this lovely pasta shape, use alternatives such as ziti, macaroni or penne. If you don't have goat cheese on hand use ricotta or mozzeralla. The herbs and protein can be substituted for what you have on hand.

Sizzling tomatoes in garlic and olive oil

Mixture of fresh chopped herbs

Spring Pasta with Roasted Garlic Herb Sauce

Serves: 8-10  Cook Time: 10 min      Prep Time:  45 min

Pasta mixed with all the vegetables

• 1 lb pasta such as penne or cavatappi
• 1/2 cup pasta water reserved
• 1 lb shrimp
• 1/2 cup dill, chopped
• 1/2 cup chives, chopped
• 1/2 cup basil, chiffonaded
• 1 cup peas
• 1 bunch asparagus, cut a on 2" bias
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 bulb roasted garlic
• 3.5 oz goat cheese
• 1 cup small heirloom tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 lemon, zested
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.In the last two minutes of cooking pasta,add asparagus. Cook asparagus 2 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and asparagus reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive or grape seed oil in a saute pan until smoking. Add shrimp to pan and cook on one side for 1-2 minutes and then turn over and repeat. This may take less or more time depending on the size of your shrimp. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil and add garlic and tomatoes. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Set aside. In the same pan of garlic and tomatoes add pasta, pasta water, asparagus, goat cheese, peas, lemon zest, and cook until combined. Toss in fresh herbs and shrimp. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Fabulous pasta dish for dinner tonight!