Tag Archives: dinner

Charred Beef Tip with Chinese Five Spice and Grilled Cara Cara Oranges

Chinese five-spice is pungent and encompasses all five tastes—sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami—and uses five different spices. This dynamic Asian seasoning is a mixture of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It’s easy to make at home, but it’s ok to purchase it premade too. I usually pair it withContinue reading “Charred Beef Tip with Chinese Five Spice and Grilled Cara Cara Oranges”

Drunken Squash with Forbidden Black Rice and Dried Fruit! 

Once Reserved Only for the Noble.  The health benefits of black rice are so powerful, this ingredient earned its name. Highly prized by noblemen and once forbidden amongst the common in ancient China.  Black rice, was first introduced to the United States just recently, in 1995. Today it’s gaining popularity. Forbidden black rice is delicious,Continue reading “Drunken Squash with Forbidden Black Rice and Dried Fruit! “

Carrot Salad with Roasted Cashew & Spicy Honey Vinaigrette

You’ll Need 1 cup unsalted cashews, roasted 2 cloves garlic, peeled1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes1/8 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup local honey1/2 cup olive oilKosher salt and fresh ground pepper1 pound carrots, peeled, julienned Here’s HowPreheat oven to 350’F Degrees. Toast cashews on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionallyContinue reading “Carrot Salad with Roasted Cashew & Spicy Honey Vinaigrette”

Grilled Pizza! Get Your Pie Out-of-the-Oven and onto the Grill!

The trick to a perfect grilled pizza is all the preparations. Roast, sauté, cook, slice, and grate whatever toppings you like before you begin your grilled pizza journey. Adding those pre-cooked toppings to the pizza as it is grilling is the trick. The dough will only require a 3-5 minutes cook time per side. Making theContinue reading “Grilled Pizza! Get Your Pie Out-of-the-Oven and onto the Grill!”

Stromboli- Dinner in 30! 

Unlike a calzone, a stromboli does not contain sauce. Invented in the 1950’s on the east coast in Pennsylvania. An Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria claims to be the first to have used the name, Stromboli. Rumor has it the pizzeria owner had experimented with “pizza imbottito”, or “stuffed pizza”, and added ham, salami, cheese andContinue reading “Stromboli- Dinner in 30! “

Ropa Vieja Stew, Non-Traditional 

( ROH-pah VYAY-hah) translates something like, “old clothes”  in Spanish, but don’t be fooled. This traditional warm weather dish will wrap around you like a nice cozy brand new shawl. You’ll even wanna eat this on a spring or summer evening when the night breeze picks up. I serve my Ropa over a sweet potato–whichContinue reading “Ropa Vieja Stew, Non-Traditional “

Spicy Turkey Zucchini Boats! Like a Taco without a Shell. Whatever Floats Your Boat, Right? 

Ingredients: 8 medium zucchini 1 cup chicken stick 1 pound ground turkey, chicken, beef or Italian sausage  1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped small dice  1 cup mushrooms, quartered ( optional)  2-3 cloves garlic, minced fine 3 cups pasta sauce 1 Tablespoon oregano, minced fine 1 Tablespoon fresh marjoram, minced fine  1/2Continue reading “Spicy Turkey Zucchini Boats! Like a Taco without a Shell. Whatever Floats Your Boat, Right? “

Fresh Basil and Kale Pesto Zoodles

Some think I’ve lost my noodle, because I put kale in my zoodles. I’ll let you be the judge. This recipe is a variation of the classic basil pesto. It’s fresh, flavorful, easy and healthy. Kale is really good for you. Contains a high concentration of vitamins K, A, C, and antioxidants.  Chefs Secret: Blanching helpsContinue reading “Fresh Basil and Kale Pesto Zoodles”

Skinny Orange Chicken 

Well, skinn ( i-e-r ) …. One of my favorite dishes is orange chicken! Mmmm, crispy bits of deep fried nuggets tossed in sugary orange glaze.  Yikes! I did make a New Year commitment of cutting back on fried foods and recipes that include refined sugar. So- what’s a chef to do?  Answer: Reworked theContinue reading “Skinny Orange Chicken “