Puff Pastry

Puff pastry has so many uses for many baked goods. A few of the many things you can do with this are Beef Wellington, Parmesan Twists, Stuffed Hand Pies, Cinnamon Rolls, Croissants, Pot Pies, and the list goes on. One of the things I do often with it is these Apple Roses, which I also switch up and make Peach Roses It can be a long and tedious process to make but I much prefer to make my own so I know what’s in it, I’m not a fan of preservatives. I used baker’s measures so you’ll need a scale.

Baguettes

Baguettes are wonderful for a side dish like garlic bread, to cut into sandwich rolls, or to cut into small slices for cheese and salami. Enjoy!!  I used baker’s measures so you’ll need a scale.

Jazzed Up Refried Beans

Refried beans out of a can look and smell pretty gross, and while we know they’re going to taste good they can totally taste better 🙂 Here’s a quick way to jazz them up a little bit. The ones here are pictured with my green enchiladas

Italian Dressing

I don’t like bottled dressings because I see no point in sugar and preservatives in everything we eat. This is a favorite dressing that I make because I can change the oil, change the vinegar, and/or change the spices, and always have something different.

Fried Rice

Pictured here with Chinese Lemon Chicken  This rice is an awesome side dish and I often make it as a meal within itself.

New Orleans Rice

This rice is sooo full of flavor and it all comes together in the oven. Can’t get much easier than that. I did try this in the Instant Pot and it just didn’t come out the same so I’m only putting the oven directions here.

Italian Sauce

This has so many uses and it’s got a nice little kick to spice things up. Here you’ll find two uses for it; Italian Style Country Pork Ribs Italian Style Chicken Gizzards and Italian Sausage. It can also be thickened with a cornstarch slurry to pour over spaghetti. What you do with this is all up to you and your imagination.

Plated Green Bean Salad

Green Bean Salad

Have you ever wondered what a new and innovative way is to have green beans?  Today I am going to share with you a new, fun, and healthier way of having green beans.  There are so many ways that you can take this simple, humble ingredient to the next level in flavor and texture. To make this vegan, switch out the feta cheese for a vegan cheese of your choosing. You can use any style and cut of green beans that you prefer.  I like to experiment with different textures and flavors of food.  A salad can be anything that …

Homemade Flour Tortillas

I think you will enjoy this quick and simple recipe! Homemade tortillas are so tender and chewy, you’ll never want the store bought ones again after making your own! All you’ll need are five ingredients to make these delicious tortillas. You can always double the recipe to make more at one time, trust me you will go through these very quickly! Enjoy!

Coleslaw

LOL this is one of my Nana’s recipes and she didn’t write a single measurement down or nothing. It’s just a list of ingredients so I got to play 🙂 I’m completely NOT a coleslaw fan and there have been less than a handful I have found that I liked over the years, but this one is good and has turned around a few coleslaw haters such as myself.

Jeanie’s Pasta Salad

This came from a cousin of mine. What’s funny is it’s written in my handwriting but I don’t recall doing it so it must’ve been when I was young 🙂 OOPS This is a favorite of mine. I make it often and have it as a meal, it’s filling and super tasty. I play with the ingredients a lot on this one. Make it your own, have fun with it. This is one you can definitely go hog wild with.

Tomato Mushroom Barley Salad

This salad, it is simple yet satisfying. It is also a way to understand barley and how simple it shows a multitude of uses. From risotto to a casserole and everything in between. the grain expands when it absorbs any liquid such as water, chicken broth, etc. This was different but it was satisfying.

Glumpkies

This is a dish similar to dolmas, but the difference is there is rice added to it. I have made dolmas before but never glumkies. This was an interesting dish to make. This is also a known polish dish. There are a variety of ways of making this dish but the concept is the same.

Zucchini Squash

In my family I can remember growing summer yellow squash and the zucchini squash.  I was excited to try this version of zucchini.  I think that this is  a very versatile vegetable and can be used in many ways. This is a wonderful side dish to go along with either your lunch or dinner.  It’s great for a potluck and easy to fix.  I hope you give this wonderful side dish a try.  You can make it vegetarian, or vegan.

Kale, Beef and Potato Soup

An interesting combination for a nice hearty soup. Something to enjoy on a cold day or to share with family. A hearty flavored soup. This dish is originally a Portuguese dish, but instead of using Linguica (Portuguese sausage), it became a more American dish using beef tips(beef tenderloin chunks). CandiAnne’s note: My Aunt Carrie grew Kale in her yard so she made this all the time. It was a favorite at her house and across the street at ours. LOL being Portuguese, we obviously used the Linguica

Spaghetti and Clams

I haven’t ever had clams before.  So this was a bit scary for me to make and to try.  I loved the idea of trying something new and seeing how well I liked it.  It was amazing.   CandiAnne’s Note: This was a favorite growing up and still is to this day. My uncle would get up at dark and he and his buddies would head out to the bay to go clammin while the tide was out. Having fresh clams was soooo yummy. We’d boil em up and eat them right out of the shell. This would also be …

Squash Casserole

Squash casserole isn’t something that I had growing up as a kid.  So to say I was excited to cook this dish, was an understatement.  The mishaps that I had during the cooking was I accidentally left out the eggs and worcestershire  sauce.  I didn’t realize it until after the casserole was in the oven.  I felt really mad at myself, but it still turned out delicious.

Garlic Naan Bread

When I was making the Turkish Lamb Pilaf dish, I wanted to make it a full meal.  So I wanted to make some bread that was native to the area.  This bread is a really good bread recipe that is amazing with flavor.  I enjoy making bread so that is another reason I decided to do this.  It is a slow process but well worth it.

Lemon Lavender Custard Cake

A light and fluffy custard cake with lavender buds and lemon best served with a hot cup of tea for a cold afternoon. This cake in the end should surprise you with 3 layers of texture! Fluffy cake, light custard, and creamy bottom.

Fruit with Garlic

The idea of having garlic served with fruit may seem rather odd at first, but Joseph Carcione, aka ” The “greengrocer”, states that garlic brings out the flavors of the fruit or vegetable that it is cooked with. After roasting the garlic, the sugars come through and the harshness of the garlic dissipates and leaves a mellow flavor. This is a recipe that should not be overlooked.

Sweet and Spicy Caribbean Slaw

Add some flair to this American classic with a hint of spice and some tropical fruit. This is a very simple recipe with amazing flavors!  Pairs well with any grilled protein or served on top of a burger or hot dog.  Give it a try.  It will change the way you think about coleslaw!

Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups

This recipe is great because you can adjust it to any dietary need. You can replace the chicken with tofu or a good hearty mushroom. You can use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce to cut back on your sodium and it doesn’t contain gluten. The lettuce cups make for a fun hands on eating experience and aesthetically look great on a plate. If lettuce cups aren’t your thing, try chopping the lettuce up and make it into a salad. This recipe is a good balance of salt and savory with a touch of sweet and crunch.

Easy Yogurt Herb Biscuits

Making Biscuits can be fun and easy it doesn’t have to be hard. These are a delicious side Dish for a Dinner meal maybe with a Roast, or Grilled Fish fillets. Trying this easy recipe will be fun.

Flavorful Israeli Pearl Couscous

Israeli (pearl) Couscous is round pasta that is larger than regular couscous.  It absorbs the liquid that it is cooked in and is a great substitute for rice.  I substituted the water with white wine and a smoked pork broth but any broth will work.  It is pictured here served with Jackie’s Spiced Tomato Pork Chops and Parmesan Baked Cauliflower.

Cousin Jack’s Barbecue Sauce

This is pretty basic and can stand alone or be used as a base for more complex BBQ sauces if one chooses a different flavor profile.  Either way, this sauce is a winner!    

Mediterranean Green Bean Salad

A super flavorful and healthy side dish that pairs well with just about any sandwich or grilled protein. This dish is also chock-full of nutrients and probiotics. This recipe can easily be altered by adding in items such as artichoke hearts, olives or a cured meat to make it a one dish meal.

Southern Chow Chow

Chow chow is a relish made from green tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and bell peppers. It was started as a way to utilize those unripened tomatoes after frost started. Chow chow is sometimes confused with piccalilli which is another style of relish but with more of a variety of vegetables. It is suggested chow-chow originates from the French word Chou for cabbage. This relish is great on anything savory such as burgers, hot dogs, mixed into fried rice for a southern twist, or topped onto a southern corn salad.    

Ham En Gelee Deconstructed

When making the ham, I fried the ham and used the grease to make the gravy for the Ham En Gelee. I’m from the South and I decided to serve it with ham & rice. The dinner turned out really well. I’m not usually a fan of gravy myself, but I enjoyed it. As did the rest of my family. This recipe began as a jello mold type dish circa 1970s so I was told to make it modern and bring it into the now. This is what the jellied version looks like and the recipe it came from. The …

Beans

I am not a pinto bean fan but I really enjoyed this recipe. It reminds me of my mom’s chili, so I served it with saltines. You could also top with cheese or serve with some type of bread.

Vermont Maple Cream

I have never made Vermont Maple Cream before. It turned out great and reminded me of a mountain family vacation we took. I made toast to put the Vermont maple cream on. This would be perfect on pancakes as well.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts …

Seafood casserole

I had a lot of fun with this one. I am from the south and never heard of shrimp in a can. I went and got fresh shrimp. I used imitation  crab meat but you could use fresh if desired. I used the tuna to make a tuna dip. Which turned out great. Add a hand full of cheese to milk mixture.

Green Beans and Celery

In this recipe I decided to make green bean casserole with a twist. I decided to use all the ingredients and add 2 cans of cream of mushroom and topped it of with 1/2 bag of dried onions. I make green bean casserole all the time it was nice to add a twist to it.

Beet Borscht

This healthy, wholesome Beet Borscht is the perfect combination of sweet and sour with a slight tang!!  It’s bursting with color.  A bit of ginger and lemongrass boost the aromatics and makes it just as pleasing to your nose as it is to your taste buds!  Enjoy as a side or meal. Make, enjoy, love!

Stuffed Cabbage Leaves

Wow, what an appetizer!! I can eat a million of these!! The chewiness of thinly sliced ribeye with the crunchy savoy cabbage leaves is such a total taste bud twist!  The small savoy leaves makes this the perfect bite size, healthy snack.  Make, enjoy, love!

Barley Casserole

Delicious earthy casserole for a warming experience. This casserole makes a great side for different dinner combinations or could even be a nice appetizer before dinner.

Raspberry Fanfare

This recipe can be a little tricky because you have to let the gelatin set enough to where you can layer it, but make sure that it hasn’t set too much as well. If you’re not quite sure how to go about that you can test a little in a small dish til your happy with it. This one is definitely worth the hassle though! This is nice and creamy with the perfect amount of raspberry and lemon flavors.

Cranberry Fruit Bread

You’ll love this bread for the smell alone! My whole house smells like citrus after baking this. This came out of the oven looking so pretty I couldn’t wait to slice it open and give it a try. I have never been too big on cranberries but this bread was really good! I just know it will be a hit at this year’s family holiday gatherings!

Kashmiri Rice

This dish was absolutely delicious. I am not a huge fan of many rice dishes, but this recipe is easy and definitely worth a try.

Chinese Vegetables

Do you want a recipe where you can expose your family to new things? This is your ticket! Super fresh tasting, a little crunchy, a little sauce, and a whole lot of flavor. If you want you can add this to any protein and you have everything. A little rice noodles (bean threads) a ton of veggies packed with even more flavor. Make it spicy for you that love the heat or calm it down for a great side or main dish. You have the power to take this and use it in any way you wish! The one thing …

Mary’s Creamy Rice

This is a tangy spin on rice and there’s the addition of the crab so this could be a meal in itself Along with this, there is Mary’s Risotto Mary’s Cabbage & Rice Mary’s Rice 2 Here are all 4 together

Mary’s Risotto

A very easy and tasty risotto dish for something a little bit different instead of plain white rice. Using the broth of your choice can easily make this a vegetarian dish and using vegan options for butter and cheese it can be vegan. Risotto really is a dish for everyone. Along with this, there is Mary’s Rice 2 Mary’s Cabbage & Rice Mary’s Creamy Rice Here are all 4 together

Mary’s Cabbage and Rice

A completely different spin on rice, add cabbage to it for a whole new kind of side dish. The textures play on the tongue.   Along with this, there is Mary’s Risotto Mary’s Rice 2 Mary’s Creamy Rice Here are all 4 together

Mary’s Rice 2

I found this rice dish relatively easy to make, delicious, and can go with almost any meal. You can also make all four of Mary’s rice dishes for a family get-together, so everyone can try something new and exciting. Along with this, there is Mary’s Risotto Mary’s Cabbage & Rice Mary’s Creamy Rice Here are all 4 together

Peas, Rice, Ham and Cheese Salad

This hearty salad is sure to please. Enjoy it for lunch, supper or even as a snack. It has a nice texture and flavor balance of salty, sweet, creamy, crunchy and finished with the all powerful creamy garlic dressing. This salad packs a punch served all alone or even as a side. This was my first time creating this dish and it was very good. The next day, I used the remaining dish (without the dressing) and prepared it like a stir fry with sesame oil, Teriyaki and fish sauce. I added almonds to it to give it more body. …

Maple-Pecan Butter

This recipe is the perfect building block for anything from pancakes to any flavor of bread. I chose to show this on a pumpkin bread as we are coming into the fall and well who doesn’t love pumpkin bread. Silky, smooth with a little crunch a great addition to almost anything.

Maple Pepper Butter And Glaze

This recipe is one of those recipes that can open your mind to the many different ways that you can take something simple and make anything and everything amazing. I added this butter recipe to some spaghetti squash and it was a perfect blend of a hint of sweetness to enhance the buttery goodness of the squash. Please use this recipe to open the gates of what you can put it on. It is a perfect balance of sweet and a little lemon. You’ll eat the butter straight and that’s ok, mainly because I did it and that’s what I …

Easy Maple Cranberry Butter and Cookies.

Cranberries are both sweet and tart in its’ flavor profile. Maple syrup is a complex flavor known for its’ hints of caramel and vanilla. Pairing these two ingredients creates a dynamic layer of flavors on the tastebuds. Now imagine making quick and simple butter with minimal ingredients creating a burst of possibilities to your palette? The ability to easily execute both a maple syrup butter and Cranberry Maple Butter, which is sweet condensed jelly. That’s precisely the experience I want to bring you as a Culinary artist. And in such, I made a few tweaks, like adding Mexican vanilla beans …

Chilies and Cheese Rice

Mix some California green chilies, fluffy rice, gooey Monterey, and what do you get? An easy cheesy peasy rice dinner. I tweaked the recipe and turned this chili and cheese rice dish into rice cakes with an ingenious hack, baking it in a jumbo-sized cupcake pan.  A comforting dish made simple for any mealtime, whether on a relaxing rainy Sunday afternoon or getting in the door late from a progressive day of work or school.  This recipe is an explosion of flavors that pops with a well-elevated amount of heat on the palette, between the gooey grated Monterey cheese and …

Brown Rice Pilaf

Most think wild rice. mixed grain, a bit saucy, when rice pilaf is mentioned. This pilaf is not that, but it’s definitely amazing!!! Rice is comfort food for me, and I’d never used tomato juice in it before, so this recipe thrilled me to recreate. Brown rice is a particular favorite because it’s much meatier than plain white rice. Brown rice also takes a bit longer to cook, which is why I was grateful for it being toasted. Well that, and it makes the house smell incredible!!! The original recipe used salt and pepper, but I think a bit of …

Pesto, Chicken and Rice

The pesto!!!! Listen kats and kittens, if you don’t like pesto, then this isn’t for you. (We can still be friends, though!) I made this dish a few ways to see what worked best, and the neighbors literally just asked for more rice and pesto. You’ve been warned. Pesto is traditionally made with nuts, but after Thing 2, I developed a tree nut allergy. Pumpkin seeds work really well, though a bit more dense in consistency than what pesto tends to be. Lemon juice is a thinning option, and gives the pesto a totally different attitude, should you need that …

Tabouleh

This stuff makes me so happy. Simple, savory, healthy, and so yum. Bulgar wheat can be found raw or processed. Raw takes longer,  obviously, so plan for that if you decide to use it. Otherwise, there isn’t a whole lot to say about this one, other than have fun with it!!! Great as a side dish, like the picture, or as lunch, which is my choice!!!! C’mon, let’s eat.

Strawberry-Banana Bread

Living in FL we have an amazing growing season because the sun is usually shining. Beginning of March while much of the rest of the nation is still freezing, we’re rolling out the Strawberry Festival in Plant City which is attended by people from around the world. You can find more information on that here With an abundance of strawberries at my fingertips, I am always finding fun ways to play with them. Here I decided to take an old favorite, banana bread and sweeten it up. Strawberry Banana is all the rage so why not mix them in a …