Nana’s Pepper Steak

This was a childhood favorite and is till this very day. I make it throughout the year but it’s an absolute MUST HAVE on my birthday every year. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Chicken (Veal) Piccata

I won’t touch veal because I know where it comes from. Any time a recipe calls for veal, I use chicken. Chicken is also a much less expensive cut of meat.

Crepes

Get creative with these, use a teaspoon of an extract to switch up the flavor, top with different fruits, add a filling. This is just a base recipe, what you do with it is entirely up to you. I used baker’s measures so you’ll need a scale to measure this out. Prep time below includes 2 hour resting period.

Pancakes

Play with these, get creative 🙂 Add chocolate chips, blueberries, bananas, change up the extract, instead of vanilla or almond, go for cinnamon, banana, orange, add a little cinnamon to the batter .. have fun with these!!!

Rigatoni

This was a concoction that Mom came up when she realized we were out of spaghetti sauce. It’s a little Italian Mexican fusion

Chicken (Veal) Marsala

I don’t eat veal so I turn all veal recipes because I know where veal comes from and it breaks my heart. I turn all veal recipes into chicken because of this and also chicken is a healthier and less expensive option.

Chicken (Veal) Saltimbocca

I don’t eat veal so I turn all veal recipes because I know where veal comes from and it breaks my heart. I turn all veal recipes into chicken because of this and also chicken is a healthier and less expensive option.

Murgh Kari (Indian Chicken Curry)

At the end of my culinary studies I did a brief externship with Melinda’s Heaven. The owner asked for an article on the curries of Asia and for an original recipe. I so loved the variances that I came up with 3. This is one of those recipes. The article can be found at https://goodeatsgreatmemories.com/2019/09/15/curry-of-the-asian-continent/

Louisiana Chicken

A cousin-in-law is from Louisiana, this is one of her family’s recipes but I edited it years ago to make it my own, there wasn’t enough kick for me and it was way too high in salt and calories 🙂 I’ve also never heard of or seen frozen artichoke hearts

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.

Fennel Pork Chops

If you’ve never had fennel, note that it has a distinctive anise, licorice type flavor.  Here it is paired with garlic and the pair work very well together.

Taco Meat

Who doesn’t love tacos !!! This meat is super good and whenever I make tacos everyone mows down SOOOO many LOL

Beef Fiesta

This is a super quick 15 min make. Grab some left over London broil, steak, roast, etc slice it thin and your 15 minutes from a delicious meal.

Mexican Lasagna

This was something my Nana came up with. It’s different but really tasty. My Nana put Pace© Picante Sauce on almost everything. As a kid, I nicknamed her hot sauce Hazel 🙂

Italian Style Country Pork Ribs

These ribs use Italian Sauce which can be found on this site. These ribs are melt in your mouth tender and have a lovely kick of spice from the sauce they’re paired with. I tend to serve them with pasta and garlic bread

Banana Fritters

These banana filled pillows of goodness are the perfect snack for any time of day! Imagine a funnel cake with a light crispy outside and soft tender inside now add the sweet fruity taste of bananas, that’s what you’ll get with these delicious banana fritters! Enjoy!

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!

Chili From Mexico

I haven’t a clue where this monstrosity came from. It’s typed out on what was obviously a typewriter so it’s definitely old. I will admit this is one of the ones in the books that I looked at with my head tilted and was scared to death to make but I am determined to add everything from the book to this website, scary or not so I made it. Thankfully it wasn’t as horrible as I feared it would be but gawd dog is it a hot mess to look at. If you have the gumption to make it, your …

Teriyaki Beef

Asian food of all kinds seemed to always be a staple in the house. This is Joni’s Teriyaki Beef. In the photo, I added green beans because I love veggies.

Moo Goo Gai Pan (Chicken)

Per Wikipedia – Moo goo gai pan is the Americanized version of a Cantonese dish, usually a simple stir-fried dish consisting of sliced or cubed chicken with white button mushrooms and other vegetables. Popular vegetable additions include bok choy, snow peas, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and Chinese cabbage. This is my Nana’s version. Being Portuguese, it always struck me as odd that there was such a love of all things oriental from food to furnishings to decor. This is a really tasty dish. Please pardon that there are no mushrooms in the photographed version, the person I was cooking with …

Pepper Steak

Pepper steak was one of the dishes that I would often order at the local Chinese restaurants.  It was always one of my favorites as a child.  I can remember going out to eat and always ordering it.  I remember it coming with a side of brown rice, egg roll, and a fortune cookie.  I am so excited to be able to make this recipe.  Although the version I remember growing up as a child had carrots, onions, peppers, and mushrooms.  I believe that this dish should showcase the peppers.

Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This recipe is a combination of two of our favorite foods.  Chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan.  I served it with noodles for lunch and dinner. I wanted to showcase Eggplant Parmesan as a casserole and added the Chicken Parmesan to it. This made an amazingly tasty dish.  I do hope you will give it a try.

Chicken Scallopini with Lemon Sauce

The term “scallopini” means thinly sliced meat dredged in flour and fried. I love a crispy texture so I decided to add panko to make pan-fried chicken extra crispy. The lemon caper sauce helps to cut the rich fried flavor of the chicken. Great to serve as a light lunch with some lightly dressed salad greens or dinner with pasta and white sauce such as alfredo.

Zucchini Fried Cakes

This kind of recipe was challenging have never done something like this with vegetables, and i had fun with it! And it was actually pretty good my son liked it and he is a picky child.

Tropical Caribbean Pork Chops

Kick back, put your sunglasses on and enjoy a taste of the islands!  This recipe is what we Floridians call Floribbean flavors.  It combines traditional fried pork chops with a strong island influence and hint of Asian flare. Tangy, sweet and salty with a hint of heat.  It’s all there!  Served here over a bed of coconut sticky rice and garnished with Thai basil and unsweetened shaved coconut.

Schnitzel Tacos

This recipe is a twist off of a Milanese veal steak. I switched to a more classic Schnitzel using pork chops but veal steak will also work making them Wiener Schnitzel Tacos.  Did you know Wiener Schnitzel has been dated all the way back to the 19th century and originates from Austria but was made famous in German cuisine. All of the best German flavors are here with the traditional roasted potatoes and lemon cream sauce with the well known red cabbage slaw to top it all off.

Buffalo Wings

My family LOVES wings, and these buffalo wings are no exception. Whether you’re enjoying them on gameday or just making them for family dinner, these wings are sure to please the crowd. Dipping them in blue cheese or ranch is wonderful way to cool the heat and add some extra flavor. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did!

Felhozes “Portuguese Doughnuts”

These will be a family favorite! There’s nothing better than fresh homemade doughnuts and these will definitely delight. The aroma of a fresh donut shop in your kitchen will invite everyone in. There’s a hint of orange zest that just kisses the palette when you bite into these. These are great with a morning cup of coffee or drizzled with some homemade maple syrup. CandiAnne’s Note: My family comes from the Azore Island of Faial. Felhozes have different spellings and pronunciations. Other spellings are Filhos and Filhoses, these and Malassadas are often used interchangeably and are sometimes also confused with …

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 …

Fried Chicken

Whether you live in the South, love game day, or just flat-out love chicken, this recipe is for you. This fried chicken is the definition of GBD, golden-brown and delicious. It’s a classic, flavorful recipe that your family is sure to love, add your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes and coleslaw, and the meal is complete. Happy cooking.

Blueberry Maple Mousse Parfait

Once I discovered maple mousse I knew I had to try this with other flavor profiles! First thing that came to mind were blueberry pancakes. So why not a blueberry maple mousse parfait? This turned out so much tastier than I imagined! The mousse was nice and creamy, the pancakes were fluffy and the bacon gave the whole thing a nice crunchy texture. In every bite you received that nice blueberry pancake with maple syrup and bacon flavor. The mousse made it seem like a sweet treat but this parfait would be good for a meal or snack.   CandiAnne’s …

Maple and Bacon Semifreddo

Semifreddo is a lot like ice cream, but much easier to make. This is a nice sweet treat that my kids love helping me whip up when we have a sweet tooth and the flavor options are endless! This recipe was inspired by a maple mousse recipe I was given and decided to spruce up a bit. Adding some semi-sweet chocolate bits or even dipping pieces of bacon in chocolate before adding them would be a great way to change this particular one up!

Chicken, Bacon, Mushroom Stew

This rich and satisfying soup hits all the comfort food notes. Hearty chicken and mushrooms help to satisfy hunger and leave your belly feeling warm and full. The addition of bacon and a splash of heavy cream add luxuriousness. This dish is a winner for the whole family.

Southern Fried Hot Chicken

Everyone loves fried chicken, but sometimes we want something a little different. It seems like everywhere you turn today someone is doing their own version of hot chicken.  I felt it was my turn to take a stab at it!  This recipe has the crispy, delicious fry that you love, but with a big kick!!   Note: If you don’t have a fryer you can use a pan to fry this chicken. Make sure you have enough oil for your specific fryer or to fill the pan just 1/3 full so you avoid splatter and burning yourself.

Musaka

This eggplant dish is hearty and comforting. It can easily be made as a vegan or vegetarian option. There are many variations of this dish, such as using potatoes in place of the eggplant.

Helen’s Italian Style Fried Chicken

This wonderful fried chicken cutlet makes for a great lunch when paired with a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette. When served with pasta for dinner, this chicken goes well with a creamy or tomato based sauce as well. You can’t go wrong with these zesty and herby flavors. Everyone in the family will enjoy!   CandiAnne’s Note: My cousin Helen was one of my favorite people. She was the daughter of my Nana’s oldest sibling so she and my Nana were fairly close in age. They spent a lot of time together. I never had a bad meal when …

Pierogi

I’ve never had the pleasure to have pierogi before. They are soft and tender dumpling-like envelopes filled with your choice of savory or sweet, pan-fried in butter to perfection. Here I’ve given you a few different fillings to think about, get creative and have fun making these. *This recipe is for a small batch*

Golbaki Cabbage Rolls

This recipe is a lot of fun to make. I changed up the filling to omit the rice, I used pork instead of beef and included many strong spices and herbs that paired well with the creamy and salty nature of the cheeses. It turned out amazing! The textures were fantastic together. Perhaps you would also like to try this as well: Take the remaining uneaten rolls that have cooled overnight and place them into a hot skillet and fry. It’s quite easy to create a sauce of parm, chicken stock, butter, and cream cheese. Pour over and allow it …

Cordeiro assada

This is a Portuguese lamb dish, with a mouth-watering braised leg of lamb served on a bed of roasted potatoes and sauteed fresh vegetables. To finish off the dish, it is topped off with a rich velvety lamb reduction perfectly spiced.  

Choppe Norma

I have found this recipe to be easy to make and a new family favorite.  I add orange bell peppers to mine to give it some color and it added a little sweetness and texture to it. Rice is a perfect accompaniment to it and gave it an Asian feel. I hope you enjoy this as much as my family and I did.     CandiAnne’s Note – Growing up my mother and cousin Jackie had friends from L.A. named Dave and Norma Abelar who would come up every so often to visit. I guess Norma was originally from our …

Crab Cakes

If you are a seafood lover, you must try these crab cakes! They are delightful, with a tender center and a crisp outer layer. The flavors are mild and the texture is somewhat soft and chewy. These amazing cakes serve hungry customers and family members as an appetizer or even as an entre. Perhaps along side a steak for a nice surf and turf dinner. Crab cakes are very popular and there are great reasons for that. Enjoy!

Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry

This is a great dish to make in the summer to use fresh zucchini from your garden or a farmers market. The light taste of the sauce mixed with the chicken and vegetables makes this an instant family favorite. I served mine over plain fried rice but I think this will also be good served with any type of flat bread.

Chicken & Chickpeas

I must say that chickpeas and I are as well-suited as two peas in a pod. The idea of chickpeas in marinara sauce with chicken and mushrooms didn’t sound too appetizing. But oh gosh, was I proven wrong? It was one of the MOST comforting and fulfilling meals I have had in a while. It is one of those recipes packed with nutrients and protein and has a rich layer of flavor. It all starts with the sharp, acidic white onion, sautéed in creamy butter, along with the nutty flavor of the chickpeas, which pairs perfectively with the earthiness of …

Fried Chicken in Wine Sauce

Enjoy the beautiful infusion of fried chicken in a very delicate and flavorful sauce. The combination of herbs and spices in this dish will keep you coming back for more. You will be tickled with the subtle sweetness in the sauce while it still embodies the grounded earthy flavors of garlic, mushroom, rosemary, tarragon and sage. Enjoy the crunch of your fried chicken resting in a simply delightful sauce as if it were meant to partner together on your plate.

Tuna Burger with Spicy Mayo

Here is a new twist to an old classic. My family loves tuna salad sandwiches and this gave a new and exciting change. It is perfect for lent or if you just want to avoid red meat and change things up just a bit, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family did.

Radish Stir-Fry

Three supermarkets and a few produce stores later, I found all ingredients for this light, bright with a bite stir-fry. The recipe didn’t call for oyster sauce,  lemongrass, or ginger, but these ingredients add peppery spice and acidic assertive flavors, converting it into an unforgettable dish. Gosh, I remember the first time I tried doing a stir-fry. It was a delightful mash of vegetables because I didn’t have my heat at the right temperature and used way too much oil. However, this radish recipe with green onions turned out perfect. It was fulfilling, crisp in bite, with umami, and a …

Flank Steak Bordelaise

Imagine taking a bite of a perfectly seasoned steak with so much flavor that you never want to stop chewing. Well, now take a sauce that is so good you will mistake it for your new favorite drink. Combine both the sauce and the steak and you have a perfect dinner. Throw in some veggies and starch of choice and you can once again thank me later for this moving up the list of being one of the best dishes. It’s so good that you can impress anyone and everyone, go ahead it’s a lock-in dinner for impressing that first …

Fake’n’Shake’n’Bake

Have you ever read the nutrition label on a box of Shake’n’Bake and seen the amount of sodium in there?? No thanks, I’d like to help my ticker keep  tickin. Here’s a much lower sodium, and in my opinion, healthier, tastier version. Like all things on this website, make it your own. Want more kick, add more Cayenne or maybe a little Slap Ya Mama. Going for a more  Italian feel up the Basil and Oregano, add some Rosemary. Play with this and make it yours. This makes about 4 packets worth so store it in a ziplock with all …

Lemony Battered Fish

If you love the flavor of lemon, these this is definitely the recipe for you. The fish has a wonderfully crispy exterior and soft, flakey interior. I enjoy serving this with lemon butter tricolor rotini and broccoli with lemon wedges.