Banana’s Foster

Courage is all  this recipe really requires. I will say ample overhead clearance helps a great deal  as well  though. Banana’s Foster is ready in an instant and easily altered to individual liking’s. Not a banana fan? Trade the banana for cherries, apples, or even orange slices. Let your local liquor store fuel your inspiration by visiting the wide variety of miniature bottles they carry. They make for a large selection for guests to choose from AND won’t break the bank when experimenting  with new flavors. Leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving? Flambéing them in this cinnamon and sugar mixture and topping …

Spinach Soup

This recipe was inspired by an article from a newsletter from a local power company in the 1970’s. I aimed to lighten and brighten the recipe as it seemed very heavy and over shadowed the spinach. I love using fresh produce when possible and this vibrant green soup was well received by the pickiest of family members. There are several ways to make substitutions to any lifestyle whether vegetarian or vegan. This savory soup may be served warm or chilled. Here’s the original from that newsletter

Tuna Wild Rice Bake

The idea of having warm tuna wasn’t something I looked forward to, but…MY GOODNESS! I wanted to add some freshness to this recipe with the addition of herbs and some fresh lemon zest . This recipe is one that can help stretch a dollar, but is definitely not lacking in flavor. A must try!

Maple Mustard Salmon

This simple and very easy salmon recipe is very flavorful and a must have for summer lunches or a light dinner. The mustard adds a little tanginess that is complimented with the slightly sweet maple syrup. For a healthy option this salmon can be served hot along side your favorite steamed vegetable or on top of a salad.   CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is huge thing there, You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 …

Maple Shrimp, Chicken, and Vegetables

Although I am familiar with stir fry, I have never been introduced to the addition of maple syrup.  I must admit there was a slight hesitation, but it turned out wonderful.  Definitely, a dish my family enjoyed and I will be sure to keep it in my book of recipes. I decided to serve this over yellow rice and that recipe is included here but you can serve this over white rice, basmati, brown rice, noodles, etc.   CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You …

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.

Hearty Lamb Stew

This recipe was a bit challenging as I am not a big fan of what the original protein (Veal) in the recipe called for.  I improvised a bit with lamb, but this recipe can also be made with Veal, Chicken, or Beef.  I really enjoy the uniqueness of the lamb throughout this dish as it introduces a different mouth feel in texture and taste from the veal. This dish was served with Mashed Potatoes   The recipe this was based on came from a little pamphlet from Provimi Veal from a year I won’t even take a guess at 🙂

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.

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

This recipe is a wonderful comfort food with a fun twist on classic sausage and peppers. Any ground meat or tofu can be used in place of the sausage meat which allows you to fit the recipe into your dietary needs. Traditional stuffed peppers use rice but for this I wanted to tie in the idea of a classic fair sausage and peppers on a roll by using the stuffing. This recipe can be adjusted to using mini peppers sliced vertically and filled to be used as an appetizer option or stick to full sized peppers for an entree.

Osso Buco

“Osso buco” is an Italian dish. It means “bone with a hole” in Milan’s dialect, which fits since this is cooked with a shank of meat (typically veal, but I am anti-veal)

Seared Scallops with Maple Cream Sauce

Who doesn’t love a bacon-wrapped scallop? This dish was created to bring the saltiness of the bacon with the sweetness of the maple syrup to elevate the scallops. It’s a protein that pairs easily with any side dish to make a full meal and it’s rich enough to enjoy by itself. It is a balanced dish of textures and flavors that the whole family will enjoy.     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 …

Creole Chicken

Creole Chicken is a spicy supper waiting to make your tastebuds dance. It’s fairly quick and very easy to make.

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.

Chilled Cucumber Soup

If you want something light, fresh, and healthy, then this soup is for you! Whether you eat it as is or use it as a base for another soup, this recipe will have you eating healthy and loving it. Though it is a chilled soup you can also eat this warm. If you are adding anything like diced vegetables or chicken, I would recommend heating it. Happy dining!

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.

Zippy Barbecue Franks

These franks are the perfect thing to serve for game day, dinner, or lunch! Easy to make and perfect to make ahead and keep warm in the sauce until it time to eat. I added cheese to mine but you can add any number of condiments and toppings to suit you and your family’s taste buds. Happy cooking, and happy eating!

Veal Goulash

I love mushrooms and onions. So when I read this recipe I was excited to try it. I have never had veal before and I think it turned out delicious. I made beef flavored rice to go with my goulash. It can be served be itself with a side of bread or as a meat with side dishes like rice or noddles or mash potatoes. This recipe originated in Hungary but has been influenced in other countries.

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!

Marvelous Malfatti

This recipe was so much fun to make, the flavors go amazingly together and make this dish well balanced. The malfatti has a mild enough flavor that it pairs well with the robust sauce, but still flavorful enough that it doesn’t get lost in the sauce. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) this dish as much as I did. Happy cooking!

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.

Lamb and Zucchini

This is a little, well, BIG spin on the classic chicken and zucchini. I substituted chicken with lamb chops and added my twist on “Ratatouille” style zucchini. This dish looks complicated but is nothing of the sort.  I love the color, savoriness and ease of the dish.

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.

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.

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.

Pozole

Now, this was a different take on a very classic recipe, and the sauce for them even with its heat makes an amazing meat marinade. This dish certainly has a feeling for every taste bud you can recognize. I took it just a step farther and made a one-pot dish very easily with this super easy recipe even on the hottest of days you can cook this dish knowing the only heat you need to worry about is the spice heat in the sauce. It’s too hot in my house this time of year (late summer) I had to figure …

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*

Stuffed Zucchini

I think I have had zucchini just about any way possible I will have to say next to zucchini bread this is my next favorite, the flavors of this dish are off the chart umami or every flavor-packed in every bite.

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 …

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 …

Spaghetti Pie

This was an interesting and fun dish!!  It’s a cross between a deconstructed spaghetti and lasagna.  The original recipe was from 1974 so there were some modern tweaks I’ve made.  It called for cottage cheese, but I decided that ricotta would be a great substitute.  So you can make the call on which you prefer.  Either way it’s delicious!!

Lamb Chops

Ever tried lamb before? Me neither! However, I will be making this a staple in my house! Be prepared to take cooking to a different level! Tender beyond anything you can think and minus a little marinade time super quick! The family will enjoy and more so you will be the new superhero in the house. I paired this with locally grown fresh cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad, as well as a basic Greek Tazaki sauce. You can pair this recipe with so many different options. In the winter, how about some roasted potatoes, onions, and mushrooms. In the …

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

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 …

Cilantro Creole Chicken and Rice

Love the deep soul flavor of your grandma’s Creole chicken? Love fresh? Here’s grandma’s Creole Chicken with a twist of freshness? Soul with fresh, or as I state it “fresh soul” it’s the new trend for those willing to try (yes my kids roll their eyes when I told them that joke as well.) However, once you try this you can send me a thank you card!

Beef Patty Parmigiana

What an amazing comfort dish to share with your family. The fragrant notes of onions and garlic partnered with the acidic tomato capture a perfect balance when paired with the sweetness of the wine and boldness of lemon and capers. Resting beautifully on your pasta of choice; this dish is sure to make an impression. Add a side salad and toasty garlic bread for the perfect finishing touch.

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 …

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 …

Portuguese Baked Beans & Sweet Cornbread

Oh, the flavors in this dish!! Linguica isn’t found up here in northern Michigan, so I used hot chorizo instead. Please, please hunt linguica if you can, otherwise you can sub a good quality, savory sausage for this recipe. My diet doesn’t include 90% of most meats, but I did taste this before serving. My mouth was quite pleased with the results, and I encourage you to delve into the culture behind this creation and play with the spices you find. I also made a sweet cornbread to go alongside this, because I’m a Southern woman, and…beans!!! Would I be …