Pesto

When you want pasta but the tomato-based sauce just doesn’t sound good 🙂 Fresh basil can be hard to find so this gives you the option of spinach, some people will also use kale. The base you use will obviously change the flavor but don’t be afraid to mix and match greens, play with this, see what you wind up with. Pesto is a thing you can truly make your own. Set a little extra aside and mix it with a little bit of mayonnaise for a pesto aioli for a salami sandwich. Also, if you can’t find fresh basil …

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.

My Lasagna

In the book, there were 2 different lasagnas that were nearly identical from someone my mom worked with and a cousin-in-law. I took their ideas and doinked around to make one all my own with more flavor and a little kick.

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.

Italian Sausage

Italian sausage has so many uses and I much prefer to make it at home rather than buy it in the store because then I have complete control over the spices in it, the heat level, everything. I use Italian sausage in spaghetti sauce, I’ll mix it 50/50 with beef for one of the most flavorful burgers you’ve ever sunk your teeth into, I’ll also do the same with meatloaf. It’s great fried up with eggs for a morning omelet. Its uses are pretty much endless. Just think outside the box and figure out where you could put this.

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.

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.

Beef with Piquant Sauce

Typically Piquant sauce is a spicy, tomato base that is found in Cajun cookin, here Joni used chicken stock instead. The word Piquant comes from the French for “to prick or sting” and this zesty sauce just does that.

Pizza Mexicana

Pizza is something that everyone loves to enjoy from time to time.  This recipe is one of the best pizza recipes that I have ever made.  The pizza dough can be intimidating to make, but this recipe makes it simple and it has an amazing taste to it.  We love thin crust pizza so that is what I made.  You can make this as spicy as you want or as mild as you want.  There are endless possibilities when you are adding toppings as well. So get creative and get the kids involved in making this fun dish.

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

Cacik (Turkish Yogurt Dip)

This dip or sauce depending on how thick you make it, is a quick and easy little something to throw together to set off any Turkish Dish you are making.  I served this on top of the Turkish Lamb Pilaf dish that I made and to go along with the Naan Bread that I served to make this meal more rounded out.  I hope you enjoy this.  It was a huge hit here at our house.  Especially with a house full of picky eaters.

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.

Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken teriyaki is a Japanese dish made with sake and mirin. I decided to add a little Hawaiian influence and make this a little more family friendly. This dish is savory with just a touch of sweetness. I served with white rice. It can also be served with riced cauliflower for a low carb substitute. This was a huge hit with my family!

Spinach Tarts

These are a cute little appetizer, side dish, or be used for a meal or maybe even a snack.  You can make tarts sweet or savory.  This was really a good dish that I have never had before.  I will certainly be making this again.

Shrimp Creole

This is a dish that hits home on so many levels.  I am from Louisiana and love all the different styles of food that our state has to offer.  Shrimp creole is a dish that my mom and aunt used to make quite often when I was a child growing up.  We grew up eating various dishes but this is for sure one of my favorite dishes.  You can make this dish as spicy as you want.  You can use crawfish if you want instead of shrimp or any other kind of seafood that you want to use, just be …

Frittata

This frittata is a wonderful little appetizer or it could be served as a snack.  You can also make this into a wonderful dessert.  This could be even made into a breakfast dish.  The possibilities are endless.  You just need to get in there and see what you come up with.  I found it really delicious.

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.

Cabbage Bell Pepper Rolls & Deconstructed Version

I grew up eating cabbage rolls.  It was something I always loved when my momma would make them.  I decided to put my own twist where I combined stuffed bell peppers in with the cabbage rolls.  I also took the extra cabbage and with the remaining meat mixture decided to make a deconstructed cabbage roll casserole.  Which is really easy to make and it will finish off the leftover cabbage that you have.

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

Mexican Meatballs

I really enjoyed this recipe as it allowed me to explore other ingredients using meatballs.  Traditionally, I have only used them for a typical Italian dish, so this recipe definitely takes me a little out of my comfort zone.  Nevertheless, a wonderful surprise.

Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Turkey Meatloaf with Garlic Herb Mashed Potato Frosting

There is nothing better than a plate of homemade comfort food and meatloaf with potatoes is just that! This is a spin-off of the retro igloo meatloaf from the 70s. Making the change from traditional ground beef to a ground turkey helps lower the saturated fats that beef has but this recipe can be made with any kind of ground meat. The switch of sun-dried tomatoes adds in vitamins and antitoxins plus is healthier and better for you than the classic ketchup found on most meatloaves. Meatloaf can be found in different shapes and how you do yours is up …

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.

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.

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!    

Creole Chicken

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

Chicken Kenoni

This was my first time making Chicken Kenoni. When my family goes to Zaxby’s or a wing restaurant we always order “Whimpy”. So I was a little concerned with some of the hot seasonings in this recipe. To my surprise this was amazing and so delicious. My dad even  took some to work to share. I will be making this more often especially for family events.

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 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.

Roast Pork Loin

This is a very simple yet very flavorful dish. The tender and savory meat can be served casually with corn and mashed potatoes as a hearty dinner for the family or as the main course in an extravagant dinner. My family enjoyed this meal and didn’t leave any leftovers!   *For best results, marinate over night.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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. …

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.

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!

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 …

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 …

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.