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California Grilled Cheese Sandwich
I woke up this morning and put on my workout clothes. I did it before I could talk myself out of it. I figured that gave me at least a 50% greater chance of it actually happening. Low and behold I have a workout under my belt. No way, no how was I going to offset that kind of progress with a unhealthy lunch choice so I made a California Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
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Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Sliders
Sometimes a recipe comes to me based on one single ingredient. In this case it was a gorgeous Kimmelweck roll in the case at the bakery. I couldn’t wait to get home and make tuna melts for lunch. I promptly proceeded to burn the bun. With all other ingredients gathered I turned to my freezer to find the tail end of a pack of Party Rye. And that is how the Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Slider was born.
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Avocado, Tomato & Basil Omelet
Avocado, Tomato & Basil Omelet. There’s nothing complicated or new to learn from this post. It’s just a reminder to use your fresh herbs every chance you get. They can take a ho hum omelet and give it a bright pop of flavor. That’s just what fresh basil and scallions did to our tomato and avocado omelet. Havarti cheese came along and gave it a big group hug.
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Picnic Perfect Macaroni Salad
In an era of gourmet pasta salads…you know the ones, with over the top ingredients, exotic herbs & seasonings, and pasta varieties that make you go hmmm…is there room for a good ol’ Macaroni Salad? Completely rhetorical. Hell yes there’s room!! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE every kind of pasta. I appreciate and (on occasion) aspire to create a unique and intriguing ‘Pasta Salad.’ Yet they will never make me as happy as Macaroni Salad does.
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Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp & Feta
There was ‘something’ about this Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp & Feta that grabbed my attention from the moment I saw it. Which was two days ago, somewhere between 3:30 and 4:00 am, while lying in bed surfing Pinterest on my phone. This wide awake in the middle of the night thing has become a bit of a habit. I’ve been told it’s the age, for now I call it my inspirational ‘me’ time.
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Baked Potato {with Tomatoes, Basil Pesto & Fresh Mozzarella}
Baked Potato {with Tomatoes, Basil Pesto & Fresh Mozzarella}. Fresh Basil Pesto might as well be classified as butter. Because when you spoon it onto a piping hot potato, it melts into amazing. Now add fresh diced tomato and shredded mozzarella. This might just be as good to me as say Pizza Margherita with a Perfectly Baked Potato crust.
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Herb Infused Polenta {with Poached Eggs}
Herb Infused Polenta {with Poached Eggs}. Not exactly what I had in mind as I entered the kitchen this morning. However sitting here just minutes after enjoying it for Sunday brunch I’m in love with the flavors lingering on my tongue. They’re familiar and comfortable. Equally as exciting to the taste buds is their aroma. They are fresh herbs.
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Margarita Ceviche {National Margarita Day}
Margarita Ceviche My mom gave me a unique cookbook several years ago called Surreal Gourmet Bites. It changed my life or at least the way I viewed food. Thank you Surreal Gourmet (Bob Blumer) for inspiring me to eat with my eyes first and thanks mom for always choosing gifts for life.
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Albóndigas Soup {Mexican Meatball Soup}
It was this Kicked Up Albóndiga Soup recipe from Hispanic Kitchen that first grabbed my attention. I knew instantly it would be a hit at our house when I read the recipe. We are on an undeniable meatball kick. I’m not sure what’s gotten into us, but it’s full out meatball mania around here.
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Italian Bean Soup with Mini-Meatballs {Pasta e fagioli inspired}
Italian Bean Soup with Mini-Meatballs. I intentionally did not call this a recipe for Pasta e fagioli, although it was clearly my inspiration. Pasta e fagioli is traditionally a meatless dish, comprised of pasta and beans in a tomato base. When I did my standard recipe research I had a hard time avoiding the bazillion copycat recipes for Olive Garden’s Pasta e fagioli. We may be the only family I know who has not had a bowl of Olive Garden’s Pasta e fagioli. I’m sure it’s delicious but I chose not to compete with the masses.
