Sunday, May 27, 2012

Cool and Creamy Potato Salad


I'm not really into mayo-based potato salads, but this one is definitely worth sharing. Like many of my other recipes, this one was inspired by my dad. My whole family got together for Mother's Day/my grandma's 92nd birthday, and to make life a little easier on my aunt who was hosting, we all brought a side dish. I brought my Warm Potato Salad which was a big hit with everyone but my dad. Well, he liked it, he just didn't like it as much as the traditional creamy potato salads. I guess he's just set in his ways...


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Basic - But Awesome - Steak Marinade


I'm one of those people who are always on a mission to make things better. Some are content to just leave things as they are, but not me. There is usually a better way to get a better result and I don't stop until I find it. This applies to pretty much everything in my life - especially food.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Braised Beef and Vegetables


What is it about slow cooked meat that just tastes so good? I haven't had any yet that wasn't up to par. Sure, some were better than others, but let's be real here - any slow cooked meat is always going to yummy. When it comes to the actual process of slow cooking meat, there are a couple different ways to go about it. My new favorite is braising. It took me a few tries to get the ingredients in this recipe 'just right', but it was worth the wait.


Friday, May 11, 2012

Simply Strawberries and Angel Food Cake


My son and I were browsing the fruit aisles at the grocery store the other day after a long shopping trip. I always ask him what kind of fruit he would like and sometimes he'll throw something new in, but it's almost always the same response - he wanted strawberries. It's always hit or miss when it comes to our store because they're either a really low price with sub-par fruit or a high price with decent fruit. The strawberries were on sale today which meant the selection was just...okay. It's funny to see people check out every little strawberry in those containers because there's really only so much you can do. Of course, I'm one of those people. But no matter how hard you stare at those berries, you're pretty much guaranteed to get at least two or three strawberries in each pint that makes its way to the garbage can once you get home!


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Blueberry Balsamic Chicken Breasts


Okay, I know the picture looks a bit odd, but trust me when I say that this is one piece of chicken that tastes so much better than it looks. I know, I know...it's purple. But just remember, sometimes looks can be deceiving...

One of the best things about blueberries is that they go with pretty much everything. Dessert is a given, but have you ever paired them with chicken? The subtle sweetness of the berry, mixed with the right seasonings and herbs, enhances the chicken flavor and makes it oh so good. This chicken is cooked in the blueberry sauce to keep it moist and tender while the flavor of the berries and rosemary infuse the chicken. It may not be the prettiest of foods, but it is definitely one of the tastiest.


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Cranberry and Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf


Rice is one of those simple, versatile ingredients that you can do so much with. From a simple side, to an elaborate pudding, it's very easy to transform the little grain into so much more than what it only appears to be. More of those posts will eventually come, but this one in particular focuses on a simple side with just a few little twists.