Back in the day Pittsburgh was a huge corporate town. Because of that there here were many, and I mean many, fantastic restaurants. But there was a top tier that were just amazing. I am fortunate to have purchased a cookbook with many of the old restaurant recipes. Some were gathered from newspaper articles and I had no shame and would just plain ask them them for the recipes for this is that. I would take what ever they would honor me with. Now I will be sharing some with you so they are not lost in the beauty of all of the slick, fancy new recipes.
appetizer
Italian Sausage in Chardonnay
Football games, holidays or just plain get togethers are better with tasty bites that everyone loves and that do not involve your standard goodies. This is easy ( I mean 2 ingredients) it is hard to believe. Ok I lied – it is three ingredients I forgot the mustard for dipping.
Frittata
Need to use up leftover cooked or raw vegetables this is your recipe! I use this with the leftovers from my Italian vegie stir fry. I use it to finish off the vegies from farmers vegie box( you know the vegies that worked their way down into the corner of your vegetable drawer). No matter how you get them this is the best way to get them out of the fridge and into your family. Not only can you use the borderline vegies but a way to use up the leftover sausage and bacon. But I have also used that lone leftover pork chop or piece of pork tenderloin. Not enough to make a dent in a normal recipe but great in this one. It can become a star. The bits and pieces in your freezer are welcome as well.
Crab Soup
Okay. It is CRAB SOUP. or SHE CRAB SOUP. Maybe even Maryland Crab Soup. Not Crab bisque not any other variation there of.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
New most favorite recipe! And versatile as well!
I have been hearing about this thing called egg roll in a bowl for a short time now and was curious. You see I am the person that looks( and eats) at just about all recipes as a potential mini egg roll for entertaining. Something that can be made ahead and frozen. Something that can feed a few or a herd. Something that once made and frozen can be popped in the oven on a minutes notice. Add a dipping sauce and there you go knock your socks off good.
Christmas Crack
The crunchy, sweet and salty goody that I need during these strange ‘shelter in place’ times.
I have made these for years as an addition to a cookie tray and have also started putting out a goody tray for guests. I am not the best of bakers so I stick with a few recipes like this and add store bought snacks that are on sale at the time. I keep it flexible.
The step that takes the longest time is the final “bring to room temp and refrigerate” step. So I try to use the largest sheet plan that will fit in the fridge so that I am not juggling multiple trays and you know one will end up on the floor. Using nonstick foil or parchment or both on the sheet plan makes clean up a breeze. Dis-lodging caramel is not my idea of fun.
Candied Pecans for all Seasons & Reasons
These nuts are addictive. Whether you use pecans or walnuts or a mixture they will be gone before you know it!
We have used these as a grab and go snacks and also on pretty much any dessert that screams for an ‘extra’.
Being stuck in the house for this long has moved my brain ( and snacking taste buds) into holiday mode. Holiday mode meaning snacking and also sharing. These make great gifts. Either way be sure to store in tight fitting containers. This is most important in the South where it is humid all of the time it seems. For this past holiday I gave/stored in parchment lined tins. That was not tight enough. This week or this giving season I will store and give in zip closing bags ( holiday appropriate of course straight from the dollar store) then put in tins, or clamp type jars. I am hoping to also find maybe small mason jars or other containers at the Goodwill and thrift stores. These make receiving a but more special.
Baked Eggplant Parm Keto Friendly Re-Do
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For years I have been making eggplant parmesan the normal casserole way. And using your tried and true breading method.A-P flour, egg, seasoned bread crumbs. Plus it seemed to me to take for ever. And then there was light! awwww
We were at a cute little bar/restaurant near us and they do their eggplant in stacks. Yes in stacks. This is a great idea for smaller portions and it stays fresh. Went straight to the grocery and purchased a small eggplant that I can cut in coins and away we went with this idea and just love it. It is fast, keto friendly, isn’t soggy and not a ton of leftovers.
Chicken Poblano Tortilla Soup
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Since moving to Florida I have gotten away from one of my most favorite things – soups. Soups of any shape and form. Hot – cold does not matter to me. But I saw this recipe in a Keto magazine and had to come up with a version of my own. From my first cooking lesson I found I was just not good at follow a recipe exactly as they are given to me. I think that is my am a sad, sad baker. Do not get me started on those stories. But I promise I am going to try really had to be a better baker.
Party is Over for 2017! Food
So I haven’t entered a post nor a recipe in some time now. Lots of cooking, celebrating , company and now it is time to get back on course. The party was a success. 60 guests and no one complained about the food or drink. I am sharing the menu and will share additional recipes soon. I mix do aheads( freezing and doing the day before), lasts minutes (keep these to a minimum) and a touch of store bought ( I can make marinated olives myself but why should I do it all.) I like to pick my battles. If I pick less make aheads and have to do lots of last minutes that mean I have to rely on good quality products to step in for me. I don’t like to do that 1. it isn’t mine and 2. it can cost more and then the budget is a mess. I don’t like either of those things. I can be a little on the controlling side and those both rub me the wrong way.
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