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.
party food
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.
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.
Beef Burgundy ( Beef Bourguignon)
Ok so not the soup/stew time of year but I came across my recipes in my word docs and had to add…
Used this for a Soup, Stew and Brew golf club event. I know it was a touch ‘extra’ for this type of cook off but we were in the mood for something just plain extra. This has been my go to entertaining dish, comfort food dish and have also used as a tail-gate dish from time to time. When I am cooking for us or fam and friends I use a chuck roast , eye of the round roast etc. In other words what is on sale beef. But I do spend the extra buck or two for a better red wine. If you wouldn’t drink it you should not cook with it. So I have to admit I was being a touch of a snob and used a the better cut of meat as well a much better wine.
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.
Steak Diane Redo
I have a habit that annoys the crap out of my husband. . I turn on the TV and proceed to do my ‘stuff’ instead of watching it.
Not today – GZ on the Kitchen was apparently doing a redo of my go-to dinner party recipe from back in the day..Steak Diane. Oh baby, I love that dinner and it did me proud for years. Easier than you think and I used grocery store and Wal-Mart ingredients for the most part making it look expensive but not so. Big bang for your buck works for me.
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.
Time for Tomato Pie!
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It is time for a repost of one of my favorite recipes. Just need to savor what might be the last of the really great fresh tomatoes until next year. Thought you might need a nudge in that direction as well.
Opened the mail box to find a spectacular Tomato Pie on the cover of July issue of Southern Living. Oh dear, need one now please! The only problem was we have started Keto and the crust is a big no! Now it is only a brush with Keto not a marriage at this point. We have commitment issues when it comes to diet interfering with good eating so something had to change and the pie crust used in the recipe was the winner in the had to change category. Man does not live by all-purpose flour and sugar alone and you have to pick your battles as I see it. Plus, it didn’t require a rolling pin..since moving I have not found my full size one. But I know it is here and refuse to buy a new one. What is the use of down sizing if you buy 2 (or 3) of everything?
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