Category Side Dishes

Grilled BBQ Peaches with Blue Cheese

I've wanted to grill peaches on the BBQ for years. We enjoyed a nice steak dinner with friends last night and realized I had 2 fresh peaches. This would be the perfect opportunity. Our friend Marshall and I researched many sites and then created our own recipe from what we had in the house. If you don't have this balsamic glaze, then you can make your own in a pan with balsamic vinegar and sugar...Read More

Turkey Stock & Giblet Gravy

You can prep everything ahead of time, so all you have to do is add it in. I chopped all the veggies and made containers of the dried and wet ingredients to take to my mother in laws. Read More

Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers are popular in Japan. They have a grassy pepper flavor with sweet-hot citrus notes. It is generally a mild pepper variety, the heat level can vary. It's said that about 1 in 10 peppers has a hot kick. You can keep these simple or be creative. I've had these as an appetizer at quite a few restaurants and love them. You can't find them just anywhere...Read More

Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

Looking for something to do with the leftover ham bone from Thanksgiving and Christmas? Freeze it and make a homemade split pea soup in your crock pot. Serve alongside a grilled cheese sandwich, green salad, toasted baguette, in a sourdough bowl, or crackers. My 1st attempt at split pea soup and I am in LOVE!Read More

Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole Copycat Recipe

You’ve got to love Pinterest. I don’t get on it often but when I’m winding down right before bed, I just poke around for a few minutes. Thankfully the week of Thanksgiving I stumbled upon this recipe for Boston Market’s copycat sweet potato casserole. In our Italian family we are not ones to have much beyond the meat, potatoes, rolls, and dessert...Read More

Orzo Salad

Halloween weekend we had our family friends come stay with us. Emily brought this fabulous orzo salad that I just couldn’t get enough of. While we were getting pedicures you told me all the steps and ingredients to make this orzo salad. That Sunday night I immediately hit Trader Joe’s to purchase everything. It is very quick to make...Read More

Double-Fried French Fries

My husband loves shoestring skinny crispy French fries. It has taken me quite some time to find a recipe that he thoroughly enjoys. This one is now his all-time favorite recipe. They come out perfect. You get to decide how crispy you would like them. The key is to double fry them to get them the desired crispiness you love. 

INGREDIENTS:

4 (4 to 5-inches long) russet potatoes (about 2 pounds)

2 quar...

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Shrimp and Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is an Italian rice dish cooked in broth to a creamy consistency. The broth may be meat, fish, or vegetable based. Many types of risotto contain butter, wine and onion. It is one of the most common ways of cooking rice in Italy.  You will need one large saucepan, 2 large skillets, and 1 medium skillet to prepare this dish. Using 4 burners nearly at one time...

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Sautéed Baby Squash with Basil and Feta

On one of my recent Costco visits I found a bag of Baby Mix Squash by Martinez & Sons Gourmet Produce. On the back of the bag was this recipe. I had to give it a try. Using my grandmother’s old cast iron skillet gives the squash perfect crispy spots. The mix of vegetables, cheese, basil, salt and pepper make this a simple yet delicious side dish.
 
Ingredients:
 
1 TBSP Olive Oil
4 cups baby mix squash, ab...
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Fried Plantains AKA Tostones

If you live in the Claremont/Pomona area in Southern California, or surrounding area…you will want to try Inka Trails Peruvian Restaurant. It is a hidden gem located off Towne & Foothill in Claremont. You will want to have reservations in advance. My husband gets their BISTEK A LA POBRE and asks them to fry the Top sirloin steak, served with beans, rice, fried egg and the best fried plantains I’ve ever had...
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