Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce

There will always be a special place in my heart for a steaming bowl of fresh mussels with crusty bread for dipping. While living in Chicago, mussels at HopLeaf became a perfect excuse for impromptu gatherings with friends. Even in my current city of Pittsburgh, there are times when my cravings for curry and coconut [...]

Slow Roasted Dry Rubbed Pork Ribs

I’ve been craving ribs for weeks now but didn’t quite have the time for all the fuss required. Finally, I succumbed to my desires and decided to give them a whirl this weekend. Ribs of this caliber need to be shared. So I opted to invite a couple of friends to lend a helping hand. [...]

Grilled Steak House Pizza with Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

Two things I was craving for dinner the other day were steak and a salad. Rather than choosing between the two or having both separately, I decided to give them try in the form of a grilled pizza. I figured the extra chunky blue cheese dressing I had in the fridge would be a perfect [...]

Toasted Steak Sandwich with Pesto Mayo

To toast or not to toast was a question on my mind this weekend. I’ve been craving steak lately and decided to combine several of my favorite flavors to create this hearty sandwich. I really wanted something I could truly devour with manly force. I actually made two versions of this sandwich on two different [...]

Roasted Herb Shrimp Skewers

There’s something wonderfully elegant about serving meat on a stick. In this case, plump and juicy shrimp are the stars of the show. My preferred method for perfectly cooked shrimp every time is by tossing them in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. A quick roast in the oven helps to bring out [...]

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

I have a confession to make. I’m lazy sometimes…when it comes to cooking that is. Sure I enjoy the pleasures of roasting a chicken myself. But there are moments in life when I want to get to the eating part quickly. So I turn to a rotisserie chicken to save me time in the kitchen. [...]

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

I find it humorous when people say they are intimidated by roasting a chicken. It’s super easy to prepare once you get the hang of it and makes for a really elegant presentation. Plus, nothing could be easier than letting the bird do its thing in the oven while you focus on other meal preparations. [...]

Spicy Stuffed Shells

I’ve been craving even heartier foods as the weather has grown colder. The spicy flavor and tummy filling nature of these stuffed shells were perfect reasons to let the warmth of the oven wrap me in comfort. Who says you can’t host an impromptu holiday dinner party during the weekday? Consider making this in advance [...]

Chicken Salad with Pears & Traverse City Cherries

Having grown up just 30 miles south of the self-proclaimed Cherry Capital, I’m no stranger to the sweet and tangy world of cherries. Traverse City is located in the upper western part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It’s proximity to the Great Lakes and access to Grand Traverse Bay makes this thriving area a perfect growing [...]

Glazed Pork Kabobs

There are days when I feel like I don’t partake in the world of kabob cooking enough. Everything tastes better when cooked on a stick, right? Plus, slathering the pierced items with a sticky sauce makes it even better. For this recipe, I decided to use metal skewer rods because they would hold up better [...]

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