My father grew up in the midst of the Great Depression, he was also the youngest boy of twelve children, born to Italian Immigrant parents, he was the first generation born in this country, and his father passed away shortly after the birth of my aunt, his sister. This left my Grandmother Lena with the…
Category: Budget Friendly Meals
Sassy Honey Garlic Chicken
This is one of those recipes that is simplicity and sexy all at once. Not only does it taste amazing, it is so simple to make but tastes like it took all day. I love to make this in a cast iron skillet, started on the stove then popped in the oven to finish, then…
Sous Vide Cajun Spiced London Broil
Sous Vide meaning (under vacuum) is a French term for placing a food item such as poultry, meats, eggs, fish, and veggies, in a vacuum sealed bag, cooking in a water bath, more importantly, at a consistent temperature for an extended amount of time, and in doing so, will yield perfectly cooked, perfectly moist food…
Cornish Game Hens with Apricot Glaze
Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two With Valentine’s Day upon us, it got me thinking about the very first Valentine’s Day meal in our new home, which I prepared for my Valentine 17 years ago! My culinary skills have greatly improved since then, but I have a fondness for some of those early dishes I use…
Cheeseburger Stuffed Burritos
This is the ultimate burger experience in my opinion. It’s a mashed up version of two glorious eatables, the cheeseburger and the burrito. I love to keep this simple but truly anything goes. I like making this as a ground beef cheeseburger because I think it is a better taste experience. If you are going…
Deconstructed Lighter Cajun Shrimp Po’Boy with Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw
Consider this my homage to “Nawlins” and…to kick off Fat Tuesday….Mardi Gras style! Years ago I use to travel for business to Richmond Virginia, I fell in love with the people and city of Richmond, and I fell in love with Cajun food. One of the dishes I adored at this Cajun Restaurant Chez Foushee, the…
Steak Bites Au Poivre
Steak Au Poivre is a fancy French term, that is basically steak with a shit ton, sorry, “excuse my French” of peppercorns, crushed with a mortar and pestle or coarsely ground, in a luscious, creamy, decadent sauce of butter, cream, shallots, oh… and some cognac. Gotta love the French for making sauces so sexy! I…
Tex Mex Skillet Chicken with Charred Poblanos
This is the perfect dish for a busy weeknight, or lazy day lunch. Using leftover chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken, makes this come together rather quickly, it’s perfect. You can even char the poblanos one day before you plan to make this, seed them and chop, and put in a sealed container for the…
Retro Beef Vegetable Soup
I have such fond memories of my Mom and Dad together cooking in the kitchen. For some reason they just loved to cook together. My Mom would usually start and my Dad would jump in and add his touch to things, which didn’t always suit my Mom but they made it work! One of the…
Easy Rojo Pork Posole
It is a chilly day here in New Jersey. Winter is definitely here. I love making soup when the weather gets cold, it is a comforting end nurturing way for me to take care of my family. Pork Posole is a Mexican pork stew that is traditionally made with ancho or poblano chilis, in a…
