My Tried & True Favorite Recipes
Please report any bad links, since I am not very good at updating this site! I am trying to be better about it, but since I haven't updated in 3 years (apparently!) the bar is pretty low!
Zarela's Creamy Rice - I love this casserole and try to make it at least once a year, usually around the holidays. It uses up some of the (usually way too much) frozen summer sweet corn I have, and my own dried poblanos, rehydrated, which makes for less work too. If you make this for guests, expect them to request it again or at least the recipe.
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Haricots Verts and Horseradish Salad from Emeril Lagasse - Another recipe I try to make at least once a year. The sauce is what makes this dish soooo good, and you could make just the sauce alone and put it on almost anything! This is one recipe I don't mess with at all, no substitutions.
Balthazar's Cream of Mushroom Soup from Smitten Kitchen (one of my favorite sites to follow). I have made this twice so far in the past few months, and it is AMAZING!
The first attempt I was trying to use up the leftover mushrooms, it was a mix of shiitake, white button and cremini. I only had a half of a purple onion (instead of the yellow), and half & half (instead of the cream). I did not add the dried shiitake, saving those for customers. It turned out so good, reminded us of the fabulous mushroom soup you can get at fine dining in Kennett Square!
The second attempt I stuck to the recipe almost exactly, still did not add the dried mushrooms. Doubled the recipe this time, gave some out for Christmas gifts and have been bugged for the recipe (or more soup) ever since. The soup is fairly easy to make, and freezes well too (I kinda like it better after being frozen). The hardest part is the herb infusion. Luckily I had the fresh herbs & cooking string. Definitely putting an immersion blender on my Christmas list next year!
*Vegetarian Version, Gluten-Free, *Vegan Version-leave out heavy cream or use Vegan alternative
The first attempt I was trying to use up the leftover mushrooms, it was a mix of shiitake, white button and cremini. I only had a half of a purple onion (instead of the yellow), and half & half (instead of the cream). I did not add the dried shiitake, saving those for customers. It turned out so good, reminded us of the fabulous mushroom soup you can get at fine dining in Kennett Square!
The second attempt I stuck to the recipe almost exactly, still did not add the dried mushrooms. Doubled the recipe this time, gave some out for Christmas gifts and have been bugged for the recipe (or more soup) ever since. The soup is fairly easy to make, and freezes well too (I kinda like it better after being frozen). The hardest part is the herb infusion. Luckily I had the fresh herbs & cooking string. Definitely putting an immersion blender on my Christmas list next year!
*Vegetarian Version, Gluten-Free, *Vegan Version-leave out heavy cream or use Vegan alternative
Roasted Garlic and Baby Arugula Dip/Spread - I originally clipped this recipe from the coupon pages in the newspaper a million years ago. It was by Cape Cod Potato Chips. I have cheated with full grown arugula (de-stem if necessary) and it's just as lovely. I don't think I ever bought the Cape Cod Chips, but I love, love, love this on any kind of cracker, pretzel or crusty bread....
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
No Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread by Jo Cooks - I am not a baker by any means. I hate making a big, floury mess and I think I have what I've termed Baking ADD. I get bored pretty quickly and can barely get through baking one tray of cookies. But I do love crusty bread and it goes with practically all of the recipes on this page. This one is fairly mess free, simple and tasty. The hardest part is making sure you have yeast and a Dutch Oven.
*Vegan
*Vegan
Classic Tzatziki - There are tons of recipes for tzatziki, it's not hard. I make this a few times a year when the cucumbers are many. I eat it all myself. Yep. And dried herbs are fine too, just let it sit a while. If you can.
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Escarole Bean Soup - This soup is so simple and so richly tasty, you might not believe it is also vegan. I do like it with escarole, but kale is my preference, it gives a bit more texture and takes on the soup flavor beautifully. Also freezes better than escarole. I have tried it with spinach but the spinach flavor was too strong for me. You might like it! Feel free to play around with different greens and beans. Goes beautifully with the Crusty Bread. Just don't burn the garlic!!
*Vegan, Gluten-Free
*Vegan, Gluten-Free
Poor Man's Crab Cakes - There are also lots of recipes for these zucchini crab cakes. Once you make them a few times you won't even really need a recipe. I actually prefer these to crab cakes, no fishy flavor (though I do like crab). I've found that yellow summer squash gives the best crab-like consistency, but any summer squash will do. If you have extra squash you need to use up, make up a batch or two and freeze them for winter.
*Vegetarian
*Vegetarian
Burrata with Charred and Raw Sugar Snap Peas - Another one from Smitten Kitchen. I stumbled on Burrata at a cheese shop, and was kind of surprised I'd never heard of it, coming from an Italian background and also loving cheese. Anyway, it did NOT disappoint. Then I saw this recipe in my feed, when I just so happened to have both Snap Peas and Basil leaves from the garden and some Burrata, and a few pieces of Crusty Bread in the freezer. I made up a batch and had it for several meals. Nope, didn't share. Not worth the risk of wasting one bite on any picky eaters. Can't wait to have it again in the spring!
*Vegetarian
*Vegetarian
Baked Herb Zucchini - And one more that I try to make at least once a year at the height of summer squash/tomato harvests. It's a great way to use up some excess veggies, easy to make and even the guys like it! It also allows for substitutions nicely if you don't have the exact herbs & spices, or green onions, etc. Note to you (& self)-write down your substitutions as you go, in case it turns out extra extra yummy! Which always happens to me when I don't remember how I changed things!!
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
*Vegetarian, Gluten-Free