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Roman Stracciatella Soup
Considered a “peasant food” in Italy, Stracciatella soup has been around for ages and originates from Rome. Stracciatella is simply an Italian version of egg drop soup. In this recipe, I made a few small modifications from the traditional recipes, including adding escarole and orzo to make it a full, albeit light, meal. It’s simple, comforting, and supremely simple to make. Enjoy!
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Boneless Chicken Mole
A Mexican favorite, mole sauce is an explosion of vibrant flavors and textures. I have always found the addition of chocolate into this savory recipe fascinating so I had to try it out? I wanted to keep the ingredients as traditional as possible, but use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep the fat and calories down. There are many different variations on mole, but I decided to do one based on chipotle peppers and adobo sauce because I love the smoky flavor. After sauteing and simmering all of the ingredients, the last step is the addition of dark chocolate – pure delight for a baker like myself! The chocolate thickens the sauce beautifully and is the perfect contrast to the savory peppers and onions. In the end, the sauce doesn’t taste chocolately at all because the flavors mend together beautifully. It turned out to be authentic Mexican feast full of flavor and spiciness – I hope you enjoy!
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Three Garlic Pasta
If you love garlic and are looking for a quick, easy dinner full of flavor, look no further than Three Garlic Pasta. It’s a supercharged version of “spaghetti with garlic and oil,” amplified by garlic prepared 3 ways – roasted, sliced and chopped. To roast the garlic in the oven, use a terra cotta garlic roaster or simply wrap full cloves of garlic in tin foil and roast in the oven for about an hour until garlic is soft and golden. Then, sauté thinly sliced garlic and chopped garlic in olive oil, for 2 more variations and textures of garlic. After tossing your three types of garlic with “al dente” spaghetti, olive oil, white wine, parsley, red pepper seeds, salt and pepper, you have a tasty pasta dish that is sure to impress. It’s Italian peasant food made elegant and new. Enjoy!
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Curry Garden Vegetable Soup
On these cold winter nights, nothing is more comforting than a bowl of homemade soup. This past weekend, my mom and grandmother set out to make a hearty, fresh and healthy vegetable soup with loads of flavor and a Thai-inspired ingredient list. Mission accomplished.
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Ancho Chicken Tortilla Soup
After returning from a quick jaunt to Mexico to celebrate the New Year, I was determined to recreate the spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup I had at a taqueria in Playa Del Carmen. Bursting with rich spices and fresh, local ingredients, this soup is full of flavor and hearty enough to be a main meal. Although there are dozens of different variations of tortilla soup, my all time favorite is this one, straight from Mexico, and I’m pretty confident my recipe is spot on.
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Sunday Egg Sandwiches
Every weekend my boyfriend makes us mouth-watering egg sandwiches, so I decided to share the deliciousness. The recipe and ingredients couldn’t be more simple, but it’s easy to forget what a fantastic breakfast a simple egg sandwich can be. So here it goes:
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Eat like Oprah! The Ultimate Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger Recipe
I have been hearing rave reviews of Oprah’s favorite turkey burger from Donald Trump’s lavish private club in Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago. Upon visiting the club, Oprah gushed, “I believe [it] may be the best turkey burger in the entire world.” Enough said.
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Apricot Glazed Chicken with Dried Plums and Sage
I am thrilled to share a fantastic dinner recipe for Apricot Glazed Chicken with Dried Plums and Sage. This dish is so easy to make and so impressive at the same time, you won’t believe it. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or the main dish at your next dinner party, this recipe is gourmet and unique. You can use any cut of chicken you prefer – a full roasting chicken, a mixture or chicken breasts and thighs or even simply just boneless, skinless chicken breasts as I prepared last night for my boyfriend and I.
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Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
There is nothing like butternut squash soup on a cool autumn day. This recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup is my grandmother’s and it has been one of my favorites for years. The best part about this soup is the addition of zesty apples to add a bit of tang to the soup. You start by preparing your butternut squash and apples (peeling, coring, chopping, etc.) and then roasting the squash, apples and onions on a baking sheet in the oven until tender and just golden. You then add the roasted fruit and vegetables to a soup pot, along with chicken broth and an array of fall-appropriate spices. After pureeing everything, you get a simple, healthy and delicious Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. Serve with a bit of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and a slice of crusty bread. Irresistible!
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Mexican Tortilla Casserole
For a delicious and easy way to enjoy healthy Mexican food at home, nothing is better than my Mexican Tortilla Casserole. Loaded with vegetables and tasty Mexican spices, this is a perfect weeknight meal that is so easy to throw together. You can make it with all vegetables or add shredded chicken from a small roasted chicken you can find at your supermarket. Either way, this dish is packed with flavor and is a guaranteed hit. Although most Mexican Casseroles include several flour or corn tortillas, I found a recipe that uses only crushed tortilla chips on the bottom layer for a crunchy bottom crust. Once baked, the chips crisp up perfectly and provide a base for the casserole.
