Naw’lins Style Red Beans & Rice in the Instant Pot

My first trip to New Orleans was in the mid 1990’s. I was just out of college and about $1 north of broke. The flight was terrible, the weather was terrible, the cheap hotel was worse than terrible but the food was amazing. I came home with an appreciation for hotels that didn’t have cigarette burns in the sheets and a lasting love of Cajun … Continue reading Naw’lins Style Red Beans & Rice in the Instant Pot

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

I love caramelized onions – as a topping for sandwiches, in soup, even in sauces (I puree them and it adds a special little something to gravies and sauces). They are great for making French onion soup – add broth and croutons and top with a little cheese. Unfortunately it takes time to cook them down properly, and I always seem to want them when … Continue reading Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Tita’s Hummus (Hoomus) Recipe

Sometimes to find an on-trend recipe you have to go way back in history (ironic, right?). Agriculture began in the Levant, so it makes sense they have had a lot of time to come up with delicious plant based recipes. Hummus (or Hoomus) has been around a good long time. It is simple, clean and delicious. It goes with almost anything from pita chips to … Continue reading Tita’s Hummus (Hoomus) Recipe

Tabbouleh

I find it interesting how food trends seem to move in circles over decades, centuries or even millennia. As I write this in 2019 plant based diets are on the rise, and whole grains are once again in the spotlight (unless you are following one of the low carb/keto dietary guides). Eggs and butter have gone from good, to bad to good again all in … Continue reading Tabbouleh

Spicy Maple Bourbon Refrigerator Pickles

A good pickle is hard to beat. They are great snacks, garnishes and ingredients if you want add a little zip to your daily meal. The good news is you can make these at home with no special equipment. If you have a large bowl, some jars with lids and a refrigerator you can make awesome pickles. I started with a basic spicy dill pickle … Continue reading Spicy Maple Bourbon Refrigerator Pickles

Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Feta

This recipe is another great example of why roasted vegetables need to be in your cooking arsenal. They are incredibly easy to prepare, there are endless variations, and they taste incredible. This recipe amps up the flavor of the sweet potatoes with pecans, red onions and a simple maple glaze. The second recipe in the video below is a variation using apples in place of … Continue reading Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Feta

Stress Free Italian Inspired Dinner Party

I am not Martha Stewart, and if you are reading this I’m guessing neither are you (Martha, if it is you, I love what you do but I don’t have the time, energy or budget to be you). For those of us lesser humans, the thought of throwing a dinner party can be stressful. I want a casual evening surrounded by great friends, good food … Continue reading Stress Free Italian Inspired Dinner Party