Tag: Entrees

For nights in when you need comfort food

Hi blogging family,

I think the world could use a little soul food right now. I know I do. The first thing that came to mind for tonight’s dinner was my Mac N’ “Cheese” recipe.

When it comes to mac n’ cheese, I have a feeling it’s on everyone’s go-to list for childhood favorite. I added a little “bacon” – gasp. I never thought I’d say that. Recently, I discovered that the same bacon pieces that my paternal grandma used on our salads were actually little soy bits. Way to go grandma! So I had to add it to mac n’ “cheese.” Continue reading “Comforting Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe” →

A one-pot-wonder that comes straight from the garden

Hi blogging family,

One pot pasta recipes seems to be the trend. I thought it was a perfect time to try it for the blog. I’m not going to say this is my favorite pasta dish, but it was certainly affordable and easy to make. It’s also fun to get your favorite little ones involved in.

You can use up some of your produce and a lot of the ingredients you can find in your pantry. It also makes for a perfect date night in. And did I mention only one dish to clean?Let’s get started! Continue reading “Easy One-Pot Garden Pasta Recipe” →

Last week, I read a touching tribute to one amazing grandfather on Seek the Best Blog. When I mentioned my grandfather was also from the South, Lady G suggested that I share my family’s favorite meal and a little background behind it.

At the age of six or seven, I traveled with my relatives back to the South. It was a magical time on the family farm where my cousins and I chased fireflies, drank sweet tea on the porch, and ate to our heart’s content. Although I miss those childhood moments dearly, it’s taught me that from a humble upbringing comes magical adventures. Perhaps that’s why I loved reading and writing from such a young age.

Today, I have a special love for Creole Cuisine. Southern Cassoulet combines southern comfort food with traditional French methods of slow-cooking beans. Serve with a tangy mustard, and you have food for the soul. Continue reading “Southern Comfort: A Cassoulet Recipe to Savor” →

Lumaconi pasta comes from a beautiful town overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Legend has it that a young pasta maker fell in love with a fisherman’s daughter. To impress her family, and win her hand in marriage, he invented a new pasta inspired by seashells called “Lumaca di mere.” Traditionally, the pasta is stuffed with ricotta and baked like lasagna. It’s one of my favorite recipes, and I hope it becomes yours too. Continue reading “Delicious Lumaconi with Almond Ricotta Recipe” →

If you like spicy food, spetsofai (σπετζοφάϊ) is for you. The stew is a traditional dish from the eastern coast of Greece.

It is one of the simplest meals to put together. I made the stew with grain sausages infused with roasted peppers, garlic, sweet onions, and oregano. Be sure to serve spetsofai with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The stew is also wonderful over couscous or rice. Continue reading “How to Make Authentic Spetsofai: A Spicy Greek Stew” →

Spanakorizo (σπανακόριζο) is a Greek side dish consisting of rice, spinach, and tomato. Though the rice is not stirred while it cooks, it has the same creamy consistency of risotto. I added cannellini beans, Kalamata olives, and a nut-based cheese to make it a meal. Bake the casserole until it’s bubbling hot, and you’re ready to go! Continue reading “Easy Greek Spanakorizo Casserole” →

If you love pumpkin, I have a feeling you’ll like this simple lasagna recipe. By using oven ready lasagna and canned pumpkin puree, it cuts prep time in half. If I’m planning ahead for guests, I also like to cover and freeze the unbaked lasagna. It can thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to cook it the next day. Continue reading “Pumpkin Lasagna” →

Can you believe December is right around the corner? I have a lot of catching up to do with all of your wonderful blogs. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a special recipe.

Spaghetti Squash is one of my favorite things to cook with during the fall. Usually, I’d serve the “squash noodles” with marinara and homemade dairy free parmesan cheese. But I had an avocado on hand and decided to try out a new sauce. The result was fantastic and would pair great with fresh pasta too. Continue reading “Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Avocado Sauce” →

I can’t believe how fast summer has flown by! I like to keep meals easy during the summer, and one of my favorite recipes takes only ten minutes to make. Grilling or broiling the bread is essential. I added hemp hearts to boost vitamins and protein. If you don’t have them on hand, sesame seeds or poppy seeds would be delicious too. Continue reading “Summer Sandwich” →

 A Sophisticated and Classic Italian Dish

When I’m cooking for a special guest, I like to impress them with my saffron risotto. The sweetness of saffron paired with the nuttiness of aged nut cheese transforms this risotto into a wonderful dish. You’ll be surprised at how easy risotto is to make. I found the key is using Vialone Nano rice as a base. Today, I’m excited to share my secret recipe with you. Continue reading “Saffron Risotto” →