Category: Weeknight Meal

Grilled Zaatar Chicken

Although some may think this is in bad form, hosting friends is when I love to try out new recipes. Luckily, I get more hits than misses, but it’s always fun to experiment with friends who are up for the adventure.

So when we recently hosted a bunch of friends at our house for the weekend, I decided to try this Grilled Zaatar Chicken recipe. I love a good prep ahead recipe (and a good On the Grill recipe!) so that I can get a bunch of things done ahead of time, and this Grilled Zaatar Chicken tastes best when allowed to marinate overnight.

If you’re unfamiliar with za’atar, it is a Middle Eastern spice blend. The ingredients in the blend can vary, but the blend I used, Pereg Za’atar (paid link), contains quinoa flour, coriander, olive oil, hyssop (a mint-like herb that has a slight bitterness to it), parsley, salt, and sour salt.

Ingredients (makes 4-6 servings):

Marinade:

  • 1/2 cup whole plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, pressed (paid link) or minced
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons za’atar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Yogurt Dip:

  • 1/2 whole plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed (paid link)
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon za’atar (I used Pereg Za’atar – paid link)
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Other, for serving:

  • olive oil
  • the juice of 1 lemon

Continue reading Grilled Zaatar Chicken

Irish Vegetable Soup

The weather has yet to turn cold (in fact, we just had a week-long heatwave!) but I’m already thinking about colder weather foods. One of my favorite comfort foods is traditional Irish Vegetable Soup.

Unlike a chunky vegetable soup commonly found in the US, Irish Vegetable Soup is a blended soup made of potatoes, leeks, carrots, and onions that feels creamy and comforting without any cream!

The absolute best way to enjoy an Irish Vegetable Soup is with some Irish Brown Bread, but because that’s somewhat difficult to come across in the US, I substituted in a loaf of Italian bread to sop up all that vegetable goodness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 leek, cut into half moons
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 (32 oz) container vegetable stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • minced chives, for garnish (optional)

Continue reading Irish Vegetable Soup

Homemade Ceviche

Note: I attended a tasting of Ripe Life Wines at Spring Lake Seafood and received additional bottles of Ripe Life Wine in order to make this Homemade Ceviche. Opinions are mine alone.

Before I go into the Homemade Ceviche recipe, I want to highlight a wine company that I recently tried and love. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I went to a wine tasting of Ripe Life Wines at Spring Lake Seafood in Spring Lake, NJ. I was given the opportunity to try a bunch of Ripe Life Wines’ selection paired with delicious food offerings of Spring Lake Seafood.

Ripe Life Wines grew from owner Mary McAuley’s desire to create the perfect wine for a clambake, and the Clambake Unoaked Chardonnay was born. The company now offers its Clambake Unoaked Chardonnay, a Clambake Rosé, a seafood-friendly red called Fisherman’s Red, and Moules Blanc de Blancs Brut, a dry American sparkling wine.

You can pop into Spring Lake Seafood in Spring Lake, NJ or Dock and Claw in Beach Haven, NJ to enjoy a tasting. To see my experience at Spring Lake Seafood, including the yummy food pairings, you can see that here and here.) The food and win pairings really are not to be missed!

For this post, I wanted to highlight Ripe Life Wines’ OG. The Clambake Unoaked Chardonnay. Chardonnay is commonly “oaked,” in which the wine is aged in oak barrels, resulting in flavors of butter, vanilla, or caramel. Unoaked Chardonnay, like the Clambake Chardonnay, is instead aged in stainless steel barrels, resulting in a lighter, crisp, clean finish that doesn’t compete with the delicate flavors of seafood. Clambake Chardonnay has a lovely lemon/apple/pear flavor to it, making it the perfect accompaniment to both raw seafood dishes, and richer seafood dishes such as lobster and clams with drawn butter.

As soon as I had my first sip of the Clambake Chardonnay, I knew I wanted to try to pair it with a homemade ceviche.

Ceviche, originating in South America, is a dish consisting of diced raw seafood that has marinated in acid (typically lime juice) to “cook” the seafood. The seafood is then mixed with onions, cilantro, and other ingredients to create a colorful and flavorful dish. Although homemade ceviche can sound a little intimidating, it’s actually really easy to make at home! My knife skills aren’t great, so if yours aren’t as well, the recipe will turn out just fine.

Ingredients (serves 4 as an appetizer):

  • 1 Fresno pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 16 oz halibut, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 1 peach, chopped
  • 3/2 cup cilantro, minced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (2-3 limes)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (~4 oranges)
  • corn tortilla chips, for serving

Continue reading Homemade Ceviche

Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts

Note: I was sent some quail eggs from Spring Creek Quail Farms in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I love a recipe that looks fancy, but really takes minimal effort, like this recipe for Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts, adapted slightly from a Spring Creek Quail Farms recipe, created by Chef Andrea Monzon. When Spring Creek Quail Farms contacted me with a bunch of quail egg recipes, I jumped at the opportunity!

Spring Creek Quail Farms, a small, family-owned, zero-waste farm in Saint Anns, Ontario, offers a small but powerful, nutritious alternative in the Egg aisle: quail eggs. Quail eggs have long captivated food enthusiasts with their exquisite taste, enticed health-conscious consumers with their remarkable nutritional benefits and have been viewed as a delicacy by many communities. Spring Creek Quail Farms eggs can be found in multiple stores across the US and Canada.

Quail eggs are an easy and effective way to elevate really any recipe where you’d use eggs. The quail eggs, buttery puff pastry, tangy goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and fresh asparagus result in an absolutely delicious dish that can be served either as an appetizer or as a smaller main course.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1 (4 oz log) goat cheese
  • ~40 pencil asparagus spears
  • 4 slices prosciutto, torn into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 8 quail eggs
  • chives, chopped, to taste

Continue reading Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts

Easy Shrimp and Grits with Sarges Shrimp and Grits Sauce

Note: I was sent a jar of Sarge’s Shrimp and Grits Sauce, Yellow Stone Ground Grits, and Seafood Seasoning in order to make this post Opinions are mine alone.

If I see Shrimp and Grits on a Menu, you better believe I am ordering it! Despite this, (and inexplicably despite feeling fine about making shrimp and grits separately), I’ve always been a bit hesitant to make shrimp and grits at home.

So when I was contacted by Sarge’s to try their sauce, I jumped at the chance. Sarge’s sauce is made by Chef Julius West in Raleigh, NC. The sauce is a unique take on a classic Southern dish that has been a staple in the region for generations. Sarges Shrimp & Grits Sauce is a savory, rich, and versatile sauce that can be used as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a cooking ingredient. Made with high-quality ingredients, including fresh shrimp, butter, and spices, our sauce is the perfect addition to any seafood, meat, or vegetable dish.

Sarge’s Low Country Shrimp and Grits Sauce is a delicious and savory combination of aromatic spices with a hint of fire to spice things up. The sauce blends together chicken broth, all purpose flour, garlic, vegetable oil, hot sauce, Sriracha, bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and a special blend of herbs and spices.

With the help of Sarge’s sauce, this recipe for Shrimp and Grits can be made in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

Continue reading Easy Shrimp and Grits with Sarges Shrimp and Grits Sauce

Autumn Delicata Squash Salad

Note: I received a cooler bag with BrightFarms local leafy greens and salad ingredients in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
I am so excited to share this Autumn Delicata Squash Salad recipe with you, thanks to BrightFarms!
I recently received a lovely delivery from BrightFarms, the leading provider of locally grown packaged salads.
BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms right outside the communities where they are sold, including one in Selinsgrove, PA, about 150 miles from Philadelphia. The indoor farming company has revolutionized what’s possible in the agricultural industry by growing produce indoors and in carefully controlled greenhouses without ever using pesticides.
Their products are:
  • Pesticide-Free: Proudly pesticide free and non-GMO to keep your family safe
  • Greenhouse/Sustainably Grown: Greenhouses provide the ideal environment to grow 365 days/year to peak flavor
  • Locally Grown: Greens are grown, harvested & delivered to stores in as little as 24 hours, so BrightFarms greens are at peak freshness and flavor when arriving in your fridge

My BrightFarms cooler bag was filled with a bunch of goodies, including the ingredients to make this delicious Autumn Delicata Squash Salad!

Ingredients:
Salad:
  • 1 (4 oz) container BrightFarms Keystone Crunch
  • 1 medium delicata squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Continue reading Autumn Delicata Squash Salad

Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad

About a year and a half ago, I was sent an affiliate box from Sitka Salmon Shares, and I loved the quality of the seafood so much that I have had a Premium Seafood Subscription Box ever since. I love the variety as well, but some of the seafood I am not as familiar with how best to cook it. Luckily, Sitka Salmon Shares has some seriously amazing recipes on their website, including this one for Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad.

To make this recipe easier to come together, I strongly suggest using a mandoline (I love the one that comes in Oxo’s Mini Complete Grate and Slice Set [paid link]) to slice the fennel and red onion. I am quite accident prone, so I also strongly suggest purchasing a cut-resistant glove (paid link) so that you keep all of your fingers cut-free.

Ingredients:

  • 2 (8 to 10 ounce) portions albacore tuna
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • salt, to taste
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 large navel orange
  • 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted Castelvetrano olives (I like to keep half of them whole and chop the other half)
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons reserved fennel fronds, plus more for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Continue reading Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad

Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes

Seafood is a favorite weekday dinner of mine because it usually takes under 30 minutes to make a seafood dish. This particular recipe for Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes has become a staple in our home because of the relatively easy clean up as well – most of the meal is made right in one sheet pan!

I like to serve this over rice or couscous to soak in all of the juices on the sheet pan. This makes 2 hearty servings, with plenty of the tomato mixture to enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 2, multiply as needed):

  • 16 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • 5 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 white fish fillets (such as cod or halibut)
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
  • 1 cup cooked rice or couscous

Continue reading Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes

Leek and Potato Soup

I know it is quite late in the season for a soup recipe, but I made this Leek and Potato Soup recently and just had to share it. This is a fairly traditional Irish Leek and Potato Soup, but the simplicity means you can really make it your own with some tweaks if you wanted.

Leeks are in season late winter to early summer, so this soup is great for those slightly cooler days, or when you’re looking for something simple to make that is ultimate comfort food.

This recipe uses under 10 ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3-4 leeks (depending on their size), sliced
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh chives, for garnish

Continue reading Leek and Potato Soup

Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto

I originally started this blog as a way to learn to cook and to catalog recipes I enjoyed. So, recently, I have been revisiting recipes from early in my blogging journey and remaking them, like this recipe for Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto, served with orzo.

This recipe is a slight adaptation from a previous recipe I posted for Salmon Skewers with Lemon-Parsley Pesto.

Ingredients (served 2, multiply as needed):

  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers
  • the zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 (8-10 oz) salmon fillets
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Continue reading Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto

Herb Rice with Peas Prosciutto and Ricotta

Warmer weather is nearly here, and we can all use more recipes that won’t heat up the whole house. This recipe for Herb Rice with Peas Prosciutto and Ricotta is largely a no-cook recipe – you only have to make the rice!

Ideally, you can use day old rice so there is no stove use at all, but I personally have a hard time thinking a day ahead for a meal, so I wrote the recipe below to be made all in the same day. Feel free to make the rice the night before, refrigerate, and assemble everything the night you plan on having this for dinner for a quick and easy make ahead meal.

I adapted this recipe slightly from a New York Times Cooking recipe from Emily Nunn.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (10 oz) bag frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • the zest and juice of 2 lemons
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 a red onion, halved
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups white rice
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh mint
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh parsley
  • ~5 fresh chives
  • 3-4 oz fresh ricotta
  • 18 slices prosciutto (omit to make vegetarian)
  • black pepper, to taste

Continue reading Herb Rice with Peas Prosciutto and Ricotta

Rigatoni Sausage Arrabbiata

If you follow my posts somewhat regularly, you know that pasta is a very important part of my life. In fact, it gets its own day each week. Every Sunday is pasta night in my house!

I tend to make big batches of Meatballs in Tomato Sauce so we always have some on hand in the freezer, but there are many a Sunday where I open my freezer only to realize I am completely sauce-less. So this recipe for Rigatoni Sausage Arrabbiata is perfect for the nights I want to whip up a quick pasta dinner in no time without sacrificing flavor!

I started making this recipe when I came across Wilmington-based Rockford Catering‘s Tomato Sauce, made by owner and Chef John Wigton. John grew up in Northern Delaware and received his Culinary Arts Degree from Delaware Technical Community College. He has worked in the hospitality business for 20+ years and established Rockford Catering in 2017. And his sauce is legit!

The chunky tomato sauce is flavored with onions, garlic, and basil, and is really great on its own heated up over pasta.

Rockford Catering also (obviously) provides catering services, like this tasty Valentine’s Day menu currently available. Even better, they deliver! The tomato sauce can be delivered (at no additional cost) anywhere within the state of Delaware and within a 45-minute radius of Wilmington or Rehoboth Beach. Order online here.

Rockford Catering’s sauce is vegetarian (they also sell a vegan version), so I decided to add in some hot Italian sausage from my local butcher to enhance the flavor. The result is this super easy Rigatoni Sausage Arrabbiata recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 oz) box rigatoni
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 lb hot Italian sausage, removed from its casing (I love that Primal Supply sells it already out of the casing!)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or more to taste
  • 1 (32oz) jar tomato sauce, like Rockford Catering’s Tomato Sauce
  • fresh basil, for garnish

Continue reading Rigatoni Sausage Arrabbiata

Pressure Cooker Persian Lamb and Herb Stew

Note: I was sent a copy of The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook, 100 Recipes to Nourish Body and Soul in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

It is most certainly Instant Pot season! Work (at least for me) is busy this time of year, and yet, I crave meals that take a while to cook! Using an Instant Pot saves me a ton of time, so I tend to use it a lot this time of year.

I was recently sent a copy of The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook by Paula Shoyer, which is filled with so many delicious sounding Kosher-friendly dishes! With The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook (paid link) (paid link), Shoyer has curated 100 irresistible recipes for every table that even a novice cook can prepare in minutes. It is filled with modern takes on classic Jewish recipes, with all recipes offering options to adapt for special diets and allergies.

As I was paging through, I kept going back to a recipe for Persian Lamb and Herb Stew. I love a good lamb recipe, so I was excited to try this out! I adapted the below recipe ever so slightly from the original in the cookbook.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds lamb cubes
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 green onions, sliced, divided
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup parsley leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups boiled water
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threats
  • 1 yellow apple, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • the zest of one lime
  • cooked rice, if desired

Continue reading Pressure Cooker Persian Lamb and Herb Stew

Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mushrooms

Note: I received free cow cash from Crowd Cow to try some of their products in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

If you’ve seen my prior post on Boneless Leg of Lamb with Roasted Vegetables, you know I am working my way through a box of awesome protein from Crowd Cow. (Right now, new Members Get $100 of Free Meat + Free Shipping. Hurry up, offer ends soon!)

This recipe for Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mushrooms is my first time using wild boar! According to the Crowd Cow website, “Wild Boar meat is similar to domestic pork, but the flavor has a slightly sweet and nutty taste to it, derived from their wild foraging diet. Our Wild Boar Tenderloins are lean with low fat content. Searing, roasting and grilling work well, but be careful not to overcook and dry out these lean cuts of meat.”

To enhance the flavor of the wild boar, I sautéed mushrooms in the same pan that I cooked the meat in with some onions and garlic.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (1 lb) wild boar tenderloin
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 (8 oz) packages sliced mushrooms
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine

Continue reading Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mushrooms

Rigatoni Alla Vodka

My husband absolutely loves Pasta in Vodka Sauce. I don’t make it terribly often, but it is a really simple and delicious dish to make at home, so I figured it was time to share my recipe for Rigatoni Alla Vodka!

“Traditional” vodka sauce includes tomatoes, herbs, and vodka, although every one I’ve ever come across also has a cream element to it as well.

The history of this sauce doesn’t go terribly far back — it was invented in the 70’s either in New York or Italy, depending on who you ask.

This version adds a bit of smokiness from pancetta and some heat from red pepper flakes to the luxurious tomato vodka cream sauce to make a truly wonderful pasta dish!

Ingredients:

  • salt
  • 1 (16 oz) box rigatoni
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 oz diced pancetta
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup vodka (I used Stateside Vodka)
  • 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • black pepper
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Continue reading Rigatoni Alla Vodka

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