Pork Belly Adobo

I’m fairly certain all avid cooks dream of the day they will receive their first piece of Le Creuset cookware or bakeware. Le Creuset products are also a staple on wedding registries. So when I was contacted to help spread the word that a Le Creuset store was opening in the King of Prussia Mall (outside Philadelphia) I absolutely wanted to get the word out. How exciting! I’m pretty pumped to visit it for the first time. The store is near the Macy’s; you can park and enter through the Orange Garage. (Address: 160 N Gulph Road • Suite C226A • King of Prussia, PA 19406)

Le Creuset

To celebrate, the Le Creuset store hosted three separate events this past weekend, including bubbles bites with Yellow Springs Farm, a cooking demonstration with chef Ben Thomas, and sweet treats and coffee with Aux Petites Delices and La Colombe.

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I was also sent a beautiful Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid, which is great for casseroles as well as for marinating in the dish and using the platter to serve.

Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid

To try it out, I decided to make a Filipino recipe I’ve been eyeing up for a while: Pork Belly Adobo. The recipe is pretty simple; you marinate the pork belly in a soy sauce marinade, brown the pork, and simmer in the marinade to finish cooking. But the result is fan-tas-tic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 5 pounds boneless pork belly, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
  • Cooked white rice, for serving

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Chicken Mango and Pineapple Salad

A while back, I was given the chance to taste test some of the Cheesecake Factory‘s new menu items, which they do twice a year (who knew?) I was able to sample some cocktails and bites from across the menu. I, naturally, also wanted to try to make one of the recipes at home.

Cocktails included:

  • Cucumber Mojito – Gin and St. Germain with cucumber, basil and mint
  • Blood Orange Martini – Vodka, blood orange liqueur and blood orange juice
  • Irish Coffee Manhattan – Jameson Irish coffee served ice cold and straight up
  • Espresso Martini – Vodka with cold brew coffee

Other new menu options included:

  • Korean Fried Cauliflower – crispy cauliflower tossed in a sweet and spice sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds and green onions
  • Chicken Taquitos – Crispy corn tortillas with grilled chicken, green chile, corn, onion, cilantro and cheese. served with avocado cream and salda verde
  • Skinnylicious Chicken Pot Pie – Sauteed chicken breast, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, peas and carrots in a light cream sauce, topped with puff pastry
  • Chicken Mango and Avocado Salad – Mixed greens, fresh pineapple, tomato, cucumber, red peppers, crispy wontons and almonds
  • Pasta Napoletana – Italian sausage, pepperoni, housemade meatballs, mushrooms, peppers, bacon, onions and garlic in a tomato sauce served over parmesan cream pasta
  • Seared Ahi Tuna – Served over white rice with sriracha aioli, stir-fried vegetables and wasabi butter sauce
  • Truffle-Honey Chicken – Fried chicken breast with truffle-honey, asparagus, and mashed potatoes
  • Chicken Riesling – Chicken breast, mushrooms, bacon, onions and garlic in a white wine Riesling cream sauce with buttered parmesan pasta
  • Carne Asada Steak Medallions – Certified Angus beef with sauteed peppers, onions and cilantro, served with a creamy ranchero sauce, fresh corn and white rice
  • Chicken Parmesan “Pizza Style” – Chicken breast coated with breadcrumbs, covered with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Topped with angel hair pasta in an alfredo cream sauce
  • Crispy Pineapple Chicken and Shrimp – Crispy chicken and shrimp with snow peas, mushrooms, onions, garlic, peppers and cilantro in a sweet and spice sauce, served with white rice

(The lighting in there is very dim so please excuse the quality of these photos)

The Cheesecake Factory has over 250 items on their menu, so there is sure to be something for everyone’s taste buds.

I tried my hand at recreating the salad we were served, with some adjustments to try to make it a bit more “home cook” friendly to make this Chicken Mango and Pineapple Salad.

Ingredients (serves 2):

  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce (store bought, or recipe below)
  • 5 oz baby lettuce mix
  • 1/4 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1/4 cup fresh mango, cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons julienned carrots
  • 2 tablespoons tortilla strips, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
  • 1/4 cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon almond slivers, toasted
  • 1/2 tsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fresh mint, thinly sliced

Dressing

  •  1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • juice of 1/2 an orange

Teriyaki Sauce (makes 1/2 cup – you’ll need ~1/4 cup for this recipe):

  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water

                                                                  

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Hot Cross Buns

Today is Good Friday, which means it’s about time I shared a recipe for Hot Cross Buns!

Hot Cross Buns are a sweet slightly spiced bun with dried fruit. A cross made of icing is piped on top. They are traditionally made and served on Good Friday as a way to break the fasting associated with Lent. There are a bunch of superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. My favorite is that gifting a hot cross bun on Good Friday guarantees friendship between the recipient and gift giver for the year.

Hot Cross Buns aren’t exactly the easiest recipe; it took me most of the day to make them because you need time to let the dough rise. But these tasty little guys are worth it.

Bob’s Red Mill hooked me up with some of their awesome products to help make these hot cross buns, including active dry yeast, all-purpose flour, and currants.

Ingredients:

Icing:

Continue reading Hot Cross Buns

Warm Buttered Radish and Edamame Salad

I have been thinking about this Warm Buttered Radish and Edamame Salad since I made it.

This recipe for Warm Buttered Radish and Edamame Salad is so unbelievably good!

This recipe pairs perfectly with Dijon-Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce, and only takes a few minutes to make. I already have this back on the menu for this week!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup radishes, quartered
  • 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Continue reading Warm Buttered Radish and Edamame Salad

Dijon Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

I am not shy about my love of Cooking Light magazine. Their recipes are what got me started on my cooking journey. Not only are their recipes on the healthier side, but most are also great for weeknight meals. This recipe for Dijon Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce is no different.

Seafood in general is a great weeknight option because it tends to take less time to cook. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of seafood, particularly salmon; I have almost 40 recipes for salmon alone on this blog!

So when I spotted a new salmon recipe in my most recent Cooking Light, well, I had to make it.

Ingredients:

  • 2 (6-oz.) salmon fillets
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon  black pepper
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons 2% reduced-fat milk
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Continue reading Dijon Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Brandade (Whipped Salt Fish Spread)

One of my favorite parts of this blog is challenging myself to use new and different ingredients and/or new and different techniques. So when I was contacted to participate in CFE’s International Saltfish Blogger Recipe Challenge, I jumped at the chance.

So what exactly is saltfish? It is fish, typically cod, pollock, or other white fish cured with dry salt to preserve it. This method of preservation dates back centuries, as it helped preserve fish without refrigeration.

CFE International offers a number of brands of salt fish: Buena Ventura, Cristobal, BacalaRico, and Isla Brisa. For this challenge, I was sent some Isla Brisa Salted Alaska Pollock Fillets to use in a recipe. (You can find these brands of saltfish in your local Cousins, H-Mart, Jetro, Price Chopper, and Price Rite supermarkets.)

I decided to do a spin on Brandade (Whipped Salt Fish Spread), a salt fish spread popular in Mediterranean countries. It’s also known as Brandada in Spain, and Baccala Mantecato in Italy.

The spread is whipped salt fish, potatoes, olive oil, and cream with seasoning and is served with crusty bread. My version below adds in some roasted garlic, caramelized onions, and horseradish to add new layers of flavor.

Ingredients:

Roasted Garlic:

  • 6-8 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Caramelized Onions:

  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • salt, to taste

Brandade:

  • 12 oz Isla Brisa saltfish
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • roasted garlic, recipe below
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 1/4 cups extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons dill, plus more for garnish
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • sliced baguette,

 

Continue reading Brandade (Whipped Salt Fish Spread)

Pesto Chicken, Blistered Tomatoes and Orzo & Herb Pilaf

You can never have too many weeknight meals, especially chicken recipes! For this dinner, I combined two Cooking Light recipes  (Pesto Chicken with Blistered Tomatoes and Orzo and Herb Pilaf) to make one dinner, and served it with a simple salad on the side.

Any recipe that uses pesto is a winner in my book. This particular pesto uses spinach, basil, and parsley to deliver a more complex flavor.

Ingredients:

Pesto:

  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 6 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Chicken:

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 (6-oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 6 tablespoons spinach pesto (recipe below)

Tomatoes:

  • 3 cups multicolored cherry tomatoes
  • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Orzo and Herb Pilaf:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 3/4 cup uncooked orzo
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • blistered tomatoes (recipe below)
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Continue reading Pesto Chicken, Blistered Tomatoes and Orzo & Herb Pilaf

Frozen Blood Orange Margaritas

NOTE: I was sent some blood oranges and cara cara oranges from  The Limoneira Company to use in a recipe. All opinions are mine.

It’s pretty obvious that I love citrus, I use the juice and zest of lemons, limes, and oranges in most of my recipes, so I’m excited to share this recipe for Frozen Blood Orange Margaritas.

So when The Limoneira Company contacted me to help spread the word about their new offerings, I jumped at the chance. Limoneira is traditionally known for its lemons, but recently began expanding their orchards to include more specialty citrus, including Cara Cara and Blood Oranges.

Blood Oranges have a slightly less acidic taste than regular oranges, and their bright red color makes for some really beautiful dishes. I wanted to showcase their color, so I decided to make blood orange margaritas.

As much as I am trying to will it to be spring, it is still pretty cold in Philadelphia, so this version has a bit of cinnamon to add a bit of warmth to the flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup blood orange juice (about 6 blood oranges)
  • the juice of 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup triple sec
  • 1/2  cup tequila
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • sugar, for rimming glasses (optional)
  • lime wedge, for rimming glasses (optional)
  • rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Continue reading Frozen Blood Orange Margaritas

Arepas Pabellón

This recipe for Arepas Pabellón is inspired by a visit to an absolutely delicious Venezuelan restaurant. Last week, I checked out one of Philly’s newest restaurants: Puyero Venezuelan Flavor.

source: puyeroflavor.com

Located just off of South Street on S 4th, the restaurant serves Venezuelan street food including arepas, patacones and tequenos, plus yummy desserts like churros.

The 22-seat restaurant is vibrant and colorful, very welcoming. I enjoyed reading a selection of Venezuelan sayings that decorate one of the walls; my favorite: “Más hambre que piojo en peluche” or “I’m hungrier than a tick on a teddy bear.”

Owned by brothers Simon and Gil, and Gil’s wife Manuela, the restaurant has a very “homey” feel to it. The entire menu is available for lunch and dinner, with brunch options coming in the spring. You can also order delivery through Caviar (which I’ve totally already done. Hence the photos below, showing my delivery food).

While there, I tried quite a few menu items, but my favorites were the tequenos, white cheese wrapped in deep fried dough, and arepas pabellon, which is an arepa filled with shredded beef, black beans, fried sweet plantains, and white cheese.

I wanted to try to make Arepas Pabellón for myself at home. This recipe can be made ahead of time, reheated, and assembled when ready to eat.

 

Shredded Beef:

  •  garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 4
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Arepas:

  • 1 1/2 cups masarepa (a type of cornmeal found in the international section of most supermarkets. white or yellow is fine)
  • 1 1/2 cups water, or more if needed
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Fried Sweet Plantains:

Other Fillings:

  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • queso blanco

Continue reading Arepas Pabellón

Chelo Kebab

Chelo Kebab or Chelow Kebab is a Persian dish made with steamed saffron rice and kebabs. This version parboils the rice which then browns in a large pan, covered with a cloth, and steams with a little bit of butter to deliver a crispy, golden crust.

The lamb kebobs are marinated for hours to lock in flavor. The result is probably one of my favorite dishes I’ve made recently; it’s well worth the morning prep to have an amazing dinner!

Ingredients:

Kebab:

  • 2 onions, very finely chopped (or pureed)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (or pureed)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 18 grape tomatoes
  • Cooking spray

Chelo:

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges

Continue reading Chelo Kebab

Chicken Yassa (Senegalese Lemon Chicken)

Chicken Yassa is a popular chicken dish originating from Senegal. This meal is the epitome of comfort food: marinated roasted chicken with onions, lemon juice, olives, garlic, and broth served over rice. It has a subtle heat to it as well that really makes for a flavorful meal.

This recipe makes quite a bit of food, a good 8 servings. However, in my house, leftovers this good don’t last very long!

 

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups sliced onion (about 3 pounds)
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb chicken drumsticks
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 2 cups thinly sliced carrot
  • 1 1/2 cups less-sodium, fat-free chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, pierced with a fork
  • 4 cups hot cooked long-grain rice (optional)

Continue reading Chicken Yassa (Senegalese Lemon Chicken)

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

We’ve been pretty lucky weather-wise in Philadelphia recently, but are back to it feeling like actual winter. Blah.

I’ve been dreaming of warmer weather (and warmer weather recipes)! I must not be the only one, because the Florida Keys & Key West are hosting an awesome event tomorrow night to help the Philadelphia area dream of the sun and sand.

Tomorrow, 24 of Philadelphia’s top food writers and influencers are getting behind the stove to face off “Iron Chef style” at Walnut Hill College. The influencer who creates the best Keys-inspired dishes within the time limit will win a trip to the Florida Keys and be named an honorary Keys Chef. Guest judges from the Keys will include Chef Bobby Stoky and Philadelphia’s favorite son Pat Croce. The sold out event includes an evening of food, cocktails, fun and friendly competition.

How awesome would it be to win a trip to the Keys? The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands off the southern tip of Florida and are known for their awesome fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. In fact, the Keys have the only living coral barrier reef in the U.S., not to mention awesome food and drink. The most well known dish from the Florida Keys is Key Lime Pie.

I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to attend, but still wanted to get in on the fun, so I decided to make a spin on Key Lime Pie — Key Lime Pie Cupcakes!

Key Limes are smaller than “normal” limes and are a bit more tart. These little guys don’t give off a lot of juice though, so it takes quite a bit to make this recipe. Key Lime Pie is made with key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk to make a smooth, tangy pie filling with a graham cracker crust.

Ingredients:

Crust:

  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cupcakes:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk (or regular milk)
  • 1/4 cup key lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon key lime zest

Key Lime Curd:

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp grated key lime zest
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Frosting:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • key lime curd
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk

Continue reading Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Cape Malay Curry

My husband and I (obviously) love trying new and different recipes. Living in Philadelphia, we are lucky enough to have a pretty solid restaurant scene, covering quite a range of cuisines. So my interest is always peaked by a recipe I haven’t tried before that comes from a different part of the world and I can make at home, like this recipe for Cape Malay Curry.

Cape Malay Curry comes from Cape Town, South Africa. Beginning in the 17th century, slaves from Indonesia and Southeast Asia were brought to work the farms of Cape Town, South Africa. Known as Cape Malays, the name “Cape” is derived from the Cape of Good Hope and “Malay” refers to the community’s Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean ancestry.

The Cape Malay community has had a lot of influence on South African foods, particularly with the introduction of certain spices, hot sauces, and curries. This chunky beef stew is a sweet and savory curry dish, which reminds me a bit of my husband’s favorite meal, Slow Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Tagine, so I had a feeling we’d like this recipe.

This is definitely a weekend meal; it simmers on the stove for 2 hours. However, it could easily be multiplied to make a large batch and frozen for future meals.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 1/4 cups less-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium)
  • 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1/3 cup apricot spread
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk (or coconut milk to make dairy-free)
  • 1 cup cooked rice

Continue reading Cape Malay Curry

Baked Ziti

This blog post has been compensated by Borden® Cheese. All opinions are mine alone. #BordenCheeseLove #CollectiveBias #Ad

 

As I’ve mentioned in the past, pasta night is a very important night in my house. Both my husband and I come from (partially) Italian backgrounds, so pasta once a week is basically a necessity.

There is something about pasta dishes that is so comforting. It’s the meal that my grandmother would make for me every time my sister and I visited, and it’s the meal we most look forward to when visiting my husband’s parents. Pasta dishes always feel like they are cooked with love, don’t they?

I also have quite a love of cheese, so baked ziti ranks pretty high on my list of favorite pasta dishes. Pasta + love + cheese = the perfect comfort food!

Food, especially cheesy food is one of the best ways to show love for those who are special to you. This weekend, I made a super cheesy, meaty, baked ziti for my husband and me, with the help of Borden® Cheese. This casserole-style dish is the perfect way to know you’ll have leftovers for later in the week, or to feed a large (or hungry) family!

This baked ziti is tossed in a ricotta-tomato mixture with ground meat. It is then topped with Borden® Cheese Mozzarella Shreds, which results in a wonderfully gooey, cheesy dish.

I found my Borden® Cheese at my local Acme, but check out this store locator to find Borden® Cheese near you. Borden® Cheese has a bunch of tasty cheese options, including Borden® Cheese Finely Shredded Four Cheese Mexican Shreds that I also picked up to use for tacos later in the week.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 oz) box ziti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped onions
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb hot Italian sausage, removed from its casing
  • 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 16 oz ricotta
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups Borden® Cheese Mozzarella Shreds
  • Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Continue reading Baked Ziti

Cowboy Caviar

Note: I was sent some products from Bob’s Red Mill, including Orca Beans. All opinions are my own.

There are some ingredients that catch your eye, and you just know you have to use them in a recipe. Orca beans are definitely one of those ingredients. Luckily, Bob’s Red Mill sent me a bag of their orca beans, which are grown in Moses Lake, Washington exclusively for the company.

Orca beans, also known as calypso beans, are black and white splattered, and keep their cool coloring even after cooking. This heirloom bean is high in fiber and iron, and work great in any recipe where you would normally use beans.

But. They are so darn pretty I wanted to let them stand out by using them in a very colorful dish.

Cowboy Caviar seemed like the perfect way to show the orca beans off. Typically made with black eyed peas, cowboy caviar is a bean salad / salsa that is great as a party app, on top of  grilled chicken, or just on it’s own!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup dried orca beans
  • 4 cups water, plus more if needed
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup tomatoes, finely diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, defrosted
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced

Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • the juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Continue reading Cowboy Caviar

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