New Mexico Red Chile Sauce

You can take the girl out of New Mexico, but you will never take New Mexico out of the girl! Whether cooking for the holidays or a birthday, or just because it’s taco Tuesday (or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday…), one of my favorite cuisines is and will always be, New Mexico style Mexican food…and yes, there…

Cranberry-Peach Cream Scones

In today’s episode of Cleaning Out the Pantry, I reached for a bag of unsweetened, dried cranberries and some delicious dried white peaches from Trader Joe’s, courtesy of Mik❣️ For an explosion of flavor, I soaked the dried cranberries and peaches in one cup of warmed apple cider with a tablespoon of Braggs Apple Cider…

Cinnamon Roll Biscuits 

Yes, biscuits! If you’re looking for a good, flakey, layered with butter, cinnamon and raisins biscuit lightly kissed with creamy, silk-like glaze – look no further!  Crazy menopausal cravings are worse than the pregnancy ones for me- sweet one minute salty, the next… moist (sorry Tyler) one bite, then crunchy the next… wonderful woes of…

roasted corn & black bean salsa

this incredible salsa is so delicious and versatile – try it as is with warmed chips or change it up with black-eyed peas, pintos or other favorite legume, serve it along side grilled quesadilla! enjoy – v 2 cans black beans, rinsed 16 oz bag frozen sweet kernel corn 1/2-1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1…

Truffle Brownies

    These incredible delights are so rich, you only need to serve a 1 x 1 inch square… dressed up with some whipped bourbon cream with vanilla bean and strawberries, you’ve got a lovely dessert. v 1 1/4 c butter 3/4 c Dutch cocoa 6 oz good quality dark chocolate, chopped 2 T water…

Pizza in Japan!

It’s been awhile since I have posted. I am motivated now, and have some exciting things for you!  We’ll be firing up the pizza oven today – can you believe we can’t find firewood in Okinawa? Not that anyone wants to build a fire when it’s 117 with the heat index – but, come on!…

Going to the Birds… and the Hippo, and the Rhinoceros

Animal Crackers     Shirley Temple ~ you will be missed!   Animal Crackers by Christopher Morley. “Animal crackers and cocoa to drink, That is the finest of suppers I think; When I’m grown up and can have what I please I think I shall always insist upon these. What do YOU choose when you’re…

Bringing “healthy” to work!

Truth: since New Year’s Eve, I have been a little under the weather. .. almost the whole family was afflicted with this evil congestion-body aching illness! Came back to work Monday at maybe 40% my usual self (minus a voice), and today, I think I’m down to 30%… but, I’ve stuff to do so I…

Polpette & Busiate

There are hundreds of cuisines in Italy, not to mention the regional specialties. Then of course you have family secrets ~ the one thing you won’t find, spaghetti and meatballs. Oh, you can have a rich red wine-laced tomato sauce to dip the polpetti, or find miniature versions, almost like the Italian version of […]…

Arancini

Gelato, granita and arancini – the Lombardo family has most certainly consumed kilos of all of these- every summer has memories of family, sun and FOOD! Enjoy – v Arancini di Riso 5 cups chicken stock 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup finely diced ham or prosciutto 2 cups…