Chicken Salad Quesadilla

I originally wasn’t going to post this recipe – it didn’t seem like anything special.  But then I spent a week thinking about how I wanted to eat it again and thought “hmm, maybe there’s something there.” So last week I bought a rotisserie chicken.  When I got it home, I immediately tore it apart and…

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Steak and Squash Tacos

We are all very used to seeing steak tacos served with sauteed peppers and onions.  It’s a good combo, one I can’t fault, but I’m going to suggest a small change.  How about swapping the bell peppers and white/yellow onion for squash and red onion?  You still get the same texture, but with a different flavor.…

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Swordfish with Basil and Tomatoes

My beau is all of a sudden really into swordfish.  Not a typical craving but one I’m happy to indulge because 1) it’s healthy and 2) it makes for a very quick meal. I took my two gorgeous swordfish steaks and seasoned them with pink peppercorn, sea salt, and lemon zest.  I put them season…

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Caprese Pasta Salad

My beau was concerned we needed one more side dish on our 4th of July spread and was really feelin a pasta salad.  I was not so convinced.  Pasta and potato salads are usually mayo based…not so great for sitting out in the sun all day while people graze.  “So just create a pasta salad without mayonnaise,”…

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Mexican Bowl with Squash and Green Chile Crema

After ordering a little too much Mexican, I had a some rice and black beans left over, along with some esquites (that spicy corn with mayo and cotija).  I decided to turn it into a full meal with a few simple additions that I could pick up on my way home from work.  This easy…

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Cuban Skewers

So there I was again, ready to go to book club but without anything to bring.  The clock was ticking.  I had 30 minutes to buy ingredients at Grand Central, walk seven blocks home, prepare the food, and walk the five blocks to book club.  This could be an episode of a Food Network show.…

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Roasted Carrots with Tahini

I’m not a fan of cooked carrots – too sweet and mushy…but then I saw these gorgeous tri-color guys and couldn’t resist buying them.  I realized if I roasted them myself, I could ensure they would be on the firmer side.  Problem: solved. After shaving the carrots, I drizzled them with olive oil and dusted…

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Zucchini Noodles with Chicken Sausage and European Cheese

Zucchini noodles, aka zoodles, are actually super satisfying.  You’d think they wouldn’t be, but if you use the right blade setting on your mandolin, they can be twirled around your fork, just like spaghetti.  And as any girl knows, the twirl is half the fun. I have made zucchini noodles before, but it was time…

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Grilled Cheese: Mozzarella, Fontal, and Mushrooms

Sometimes you need a good soup and grilled cheese night.  That was me on Wednesday.  It more than cancelled out the workout I had done that evening, but it was worth it because this grilled cheese was bangin. Start with some sourdough bread.  Because I really like sourdough.  For the cheese, use freshly grated buffalo…

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Olive Bread

At my nephew Reed’s bris, the caterer suggested adding olive bread to the menu.  It was a last minute addition, but it was such a good add.  I didn’t get his recipe, but I guessed at the ingredients and made some adjustments so it became my own: First, make an olive tapenade.  Start by finely…

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