Recipe for Quick and Tasty Broccoli Soup-Meatless Monday

What do you do when you have some sad looking veggies in the fridge?  Make soup of course!  I based this soup on the success I had with asparagus soup made from the discarded stems.  Super quick and easy, and with a chunk of crusty homemade bread, a perfect meatless Monday light supper.

Recipe for Light Version of King Ranch Casserole

Maybe this should be called "Princess Ranch Casserole" because it is probably less than half the fat and calories of the classic recipe.  No canned soups, full fat milk, or sour cream, and a modest amount of low fat cheese.  Still delicious though!

Black and White Wednesday: An Apple a Day

Apples growing in Scotland, September 2011

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Portobello and Spinach Frittata

Here is another easy meatless Monday recipe for you!  This recipe is easily adaptable to whatever veggies you have on hand.  I used fresh thyme for the seasoning but basil or even rosemary would also work.  The secret to the frittata not sticking in the pan is to use a good pan (one that is oven proof since this is going under the broiler) and let it cooked undisturbed...I know you want to go in there and loosen the edges or stir it around while it is cooking...don't!
BTW, check out the new tab at the top of the page: "Photography".

Recipe for Butternut Squash "Fries"

I put fries in quotation marks for this recipe because these are not crispy like potato fries.  They are even less crispy than sweet potato fries.  However, they are good and easy to make; another way to get some good veggies on the plate.   We ate them with buffalo burgers-yummy!

Black and White Wednesday: Single Malt Anyone?

Whiskey Shop Edinburgh September 2011

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Fettuccine with Swiss Chard and Mushrooms

I'm late joining the "Meatless Monday" party.  We eat non-meat meals but not as often as I'd like, so I decided to make Mondays the day to spur me on to find and cook some good recipes on a regular basis.

Recipe for Pan-Cooked Vegetables with Crunchy Fish

Once you get the veggies grated for this dish, it is a snap to pull together.  Super flavorful and very satisfying!  This recipe is based on Mark Bittman's recipe by the same name-I love his recipes and enjoy The Food Matters Cookbook immensely.  If you are fortunate enough to have the cookbook, the recipe is on page 440, but if not I also found it on line and the link is below. 

Black and White Wednesdays

Greenwich Village Cheese Shop

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival

For thirty years, Master Sommeliers have descended on Maui and in conjunction with local chefs, beverage distributors, and the Kapalu Resort have hosted a four day weekend wine and food extravaganza.  If you are contemplating a visit to Maui during the early summer and would like to enjoy a fun weekend of tasting amazing wines and good food, plan your trip to include the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.

This year was the Thirty Year Celebration of the festival!  We've been talking to our friends about the festival for several years-I think we've been four times to some or all of it-and finally convinced four of them from SF to come over.    They are already asking when we can register for 2012!

Recipe for Slow Cooker Russian Chicken

Do you remember growing up that there were several recipes that your Mom, Grandma, Aunt, or friend's Mom used to make all the time?  The perennial favorites, they showed up in Junior League Cookbooks, at potlucks, or church suppers.  I think we know more about nutrition now but back in the day, many of these weren't exactly "clean eating" or "whole food".  This is one of those for me, a sweet chicken recipe that I've tried to make a little healthier.

Black and White Wednesdays

Ultimate NYC Street Food

Submitted to Black and White Wednesdays

Recipe for Pear and Prosciutto Appetizer

When I move to San Francisco, one of my neighbors ended up being a co-worker and good friend.  She is part Italian and introduced me to prosciutto wrapped melon which we used to lap up as an afternoon snack with a glass of wine on our roof top deck (on those days when you could enjoy the sun outside in San Francisco without a coat on).  The light and salty flavor of the prosciutto complemented the sweetness of the melon perfectly.  Those Italians know how to do food right!


Now in Maui, we can enjoy the outdoors pretty much any day we like (don't hate me!).  I still love prosciutto wrapped melon and thought it would be perfect as a nibble for when our friends were coming over to do some trip planning.  (Oh, and also some wine drinking).  However, I couldn't find a decent melon to save my life, so I improvised with the pears.   Turns out, the Mr. of the couple doesn't like ANY melon...things work out for a reason sometimes-I've learned not to fight it!  And the pears were beautiful with the prosciutto!