Ideas for Easter Leftovers

Easter may be over, but you’d never know it looking in your refrigerator. If you made enough food to feed an army, then you might be dealing with a mountain of leftovers, especially if your guests filled up on Easter chocolate before sitting down to dinner. Don’t let those holiday goodies go to waste. Instead, consider using the following recipes to breathe new life into Easter leftovers, including eggs, ham and asparagus: EASY OMELET Ingredients: 1/4 cup yellow onion, caramelized 3 sausage links, cooked and diced small 3 slices bacon, cooked and chopped 2 tablespoons clarified butter 6 large eggs, … Continue reading →

Chocolate Easter Desserts

Chocolate and Easter go hand-in-hand, so instead of trying to avoid the inevitable you might as well join in the sugar rush. The following simple chocolate desserts are perfect for an Easter potluck: TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE Ingredients for Cake: 1 box devils food cake mix 1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix 2 tablespoons espresso powder 1 cup sour cream, room temperature 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup water 4 large eggs, room temperature 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips Ingredients for Glaze: 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking squares 6 ounces butter 2 tablespoons light corn syrup Directions: Preheat oven … Continue reading →

Easy Easter Recipes

Easter is less than a week away. Do you know what you’ll be making to celebrate? If you prefer sticking with traditional Easter dishes, then the following simple yet delicious recipes should come in very handy. To save time in the kitchen look for short cuts. For example, with the ham recipe, consider purchasing a fully cooked ham and dressing it up with the glaze listed below. In addition, for the Easter Petit Fours you can cut down on prep time by using store-bought pound cake. EASTER HAM Ingredients: Whole ham 1/2 cup peach or apricot preserves 1/2 cup honey … Continue reading →

Easy Easter Potluck Recipes

Who brings filet mignon to a potluck? To me potluck contributions must be two things: easy and affordable. These factors are critical, especially when you are making a dish that will help feed 20 plus people. If you are planning to attend an Easter party this year consider making the following potluck classics. They are a snap to prepare, travel well and are relatively inexpensive: BAKED CHICKEN SALAD Ingredients: 6 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 2 cups chopped celery 2 cups mayonnaise 3/4 can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimentos, drained 2 tablespoons fresh … Continue reading →

Eat Like the Irish

Did you know that Corned Beef and Cabbage is not an authentic Irish dish? In fact, according to historians, if you were to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland you would likely be sharing a meal of fish rather than Irish Stew. Given that information (and the fact that I already posted a recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage), I’ve decided to help out those of you who prefer to eat like a real Irishman tomorrow. You can honor St. Patrick and celebrate all things Irish by feasting on some of my favorite simple fish dishes: HOMEMADE FISH STICKS AND … Continue reading →

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

I am only part Irish, but my parents always made a big deal out of St. Patrick’s Day. When I was a kid my dad always made sure we started our day off with green-tinted cinnamon buns from Robert’s Bakery, and we always ended our day with my mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage. If you are looking for a simple three-course, Irish-inspired (or at least green-colored) meal to serve up on St. Patrick’s Day, then consider making the following festive recipes: STUFFED CELERY Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 3 ounces bleu cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons milk Celery … Continue reading →

Sexy Valentine’s Day Recipes

Raw oysters, caviar and chocolate are classic aphrodisiacs, but what about artichokes and other seafood? Apparently, scallops and artichokes also have mood-enhancing properties and are highly recommended eats on Valentine’s Day. (At least according to the “food experts” I consulted for this piece.) Just in time for Love Day, the following sexy treats should help spice up your dinner plans. If you really want to heat things up during mealtime, I would suggest indulging in these dishes sans utensils. Instead, use your fingers to feed the Artichoke Pizza to your sweetie. After all, fewer utensils to wash means more time … Continue reading →

Love Between Courses—More Romantic Valentine’s Day Recipes

If your Valentine’s Day plans include an intimate candlelit dinner for two—-in your own dining room–then this is the blog for you. With the economy in the dumpster, many couples are opting to stay home this Love Day, but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on a sensuous meal. The following recipes are sure to heat things up in the kitchen. However, if the idea of sweating over a hot stove on Valentine’s Day bothers you, then invite your sweetheart into the kitchen to help you with the cooking. Keep things light by getting out your favorite beverages and … Continue reading →

Three-Course Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and if you are celebrating without the kids this year you might consider the following romantic recipes. Your sweetie will fall in love with these amorous eats, and if you are lucky he (or she) will do the dishes after you’re done feeding each other. RASPBERRY SPINACH SALAD Ingredients: 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar 2 tablespoons raspberry jam 1/3 cup vegetable oil 8 cups spinach, rinsed, stemmed and torn into pieces 3/4 cup coarsely chopped Macadamia nuts or toasted almond slices 1 cup fresh raspberries 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced Directions: For the Dressing: Combine vinegar and … Continue reading →

Edible Red Treats for Valentine’s Day

I’m not a big fan of Red Hots. The sweet and spicy candy is a popular Valentine’s Day treat used to decorate cupcakes and cookies… in kitchens other than my own. My disdain for the cinnamon candy is incredibly evident this time of year when I am faced with making Valentine’s Day treats for my daughter’s playgroup. This year each mom is required to bring a red-colored dish to pass and someone suggested I make a dessert featuring Red Hots. No dice. Instead, I will be making Red Velvet Cupcakes from the recipe below. (I’m making adjustments to the original … Continue reading →