Simple Open-Faced Tuna Melt

For a quick and warm lunch on a cool fall day, there is practically nothing easier to make than the simple open-faced tuna melt. With just a few ingredients, it can be made in a few minutes, and it also has the flexibility of being customized, if you have more time. I made this lunch for myself today, while my youngest child was playing on our backyard swingset. Before he ever got tired of the swing, my lunch was made and enjoyed. It certain beats cold chicken nuggets or half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich left over from the … Continue reading →

Ideas for Leftover Easter Eggs

The Easter Bunny has hopped back to his home, but not before leaving behind a trail of colorful hard boiled eggs. The eggs were great for today’s hunt; however, in a few days you may be wondering what you’re going to do with the rainbow of oval-shaped edibles. I happen to love hard boiled eggs, so eating them plain, as a snack, is treat. If you don’t share my passion for the protein-rich food, then consider the following simple recipes that will help breathe new life into your leftover Easter eggs: KICKED UP EGG SALAD SANDWICH Ingredients: 1/4 cup finely … Continue reading →

Lite and Healthy Summer Recipes

Whether you are trying to maintain your bikini-ready bod for trips to the pool or you simply want to escape the heat of the kitchen when the temps are hovering near 100, the following healthy dishes really hit the spot on a sweltering hot summer day: MEDITERRANEAN PITA POCKET Ingredients: 2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Juice of 1 fresh lemon 3 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano Salt and black pepper 4 cups spring mix lettuce or baby spinach 4 cups hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped 4 Roma tomatoes, halved and … Continue reading →

Simple Summer Sandwiches

With summer here and the temperatures on the rise, no one wants to be slaving away in a hot kitchen. The following sandwich recipes don’t require turning on the oven or firing up the stove. Rather, they allow you to serve your family a hearty and healthy meal without breaking a sweat. GREEK TURKEY WRAP Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup feta cheese 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives 4 (8-inch) spinach flavored flour tortillas 1 pound sun dried tomato turkey, thinly sliced 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1/4 cup thinly sliced cucumber 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion … Continue reading →

Simple Lunch Ideas

My daughter’s playgroup has morphed into a bi-weekly mommy luncheon. Twice a month we gather to swap anecdotes, watch our kids play together, and eat. I find it quite therapeutic. The chatting that is. As for the meal itself, we keep it very simple, and each person is responsible for bringing a dish to pass. Last week one of the moms took a kid-friendly dish (grilled cheese) and kicked it up a few notches (go Emeril!) to create amazing grown-up sandwiches. Throw in a few easy dips and you have the makings of a delicious and nutritious lunch. Here are … Continue reading →

More Egg-cellent Egg Recipes

You can tell Easter is right around the corner because area supermarkets are running specials on eggs. I’m not planning to color eggs this week (though I know some schools and civic organizations are sponsoring egg hunts this weekend), but I couldn’t pass up the deal and purchased a couple dozen. I am now in the process of organizing my egg recipes so I can put these protein rich ovals to good use. If you too are looking for simple yet tasty ways to incorporate incredible, edible eggs into your menu, consider the following: SPRING VEGETABLE OMELET Ingredients: 2 tablespoons … Continue reading →

Comfort Foods: Soup and Sandwiches

I grew up in Hawaii where the mercury rarely dips below 60 degrees. Needless to say, growing up, I didn’t crave soup as much as I do now that I live in the Upper Midwest where the average winter last about 8 months. These days soup and sandwiches are the ideal comfort food on a bitterly cold day. I’ve warmed up with the following recipes for the last decade. Hopefully, you will find them as warm and comforting as I do, regardless of where you reside. PATTY MELT Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced 8 … Continue reading →

Hats Off to this Unique Sandwich

Much like the high calorie Horseshoe sandwich, this next double fisted treat comes with a unique story. A Croque-Monsieur is a popular sandwich in France and is served in restaurants around the world. Its name translates to “Crispy Mister,” and it’s basically a fancy grilled ham and cheese sandwich (though, I’m sure it’s French creator wouldn’t take kindly to that description). Its female counterpart is called a Croque-Madame and is similar to the Croque-Monsieur only it includes a fried egg on top. A celebrity chef on the Food Network claims it’s named as much because the egg looks like a … Continue reading →

Pony Up to the Table for this Unique Sandwich

This is not your ordinary stick-in-your-kid’s-school-lunch-box type sandwich. The following culinary creation takes a bit of time and effort to prepare, but your taste buds will thank you for it (though your waistline might not). The “Ponyshoe” sandwich is considered the signature dish of Springfield, Illinois because it was created by two local chefs employed by the city’s Leland Hotel back in 1928. The sandwich is not for the faint of heart—-literally. It starts out with two slices of thick toasted bread. Those are topped with a monstrous piece of fried ham steak or two large hamburger patties. Add to … Continue reading →

Teriyaki Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

Growing up in Hawaii I was exposed to teriyaki flavored everything. From teriyaki chicken and beef teriyaki to teriyaki tuna and pineapple teriyaki pork kabobs. Teriyaki sauce is also a popular flavoring for vegetable dishes, which is why the notion of a Portobello Mushroom Sandwich coated with sweet teriyaki sauce is not completely foreign to me. However, I underestimated how incredible the combination of teriyaki sauce, portobello mushrooms and balsamic vinegar could be when I ordered this next dish at a local vegetarian restaurant last week. Portobello mushrooms are considered the steak of the mushroom world and for good reason. … Continue reading →