Tag Archives: Chefs

Martha Stewart’s Roasted Beet Salad

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I love beets, but I am one of only three people I have ever heard say that. I do not know why, but when I mention beets, the reaction of most people is “Ew.” What is so terrible about beets? They are a pretty color and they are good either pickled or hot with sugar. When I found this Martha Stewart recipe, I decided I would blog about it. So any of you beet lovers out there – let me hear from you! Let me know I am not alone! For this recipe, you will need one pound of fresh … Continue reading →

Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Baguette

The other night when my husband and I went to Corner Bakery for dinner (date night-woohoo!) he ordered this sandwich. It was absolutely delicious. The combination of fresh ingredients was crispy yet creamy, and it melted in my mouth. I’ve tried to recreate it here for you. Make sure you use fresh mozzarella cheese for this sandwich. It can be found in any grocery store these days, often in the gourmet cheese section. It comes packed in water. You don’t want to get the hard mozzarella for this recipe (the kind that is used for String Cheese) because it’s too … Continue reading →

Chicken Pesto Sandwich on Ciabatta Bread

You may not know this, but I love sandwiches. I mean I really, really love them. I also like pesto, a lot. It’s delicious on pizza, on pasta, and yes, on sandwiches. The taste can be a bit overpowering by itself though. The other night I had a wonderful sandwich at Corner Bakery. It was served on a ciabatta baguette. The bread was just the right combination of soft and firm and the flavors were amazing. I’ve tried to recreate it at home. It combines pesto with mayonnaise for a flavor that’s creamy and delicious. Give it a try-I have … Continue reading →

Greek Salad (aka-Shepard’s Salad)

I commonly refer to this salad as Greek Salad because that’s what most people relate it to. However, I am married to a Turk, and in Turkey, this salad is called Shepard’s Salad. Either way you choose to say it, the result is a colorful, flavorful mix of fresh ingredients that will leave you wanting more. For this recipe you will need: 4-5 large tomatoes, seeded and diced (not too small, not too big-large bite sizes work best) 2-3 Cucumbers, peeled and diced 1 red onion, peeled and diced ½ Cup fresh Italian Parsley, chopped 1 1/2 Cups Kalamata Olives … Continue reading →

Antipasto Salad

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Today, my son and I were out exploring the neighboring towns. I like Jacksonville, but there are some things I miss about not living in a larger town. There is a grocery store in Memphis called Schnucks that has specialized food items like Wolfgang Puck’s soups and many different types of ethnic foods that most grocery stores do not have. That is, at least the grocery stores in Jacksonville do not have them. Today, we ventured up towards Swansboro, a beach town on the eastern coast here in North Carolina. I needed some ground coriander because I was going to … Continue reading →

Southwestern Bean Salad

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If you are looking for a summer salad recipe, this one is great. It combines mango, chicken, tortillas, black beans, red bell peppers with a honey-cumin vinaigrette dressing – yummy! It would work great for a light lunch or dinner. For this recipe, you will need flour tortillas, vegetable cooking spray, one pound of roasted or grilled chopped chicken, one 15 ounce can of pinto or red beans, one 15 ounce can of black beans, a fresh mango, one zucchini, one red bell pepper, green onions, salad greens, orange juice, olive oil, honey, fresh lime juice, ground cumin, and hot … Continue reading →

Muffaletta – A Stuffed Italian Sandwich

Trust me, you don’t need to know how to pronounce this sandwich to be able to enjoy it. A Muffaletta is an Italian sandwich that combines meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, and olive tapenade, to create an undeniably delicious treat. It’s a very versatile sandwich because you can add and omit ingredients as you see fit. For example, I’m not crazy about pickled vegetables. Classically, this sandwich includes a layer of them. If you like them, by all means, pile them on. If not, you can leave them off. The meats and cheeses can also be changed to suit your taste. … Continue reading →

Crusty Veggie and Cheese Sandwich

Who says you have to have meat on a sandwich to call it good? Not me! This is one of my all-time favorite sandwiches. You can add or omit any veggies of your choosing to make this sandwich uniquely your own. It’s relatively quick to make, is a perfect lunch or dinner choice, and won’t leave you yearning for meat one bit. Enjoy! (Makes 2 (6-inch) Sandwiches) Ingredients: (to taste) 2 Hoagie Rolls (can also use Sub Rolls, Sandwich Rolls of choice) 4 medium-thick slices Provolone Cheese from the deli 1 Eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into … Continue reading →

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

If you’re like me, you loved grilled cheese growing up. I ate it all the time and nobody made it better than my mom. I realize now it was because of all the butter! She had a way of making sure every inch was covered with at least a little bit of it, resulting in a truly delicious sandwich. To this day nothing is better than a good grilled cheese sandwich and a steaming hot bowl of tomato soup. It comforts my soul, eases a bad day, and prepares me to face the day ahead. But now, instead of using … Continue reading →

The End of an Era

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As a friend recently said to me, we are living in an age where the Big Mac is now going the way of the Marlboro — McDonald’s is transforming its menu to accommodate the rising concerns with healthier lifestyles and obesity in this country. You may believe they did this before when they began offering salads in the first place and when they began offering apple slices in place French fries for happy meals. McDonald’s latest twist to match the more modern way of thinking where food and activity is concerned is their new Go Active™ Happy Meal ® for … Continue reading →