Recipes

Thai Peanut Sauce

I love this versatile and simple-to-make sauce. I use it for just about everything: veggie spring rolls, chicken satay, salad dressing - you name it. This recipe is already a double batch. 1 'large knob' of fresh ginger root, peeled and cut into slices (about 12 thin...

Quick Huevos Rancheros

For a less conventional version, replace the tomatoes in the salsa with pineapple! 2 large tomatoes 1/2 red onion 1 jalapeno, seeded 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 1 lime Salt & pepper to taste 1 can black beans, with liquid. 4 eggs 4 tortilla Avocado, chopped; for...

Quick Charred Tomato Bisque

This soup is better than the stuff in a can. By far! 4-6 large ripe tomatoes 3 garlic cloves, smashed Olive oil to coat Salt & pepper to taste 1 cup cream 1/2 cup basil leaves Heat the broiler. Cut 4-6 large ripe tomatoes into thin slices and spread them out on a...

Quick Lemon Upside-Down Cheesecake

The same flavors as a creamy cheesecake, but without the structure; serve in bowls. 1 cup cream cheese 1 cup ricotta chese 1 tsp vanilla Zest/Juice of 1 lemon Sugar or Honey to taste 1 sleeve of graham crackers 1 cup walnuts Combine 1 cup each of softened cream cheese...

Quick Gruyere Apple Grilled Cheese

Why wouldn't you add a couple of bacon slices? I don't know. Wouldn't make any sense at all. Per 1 sandwich: 2 Slices of good-quality bread 2 Slices of Gruyere cheese 4 Slices of thinly-sliced tart apple Butter, for frying Butter slices of good-quality bread. Layer...

Quick Egg Drop Soup

Nothing could be easier. 1 qt chicken or vegetable stock 4 eggs Soy sauce to taste Scallions for garnish Sesame oil for garnish Bring a quart of stock (chicken or veggie stock) to a slow bubble; gently pour four beaten eggs in to the stock while stirring. Add soy...

Quick Pasta with Lemon Sauce

You might toss in a few veggies, like peas - or not. 1 cup pasta, like angel hair or linguine 1/2 stick butter 1/2 cup cream 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1-2 tsp grated lemon zest Parmesan cheese for garnish Chopped parsley or chives for garnish Boil and salt...

Quick Brown Sugar Apples in the Micro

A simple dessert or snack, ready in minutes. 4 apples, peeled and cored 1/4 cup raisins 1/4 cup walnuts (optional) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup butter Cinnamon for garnish Core 4 apples and stuff the centers with raisins, walnuts (optional), brown sugar, and butter....

Groundhog Cupcakes

Groundhog Cupcakes

I clipped this recipe out of a Family Fun magazine back in 2009 when my kiddos were still in elementary school. I always made them as classroom treats on Groundhogs Day which is my favorite holiday. Some say this is odd favorite but when you live through Chicago...

“Chef Chase” Nachos

“Chef Chase” Nachos

When I was in college at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana I worked as a line cook at a restaurant called Coslow's. It was a typical college hangout with tall dark brown booths, local artwork, and bentwood chairs paired with wobbly tables, a folded paper...

Meyer Lemon Marmalade

Meyer Lemon Marmalade

Over the holidays, my husband, two sons and I traveled to Florida to see my family. My parents have a small Meyer lemon tree in their yard and they graciously donated all the lemons from the tree (about 10 or so) for this recipe. Because of the limited quantity, I...

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce

As the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to fall, we like to go apple picking. And what do you do with all those apples you just picked? Make applesauce, of course. This applesauce is crazy good. Both my boys fight over it and beg me to make more, and more,...