Quick and Easy (160)
These Cheese Balls are baked, not fried, and can be coated with a Dipping/Finishing Sauce (multiple recipe's are linked below). The Cheese Balls are a great game-day appetizer or to accentuate any full Holiday spread.
Agua Fresca de Pepino is a traditional Mexican drink that is easy to prepare and is the perfect cooling drink for a hot day. With only a handful of ingredients necessary, this drink can be ready to pour in just a few minutes. For a more healthy drink, leave out the (optional) sugar. Instead of using 2 of the common "Garden Cucumbers", I prefer to use 5 or 6 of the smaller "Mini Seedless Cucumbers".
The term "BBQ" can mean a lot of different things, depending on the region. There is Carolina BBQ, Memphis BBQ, St Louis BBQ, Kansas City BBQ, Kentucky BBQ, and about 4 or 5 variations called Texas BBQ. Variations can include a Dry Rub or a Wet Sauce, various cuts of Beef or Pork, the type of wood used to smoke the meat, the presence of vinegar in a Wet Sauce, the use of Tomato sauce or Mustard as the base for a Wet Sauce, the inclusion of Hot Peppers; the variations seem unlimited. Perhaps the most unique BBQ is called Alabama White BBQ Sauce, a Mayonnaise mixture, used as a finishing sauce on smoked chicken, shredded pork shoulder, roasted turkey, ribs, or even a dipping sauce for french fries.
Asian Cucumber Salad is a great side for any Asian dish. AND you can put this all together and have it ready to eat in about 15 minutes.
This is an easy recipe to use leftover White Rice that will compliment any Asian meat or vegetable dish. While I frequently use black sesame seeds for this recipe, white sesame seeds would work just as well. For best results in forming the Rice Cakes, use a "Slider" sized Hamburger Patty Press. Use pressure to press the rice into tightly-compacted cakes.
Vinegar has been used for centuries to preserve food and provide a zesty flavor. Pickled vegetables are easy to make. They can be a nice addition to Stir Fry, Korean Bibimbap, or even as a Pizza topping.
Baba Ganoush is a traditional Mid-Eastern made with Roasted Eggplant. This flavorful sauce can provide a a dip for Pita Bread, as a Marinara replacement, or as a topping for Roasted Chicken. This recipe calls for Tahini, a paste made from roasted Sesame Seeds.
"Pork Tenderloin" is NOT the same cut of meat as "Pork Loin." The Pork Tenderloin is the Pork version of Beef Tenderloin, which would be used to make the Chateaubriand or, when cut into steaks, the Filet Mignon. This Pork Tenderloin preparation is fast, easy, and tasty, with a time to table of less than 2 hours. And Chimichurri is the perfect flavor enhancement for the a juicy Pork Tenderloin.
"Pork Tenderloin" is NOT the same cut of meat as "Pork Loin." The Pork Tenderloin is the Pork version of Beef Tenderloin, which would be used to make the Chateaubriand or, when cut into steaks, the Filet Mignon. This Pork Tenderloin preperation is fast, easy, and tasty, with a time to table of less than 2 hours.
Bagels are easy to make. This easy recipe can produce a finished Bagel in less than 1 hour. This recipe makes 1 single bagel.
When you need an immediate fix of Pumpkin Bagels, but the local Bagel Shop is sold out, this easy recipe can give you a finished Bagel in less than 1 hour. This recipe makes 1 single bagel.
Baked potatoes can be used as a great side dish or as a tasty main dish. This recipe will produce the perfect baked potatoes, every time.
Baked Zucchini Rounds are a tasty snack that is easy to make and relatively healthy.
These Boneless Beef Short Ribs are easy to prepare. The sweet spicy flavor will make this a favorite dish.
This is an easy BBQ dish that requires very little effort and can be on the table in less than 1 hour. I am not a fan of cooked Chicken Skin, so I typically remove the skin. This allows all the flavor of your BBQ to soak into the meat and not just the skin. Cooking the drumsticks with the skin on may require additional cooking, so if you don't want to remove the skin, you may need to experiment with the cooking time. I like to use a Carolina Mustard style sauce, but you can use any store bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
The term "BBQ" can mean a lot of different things, depending on the region. There is Carolina BBQ, Memphis BBQ, St Louis BBQ, Kansas City BBQ, Kentucky BBQ, and about 4 or 5 variations called Texas BBQ. Variations can include a Dry Rub or a Wet Sauce, various cuts of Beef or Pork, the type of wood used to smoke the meat, the presence of vinegar in a Wet Sauce, the use of Tomato sauce or Mustard as the base for a Wet Sauce, the inclusion of Hot Peppers... the variations seem unlimited. This recipe is for a sweet Tomato-based Wet Sauce with a mild vinegar taste.
A traditional Bechamel sauce is thickened with a roux, using butter and flour. This keto friendly sabayon utilizes egg yolk as the thickening agent, providing a smooth, silky texture that provides a tasty finish to your dish. This Bechamel Sabayon is easy to make, but requires your undivided attention. Boiling will curdle the egg and break the sauce. For best results, stir the mix constantly while cooking over medium-low heat. This will help ensure that all the ingredients melt together, without coming to a boil. To add the yolk, temper it first by adding it to a small bowl, then mixing with a few scoops of the sauce before integrating it back into the saute pan. This basic sauce can be modified in countless ways to finish your meal; Add 2 cups of shredded cheese; Add 1 finely chopped roasted pimento; Add shredded parmesan cheese for an alfredo sauce.
Au Jus (pronounced: \aww-zhoo\) is a French term meaning "at juice" or "with juice". Au Jus is a finishing sauce, served alongside something like Beef Roast or Prime Rib, or a dipping sauce (also called French Dip) for something like a Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich. Au Jus is traditionally made by mixing pan drippings (including the fond), with meat broth, and wine. Au Jus can also be used as a base to make a tasty Mire Poix, by adding Onions, Celery, and Carrots before reducing for an hour. This recipe is designed to be an "Instant" Au Jus, when actual Meat Drippings are not available. Although Red Wine is a common ingredient in Au Jus, this recipe is made without any Wine.
In most Latin American Countries, a "Limon" can be yellow OR green; they consider it to be the same fruit. This super sweet "Lemonade" is made with (green) limes. This Brazilian drink is called Swiss Lemonade, as it uses "Swiss" Sweetened Condensed Milk as an ingredient, is a super-sweet thirst quencher on a hot day. Many recipes incorporate the entire fruit from the Lime into the blender, however, I have found that inclusion of the pith results in a bitter flavor. This is why I include only the zest and the juice from the Lime.
Brown Butter or "Beurre Noisette" (meaning: "Hazelnut Butter") does not actually contain hazelnuts. This single ingredient sauce can add complexity and a "nutty" flavor to any sweet or savory dish that calls for butter. Brown butter is made by heating the butter to brown the milk solids and reduce the water. Brown Butter can replace the butter in any recipe, tablespoon for tablespoon.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
We all know about Buffalo Wings. But what about the rest of the animal? This recipe gives a similar treatment to the familiar Drumstick. Simply marinate, load the Drumsticks into the instant pot, then finish them in the oven. While this recipe uses a traditional medium-mild "Hot Wings" marinade, you can mix it up and make any style you want.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
This is an easy roux-based sauce with a strong Paprika flavor. Use it over Baked Potatoes or Grilled Chicken.
Butternut Squash (also called Autumn Squash) soup is the perfect fall-time comfort food. Using the pressure-cooking option in your Instant Pot reduces the time-to-table from about 6 hours to less than 2 hours. Using a Coconut Yogurt provides a nice creamy consistency, without adding heavy cream.
Contrary to popular opinion, the Caesar Salad was not named for Julius Caesar. Instead, it is named after the Chef from Mexico City who first concocted this savory lemon-flavored egg yolk emulsion. A Caesar Salad is traditionally made with romaine lettuce, croutons, shredded Parmesan cheese, and occasionally diced tomatoes, all coated with a serving the famous dressing. Caesar Salad is a great companion to any meal.
This handy recipe will take less time to mix than it would take to run to your corner grocer and grab a box of cake mix. Additionally, you can skip all the dyes and preservatives that are usually included in your box.
This easy recipe can be made entirely within your Instant Pot, making for a quick dinner with an easy cleanup.
Ćevap Lepinje (pronounced /'Che-vap Lay-'pin-yay/) are "Balkan Kebab Buns". A quick and easy bread that can be eaten alone or with any meat dish. Serve the Ćevap Lepinje with kebab meat, burgers, pulled pork, or shredded chicken.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
This reduction was inspired by Cheerwine Soda, a super sweet soft drink that is commonly found in North Carolina. Like Cheerwine, this homemade cherry reduction can be used in a wide range of recipes, such as BBQ sauce, cherry topping for deserts, a replacement for grenadine, or as a flavoring for soda water. In addition to the frozen cherries, this recipe also calls for bottled cherry juice. For best results, ensure that the juice has no additional sugar added and contains 100% cherry juice. Do not settle for a cheaper mix that includes other filler juices, such as pear juice or grape juice. In order to make into Cherry Syrup, dissolve an additional 1.5 Cups of Sugar.
This fresh summer salad is a perfect companion for any BBQ. Putting it together the day before and refrigerating overnight will permit the flavors to blend throughout the salad.
The Chicago Style Hot Dog is a heavily traditioned meal, prepared in a very specific way. Chicago Dogs are typically steamed or boiled (and then sold by the Street Vendor). A Char Dog, is a Chicago Dog that is grilled. Although "Chicago Style Dog" ingredients are difficult to locate in other parts of the country, most of them can be constructed with supplies that are readily available. Poppy Seeds can be attached to a hot dog bun, by spraying a small amount of oil, in a fine mist, over the top of the bun, then gently rolling it in Poppy Seeds. Any sweet pickle relish can be used, just add a drop of green food coloring, and mix well. I have never found a suitable replacement for the Pickled Sport Peppers. Unfortunately, if those are not available locally, you may have to purchase them online. And Celery Salt is just a 1:1 mixture of Ground Celery Seed and Kosher Salt.
Although it is difficult for me to understand, some people do not like sushi. This "Sushi Roll replacement" is made with stuffed Chicken and wrapped in bacon, for all the fun of sushi, without the raw fish. This is an easy recipe, with less than an hour of total time to table. First start with Feta Cheese and a few vegetables. Then wrap the cheese and veggies in chicken, and finally wrap the chicken in bacon and bake. The result is an easy, flavorful dish, that is fun for everyone.
Fideo Soup is a traditional Latino dish from Mexico. This Soup can be made with a variety of ingredients, with the only real requirement being the inclusion of fideo pasta, (short vermicelli noodles).
It always seems like the best potato side-dish recipes require far more effort than any side dish ever should. Until now. This recipe takes minimal effort and results in perfect potato wedges with a garlic-lemon taste.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Chimichurri is the quintessential Argentine Flavor. Chimichurri can be used to flavor roasts and steaks before cooking or it can be used as a sauce for meats at the dining table. Red Chimichurri adds roasted pimento for a fuller, smokey flavor.
Chuck Roast is a less expensive cut of Beef that can be flavorful, but tough if not cooked properly. With this long slow preparation, the humble Chuck Roast can be elevated to compare with a much more expensive cut. If desired, use 3 or 4 lengths of Butcher's Twine to truss the roast. Although not necessary, this can provide a roast with a more uniform look and a better finished presentation.
This recipe will produce the perfect Jasmine Rice. The Ginger, Garlic, and Cilantro flavors will perfectly compliment your favorite Asian dishes.
Roast Lamb can be easy to make. This light and zesty marinade will enhance your Lamb Roast with a sweet orange-lemon flavor. The Vinegar will help the flavor to work into the meat. Marinate for 12 to 24 hours. This recipe will yield enough marinade for a Lamb Roast up to 8 pounds.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Creamy Avocado Salsa is great with Tortilla Chips, served over Grilled Chicken, over Poached Whitefish, or over Grilled Vegetables.
Enchilada Casserole is more Tex-Mex than Mexican food. This is an easy recipe that can be prepared in advance and then refrigerated in the casserole dish, up to 1 week. The crème fraiche or Greek yogurt will make the sauce creamy, while the jalapeno peppers will bring just a hint of heat.
This creamy cheese sauce is a great addition to a medium rare London Broil or as a filling for stuffed hamburgers patties. Adding the horseradish paste will provide additional flavor and complexity. The amount of Horseradish can be adjusted to provide a stronger or weaker flavor, as desired.
This flavorful dipping sauce is easy to make and is perfect for Honey Balsamic Soy Chicken Wings, Cauliflower Crowns, or Grilled Chicken Breasts.
This spicy dipping sauce is easy to make and is perfect for Peruvian Roast Chicken, Peruvian Chicken Wings, Cauliflower Crowns, or Baked Cheese Balls. Although this Dipping Sauce would traditionally include Mayonnaise instead of Greek Yogurt, the Yogurt is healthier, and in my opinion, will provide a better flavor. Traditionally, this dipping sauce would include a pepper called Aji Amarillo that may prove challenging to find in the US. As a replacement, I am using Srirachi Garlic sauce instead. Like most yogurt sauces, this sauce will taste better if it is refrigerated overnight so that the flavors can mix together.
This flavorful dipping sauce is easy to make and is perfect for a roast turkey, roast pork, mild chicken wings, grilled chicken, or cauliflower crowns.
This is a sweet tasting dipping sauce that is great with chicken (or pork) nuggets, or a finishing sauce for Roast Chicken, Roast Pork, or Honey Ginger Chicken.
Dutch Baby is the sweeter, more pancaker version of Yorkshire pudding. The batter can be made as much as 3 days in advance. The finished Dutch Baby can be topped with fresh fruit, maple syrup, or even powdered sugar.
This recipe can be prepared using a Slow Cooker (for about 3 hours) or using a Ceramic-Lined Cast Iron Dutch Oven (for about 30 minutes). The benefit of using the Slow Cooker, is that you can mix the recipe and then start the Slow Cooker before Dinner starts.
This Cheesy Sauce can be a versatile addition to any meal. Use it as a sauce on Chicken, on White Fish, Baked Potatoes, or over Steamed Vegetables. Adding a variety of different seasoning options to this basic Cheesy Sauce can produce very different flavor profiles.
This is possibly the easiest bread you will ever make. This flatbread is a nice and easy addition to Shawarma.
This flavorful single-pan meal is easy to make.
Ricotta "Cheese" is not technically a cheese, but actually a cheese byproduct. Fresh Ricotta is surprisingly easy to make, once you learn a few tricks. In less than an hour, you can go from Whole Milk to fresh Ricotta. And using a Sous Vide, makes this process even easier. Use only Whole Milk in this recipe. Milk containing less fat will result in a lower ricotta yield.
This is an easy chicken dish with a lot of flavor. It works well as a side dish to ratatouille or as an easy chicken to serve with a side of rice. The time to table on this recipe is about 45 minutes, making it a great option for a busy night.
Risotto is easy to make, but it requires constant stirring. Cooking Risotto in the Sous Vide removes the need for such focused attention: Just prepare the ingredients, seal them in a heat safe bag, and drop it in the Sous Vide. 45 minutes later, you will have a perfect Risotto. Just watch the time so that you do not overcook it.
Green Harissa Potatoes are a great side dish to accompany shawarma or any mid-eastern dish. The addition of Greek Yogurt will provide a creamy texture and will further reduce the "already mild" heat level of the Green Harissa. Par-boiling the potatoes will cut the overall cooking time in half, while the final bake will ensure a nice golden brown texture.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Green Harissa paste is much milder than the traditional Tunisian red cousin. Green Harissa is similar to Chimichurri, but with a little added heat. This versatile flavorful paste can be used to flavor white meat and fish, or as a flavor enhancer for vegetables.
Harissa is a traditional Middle-eastern marinade that works well with Beef or Chicken. Cut the meat into thin slices and marinate for a few hours to several days.
Harissa is a traditional pepper paste, originating from North Africa. While the heat level of Harissa can vary, based on the type (and the amount) of chiles that are used. For best results, you can use ancho chiles, or for a little more heat, guajillos chiles. Even more heat can be added by using chipotle peppers. Ancho chiles are dried/smoked poblano peppers. Guajillo peppers are dried/smoked mirasol peppers. Chipotle chiles are dried/smoked jalapeno peppers. Additional smokiness can be added with the inclusion of smoked paprika. Similarly, you can add more complex overtones with the inclusion of orange juice and a small handful of dried cranberries. This recipe makes about 24 Ounces.
These single serving quiche cups use baked Hash Browns for the crust. This quiche can be easily made in a single large pie tin, however, the individual cups provide a convenient way to accommodate for "less adventurous" eaters: each eater can choose their own ingredients.
For this recipe, I use large (12 oz) silicone Cupcake Baking Cups. You could also use a large muffin pan, with disposable paper muffin pan inserts.
This recipe is currently written to make One (1) 12 oz. serving, but it can be easily scaled.
The filling can include any ingredients from your favorite omelet recipe.
A Hasselback Potato is a potato that is opened at the top, through a series of thin slices, then baked. The slices provide greater surface area. When coated with butter/oil and seasoning, the additional surface area provides a crispy, tasty finish for your baked potato.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Herbed compound butter is an easy method for introducing a complex flavor to your meal. Use compound butter to saute vegetables, or for finishing a high quality steak.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Achiote Paste is a traditional Mexican rub that can be used to flavor meat. Achiote (also called annatto) is a redish-orange powder that is ground from the seeds of the achiote plant. Achiote has a mild, nutty, sweet flavor, with a slight taste of pepper. Achiote paste can be made by mixing achiote powder with other ingredients. Achiote paste can be used to season chicken, pork, beef, or fish.
This flavored Simple Syrup is easy to make and can be used to flavor home-made sodas. Additionally, you can add a splash to Ginger Ale, Lemon-Lime soda, or Coke.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Bake your favorite Ice Cream into a flavorful cake using this fun and easy recipe.
Perhaps the perfect meal to celebrate St. Patrick's day, is Irish Stew. While Irish Stew typically requires the inclusion of a "pint of stout" for additional flavor, I have found that the deep complexity can be easily accomplished by replacing the stout with a tablespoon of Marmite. We dissolve the Marmite in hot water to ensure that it is fully integrated throughout the final stew.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze uncooked in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later. For a Keto recipe, use an Italian dressing with a low carb count (less than 3 carbs per serving) and serve with a Keto approved vegetable medley.
Jammie Dodgers are a common British desert sandwich using short-bread biscuits (called cookies in the US), with a raspberry jam filling. Based on the size of the cookie cutters used, this recipe yields about 6 to 8 finished Jammie Dodgers, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Bulgogi Beef (meaning "fire meat" ) is a tender, flavorful dish that is traditionally cooked on a grill. In this recipe, the Baking Soda is used to tenderize the meat, without turning the outer layer into mush as a longer exposure to acid based tenderizers tend to do. The Soy Sauce, garlic, and sugar adds a wonderful Bulgogi salty sweetness. Traditionally, Bulgogi Beef uses the Rebeye cut, but I have had equal success with Top Sirloin, Flank Steak, Skirt Steak, or even Shoulder Roast. The meat should be sliced paper thin while still raw.
Kimchi is one type of side dish (or Banchan) that is traditionally served with a Korean meal. This Kimchi is surprisingly easy to make and adds considerable depth to your meal. This dish can be prepared in a few minutes, then refrigerated a few hours to overnight.
This is an easy side dish to add some green to your meal. The Lime and Pecorino Cheese will kick your Brussels Sprouts to the next level.
This flavored Simple Syrup is easy to make and can be used to flavor home-made sodas.
Everybody loves a good loaded baked potato. This is a quick and simple recipe to give all the flavors of stuffed potatoes, in a hearty soup. This gluten-free recipe uses mashed potato to thicken the soup.
The London Broil is not a cut of meat. Instead, it is a specific preparation for a roast. The London Broil is typically made with a lean cut, usually the Top Round, or sometimes the Bottom Round. However, these cuts can become tough if they are cooked improperly. The secret to the perfect London Broil is a good marinade, with a high acidic content, and then a quick broil under high heat. While the London Broil can be prepared using the Sous Vide, the ideal preparation utilizes the high heat of the broiler.
Leftover Mashed Potatoes are often left to sit in the refrigerator for a few weeks until they are eventually discarded. This is an easy, tasty, and fun way to use the leftovers that might ordinarily go to waste. Eat warm or drizzle with leftover gravy.
First of all, there are NO actual Oreo Cookies used in this recipe. In case you have never seen the inside of a Sports Bar, Sliders are small, bite-sized burgers. This recipe makes Sliders that are stuffed with cheese. As they cook, sometimes the cheese leaks out and they look like Oreo cookies, made with meat. You'll understand when you make them...
This easy dish is based on a recipe originally developed by Julia Childs. With a prep time of less than 30 minutes and then 45 minutes in the Oven, this tasty meal is perfect when you suddenly realize that it is nearly dinner-time. Again.
Menemen (Turkish Eggs) is a made with tomatoes and scrambled eggs. The pan roasted tomatoes from the bottom of the pan provide a beautiful presentation and the smokey flavor of the Aleppo peppers, paired with the Jalapeño pepper, provides the perfect amount of heat. This quick and easy dish provides a single serving. To make multiple servings, just wipe out the inside of the pan with a paper towel and start again.
It seems like good Latino food always begins with Sofrito, a flavorful sauce base that is traditionally made by mincing Garlic, Onion, and Pimentos Verde (Green Bell Pepper). I like to further accentuate this soup with fresh Cilantro with fresh Lime. This soup includes a single chopped Jalapeño pepper to provide just a hint of heat. I prefer to use Chicken Thighs over Chicken Breasts as the dark meat is typically more flavorful and juicier when poached. Serving the soup over a pile of Rice makes this into a hearty meal.
Rice is a staple for Mexican food. It can turn nearly any snack into a meal. This is an easy, traditional Mexican Rice that will accompany any Latino dish. You can add chopped, roasted Jalapeños for additional flavor. In order to scale, measure 1/4 dry Rice per serving. Measure out the Rice to Water ratio at 1:2.
When you want the taste of Mexican Street Corn, but Corn on the Cob is not in season, this handy recipe provides a year 'round solution using canned Sweet Corn. The Corn kernels turn a nice golden brown color as the sugars in the corn begin to carnalize. Although the addition of Ranch Dressing makes the recipe "less than authentic", it elevates the flavor profile in a unique way. This Street Corn is a tasty side dish for Tacos, Fajitas, or Mole.
This recipe provides a pretty exact flavor match to the white rice served at a certain fast food burrito chain, but without the salmonella. Rice is a staple for Mexican food. It can turn nearly any snack into a meal. This is an easy, traditional Mexican Rice that will accompany any Latino dish. You can add chopped, roasted Jalapeños for additional flavor. In order to scale, measure 1/4 cup dry Rice per serving. Measure out the Rice to Water ratio at 1:2. This recipe provides a pretty exact flavor match to the white rice served at a certain fast food burrito chain, but without the salmonella.
Minestrone is a hearty, flavorful soup made with vegetables and pasta. This Minestrone includes Kielbasa, but you could use Sweet Italian Sausage, or leave out the meat altogether for a vegetarian version. This soup can be eaten the same day it is prepared, or it can be prepared and then stored in the refrigerator or freezer for a meal on another day.
This is an easy recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Khobz is a Moroccan White Bread that is best eaten the same day it is baked. In order to ensure that you have "freshly baked bread", the dough can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. This easy bread recipe is great for making sandwiches or eating with Shawarma.
Aleppo Peppers are originally from the Mid-East, named after a city in Syria. Aleppo is also known regionally as the Halaby pepper, pul biber, or Turkish red pepper flakes. Most Aleppo available in the U.S. is imported from Turkey or grown in the United States.The Aleppo Pepper is typically smoked and dried and then ground into flakes. It is similar to Hot Paprika, but with a slightly higher heat level.
Thinly sliced beef with a sweet orange sauce is a favorite traditional Chinese dish. This recipe provides an orange flavor through the inclusion of orange marmalade. The Beef should ideally be a lean cut. You should try to use something like rib eye, flat iron steak, top sirloin, or boneless short ribs (not boneless country style ribs). Additionally, you can substitute a cheaper cut, such as boneless chuck ribs or flank steak, but ensure that you slice across the grain for a more tender piece of beef.
This marinade is a great for chicken, whitefish, or grilled vegetables. Marinade before cooking, then Apply more, liberally, for the final cooking phase and even more, as soon as it is removed from the oven.
This sweet and savory sauce is easy to make. This tasty reduction goes well with any white meat. It is a versatile base that can be mixed with a wide range of flavors, including Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Greek Yogurt, Creme Fraiche, and other flavors.
This spicy orange sauce is great with beef and stir-fry vegetables, over chicken, or even whitefish.
To be clear, this is not a traditional Korean recipe. This Roasted Corn recipe is a great addition to any Asian BBQ.
Pimentos are Bell Peppers that are ripened to a Red color. Pimentos are sweeter than the unripened green bell peppers. Pimentos (especially when roasted) can be used as a base for sauces, flavoring for mashed potatoes, added to rice dishes, stews, or other applications.
Any pepper can be roasted using this same method. Roasting a pepper will mellow the heat (for hot peppers) and caramelize the sugar to sweeten the flavor. Roasting a pepper will also give a slightly "smokey" flavor.
These fried potatoes are better then any restaurant fries. Using Golden Potatoes, instead of Russets or Red potatoes, will provide a soft, creamy side-dish that serves equally well with Roast Chicken or on the side of Cheeseburger Sliders. These potatoes can be sprinkled with fresh Scallions, Chopped Parsley, Smoked Paprika, or served with Shredded, melted Cheese on top.
This steakhouse favorite is a sweet and tasty side to accompany the finest steak or roast dishes.
Potatoes are an extremely versatile food. They can be boiled, mashed, frenched and fried, baked, roasted, steamed, or fried whole. Some preparations can be extremely complex and time consuming. Other preparations, like this one, are quick and easy. Clean the baby potatoes, then simply boil to ensure they are cooked all the way through; finally, fry the baby potatoes in butter for the perfect flavor. Dust with a little salt and then mix with Chimichurri Sauce.
I have been making my Roasted Feta Cheese dessert for years. This is my variation, based on a recipe that became all the rage recently. It reportedly even caused a Feta Cheese shortage in Scandinavia. My version of the Pasta with Roasted Feta Cheese integrates components from my desert recipe. This is a quick and easy meal to make, with a ton of flavor. The roasted Feta Cheese mixed with the blended Roast Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic to make a creamy garlic sauce.
Peperonata is a classic Sicilian stew recipe made by stewing together bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. This dish is great as a side dish with grilled chicken, an appetizer with toasted bread, an accompaniment to polenta, a Bruschetta replacement, or as a sauce over pasta.
Mayonnaise is an emulsification; egg yolk and flavorings are emulsified in oil, creating a thick, creamy, flavorful condiment. In Latin American, mayo is used for much more than an occasional condiment on your deli sandwich. But to be fair, mayonesa (Spanish for Mayonnaise) has a very different flavor than the Mayonnaise that can be commercially purchased in the United States. Mayonesa can be used to hold together a Tuna Fish Sandwich, as a dipping sauce for Fried Yucca (Cassava), or even as a finishing sauce for Roast Chicken. Pasteurizing the eggs will kill any potentially dangerous bacteria, making the mayonnaise safe to eat without cooking. I would strongly discourage using unpasteurized, uncooked eggs in any recipe.
The traditional Peruvian potato is purple in color. Although purple potatoes provide a beautifully unique presentation for your finished meal, there is not a lot of difference, taste or nutritionally, between purple potatoes and their North American cousins. If Purple potatoes are available, they are great in this recipe. However, then can be easily replaced with Gold or Red potatoes. However, the high starch content found in Russet potatoes make them less than ideal for this recipe. So stick with Purple, Gold, or Red.
Peru has a fairly large Chinese Immigrant population. As a result, Soy Sauce has become a common ingredient in Peruvian food. This savory Chicken would traditionally be served with Potato Fries or Yucca (Casava) Fries. The Finishing Sauce would traditionally include Mayonnaise instead of Greek Yogurt. However, South American Mayonnaise has a different flavor and consistency from the Mayo available in the US. The Yogurt is healthier than Mayo, and in my opinion, will provide a flavor that is better than US Mayo.
Although the Chicken requires a 12 to 24 hour marinade time, this meal is easy to prepare with only about 30 minutes active preparation required.
This is a simplified version of Beef Wellington, using a cheaper cut of meat, and a flavorful vegetable stuffing inside the meat. A few easy modifications could be used to make variations on this dish: Stuff the meat with an asparagus spear, replace the Pimento with roasted Jalapeño slices and use a sharp Manchego or Asiago cheese, or marinate the meat with Soy Sauce and stuff with grilled vegetables.
This easy relish provides a spicy and flavorful addition to spice up your meal. Use it on sandwiches, burgers, or eggs.
Pickled Onions are a versitile condiment that can go on your Hot Dog or your Tacos. Use them on Burgers, Nachos, you name it.
Pico de Gallo (meaning "rooster beak" or "rooster's peck") is a common vegetable blend that is traditionally added to Latino food.
Making the perfect hamburger is a balance between art and science. Adding Pico de Gallo to your ground beef adds a nice flavor that creates the perfect Southwestern Burger. For a Keto version of this recipe, simply replace the hamburger bun with a lettuce wrap.
Pico de Gallo (meaning "rooster beak" or "rooster's peck") is a common vegetable blend that is frequently added to Latino food. I have taken the original Pico de Gallo recipe, added chopped grilled beef, and named it "Pico de Toro" ("pico" also means "lip" or "edge"). This is not a traditional Latino recipe, but it is great with tortilla chips or even as a filling for tacos.
This red sauce will provide a nice change when you want something other than the standard marinara sauce.
This tangy sauce works well over tacos, grilled chicken, or steamed fish. This sauce can be made with either Greek Yogurt or with Crème Fraîche. Both of which can be homemade (see the related links) or store bought.
This sauce goes well on roast pork or roast chicken. Drizzle over the Roast just before serving for a sweet/sour fruity finish. For a variation, replace the Pomegranate Molasses with something like Raspberry Jam.
This is an easy side dish to add some green to your meal. The Pomegranate and Lemon Juice will turn Brussels Sprouts into a tasty side dish that will equally accent a Steak or a plate of Shawarma.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
"Amuse bouche" (pronounced /amoos boosh/) is a French term that means "mouth amuser". An amuse bouche is a small, single-bite hors d'œuvre, typically served as a free appetizer, where the Chef can showcase their skills. This amuse bouche is relatively easy to make, and provides a nice palette cleanser to start your meal. Construct the bird nests in mini-sized muffin cups, lined with parchment paper mini cupcake liners. Use a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out any excess moisture from the shredded potatoes. Pack the parchment cups with the shredded potato, shape into a nest, and bake. Then add the bacon and bake again. Garnish the finished nest with a slice from a Cherry Tomato, and a strip or 2 of chiffonade basil leaf.
If Canada has a national dish, this is arguably it. I first tasted good Poutine on a visit to Montreal a few years ago. While the origins of this dish are not entirely known, there are multiple sources who claim to have invented the dish. Poutine is simple to make. The traditional recipe contains French Fries, White Cheese Curds, and Brown Gravy. A widely accepted variation is to add cooked meat. If Cheese Curds are not available, you can use shredded Oaxaca Cheese or (in a pinch) Shredded Mozzarella.
"Primavera" is Italian for "Spring". A Primavera Pasta is traditionally a Pasta dish served with Spring vegetables. This quick and easy recipe is somewhat of a "peasant" dish, meaning that it can be made with whatever ingredients that you have available. While you can use any type of pasta, I prefer to use a small-shaped noodle, such as Bowtie (Farfalle) or Penne Pasta. Using the Instant Pot, you can put dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.
The Quesadilla Crunchwrap (commercially marketed under a similar name) could be easily obtained at a well-known fast food chain. However, this recipe will allow you to replace the "fast food" ingredients with better quality and better flavor. This Quesadilla Crunchwrap can be cooked in a frying pan, or (ideally) with a Panini Press. The Quesadilla Crunchwrap is an extremely flexible dish that can be filled with pretty much any kind of Meat that you have on hand.
This Turkish Pita Bread is a simple recipe, with a "time to table" of only about 1 hour. Pita is a great addition to Shawarma, just make sure that you have plenty of Tzatziki.
Cottage Pie is the same as Shepherd’s Pie except that Shepherd's Pie is made with ground lamb, and Cottage Pie is made with ground beef. This recipe is simplified and scaled down for an easy 4 serving meal.
Flognarde or Flonarde (pronounced /floo-nyard/) is a French fruit dessert, traditionally made with a stiff custard, almost like flan. Flognarde can include wheat flour, or corn starch. While Flognarde is traditionally made with milk and cream, I have found Greek Yogurt to provide the perfect low-fat replacement. For additional flavor variations, you can also replace the raspberries with other fruits or berries, like apples, pear, blackberries, etc. If you use black cherries, the dish is called Clafoutis (pronounced /kla-fu-ti/).
When I was young, Brussels Sprouts had a foul, bitter, sulfurous taste. In the interest of extending the shelf-life of Brussels Sprouts, growers had opted to sacrifice the flavor for a more durable product. However, in the mid 1990's, researchers selectively bred a Brussels Sprout that had a long shelf life, without the horrid flavor. As a result, Brussels Sprouts today are quite flavorful and can provide a tasty addition to any meal.
Okra has a bad reputation as a slimy, strange tasting vegetable. However, this roasted Okra is a crispy side dish that is easy to make and tastes so good that you will want to add it to every meal.
Roasted Spaghetti Squash has a flesh that naturally resembles spaghetti strands. Spaghetti Squash can be served with marinara sauce or with nothing more than a pinch of salt. Additionally, the seeds can be reserved and roasted, much like roast pumpkin seeds.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Confit (pronounced /kon-'fi/) is an ancient food preservation method that involves cooking food at a low temperature, usually in oil or grease. Garlic Confit can be refrigerated for a few weeks and used as a spread on French Bread or as garlic seasoning. The oil carries a delicious roasted garlic/rosemary flavor and can be used as a replacement for any savory dish that calls for Olive Oil. WARNING: Due to the risk of botulism growth, the finished Confit should be stored in the refrigerator and should be kept no more than 3 weeks.
Aji Amarillo Sauce is a mildly spicy and versatile Peruvian condiment. Spicy yellow pepper paste is blended with creamy and tangy ingredients, leaving you with an outstanding dipping sauce, spread, or dressing.
This Peruvian Green Sauce (or Aji Verde) is a spicy and versatile condiment. Made with jalapeño, cilantro, and fresh lime juice, plus Mexican Crema to give it a creamy texture. It's an amazing dipping sauce, spread or dressing. While the original form of this recipe calls for Jalapeño Peppers, you can reduce the overall heat by replacing the Jalapeños with 2 Poblano Peppers.
Salsa Roja, a Mexican red sauce, is traditionally made from dried red chiles, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. Ancho chiles (dried poblano peppers) provide a mellow heat with a slightly smoky flavor. This is a simple sauce recipe, with the expectation that it will accent a wide variety of dishes. Other ingredients can easily be added to this base sauce to further enhance the flavor.
This is a fun and tasty frittata that is easy to make. For a little variation, you can add finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and peppers, or baby spinach.
This marinade provides a full flavor for Shawarma meat, steak, chicken, or turkey. The flavors in this marinade will permeate about 1/4 inch every 12 hours. However, due to inclusion of lemon juice and vinegar, do not marinate for more than 24 hours or the meat will take on a mealy texture or dissolve completely.
These oven-baked sheet pan Pancakes are the perfect versatile breakfast treat. If you are using Blueberries, mixing them into the batter will dye your batter a blueish-gray color. This can be prevented by dropping in each Blueberry after all the mixing and pouring is complete. The Flavorings in this recipe can be replaced with any other Pancake add-in: Strawberries, Chocolate and Caramel, Candies, whatever you like.
Potato Cakes are a great side dish, appetizer, or even a tasty snack to use leftover Mashed Potatoes. Potato Cakes can be pan-fried or oven-baked.
This sauce originally comes from Spain with local versions found in nearly every Latin country. There are likely as many variations to Sofrito, as there are people who make it. The core ingredients are Onions, Greeen Bell Peppers, and Garlic. Sofrito can be prepared beforehand in large quantities, then refrigerated or frozen until needed.
Spatch-cocked Chicken is a preparation method for whole Chicken. Spatch-cocked chicken can then be baked, grilled, poached or cooked any number of cooking methods. Spatch-cocking a chicken will help it to cook at a more uniform rate as it flattens the bird.
This simple dry rub can provide a nice smoky, sweet replacement for marinade. Simply rub it on the meat, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
This recipe will produce enough Rub mix to treat 2 pounds of meat.
As with any Stir Fry, there are 2 distinct phases of making this meal: the preparation phase and the cooking phase. In order to ensure the that the various ingredients are not overcooked, all of the ingredients should be prepared and measured during the preparation phase, before you begin cooking. Stir Fry is supposed to be a high heat process; ensure that the wok is well heated so that the oil begins to smoke before you begin cooking. Otherwise, the food will stick to the wok.
Stir Fried Eggplant is a great Side Dish for any Asian dish. AND you can put this all together and have it ready to eat in about half an hour.
Enhance your Chicken Breast by stuffing it with Ham and Havarti Cheese. This is similar to the classic Chicken Cordon Bleu, but without the breadcrumb coating. This recipe works especially well when topped with a tasty Cheesy Sauce.
Stuffed Mushrooms are a largely underrated and versatile meal. This recipe uses only ingredients that are included in Phase 3 of the Keystone Approach diet. Variations to this recipe could include non-Keystone foods, such as tomatoes and peppers.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Taco Stew is an easy to make dish without a long preparation time.
This is an easy recipe with that is flavorful, healthy, and filling. Most of the ingredients can be prepared before-hand and refrigerated.
‘Three cups’ refers to a traditional Taiwanese chicken recipe that uses three key ingredients: 1 cup of soy sauce, 1 cup of rice wine, and 1 cup of sesame oil. Most modern chefs will adjust the amounts of the various ingredients to maximize the flavor. Traditionally, this recipe would be made with a whole skin-on bone-in chicken, that has been divided into cuts. However, you can use drumsticks, chicken wings, chicken thighs, or even chicken breasts. If using boneless thighs or breasts, go ahead and divide the cuts into bite-sized pieces. This recipe replaces the rice wine with an alcohol-free substitute.
This is an easy Chicken recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
This is a great rub for Chuck Roast. For best results, rub this onto the meat, then cover and refrigerate for 48 hours. before freezing or cooking.
This Mac and Cheese Recipe is not the "yellow death" from the ubiquitous blue box, with cardboard noodles and cheese flavored powder. This recipe uses lots of real cheese. Additional flavor is added with the inclusion of pasteurized cheese (also real cheese). The melted Gouda and Mozzarella cheese with the cubes of pasteurized cheese, provides a flavorful sauce with pockets of gooey, creamy goodness. The bread crumbs on top give it a bit of a crunch. Overall, this is the perfect side dish for any meal.
This is an easy Pork recipe, designed for the Sous Vide. You can prepare beforehand and freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag up to 6 months. Just drop the bag in your Sous Vide pot and walk away. Your main course will be ready to eat a few hours later.
Turkish Pide is a boat-shaped Turkish bread that can be served plain or stuffed with meat, vegetables, cheese, and/or herbs. Pide is a versatile dish that can be a snack, an appetizer, or a main course.
Tzatziki (pronounced /zat-ziki/) is a traditional Greek Yogurt Sauce. Cacik (pronounced /jah-'jik/) is the same sauce, but from Turkey. Tzatziki can be used with meat dishes or as a dip for Crudites.
Udon Noodles is a traditional Japanese dish, but the noodles have a thicker, more silky texture than their more popular Ramen cousin. Traditional Udon Broth calls for Light Soy Sauce (that is different from the low-sodium "Lite" Soy Sauce) and Dark Soy Sauce. The inclusion of both types of Soy will provide a more full savory flavor. If Dark Soy Sauce is not available, replace the Dark Soy Sauce with 2 additional Tablespoons of Light Soy Sauce (frequently labeled "Soy Sauce"). Additionally, Mirin (containing alcohol) is also a traditional ingredient. This recipe replaces the Mirin with Rice Wine Vinegar.
Magic Cake is a easy recipe that you can create in less than 90 minutes. (Be aware that the final product will need to rest in the refrigerator for another 3 or 4 hours.) As the cake bakes, the heavier egg yolks and milk will settle to the bottom of the pan, creating a rich, custard-like texture, while the lighter egg whites will float to the top and provide a lighter, fluffy topping. The powdered sugar, cacao powder and berries provide an additional complexity to the flavor. The final result is a simple desert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, creating a complicated dish. The initial recipe, using only vanilla extract for flavoring, is an excellent desert. However, you can optionally add additional flavorings and make it chocolate flavored, butterscotch, cinnamon, butterscotch, even Nutella.
Verde sauce is a Cilantro/Tomatillo sauce that provides the perfect finish to Mexican Chicken or Pork dishes. The addition of an avocado provides a creamy consistency that makes this the perfect finishing sauce.
This convenient meal is easy to prepare and provides a flavorful variation using ground pork and a few other ingredients. In a pinch, ground beef patties could be used in place of the ground pork patties.
You can save additional time by replacing the patties with loose ground meat, added to the wok after the garlic and nuts.
Feta Cheese is a staple of Mediterranean food. Mixing Feta Cheese with Greek Yogurt results in a tangy, creamy texture for a flavorful dipping sauce, or a tasty topping to any Mediterranean dish. Use this dip as a healthy and fresh Mediterranean replacement for 7 Layer Nacho dip.
Although potatoes cooked in the Sous Vide take about 30 minutes longer than baking in the oven, using the Sous Vide to cook potatoes is an easy option that ensures that the oven is available to prepare other parts of the meal. And if you set the Sous Vide to the correct time and temperature, you will end up with perfect potatoes, every time.
