Pesto with Italian Grill Cheese

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Pesto Spread

with Italian Grill Cheese

Pesto with Italian Grill CheeseTraditional Basil Pesto used as a sandwich spread. This may go quickly during your Fourth of July Celebration. So, you may want to double the recipe. The garlic taste is pronounced. I have family who say they’re allergic to garlic but really just want a great flavor without tasting garlic. How does that work?! If this is your thought process this recipe isn’t for you. Pesto is versatile. Use this recipe as a pasta sauce for linguini. Mix in a bit of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a great addition to roasted meats. This is a great topping for crostini too. Enjoy my friends!

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Linguine and Clams

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Linguine and Clams

For Two

Linguini and ClamsYou have 12 and one half minutes to prepare dinner and what do you do? You fix this! My foodie partner and I love pasta but no cream please (for him) … or rarely. This rich sauce has the flavor without the heaviness. If your herb garden is not what you’d hoped just add dried herbs instead. Hope you enjoy this rich tasting Clam Sauce as much as we do. As for the wine I’m a Pinot Noir fan and am guilty about pairing with just about everything. Have you noticed you can see through this varietal when you hold up your glass to light, or maybe not? When you can’t it is most likely a blend. Nope, it is my understanding this doesn’t need to be on the label. So depending, this varietal can be a little heavier than expected. We’re having this wine here. Delicious!

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Portuguese Sausage and Sauerkraut

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Portuguese Sausage and Sauerkraut

Slow Cooker Style

Portuguese Sausage and Sauerkraut Ask my brother if there’s a perk to being the family patriarch! He might just mention this dish. I’m celebrating Father’s Day with one of my brother’s recipes. We don’t have to think alike to enjoy those family traditions! And everyone in the family seems to have a different opinion right now! Oops! Enjoy this amazingly hearty but not too heavy for warm weather recipe. It’s a slow cooker classic. Yep, Dan makes his own sauerkraut too. I’ll be taking that up another time. Enjoy some of these previously posted recipes my brother has shared with me while the crock pot does all the work. Linguica is one of our key ingredients. The variety we use here, Raven Brand, has less fat in my opinion. Important when not precooking. And paprika? I doubt it. Check them out, here. Located in the small town of Armona, California.

And Happy Father’s Day!

Dan's Recipes

Wheat Loaf

Deep Pit

Linguica

Sopas

Wild Duck

 

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Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

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Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy

When Gayle mentioned she was going to have Bangers and Mash I knew she wasn’t planning a trip to Bakersfield … My only Irish Pub experience (not exactly true, Boston too). I found myself yearning for the experience without the travel. So, at 930 this morning I had Bangers and Mash for breakfast. The truth is once a week, Wednesdays, I do a thorough pantry and refrigerator/freezer check for outdated items. My potatoes were stored too close to light and were beginning to sprout. The onions were showing a little stress and I clearly needed to cook the sausage soon. Gayle’s comment was the spark! Enjoy this easy fix meal with pantry items we all have … In no time.

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Estrada’s Style Macaroni

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Estrada’s Style Macaroni

Look Alike Taste Alike

Getting close to breaking the code! Just know this recipe is a knock off. The basics of the recipe are similar to the original but some of the products I suggest weren’t even available 100 years ago. In fact, the pasta here lacks the size (diameter) of the Estrada’s macaroni. The secret in part is to cook the pasta past the al dente stage to produce a softer larger noodle. This recipe can be tweaked and maybe even made more healthy in the eyes of some. In 1914 when this restaurant was opened the food experience was different and this recipe is meant to recapture that moment in history. Thank you Debbie for one of the original Estrada’s pitchers … And too helping with the taste test. I have made some changes after this taste test. The roux is all important.

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Portuguese Sloppy Joes

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Portuguese Sloppy Joes

Portuguese Sloppy JoesDeliciously Spicy from start to finish. Ingredient filled but so worth the extra TLC because the results are amazing. Starting with a Portuguese Bread, try either of these recipes if you’re into bread making, Portuguese Sweet Bread or Papo Secos and then top with São Jorge Cheese. Substituting other rolls won’t make a big big difference to this recipe but do try this cheese if you haven’t. It has a flavor all it’s own and worth searching out. In fact, it makes an amazing breakfast of just cheese and bread. You may not be able to find it at your local supermarket but it’s available on-line. So is Portuguese Chourico. Linguica or Spanish Chorizo can be substituted for the Portuguese Chourico in a pinch. In our little city linguica is readily available while the others are not. I did find Spanish Chorizo at our local World Market … a temporary item I’m sure. Again, if you haven’t tried Portuguese Chourico it’s worth the search.

Enjoy this simple recipe! Not simple in taste.

For a mainland Portuguese sandwich try this recipe here.

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Perfect Tasting Juicy Pork Chops

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Perfect Tasting Juicy Pork Chops

Perfect Tasting Juicy Pork Chops

Pork Chops can be dry. It’s just a known. And actually after eating them that way as a child for years I don’t mind the dryness. Yikes!! But let’s face it, it’s less than ideal. This recipe is so absolutely delicious but if the pork chops are overcooked … Well, you might feel the whole recipe is a flop. Here are some pointers to help maintain the moistness of your Pork Chops. Or try this brine method boasted about on The Kitchn. Haven’t tried it but bet is works.

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Chicken, Peas and Pasta

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Chicken, Peas and Pasta

Chicken, Peas and Pasta

When family visits you put together their favorite foods. Then you find peas are no longer a favorite. Oops! After this, peas are back on the menu. It says a lot about this recipe!

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Taco Salad

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Taco Salad

& French Dressing?!

Taco Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexican Cuisine is a family favorite! We’re celebrating with s simple dinner tonight. Margaritas too! Or a cold Corona with lime or Pacifico without. Tonight’s dinner calls for cold beer. Salud! And Happy Cinco de Mayo!

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