A special thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post! Is there a more versatile vegetable than the potato? (Okay, it's not technically a vegetable, but you know what I mean.) Boiled, baked, mashed, roasted, soup, gratin, salad, gnocchi, tater tots, French … Continue reading →
Roasted Sweet Potato Fettuccine Alfredo
Even though the holidays are long over, our consumption of sweet potatoes doesn't have to be - nor should it be! Find out more about the U.S.history of sweet potato consumption and why you should be eating them throughout the year in my post on Curried Sweet Potato Soup … Continue reading →
Valencian Paella Recipe
Thank you to Culinary Collective for sponsoring this post It's no wonder paella is the national dish of Spain because this delicious and drop-dead gorgeous dish is simply phenomenal! This Valencian paella recipe is a one-pot rice dish that's easy to make and perfect for … Continue reading →
French Lentil Soup
Soups like this one are very nostalgic to me. One bite with its familiar and comforting flavors transports me back to Europe. I'm biased but I stand by the conviction that some of the best soups and stews come from Germany and France. And not surprisingly many of their … Continue reading →
BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni (Hamburger Helper Copycat)
This homemade cheeseburger macaroni is made with whole, clean ingredients, tastes better than the boxed stuff and is ready in 20 minutes! Sometimes it's those simple comforts that hit the spot best. I grew up in health-conscious home where things like Hamburger … Continue reading →
Greek Meatballs
Thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post! Our family loves meatballs. And really, who doesn't? For many of us they're linked to childhood memories of comfort food around the family dinner table or a favorite Italian restaurant. My mom made the best Swedish … Continue reading →
French Beef Stew with Old-fashioned Vegetables
The French really know how to make great stews. Here is one of them and it uses a method similar to that of German Sauerbraten and corned beef to achieve both an exquisitely tangy flavor and a lusciously tender beef. Many of you have already been introduced to my French … Continue reading →
Spicy Chipotle Chili with Hominy
Chili makes for some of the best comfort food, don't you think? That rich velvety red sauce laden with beef and beans and a multitude of spices including a bucket of chili powder, then topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, and anything else your hungry … Continue reading →
Fettuccine Alfredo + A Case for Tradition: Musso & Frank Grill
Thank you to Bon Appetit for sponsoring this post! The best Fettuccine Alfredo I've had was at Hollywood's oldest restaurant, the Musso and Frank Grill. Not coincidentally there's a reason for this and it goes back nearly 100 years. But first let me take you back … Continue reading →
Pumpkin Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
How did you guess I like sausage gravy and biscuits? Oh, because this is the third version I published?? Well, you're right! It's just really terrific comfort food, do you agree? I first shared my classic Southern-style Sausage Gravy and Biscuits and that was followed by … Continue reading →
Chicken Barley Soup
Incredibly flavorful and packed with nutrients, this wonderful Chicken Barley Soup recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Make double batch while you're at it because it's great for leftovers or freezing! The weather here is crazy today! A total downpour of … Continue reading →
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Few things say "comfort" like a plate piled high with macaroni and cheese. And I don't mean the boxed kind. I mean plump noodles drenched in a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce. That's the kind! Well, 'tis the season to be pumpkin and so I've conjured up a truly … Continue reading →
Salmon Risotto with Preserved Lemon
This dish is perfect for a family meal, a couple's night at home, or a dinner party. Risotto uses a special rice, most commonly arborio, and it cooks up into a deliciously creamy texture with the the perfect touch of chewiness. Risotto has a bit of an upscale image … Continue reading →
Curried Pumpkin & Coconut Meatballs
Here is a fun medley of flavors: Beef, pumpkin, curry, raisins, mango chutney and coconut. Formed into meatballs, fried and simmered in a luscious and creamy sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy your tummy and soul! Halloween is coming up in just a few days and our … Continue reading →
Italian Pork Ribs with Olives (Rosticciana di Maiale e Olive) + San Gimignano, Italy
I've teamed up with Bertolli to bring you this delicious post! I Love Tuscany. It's one of my favorite places and among the top destinations I regularly long to visit. Most of you know I'm originally from Stuttgart, Germany. Germany is such a perfectly central … Continue reading →
Andouille Sausage & Greens with Cheese Grits
Of Native American origin, grits are a staple food of the American South. In fact, three-quarters of grits sold in the U.S. are bought in the South. And the Southerners are downright proud of their grits, so much so that several Southern states have passed bills elevating … Continue reading →
Pressure Canner Chili Con Carne
I've been canning for several years, but only using the water-bath method. So that means I've mostly been making jams, relishes, chutneys, pickles, salsas and other high-acidic foods that are safe for water-bath canning. For most other things you have to have a pressure … Continue reading →
Chicken Xacuti
The origin of this wonderful dish is Goa. Goa is located in the western region of India and though it is India's smallest state, it's also one of its richest. Rich not only in terms of economic wealth, but rich in its tropical biodiversity. In fact, it's classified as one … Continue reading →
Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa
I love cooking with a variety of grains and quinoa is one that I particularly enjoy experimenting with. Not because it's my favorite tasting grain, but because it's the healthiest grain on the planet, the only grain that is a complete protein. I like to use quinoa in … Continue reading →
10-Minute Margherita Flatbread Pizzas
Thank you to La Brea Bakery for sponsoring this post! Pizza is pure bliss, don't you think? There's just something about that crispy-chewy bread crust topped with sauce, oozing cheese and any variety of toppings that speaks universal comfort. I enjoy all kinds of … Continue reading →
Asian-style Grilled Fish Tacos
Thank you to NAKANO for sponsoring this post! Our Summer here has been a hot one! It's been a record low for rain with a grueling consistent 85-95 degree weather (for us Washingtonians that's grueling). But it sure has done absolute wonders for our garden! In … Continue reading →
Pulled Pork Burritos with Creamy Tomatillo Sauce
Few things can top meat that's been cooked for hours in the slow-cooker until fork-tender and saturated with flavor. This pulled pork is a prime example. And I can't even begin to describe how delectable it is once it's packed into a burrito shell with rice and black beans … Continue reading →
French Connection Sandwich (Two Ways)
Partnering with Castello for a Summer of Blue Cheese has a way of reconnecting me to my original home of Europe. Every time I sample some European cheese my mind is taken back to the lands and regions I spent my childhood through young … Continue reading →
Italian Zucchini Fritters
This is just one of several ways I've been trying to use up our plentiful harvest of zucchini. And by plentiful I mean the first crop was 20 pounds!! Second crop was 14 pounds and I haven't even picked the third round yet! We had a little extra room left in our garden and I … Continue reading →
BEST Chinese Beef and Broccoli
This delicious Chinese Beef and Broccoli recipe comes together in just minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and WAY better than Chinese takeout, this is sure to become a favorite in your home! Chinese Beef and Broccoli Recipe One of the most popular Chinese takeout … Continue reading →
Best Italian Chicken Meatballs
These Italian Chicken Meatballs are deliciously seasoned and served with a very simple but dazzlingly vibrant and flavorful tomato sauce. If you prefer, you can use ground beef instead. I'll make it both ways depending on the mood I'm in. For the Summer I prefer the … Continue reading →
Greek Lemon Chicken
Capers are one of those ingredients you come across occasionally but may have never cooked with or even tried. But they're an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. Their use dates way back to ancient Greece. They come from a perennial plant that bears edible flower buds … Continue reading →
Grilled Salmon with Fresh Peach Jalapeno Salsa
Wild Alaskan salmon is a powerhouse of nutrition. In recent years we've been hearing more and more about the health benefits associated with the omega-3 fats in salmon, including a large American study of several thousands of participants followed over the course of 16 … Continue reading →
Spaghetti with Leek Alfredo
I had 15 minutes to get dinner on the table before our family had to take off to run an errand. I didn't have time to thaw any meat or chicken, so that meant it would need to be something meatless. What are some of your favorite go-to, ready-in-15-minutes meatless dishes? … Continue reading →
Roasted Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala)
This is a dish even fervent meat lovers will enjoy. This Roasted Chickpea Curry, or Chana Masala, has such a delicious depth of flavor and a great texture that you won't even miss the meat! The other day as I was boiling the chickpeas that had soaked overnight, I was … Continue reading →
Beef Stir-fry with Snow Peas and Mushrooms
Who doesn't enjoy a good stir-fry? One of the things I about Chinese food, aside from the fact that it's delicious, is that it's generally so doggone quick to make. Really the only time involved is the prep work - the chopping. The actual cooking takes less than 5 … Continue reading →
Szegedin Goulash (Székely Gulyás)
One of Hungary's most famous dishes, this Szegedin Goulash features slow-simmered, succulent pork, onions and sauerkraut in a wonderfully rich paprika-infused broth. It's incredibly delicious! The weather is slowly warming but I figure there's still time to squeeze … Continue reading →
Chicken & Couscous Chili
Thank you to Sargento for sponsoring this post! This post is sponsored by Sargento® You already know I enjoy challenges. I have a Make a Request! feature on my blog and I've had many readers issue me challenges to make or recreate certain dishes. Executing those … Continue reading →
Indonesian-style Chili Peanut Coconut Chicken
This tasty Indonesian-influenced dish comes together in 30 minutes. The flavors of peanuts, coconut, chili, garlic and ginger beautifully meld to create a sauce that is rich, comforting and deeply satisfying. We recently had some family over from out of town at the last … Continue reading →
Swabian-style German Lentils with Spaetzle (Schwäbische Linsen mit Spätzle)
If the national dish of Swabia were put up for vote, Schwäbische Linsen mit Spätzle would certainly be one of the finalists. This was always one of my favorite dishes growing up and any time I make it now it's a nostalgic experience. If you've lived in southern Germany and … Continue reading →
Mushroom, Ham and Wild Rice soup
Typically made with chicken, this wild rice soup really benefits from the flavor of smoked ham. Quite frankly, it's better than chicken. This Mushroom, Ham and Wild Rice Soup is super easy to put together and the end result is pure comfort-in-a-bowl. The flavors blend … Continue reading →
Authentic Hungarian Pörkölt (Beef and Onion Stew)
One of the most famous Hungarian dishes, this slow-simmered Hungarian beef and onion stew is positively mouthwatering and out-of-this-world delicious! Marhapörkölt, Hungarian for "beef stew", is a prime example of how just a few simple ingredients can render the most … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker (or stovetop) Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Imagine the best homemade chicken noodle soup you've had and then add a little "zing" of lemon and some wonderful fresh dill. And there you have it: Comfort in a bowl. Packed full of rich flavors and healthy ingredients, this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is destined to become a … Continue reading →
BEST Mongolian Chicken
This Mongolian Chicken is super easy to make, ready in less than 15 minutes, and rivals your favorite takeout! … Continue reading →
Spanish Steaks
This is the recipe that had my husband's work staff clamoring at his office door because of the aroma flooding the clinic at lunchtime. It's always rewarding when you can prepare a meal that smells amazing, tastes as good as it smells, and is visually appealing. Because … Continue reading →