I don’t think I’ve ever had a family holiday dinner without a spoonful or two of rice. Luckily, it’s not always the same rice dish, my mother would always mix it up and give us something interesting. So today’s dish is an homage to my mother’s family meals – okra fried rice. It’s so tasty, with fresh vegetables, pancetta, shallots, garlic and a teeny kick from some cayenne pepper.
I’ve said this before, I’m a carnivore and I love a tasty piece of meat, full of flavor, served up with a tasty side or two. That’s what we have here today folks. Herb rib roast with garlic mushrooms. It’s Tasty, succulent and completely satisfying.
It would be wrong of me not to share a couple of cocktail recipes during my 12 days of Christmas feature. So I created a dragon fruit bourbon martini. It’s perfect for the holidays. It’s sweet, sour and nicely blended to a creamy consistency. So good
I like carrots, but when they’re part of a holiday meal, I think they should have a little pizzazz. Hence the creation of escovitch carrots. It’s a sweet and sour side dish, which is so interesting alongside other holiday dishes.
I love these spicy chicken canapés. Two bites and they’re gone, and on to the next.
These canapés are super easy and quick to make, and oh so tasty. Just get some frozen fillo pastry shells and pop them in the oven as directed, then mix the rest of the ingredients together, and fill the shells. Easy right?
Another addition to my 12 Recipes of Christmas, and today’s recipe is….. Leek and Potato Bake. A rich offering of melt in your mouth cheesy potatoes baked with leek and heavy cream. Then topped with salt and pepper, and finally a touch of nutmeg. Yum, right?
I’m starting my 12 Days of Christmas early this year, and my first recipe is….. Spiced Caribbean Sorrel.
Spiced Caribbean sorrel is an epic beverage that is everything you could possibly want in a drink during fall and winter.
This drink has been a staple in my family, and many of my friends’ families who hail from the Caribbean for many, many years. Anytime I have family over and I make spiced Caribbean sorrel, I have to deal with their excitement after a whiff of the sorrel and spices steeping. Their eyes dart around in anticipation, which is followed by rapid fire questions.
It’s so funny, but I totally get their excitement.
Risotto requires patience and what I call food affection – spending time stood over your pan, coaxing a dish into submission, bringing out the flavors. I applied some food affection to my asparagus risotto, and I’m so happy with the final result.
The holiday season is full of high salt, high fat dishes, that applies girth and weight. Now, I’m not complaining, nor do I suggest you dispense with your favorite dishes. But if you are interested in adding something with minimal fat, but still packs a very tasty punch, try my curried turkey endive salad bites. They are delicious.
Today’s recipe is a wholesome and rustic smoked turkey bean soup. I enjoy this soup on an early Saturday evening, and so do my friends, when they time their visits right.
This is a simple soup, with only a little work soaking the pinto beans overnight. Once the beans are soaked, smoked turkey bean soup is a one pot meal that requires the addition of just a few vital ingredients and a couple of hours simmering.
