Harvey Wallbanger Cake

Harvey Wallbanger Cake. The Harvey Wallbanger is a mixed drink made with vodka, Galliano (a sweet, herbal Italian liqueur), and orange juice. According to folklore, a bartender named Donato "Duke" Antone invented the Harvey Wallbanger in 1952. It's said he named it after a Manhattan Beach surfer and bar regular named Tom Harvey, who is a complete mystery. The cocktail became popular in the early 1970s. I have no idea who decided to make a cake from the cocktail, but it's a rather good idea. I did not have Galliano, so I used Cuarenta y Tres or  Licor 43, which worked well.

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Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

My daughter has a friend at Bon Appétit and he told her this was the best recipe they published this year. She made it and called me immediately to say it was the best thing she's ever eaten! So I made it last night and yes, these Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles are all that and a bag of chips as my husband says. It's so good that you should make the full recipe. Apparently, it's even better the next day. Sambal is an Indonesian chili sauce or paste.

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Emily’s English Roasted Potatoes

Ina Garten writes a new cookbook every other year and it is always released at the end of October. This year she is releasing it on October 6th. She also sends out a preview recipe, which I always make. This recipe for Emily's English Roasted Potatoes exceeded my expectations. Emily as in Emily Blunt the actress, who was on her show at one point and taught Ina this recipe. Anyone that knows me, knows I like crispy anything, especially potatoes. Well, this is the quintessential English roasted potato. I encourage you to get right on this!

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Creamy Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

Try this deliciously tangy Creamy Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette. I served it over hearts of palm on romaine. Here's a tip for the day - when you are at the end of a jar of mayonnaise, shake up your dressing in the near-empty jar to create a creamy vinaigrette. 

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Fettuccini with Sausage, Bacon, and Eggplant

Years ago when I lived in NYC, I used to have drinks at the now-defunct Café des Artistes (R.I.P.). This restaurant was an institution and had the best bartender in the US named Victor. His discretion was exemplary. I went there with my friend Brady and he bought me a sidecar, then another, then another. He actually would have my glass refilled when my back was turned. I could have killed him the next day, not sure how I got home that night!

Anyway, in 1988, I bought The Café des Artistes Cookbook for my then-boyfriend / now-husband Eric. So, I thought it would be fun to make something for dinner from the book. I chose Fettuccini with Sausage, Bacon, and Eggplant. Typically, I don’t follow the recipe exactly, mainly because I am lazy. I eliminate steps that seem unnecessary. This recipe is an absolute MESS! The first instruction is to sauté bacon in olive oil. WTF?!?! WHY!?!? Then you are meant to blanch the eggplant (eggplant requires a brief heat treatment, called blanching, in boiling water or steam, to destroy the enzymes ONLY before freezing it!). The next HORRIFYING step is to blanch the sausage! @#%$&???????? Serves 4 > actually it serves 6! Here is the REVISED recipe.

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Cornmeal, Bacon, and Sun-Dried Tomato Madeleines

These Cornmeal, Bacon, and Sun-Dried Tomato Madeleines are about as good as it gets! For some reason, I happen to own 4 French Madeleine pans! I love the savory flavor that the bacon and sun-dried tomatoes impart. These are great to serve with a glass of wine.

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Elvis Presley’s Favorite Pound Cake

My friend Chris made Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake. It was really the best pound cake I have ever had. It has such a great texture and the vanilla really shines. According to legend, Elvis could polish off the entire cake in one sitting. This somehow doesn't surprise me! There seems to be many versions of this cake, but Chris's is the bomb!

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Crispy Baked Parmesan Eggplant

I love eggplant, especially eggplant parmesan. This Crispy Baked Parmesan Eggplant is a healthier version, minus the marinara sauce. If it says "crispy", I'm all for it!

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Grilled Salmon with Warm Pineapple Sauce

Now that I can finally access all my cookbooks, I found this recipe for Grilled Salmon with Warm Pineapple Sauce. I have to say, it's now my absolute favorite way to eat salmon. The recipe says to grill it, but I almost always roast it. The pineapple sauce is utter nirvana. It has jalapeños, shallots, ginger and orange juice, but the ingredient that takes it to a whole new level is curry powder. I added a little bit extra. The sauce would also work well with chicken or pork. If you like salmon, you must try it!

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Salmon with Lime, Honey, Ginger and Jalapeño Glaze

Every time I make salmon, I seem to make it in a different way. I have always loved anything that is sweet, tangy and spicy. This Salmon with Lime, Honey, Ginger and Jalapeño Glaze ticks all those boxes. It's so simple to make and is really good.

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