Sausage Gravy
Sausage Gravy is a Southern dish, often eaten as a breakfast or brunch staple. It's a rich, savory sauce made from sausage, flour, and milk, typically served over biscuits. The process involves browning the sausage, creating a roux with the flour and sausage drippings, and then gradually whisking in milk and chicken stock until the gravy thickens.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Eggplant Bolognese
Eggplant Bolognese is a fantastic option for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption. Tomatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic form the aromatic base, adding depth and sweetness. The eggplant takes center stage, offering a surprisingly meaty texture that will leave you wondering why you ever needed beef. It's a perfect choice for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to lighten up their dinner.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Harissa Tahini Cauliflower – Copycat True Food Kitchen
We often go to a True Food Kitchen and one of my favorite things on the menu is this Harissa Tahini Cauliflower. It's so good that I decided to make it at home. It has the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The creamy tahini sauce coats the roasted cauliflower, while the harissa adds a bit of a kick. The sweetness of the dates complements the other flavors, and the dill provides a refreshing finish. If you live near a True Food Kitchen you should definitely check it out.
Their motto is - True Food Kitchen is the only restaurant fundamentally based on science which ensures all of its craveable dishes and drinks work to increase the longevity of our people and planet.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Maple Pepper Steak
Maple pepper steak is an unexpected fusion of sweet and savory flavors. The rich, buttery taste of steak is complemented by the warm sweetness of maple syrup and the spicy kick of pepper.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Pepperoncini Aioli
I made this Pepperoncini Aioli to use as a dip for grilled artichokes. It was a huge hit. It's a delicious and versatile condiment that packs a punch of flavor. It's essentially a classic aioli infused with the tangy heat of pepperoncini peppers. It's perfect for dipping fries, chips, or vegetables, spreading on sandwiches or burgers, or serving alongside grilled meats and seafood.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Gnocchi with Corn & Miso
I love using miso paste and try to always have it in my fridge. Miso is a fermented soybean paste, and is used in many Japanese dishes. It adds depth, complexity, and umami. Its versatility extends far beyond its traditional use in miso soup. This Gnocchi with Corn & Miso is a brilliant combination. The soft, pillowy potato dumplings provide a perfect base for the sauce. The sweet and juicy corn adds a fresh, summery element and the miso brings umami depth and a savory richness.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
French Onion Beef Pot Pie
I am always trying to come up with meals that my father would like. This French onion soup meets beef pot pie and gets topped with flaky buttermilk biscuits, is a crowd-pleasing and easy-to-make casserole. He loved it!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Pittsburgh Salad
The Pittsburgh Salad, a unique culinary creation featuring a bed of greens topped with crispy french fries, is a beloved regional dish with a somewhat murky history.
While there's no definitive answer to its origin, the most popular theory places its birth in the early 1960s at a Western Pennsylvania drive-in.
The Contenders
Two establishments lay claim to the title of Pittsburgh salad creator:
Jerry's Curb Service in Bridgewater, PA
Hilltop Grill in Rochester, PA (This restaurant seems to have closed down)
The story goes that a customer at one of these restaurants ordered a steak sandwich without the bread, adding fries to the top of a salad. The resulting concoction sparked inspiration, leading to the creation of the Pittsburgh salad as we know it today.
The beauty of this salad is its versatility. While the core components of greens and fries remain constant, the toppings and dressings can vary widely. All I can say is that this salad is brilliant in every way.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Yields: 1 Serving
Pibil-Style Pork Chops
These Pibil-Style Pork Chops are inspired by the Mexican dish cochinita pibil. The recipe comes from Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling, by Bricia Lopez. The sauce is a blend of spices, citrus juices, and achiote paste, which gives it a rich, reddish color. It's a complex blend of smoky, spicy, citrusy, and earthy flavors. While traditional cochinita pibil is slow-cooked in an underground pit, these pork chops are cooked on the grill.
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Mexican Black Beans
These flavor-packed Mexican Black Beans got rave reviews from my family. Since I didn't have time to soak dried beans overnight, I used canned beans, which worked perfectly. I used a jalapeño pepper, if you want it spicier use a serrano. Serrano peppers are generally smaller and skinnier than jalapeños. Despite their small size, they can be up to 10 times hotter than a jalapeño, so beware.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings