Cooking Method: Baking

Bang Bang Cauliflower

When we're looking for a spicy, flavorful side to brighten up our dinner, I give you Bang Bang Cauliflower. Not only is it quick and easy, but the dish is super adaptable. Not a fan of spice? Go easy on the sriracha and bump up the chili sauce. Hate cilantro (which I do!)? Ditch it in favor of thinly sliced green onions. You can make it your own!

By Leslie Blythe

Mince Pie Roll Ups

It is very traditional to eat mince pies in Britain. Since as long ago as the 16th century, they were made of a spiced, sweet meat mixture but are now are made with sweet mincemeat, which is a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and brandy (and no meat). My husband and I lived in England for many years and always have them around the holidays.

Apparently, the only Christmas Day on which eating mince pies was illegal was in 1644, as 25 December that year fell on a legally-mandated day of fasting. However, mince pies themselves were never banned, although they were strongly disapproved of as a symbol of the immoral excesses of the festive season.

A custom from the middle ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night (evening of the 5th January) you will have happiness for the next 12 months! We may all need to do this!

These Mince Pie Roll Ups kind of cheating, since they are so easy to roll up, slice and bake!

By Leslie Blythe

Basil-Butter Steaks with Tomatoes and Broccoli Rabe

My brother David sent us a fabulous box of Omaha Steaks, which are incredibly tender and delicious. We made Basil-Butter Steaks with Tomatoes and Broccoli Rabe for dinner, which was easy and outstanding.

By Leslie Blythe

Cauliflower-Cheese Pie with Grated Potato Crust

This Cauliflower-Cheese Pie with Grated Potato Crust is a recipe from the Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen, which was written in 1977.  It was listed by the New York Times as one of the top ten best-selling cookbooks of all time. She was a pioneer in vegetarian cuisine. It's very dated and yet right on par with what we all should be thinking about - using simple ingredients to create an interesting and delicious meal.

I brought this cookbook with me when I was a newlywed in London. I always write notations in all my cookbooks and this particular recipe said it was a definite "make again". We have been strictly quarantining in our home this past week and happen to have the ingredients to make this. It had been years since I did, and now I wonder why it took me so long to revisit this.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Pan Pizza

This Cheesy Pan Pizza recipe was developed at King Arthur Flour. It uses a number of simple techniques to achieve maximum texture and flavor. The dough is folded a few times and then refrigerated. This helps create the airy crust. The pizza is then cooked in a cast-iron skillet, which makes the edges brown and crispy, and layering the cheese and sauce creates an extra cheesy top with no soggy layer. You can add your own favorite toppings.

By Leslie Blythe

Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut and Pasta Bake

This Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut and Pasta Bake had my husband's name all over it. Oddly enough, I had all the ingredients. It's actually quite delicious and I think the next time I make it, I will use diced par-boiled potatoes instead of pasta, but it was good, it's up to you.

By Leslie Blythe

Cappuccino Pavlova

A Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert and is the perfect vehicle for many fruits; cherries, lemons, and strawberries to name a few. The dessert was named after the prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, who was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and famous for her creation of the role of The Dying Swan.

I have several different versions of pavlova, but this Cappuccino Pavlova version which, is from Nigella Lawson, is exquisite. It's baked and then left in the oven to cool completely before topping it with whipped cream.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Brussels Sprout and Bacon Bake

I saw this Cheesy Brussels Sprout and Bacon Bake on Diane Morrisey's Instagram account and she dared anyone to make it and not take a bite right out of the pan. Well, she was right, I did do just that. This is just a great combination all done in one pan. I dare you to make it!

By Leslie Blythe

Toad in the Hole with Rosemary

When we were living in London in the '90s, we would go to our local Guy Fawkes bonfire in Highbury Fields in Islington. Friends who didn’t have access to a Georgian square complete with a burning man were invited (specimen invitation below) to join us.  We would start at our flat with drinks (and fill all flasks), bundle up and head to Highbury Fields with hot roasted chestnuts in paper bags (mainly to keep our hands warm), cider and lots of smoke. I have to say, the atmosphere was deeply weird and sort of a nod to a Stephen King novel with a bit of Harry Potter (though HP didn't exist then) thrown in.

Thoroughly chilled, we would return to our flat for English fare such as Toad in the Hole and more cider. November 6th is always a slow start in English workplaces. Some blame it on the cider; I blame it on the Guy.

Guy Fawkes night is a British celebration that commemorates the capture of Guy Fawkes, a man who was instrumental in trying to overthrow the king in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. It falls on the 5th of November and is a night filled with bonfires and fireworks, and of course British food. The weather is often freezing, but can sometimes be wet and warm.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Almond Tart

My daughter Grace made pot roast and I kind of invited us over for dinner... She then serves this incredibly delicious Apple Almond Tart with Amaretto Whipped Cream that she made up. Seriously good!

By Leslie Blythe