Cooking Method: Baking

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.

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Caprese Prosciutto Cups

Caprese Prosciutto Cups makes an elegant appetizer or light snack that brings together the classic flavors of Italy. You make crispy prosciutto cups in a mini muffin pan and then fill them with a Caprese salad mixture. You can also just use a store bought bruschetta sauce and mozzarella.

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Prosciutto Cups with Goat Cheese

Imagine crispy, salty prosciutto cups filled with creamy goat cheese. It's a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect for a single-bite appetizer.
Here are some variations:
Sweet and Savory
Add a touch of sweetness with dried figs, sliced pears, or a drizzle of honey.
Herby
Mix chopped fresh herbs like thyme or chives into the goat cheese for an extra flavor boost.
Spicy Kick
Sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha on top for a touch of heat.

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Healthy Broccoli Chicken Casserole

I am on the east coast staying at my brother David's. I made this Broccoli Chicken Casserole, which seemed a little too healthy, but it ended up being really delicious and satisfying. The secret ingredient is sliced water chestnuts, which add a lot of crunchy texture.

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Venetian Carrot Cake

This Venetian Carrot Cake is thought to originate with Venetian Jews in the original ghetto. Established in 1516, the Venetian Ghetto was the first enforced Jewish ghetto in Europe. The word "ghetto" itself comes from the Venetian word for the area, which previously housed metal foundries. Jews were forced to reside within the designated area, separated from the rest of Venice by canals and only accessible through two bridges with restricted opening hours.

This cake is quite different from the American version. It's denser, uses olive oil instead of butter (making it potentially kosher for meals with meat), and lacks the cream cheese frosting. Oh, it also has the added bonus of being gluten-free.

My favorite Nigella-ism in the instructions — “I use my freestanding mixer, but it wouldn't be much of a faff by hand”. Faffing is one of my favorite British terms, which basically means - To spend time doing unimportant things instead of focusing on the main task.

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Potatoes Anna (Pommes Anna)

Potatoes Anna, or Pommes Anna, is a French dish featuring thinly sliced potatoes, bathed in butter and baked to crispy perfection. Its history goes back to mid-19th century Paris. The dish is credited to chef Adolphe Dugléré, who worked at the famed Café Anglais, a leading Parisian restaurant during the reign of Napoleon III. There's some debate about who the "Anna" in the name refers to. Popular theories suggest it could be: Anna Deslions, a well-known Parisian courtesan and a regular at Café Anglais, or Anna Judic, a famous actress of the time. Who knows! Praised for its simplicity and deliciousness, Pommes Anna remains a classic French side dish.

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Noodle Kugel with Caramelized Onions & Brown Butter

Our dear friend Liz passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was an amazing woman and a big part of our family's life. After the service, we went to her home to sit Shiva, which literally means “seven” – a period of seven days when a Jewish family has a formal mourning time to honor their loved one. It was a beautiful service and day, in which we shared many stories about our friend Liz. I brought this Noodle Kugel with Caramelized Onions & Brown Butter. I have made kugels before, but I think this will forever be my go-to recipe. Yehi Zichrah Baruch - May her memory be a blessing.

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Wild Rice & Chicken Casserole

I used to make this Wild Rice & Chicken Casserole when we were first married for dinner parties.  It was "cheap and cheerful" as we would say.  It features cooked chicken, wild rice (personally, I prefer to use a wild rice blend when making this dish, which does make it cheaper!), mushrooms, pimentos, and a creamy sauce. It's then topped with slivered almonds and baked in the oven until bubbly and golden brown on top.

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Judy Hesser’s Oven-Fried Chicken

This Oven-Fried Chicken is a recipe for delicious fried chicken made in the oven, skipping the mess and hassle of deep frying. The chicken is dredged in a seasoned flour mixture and baked in the oven. There's minimal flipping involved, making it a relatively hands-off approach. Despite using minimal butter, the chicken achieves a crispy, flavorful crust.

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Parmesan Mushroom Casserole

This Parmesan Mushroom Casserole is absolutely delicious and the best thing is that it can be made ahead and finished off in the oven. The sliced mushrooms are bathed in a creamy sauce, topped with a crispy parmesan breadcrumb mixture. It's a vegetarian side dish that goes well with many main courses. All I can say is YUM, so good!

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