Cooking Method: Broiling

Artichoke Melts

Here's a different idea for lunch. We tend to have a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches, and that gets rather boring. So to change it up, try these Artichoke Melts. I always have cans of artichoke hearts in the pantry. It has slices of hard-boiled eggs on the bottom and is topped with a mixture of artichoke hearts, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, mayo, garlic powder, and some dill before going under the broiler until it's golden brown. Yum!

By Leslie Blythe

Beans with Leeks, White Beans and Cheddar on Toast

So, this Beans with Leeks, White Beans and Cheddar on Toast is a recipe that I adapted from a recipe from Nigel Slater. It was posted in The Guardian and it's basically "posh beans on toast". Beans on Toast is a British institution. The reason I made it is because I had the ingredients on hand and because I love leeks. Leeks are massively underappreciated and really add so much so many dishes. It was delicious and I initially thought I would have to serve soup with it, but that was not the case. You can adapt this recipe to ingredients you have.

By Leslie Blythe

Italian Style Soffritto Garlic Spread

I happen to love crushed red pepper flakes, so much so, that I have many packets in my purse at all times. I literally can't eat pizza without it. I recently bought Trader Joe’s Italian Style Soffritto Seasoning Blend* and love it. My husband Eric made this Italian Style Soffritto Garlic Spread on some leftover dinner rolls the other night. It was SO good, actually a little too good!

*If you do not have access to a Trader Joe's you could make your own Soffritto. The mixture consists of dried minced onion, tomato flakes, sea salt, dried minced garlic, crushed chili peppers, parsley flakes, crushed red pepper, dried sage leaves.

By Leslie Blythe

Creamed Corn

I grew up in Indiana and the only Creamed Corn I had came out of a can. I suppose it is because it was the '60s when eating out of a can was the thing to do. Anyway, I decided to make my own version of Creamed Corn and it's super easy and WAY better!

By Leslie Blythe

Crêpes Suzette

The other night I told my husband that I wanted something sweet. We didn't have anything, so he said he would make me Crêpes Suzette. I told him that was too much work, but he insisted.

Crêpes Suzette is something you have at a fancy restaurant tableside where it's theatrically flambéed. This recipe is from Jacques Pépin who prepares it mostly in advance when entertaining. He flambés the liquor in front of his dinner guests and pours it over the platter of crêpes while still flaming.

By Leslie Blythe

Hot Honey Salmon

I have always liked anything that is spicy and sweet. This Hot Honey Salmon is the perfect combination. Dinner is ready in under 20 minutes, it can’t get any easier than this! 

By Leslie Blythe

Burrito Pie

Here's another socially distant dinner I made in my Instant Pot on my Dad's porch. You can also make this layered  Burrito Pie in the oven. It's everything in a burrito - meat, refried beans and cheese that are stacked up with tomatoes and baked.

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Chicken Wrapped in Bacon with Peaches & Brie

This Chicken Wrapped in Bacon with Peaches & Brie is a great way to use ripe peaches. I have a love-hate feeling about stone fruit. They are on your counter hard as a rock and then they are ripe and go bad very quickly. This recipe works because of the sweetness of the peaches and saltiness of the bacon and then, of course, there is gooey cheese!

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Antipasto Baked Smothered Chicken

Antipasto is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Typical ingredients of a traditional antipasto include cured meats, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses, pickled meats, and vegetables in oil or vinegar. This Antipasto Baked Smothered Chicken uses that first course to smother some chicken breasts. The outcome is wonderfully, briny and delicious.

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Romaine Salad “Caesar Gratin”

I saw this recipe for Romaine Salad “Caesar Gratin” on Eric Ripert’s Instagram. He is one of my favorite French chefs. We have a salad most days for lunch. I buy romaine almost exclusively because it seems to last the longest. I thought I would try this new twist on a classic Caesar salad. It turns out that it's absolutely delicious and makes a nice presentation. I left out the anchovies, but it's up to you.

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