Cooking Method: Sautéing

Beef Ramen Bowls

Beef Ramen Bowls make a great weeknight meal. Ground beef gets sautéed with green onions and mixed with a sweet and spicy sauce. It's full of vibrant flavors, quick and inexpensive.

By Leslie Blythe

Gochujang-Braised Chicken and Crispy Rice

I had some chicken legs leftover and searched for something interesting to do with them. I found this recipe for Gochujang-Braised Chicken and Crispy Rice. Although it seems like a long list of ingredients, it's rather easy to prepare. The spicy Gochujang paste gives it the perfect amount of heat. The crispy rice is mixed with spices, made into patties, and fried. My husband thought the sauce should be thicker, which can be achieved by taking the drumsticks out of the pan and whisking in some cornstarch.

By Leslie Blythe

Curried Lentil Soup

I made this Curried Lentil Soup in my Instant Pot, but as always, I have included the stovetop instructions. This soup is vegan and gluten-free and full of flavor. Lentils are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, which makes them a healthy substitute for meat. They're also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium and fiber. I dropped gave some to my step mother and she is begging me to make it again. It's really good served with naan bread.

By Leslie Blythe

Herby Buttered Mushrooms and Wild Rice

Mushrooms have a "meaty" texture and a strong umami flavor. Umami is the fifth basic taste and was discovered by a Japanese scientist. Umami in Japanese means “a pleasant savory taste." Herby Buttered Mushrooms and Wild Rice is a delicious satisfying dish. The earthy, nutty flavor of the wild rice marries well with the buttery mushrooms.

By Leslie Blythe

Pork Chop Shop with Sweet Potato Mash and Spinach

When I was recently at my daughter Grace's house I was in her kitchen watching her cook us dinner (one of my favorite pass times!), I saw Snoop Dogg's From Crook to Cook cookbook on her shelves. It's actually her roommate's book. I leafed through it and made his Pork Chop Shop with Sweet Potato Mash and Spinach. The recipe looks like a long process, but it's not. The lemony spinach works really well with the sweet potato mash and the barbecue sauce is divine.

I love his long friendship with Martha Stewart and their show Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party. Gee, I wonder what they have in common?!

By Leslie Blythe

Risotto à la Carbonara

My family is obsessed with carbonara. It's one of the things we make when there's "nothing to eat". I have made many different versions of carbonara, which apparently really pisses off some Italians. The New York Times cooked up the controversy in Italy after tinkering with the recipe for the classic Roman dish pasta carbonara. There is also Carbonara wars: why Italy is right to be mad about a French farfalle travesty. Clearly, I do not care and always "tinker" with my damned carbonara! So I made this Risotto à la Carbonara in my Instant Pot (I have also included the stovetop version). All I can say is that I saw my guest's eyes roll back in there head. It's just that good. 

By Leslie Blythe

Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes & Mozzarella

This Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes & Mozzarella is easy and insanely good. The recipe can easily be cut in half. Yum, yum, yum...!

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Sausage, Basil and Mustard

My husband made Nigel Slater's Pasta with Sausage, Basil and Mustard for dinner. It was absolutely delicious. The spicy Italian sausage goes really well with the creamy mustard sauce and basil. It's perfect for a cool fall or winter evening.

By Leslie Blythe

Honey Roasted Chicken Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

Honey Roasted Chicken Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts is sautéd in a pan and finished in the oven. You can use chicken breasts or thighs, skin on or off. It's very versatile. I used hot honey which works really well with the sweetness of the potatoes.

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Pancetta, Sage, and Mushrooms

I always like trying new pasta recipes. This Pasta with Pancetta, Sage, and Mushrooms has a wine and beef broth reduction, which infuses a lot of flavor into the mushrooms. You could use bacon instead of pancetta, but make sure you drain most of the fat before proceeding. 

By Leslie Blythe