Cooking Method: Sautéing

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

Ham Shepherd’s Pie

I made this Ham Shepherd’s Pie because I had some random ingredients in my fridge. If you don't have a leek, use an onion. The recipe can be adapted to what you have on hand. The best part is the cheesy mashed potato topping. What's not to love?

By Leslie Blythe

Sweet Miso Steak with Ramen

This Sweet Miso Steak with Ramen is broth-less. It's a simple stir-fry recipe that is easy to make and satisfying. I have modified it and I think it needs a touch of chili to add a bit of spiciness.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemon Chicken

My brother-in-law Russell was visiting his friend Julia in Ann Arbor Michigan and she made Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken. Ina's recipe uses chicken breasts, but thighs work equally as well. Julia says that the important details of the recipe are the bed of aromatics on which chicken roasts, the herb and salt infused oil, and the high heat. I just wish I was there to partake!

By Leslie Blythe

Fideos with Chorizo and Arugula

I found this recipe for Fideos with Chorizo and Arugula on the Milk Street website. It has so few ingredients and is so simple to make and full of flavor. You should use Spanish chorizo. Fideo noodles or vermicelli are short, thin and used in Mexican soups and paella-like Spanish dishes.

By Leslie Blythe