Cooking Method: Sautéing

Mushroom Risotto with Peas & Spinach

I often make Mushroom Risotto, but this time, I added peas and spinach at the very end. I actually made it in the Instant Pot, which is super easy and doesn't involve all the stirring. I included both instructions if you want to make it on the stovetop.

By Leslie Blythe

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions is one of our favorite family recipes. This is a slight variation. Since Autumn has arrived, I made this Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash. It's a nod to Fall, which is rather illusive in Los Angeles.

By Leslie Blythe

Swiss Steak

I made this Swiss Steak in an Instant Pot, but I have also included the stovetop/oven method. Swissing is a British expression used to describe how fabric is stretched between rollers or flattened. The meat in Swiss steak, typically round steak, is pounded flat for tenderizing before being browned and braised. It turns out incredibly tender and delicious. I served it over a bed of mashed potatoes.

By Leslie Blythe

Tagliatelle with Corn, Tomatoes, Onion & Basil

This Tagliatelle with Corn, Tomatoes, Onion & Basil is the perfect end of summer meal. It's the perfect use for the tail-end of your homegrown tomatoes and fresh corn. The red onion slightly caramelizes in the butter and transforms the dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Coconut Miso Salmon Curry

This Coconut Miso Salmon Curry is a recipe from The York Times. It actually has no curry powder in it. It's very quick to prepare and is full of flavor. I served it on a bed of Jasmine rice.

By Leslie Blythe

Margherita Pizza Beans

I love this recipe for Margherita Pizza Beans. If you have lots of tomatoes from your garden, this is a great way to use them. It's basically an Italian "beans on toast". Serve it with a fresh green salad and you have a meal your family will be asking you to make again.

By Leslie Blythe

Dairy-Free Spinach Quiche

This Spinach Quiche is not only Dairy-Free, but it's also gluten-free and vegetarian. I often get requests when catering to add an option like this quiche for people with dietary restrictions. It uses oat milk, which seems to be gaining popularity, which is a plant milk derived from whole oat grains by extracting the plant material with water. I used a frozen store-bought gluten-free crust, though you could also make a crust out of hash brown potatoes. I was told this quiche was delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Tomato Risotto

I saw this recipe last Friday in The New York Times. Since I had some fresh tomatoes from the garden, I decided to make this Tomato Risotto. Tomato Risotto is so good with a sprinkling of parmesan and fresh basil. I actually made it in the Instant Pot, which is super easy and doesn't involve all the stirring.  I included both instructions if you want to make it on the stovetop. There's nothing like summer tomatoes picked fresh from your garden.

By Leslie Blythe

Prawn & Orange Curry With Basmati Rice

This recipe for Prawn & Orange Curry With Basmati Rice is from Nadiya Hussain, who is one of my favorite chefs. She won the sixth series of BBC's The Great British Bake Off in 2015. She has a show on Netflix called Nadiya’s Time to Eat. Everything she makes has an interesting and brilliant twist. The prawn curry with orange zest and juice has wonderful flavor and it's quick to make.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken à la King

Chicken à la King is tender chicken in a creamy sauce with mushrooms,  pimientos and peas. There are many different stories about the origin of this recipe. A classic dish that evokes childhood memories, Chicken à la King is elegant and comfort food at its best.

You can read about the origins of Chicken à la King here.

By Leslie Blythe