Cooking Method: Sautéing

Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup

I love this recipe for Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup because it's so quick and easy. Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, have a nutty, earthy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
My secret ingredients elevate this simple soup. I add a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to cut through the sweetness of the tomatoes and add a bright, acidic note. Another trick is to simmer the soup with a parmesan rind. It acts as a natural flavor bomb, giving the soup a deep, salty, and umami flavor. I always keep a bag of leftover rinds in my freezer to toss into soups and broths.

By Leslie Blythe

Stovetop Bacon Lasagna

This Stovetop Bacon Lasagna is a perfect weeknight meal. It's so good and really easy. It starts with a base of spicy, bacon-infused onions and then builds layers with broken lasagna noodles and basil-infused tomatoes. The finishing touch is generous dollops of ricotta and shredded cheese, creating a dish that's ready in under an hour. Oh, and its all done in one pan for easy cleanup!

By Leslie Blythe

Tomato and Date Chutney

Looking for a versatile and flavorful spread? This tomato and date chutney is the perfect blend of savory and sweet. It’s made with freshly roasted tomatoes, sweet dates, and a mix of delicious spices. Serve it with warm naan for an appetizer. Use it as an addition to grilled salmon or other meat entrees. Elevate your grilled cheese or other sandwiches with a spoonful of this delicious chutney. My husband and I were blown away at how good this is.

By Leslie Blythe

Amish Yummasetti

I have been cooking a lot for my elderly father and his wife. Many times he does not like what I make. This however, knocked it out of the ballpark. It's everything you want in a bowl. It's filling, comforting and really delicious. I think kids would like it too.

Amish Yummasetti is a classic Amish dish, that is usually made into a casserole this is the dump it together in a pot version. The name "Yummasetti" is thought to be a playful combination of "yummy" and "spaghetti," though spaghetti is not a part of this dish! Traditionally, the Amish would make handmade noodles and cream of mushroom soup, though many have relented to use ready made. Who has time for that?

By Leslie Blythe

Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart

When I lived in New York in the ‘80s, I spent many a summer on Fire Island with my friend Alan in a shared house on the bay side of the island. Fire Island is very unique and wonderful. We would take the subway to the train to the bus to the ferry. I schlepped my dog, Betty (the “Jane” Russell of the Jack variety), wine, food, etc. Fortunately, in the summer months, New Yorkers had the good sense to let you leave work at 1 pm, provided you came in an hour early every day.
We would go clamming and eat them with a shallot sauce at the end of the dock at sunset with a glass of wine. You could also find crabs, which came across my foot while clamming one day – ouch! After that, I always wore shoes!
Tomato & Goat Cheese Tart is one of the recipes we would have often, that my friend Max would bring. Everyone was given a grocery list of what they had to bring so that all the meals were coordinated. It was the best place to be if you had to be in New York in the summer.

By Leslie Blythe

Soy-Glazed Salmon Bowls

Looking for a quick and delicious weeknight meal? This recipe brings together tender, glazed salmon and a fresh salad of blanched green beans and cherry tomatoes. By cutting the salmon into cubes, you not only speed up the cooking process but also create more surface area for the rich, sweet, and savory sauce to cling to, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. The contrasting textures and tastes of the perfectly cooked salmon and the crisp, cool salad create a perfectly balanced and satisfying meal that’s ready in a flash and served it on jasmine rice.

By Leslie Blythe

Ritz Zucchini Cheddar Casserole

Since I am originally from Indiana, I can't resist a cheesy casserole. This Cheesy Zucchini Cheddar Casserole is the ultimate comforting side! It's packed with zucchini and onions in a rich, creamy, and, you guessed it, cheesy sauce, all topped with buttery, crunchy crackers. It's a simple, warm, and delicious dish that's perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

By Leslie Blythe

Chef Boyardee’s Spaghetti Sauce

One of my favorite meals as a child was Chef Boyardee’s canned Beef Ravioli. I remember I bought a can when I was in college as a treat. I then quickly discovered my culinary tastes had become a tad more sophisticated. It was rather sweet tasting! Anyway, since I was born in Cleveland, I thought I would make Chef Boyardee's recipe from scratch. I have to say, this is a very labor intensive sauce. I made the sauce as written (except I used half the amount of olive oil!). You have to put the tomatoes through a food mill, then through a sieve. I have a feeling that you could not buy tomato purée in the 1920s! The result - it’s really good...

Chef Boyardee was not born in Cleveland (sorry 30 Rock), but in Borganovo, just outside of Piacenza in Italy. And his name was not Hector Boyardee, but Ettore Boiardi (boy-AR-dee). He opened an Italian restaurant in Cleveland in 1924, where the food was so popular that he frequently sent patrons home with bottles of his spaghetti sauce.
We can’t know exactly what that original sauce was, but this is from a family recipe and is probably pretty close. And it’s phenomenal. It’s fairly simple, but so good. You get a lot of the fresh basil, and the creaminess from mixing the butter and parmesan directly with the pasta is delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Beef & Barley Soup

When you're craving a truly comforting meal, this Beef & Barley Soup is the perfect answer.  It’s brimming with a deeply rich beef broth, tender chunks of seared chuck roast, vegetables, and barley. Serve it with crusty bread for a simple yet classic family dinner everyone will love.

By Leslie Blythe

Camarones a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Shrimp)

My friend John, visiting from Australia, recently stayed with us for a few days. Whenever he's in Los Angeles, his top craving is Camarones a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Shrimp). He used to get his fix at our favorite local Mexican spot, but it unfortunately closed down and even burned! We haven't found a replacement that quite measures up.
Given John's jet lag — or as my late mother-in-law used to call it, "jet jolt" — I decided to make the dish at home instead of going out. The recipe involves creating a rich paste from various dried chilies, tomatoes, and white onions, then simmering the shrimp just until they're perfectly cooked. I was a bit nervous about the chilies, but it turned out beautifully, with a subtly spicy kick. My favorite part of this recipe is that you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and simply heat it up with the shrimp when you're ready to serve.

By Leslie Blythe