Cooking Method: Simmering

Bon Appétit’s Best Risotto

My daughter's boyfriend Pierce is not often seen in the kitchen cooking, but he made this amazing risotto. Risotto is not an easy thing to pull off, but he did it!  Risotto is like a clingy baby. You can’t put it down, you can’t walk away from it, and you can’t ignore it. Its needs are simple, it just wants all of you. And if you give it all of your patient attention, it will turn into a puddle of love. This simple, pure, unadulterated version stands up on its own, but it also makes an excellent canvas for seasonal ingredients. The recipe includes toppings for all four seasons.

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Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy

I saw this recipe from Martha Stewart for Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy, which reminded me of the TV dinners that we ate in the 60's and 70's. You are meant to make it in an oblong shape to look like steak, but I didn't do that. Everyone LOVED it and it freezes beautifully so that you can reheat and eat in front of the TV!

Salisbury steak is a dish made from a blend of ground beef and other ingredients and is usually served with gravy or brown sauce. Salisbury steak was invented by an American physician, Dr. J. H. Salisbury (1823–1905). The dish is traditionally served with mashed potatoes or noodles.

By Leslie Blythe

Broccoli Pepper Jack Gratin

This Broccoli Pepper Jack Gratin takes your average cheesy broccoli up a notch. This jacked up version makes a crave-worthy side dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Irish Beef Stew

This Irish Beef Stew uses Irish stout and is rich and hearty. The beef is incredibly tender. The stout beer really adds a great flavor.​ Perfect for a St. Patrick's Day meal!

By Leslie Blythe

Hearty Beef, Leek, & Barley Stew

This Hearty Beef, Leek, & Barley Stew is the ultimate in comfort food. I have made this recipe for years. It's from Gourmet LA, a Junior League cookbook. It is a stew that is simple to make and not your typical beef stew recipe. It is light and delicious for the chilly winter nights. Serve it with a nice loaf of crusty bread and a salad.

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar

I was home alone and rummaged through my pantry and made this Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar from Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook, Simple. Za'atar is a mixture of sumac, sesame seed and herbs used throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It was the perfect dinner channel surfing in front of the TV.

By Leslie Blythe

Cranberry Bean Soup

I bought these Cranberry Beans online from Rancho Gordo. They are amazing heirloom bean producers located in Napa, California. I decided to make this Cranberry Bean Soup. These beans are absolutely incredible, very creamy inside. These beans are versatile and velvety, this thin-skinned Borlotti bean produces a rich, indulgent bean broth, making it perfect for classic Italian dishes as well as simple pot beans. The soup was so easy to make. I actually made it in a slow cooker.

By Leslie Blythe

Braised Red Wine Beef Short Ribs with Parmesan Polenta

My daughter Zoe made Braised Red Wine Beef Short Ribs with Parmesan Polenta. Browning and then braising the short ribs for hours in the oven makes them "fall off the bone" tender. The creamy Parmesan polenta is a nice alternative to potatoes or rice.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemon Posset

A posset was originally a popular British hot drink made of milk curdled with wine or ale, often spiced, which was often used as a remedy. Shakespeare mentions possets several times in his writings. In the 16th century, the drink evolved into a cream, sugar and citrus-based confection, which is still consumed today as a cold set dessert. 

This Lemon Posset is a cross between a lush pudding and a silky lemon curd, this amazing English specialty is made with just three simple ingredients - lemons, heavy cream, and sugar. The beauty is that I almost always have these 3 ingredients!

By Leslie Blythe

Braised Red Potatoes with Dijon and Tarragon

This Braised Red Potatoes with Dijon and Tarragon recipe is a simple, one-pot potato side dish that features the benefits of both boiling and roasting. The halved small red potatoes, butter, and salted water are simmered in a skillet until the potatoes turned creamy and the water fully evaporated. In the then-dry skillet, the potatoes and butter were left alone to fry and develop great flavor and color. Subtle aromatics like thyme and garlic balance well with last-minute additions like Dijon mustard.

By Leslie Blythe