Cooking Method: Simmering

Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella

This Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella is an easy back to school, family-friendly meal, using minimal ingredients. It's pasta with tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.

By Leslie Blythe

Flo’s Hot Dog Relish

While recently in Maine, we were taken to Flo's Hot Dogs, which I was told was a must when in Maine. It's located on Rte. 1 in the seacoast area of Maine, in Cape Neddick. This little shack has been making Flo’s famous hot dogs since 1959. There is almost always a long line out the door from the time they open (11am), until the time they close (3pm). I will have to admit I was a bit dubious because the most popular hot dog is served with mayo, celery salt and Flo's special relish that looks very strange and really rather unappetizing. Here's the deal - THEY ARE SERIOUSLY GOOD! I know most of you are scoffing, but just stop! I found several recipes for the relish online. One of them said to simmer it stirring CONSTANTLY for 8 hours! Now I don't know about you, but I have a life! I actually made the relish in my Instant Pot / pressure cooker. (20 minutes at HIGH pressure, then quick release). You can also just simmer it on the stove for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally during commercials. This sounds like I watch daytime TV, which I don't...

The true test was last night my friend from Maine tried them and said I NAILED it! You have no idea how happy this makes me. I can now open a West Coast branch!

To serve a Flo's "House Special" dog - mayo, celery salt and Flo's relish!

By Leslie Blythe

Japanese Chicken Curry

Curry is not an original cuisine from Japan. It was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era (1868–1912) by the British. It has become a staple meal of the Japanese. It’s actually more like a hearty stew than a typical curry. The curry is thickened with roux. You can buy Japanese curry blocks, which makes it easier to make, but they contain excessive amounts of fat and MSG. They also sell it without MSG, but it’s way better to make it from scratch. This Japanese Chicken Curry is a true comfort food served over rice.

By Leslie Blythe

Cornflake-Crusted French Toast with Bananas

Let's take French toast to a whole new level. Cornflake-Crusted French Toast with Bananas is light and with a deliciously crunchy coating. I know it's a bit decadent, but every once and awhile... 

By Leslie Blythe

Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce

This Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce is easy to make at home with ingredients you already have on hand. The bottled stuff is great, but nothing beats homemade.

By Leslie Blythe

Fettuccine with Chicken in Tequila Lime Cream Sauce

Yesterday, we were out for lunch and there was this pasta with tequila lime cream sauce. I did not order it, but it sounded so good that I came home and made it for dinner. Fettuccine with Chicken in Tequila Lime Cream Sauce is tequila-lime marinated chicken, creamy tangy lime-cream sauce which is perfect with pasta. It would also be delicious with salmon or shrimp.

By Leslie Blythe

Raspberry Rhubarb Crostata

I know I am very lucky to have daughters who bake. This Raspberry Rhubarb Crostata is one Zoe made from Ina Garten. She actually used a combination of raspberries, strawberries and rhubarb. What I like about it is that the crust is very forgiving and free-form.

By Leslie Blythe

Curried Carrot Soup

This Curried Carrot Soup recipe with puréed sweet carrots, curry, cashews, coconut milk, and apple is not your run of the mill carrot soup. A splash of fresh lime juice transforms this carrot soup into a sophisticated indulgence.

By Leslie Blythe

Tortilla Soup

WARNING: This is gonna be hot!

There are hundreds of recipes for tortilla soup. I found on in the Los Angeles Times years ago and have been making ever since. The first time I made this soup, I made a very big mistake. Instead of putting one chipotle chile packed in adobo sauce, I put the whole 4 ounce can of chiles in! This is REALLY not a good idea. We manage to eat it anyway…. I won’t go into details!

The reason that I like this recipe is that it is not roux* based, which makes it lower in fat. When I open a can of chipotle chiles packed in adobo sauce, I put one in the recipe. The rest I wrap individually in plastic wrap and put them in a zip-lock bag and freeze them for the next time I make soup.

*Roux is a cooked mixture of flour and a cooking fat, like butter, that is used to thicken sauces and gravies.

By Leslie Blythe

Moroccan Chicken with Dates & Olives

This Moroccan Chicken with Dates & Olives is absolutely delicious and very easy to make. Here are two ways to make it, one in a pressure cooker and the other on the stove top. The chicken is melt in your mouth good!

By Leslie Blythe