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Showing posts from January, 2021

Pasta with Chicken, Spinach and Mushrooms in a Lemon Cream Sauce

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This is an easy and delicious weeknight dinner or great for a large group. You can leave the chicken out and make it a vegetarian dish and it is still delicious.  I use linguine pasta, but you can use any long pasta.  This dish goes great with a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Savignon Blanc or Rose. Cheers! Serves 4-6 1 Lb. long pasta 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided  2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite sized chunks 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper 8 ounces sliced mushrooms  2 cups fresh spinach leaves 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Optional-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large sauté pan on medium high heat.  Add chicken to the pan and season with salt and pepper.  Sauté chicken 5-7 minutes or until chicken has browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet to a plate. Add to the pan ...

Cheese Fondue

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I love a fondue dinner. It's fun to do with family and friends because it is more of a social event than just a dinner.  Dipping options are endless, but bread is a must!!  I love to have a nice chardonnay or even some sparkling with this dinner.  Cheers! Cheese Fondue Serves 4 1 clove of garlic 16 oz. of Gruyere cheese, shredded 8 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded 1 cup of dry white wine, like a Chardonnay 1 tbsp. cornstarch 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 1/2 tbsp. Brandy 1/4 tsp. pepper Rub 1/2 of a garlic clove inside a sauce pan.  Discard the garlic. Add white wine, lemon juice to a sauce pan and turn heat to medium.  Shred the cheeses and put into a mixing bowl.  Add cornstarch into the shredded cheeses and mix.   Add cheeses in small amounts into the sauce pan with wine and lemon juice. Cheese will slowly melt.  Stir occasionally.  Once all of the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes,  stir in brandy and pepper.   Turn heat to low and...

Scallops and Spinach in a Ponzu Sauce

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If you're a fan of scallops, this recipe is for you.  Not only is it healthy, but it is easy to make.  I use frozen colossal scallops, but unfrozen from your seafood department works just as well.  You can use any large size of scallop, just not the small bay scallops.  Fresh spinach from your produce department works best for this recipe. I like a nice Savignon Blanc or even a Riesling with this recipe. Cheers! Serves 4 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. large scallops. 2 Tbs. butter. 1 Tbs. olive oil. 1 lb. of fresh spinach.  Yes, I lb!  It shrinks a lot when it's cooked. 1 Tbs. salt and pepper. 1 Tbs. garlic powder. 1/4 cup Ponzu sauce. 1 tsp. white sesame seeds. Heat a large pan or cast iron skillet to high heat with butter and olive oil.  Sprinkle both sides of scallops with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Once the pan is hot and butter is melted, add the scallops.  Let them cook about 4 minutes.  Don't move them!  Let the crust form on the first...

3 Pepper Beef and Polenta

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This delicious beef dish can be made as spicy as you like.  I use 3 different types of peppers and you can use as much or as little as you want to control the heat. This is such a warm and satisfying dish that is perfect for the cold weather.  I love having a nice Cabernet Savignon or a Merlot with this recipe.  Nothing too complicated so you can enjoy the flavor in this dish. If you decide to go on the spicier side, I suggest a cold glass of milk. Cheers! Serves 4-6 1 1/2 lbs. of Stew meat cubed. 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil. 3 cloves of garlic minced. 1 medium yellow onion diced. 1 bell pepper diced. 1 jalapeno diced.  If you like it spicy, leave the white ribs on. 2 Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce diced. If you like it spicier, add more peppers or the sauce. 10 oz. baby Portabella mushrooms sliced. 3 cups low sodium beef stock. 8 oz. tomato sauce.  1 tsp. salt and pepper. 1 Tbs. garlic powder. 1 Tbsp. chili powder. Polenta: 1 1/2 cups Polenta. 6 cups wat...