Category: Recipes

Tortilla Pizza


This next recipe is one of my favorites that I created, Tortilla Pizza. One day, I was craving some pizza, but didn’t want to order one, so, as I usually have flour tortillas on hand, I decided I’d just throw some sauce and toppings on one and toss it in the oven. I had to play around with the temperature and timing to get it just the way I like (crispy), but now, it’s a staple in my kitchen. I love the fact that it’s obviously very low in carbs and can be made any way that you like, with very few or lots of toppings. It’s amazingly simple and a really nice, quick meal! The one pictured below is simply my pizza sauce, a few different cheeses, sliced tomatoes and caramalized onions (or onion marmalade).

Ingredients

  • 1 flour tortilla (I use medium size)
  • Pizza/pasta sauce to cover tortilla (use according to personal preference)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese mix
  • 1 Roma tomato, sliced thin
  • Caramelized onions 
  • Parmesean cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Put tortilla on baking sheet.
  3. Spread sauce over tortilla, getting close to the sides.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese blend over sauce.
  5. Put tomato slices on top on top of cheese.
  6. Add caramelized onions, using as little or as much as you like.
  7. Sprinkle parmesean cheese over entire pizza.
  8. Bake about 20 minutes, a little longer for crispier crust.

As I mentioned, you can use whatever toppings that suit your fancy. Another favorite combination that I like is using pieces of goat cheese, some sundried tomatoes, fresh mint and fresh basil. Oh so good!

Enjoy!

Honey Ginger Teriyaki


I could talk about sauce/marinade all day, and personally, I tend to favor them more on the sweet side than the spicy. Here’s an easy recipe that can be whipped up in no time and add quite a nice flavor to fish, meat, vegetables and chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger (use garlic press)
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp powdered onion
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  2. Refrigerate in an air-tight container.

If you want an amazing store-bought teriyaki, I highly recommend East-West Specialty Sauces. My personal favorite, Sweet Ginger Teriyaki  🙂 They have some great sauce recipes on their site, so check ’em out.

The “BEST” Queso Dip


I will not claim that this is the best queso on this planet; however, I will say, that it’s out of this world! 

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican Four-Cheese mix
  • 1 1/2 tbsp mango salsa
  • 2 (heaping) tbsp cream cheese

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
  2. Stir in cornstarch, then sour cream.
  3. When mix becomes hot and bubbly, stir in the cheese blend, cream cheese and salsa.
  4. Continue stirring until cheeses melt and mixture thickens, about 5-10 minutes.
  5. Serve with tortilla chip or veggies.

If you want to add a little spice,  drop a couple of splashes of hot sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.

Unbelievable Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars


I went back to work today after being out for four months due to back surgery. I knew I wanted to bring in a tasty treat for my co-workers, just to remind them how much they missed me 😉 I contemplated making one of my delicious cupcake recipes, but decided to take it up a notch with these cheesecake bars… and am so glad I did. They were loved by all!

Ingredients

Crust

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 2 1/4 cups finely ground graham crackers (from about 17 whole graham crackers)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 10 tbsp (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 3 (8 oz) packages Philadelphia-brand cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup purchased dulce de leche*
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze

  • 2/3 cup purchased dulce de leche
  • 3 tbsp (or more) heavy whipping cream

*A thick, sweet sauce made from caramelized sugar in milk or from sweetened condensed milk; available at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores and at Latin markets.

Directions

Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Coat 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray.
  3.  Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon in medium bowl.
  4. Add melted butter; stir until coated.
  5. Transfer crumb mixture to pan. Press evenly onto bottom of pan.
  6.  Bake until crust is light golden, about 10 minutes.
  7. Cool completely on rack.

Filling

  1. Blend cream cheese and sugar in bowl with mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl.
  2. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating 3 to 5 seconds to blend between additions.
  3. Add dulce de leche and vanilla; mix until blended, about 10 seconds.
  4. Spread batter evenly over cooled crust.
  5. Bake until just set in center and edges are puffed and slightly cracked, about 38 minutes.
  6. Transfer to rack; cool completely.

Glaze

  1. Heat dulce de leche and 3 tbsp cream in microwave-safe bowl in 10-second intervals until melted.
  2. Stir to blend, adding more cream by teaspoonfuls if too thick to pour (amount of cream needed will depend on brand of dulce de leche).
  3. Pour glaze over cooled cheesecake; spread evenly.
  4. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour (glaze will not be firm). Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.

Cut cheesecake lengthwise into 4 strips, then crosswise into 6 strips, forming 24 bars.

Red (or White) Onion Marmalade


This SWEET and tangy condiment is perfect for grilled meats, burgers, sandwiches, pizza or on a crostini as an appetizer.

 Ingredients

  • 2 red (or white) onions
  • 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

  1. Halve onions lengthwise and cut into thin slices.
  2. Add vinegar and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
  3.  Bring to a simmer and add the onions.
  4.  Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 20 minutes, or until the onions are shiny and caramelized.

Quick & Easy Burger/Sandwich Spread


Mix some of the condiments that you have in your fridge to make a spread with a kick.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise (I prefer light or fat-free)
  • 1/4 tsp hot horseradish (add more according to taste preference)

Directions

  1. Mix together and there you have it; a new condiment!

Seared Tuna (with sauce)


If you like seared tuna or tuna tataki, then I have a great recipe for you! The tuna is served rare, so please make sure to buy good quality, sushi-grade fresh tuna.

Pictured here without sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 (6 oz) block sushi-quality tuna (cut into thin rectangles)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Sesame seeds
  • Poppy seeds
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp fresh ground ginger (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet with just a little bit of oil (either sesame or olive) to medium-high.
  2. Mix the soy, honey and sesame oil (and ginger, if using) in a small bowl and microwave for 10 seconds, stir, then set aside.
  3. Prepare a plate with a mix of salt, pepper, sesame & poppy seeds.
  4. Roll the tuna in the spice mixture so all sides are coated.
  5. Sear tuna for a minute on each side, turning only once.
  6. Remove sushi from heat and place on cutting board.
  7. Let cool down for a few minutes for better slicing.
  8. Slice tuna very thin and serve with sauce drizzled on top.

To make a nice seared tuna appetizer, prepare as above. Tuna can be placed on a cracker or wonton crisp, with a pinch of seaweed salad in between. To give it a little kick , you can place a drop of Japanese mayo on top of the tuna.

Top ↑

Tomato-Goat Cheese Bruschetta


Recipe courtesy of one my favorites, Betty Crocker

Organic tomatoes, goat cheese and thyme are the signature flavors of this classic Italian recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 logs (4 oz each) soft goat cheese, cut into 8 (1 inch) slices
  • 1 can* (14.5 oz) organic, diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pitted kalamata olives
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 24 slices (1/2 inch thick) baguette (about 8 oz), toasted

Directions

  1. Heat over to 350F.
  2. In ungreased, 1-quart shallow ovenproof dish, place cheese in a single layer.
  3. Sprinkle tomatoes, olives, thyme leaves and pepper flakes over cheese.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until warm and serve with baguette slices.

*Unlike fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes contain more nutrients and lycopene because they are pre-cooked, which enhances their nutritional content.

Ragù alla Bolognese (Bolognese Sauce)


My friend, Peter, asked if I could post a good Bolognese sauce and this one is much better than good; it’s excellent. For those that are not familiar, Bolognese sauce is a thick, full-bodied meat-based pasta sauce, originating from Bologna, Italy. After years of research, the Italian Academy of Cuisine and the Associated Brotherhood of the Tortellino filed an official recipe for “authentic” Ragù Bolognese which contains beef, pancetta, onions, carrots, celery, tomato paste, meat broth, white wine, and milk . Among the particularities of classic Ragù Bolognese, the most important one is the cut of beef used. Thin flank – a cut rich in both fat and flavor is traditionally used, however most today prefer a to use leaner cuts in their Ragù. Also, the traditional use of pancetta is now sometimes replaced with extra virgin olive oil instead of the fat from the pancetta. In addition, the small amount of milk in the “authentic” recipe is not widely used by everybody today. Instead, tomato has been used more often in comparison to the original recipe, yet Bolognese Ragù is really not considered a tomato-based sauce. So, I’ve made some changes to update to a more modern recipe, but I assure you, this will not disappoint.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 slices bacon, cut up into small pieces
  • 1 large onion, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 carrots, shredded
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 (28 oz) can Italian plum tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tsp fresh basil
  • 2 tsp fresh oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, warm oil over medium-high heat and cook bacon until it is browned & crisp.
  2. Remove bacon from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, using the bacon fat, fry the onions, celery and shredded carrot.
  4. When those become soft, add the beef, pork and garlic.
  5. Once brown drain off excess fat and add remaining ingredients.
  6. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Skewered – A New Take on The Caprese Salad


Here’s an easy, colorful, delicious appetizer that’s perfect for summer gatherings and sure to please.

Ingredients

  • Small skewers or long tooth picks
  • Bocconcino (aka mozzarella balls, can be purchased either plain or in herb-flavored oil)
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes
  • Fresh basil
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt & pepper
  • Kalamata olives (optional)

Directions

  1. If using skewers, soak them in water for approximately 1 hour.
  2. Simply place one tomato, a folded piece of basil, one bocconcino, another piece of basil and a kalamata olive on a skewer or toothpick. Repeat.
  3. Drizzle with a little olive and balsamic and a dash of salt & pepper.

Voila… a portable caprese salad!