Roasted Asparagus and Shrimp Risotto

Posted on May 21, 2013 by teacher-chef

Spring & Summer Flavors make a transition from heavy red/rich dishes which we enjoyed all Fall/Winter to lighter more green/bright dishes. Those fresh flavors are just like everything outside – new and bright and light. Although Risotto is a slow-cooked rice which takes some quality time over the stove, it does not have to be heavy and weigh you (or your dish) down.

During my first spring as a homeowner we discovered that there was Asparagus growing right in the yard garden, so every year we love to feature these fresh flavors (and enjoy Asparagus at least 3 times a week for almost a month). Pairing the fresh Asparagus with some Shrimp (I always keep bags of frozen raw shrimp in the freezer, Continue reading →

Chocolate + Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer Cake

Posted on May 18, 2013 by teacher-chef

We. Love. This. Cake.

From the perfectly dense and moist and light and chocolatey cake, to the layer of a huge chocolate chip cookie right in the middle, to the thick and rich brown sugar buttercream – this cake has it all. Now it does have its downfalls (besides just the calories) as well though. Because the texture of the chocolate chip cookie layer is much thicker than that of the cake, cutting is not the easiest (but totally do-able). Another fault of this cake is that there should be more frosting, especially surrounding the chocolate chip cookie layer (so if I were you and I was making this cake [again], I would make at least 2 sticks of butters worth of frosting, instead of 1.5 sticks).

If you are a frequent visitor, you may be thinking to yourself that this is not the first Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cake you have seen around here – and you would be correct, but this one is a totally different version! Continue reading →

Twice-Baked Smashed Cauliflower

Posted on May 13, 2013 by teacher-chef

Comfort Food is exactly what it sounds like… food which makes you feel comfortable and safe and all warm & cozy. Typically there is a problem with Comfort Food though – part of what makes it so “comfortable” is the extremely high level of fat and extra calories it is filled with (which does not make your clothes feel so comfortable in the end).

Spring is Here – why not lighten up a classic Comfort Food? CAULIFLOWER replaces most of the potato-starch in this smashed & twice-baked dish. With no butter and lots of fresh cauliflower – you get all the comfort flavor while still fitting comfortably in your pants!

Seriously though, Continue reading →

Crustless Asparagus & Cheese Quiche

Posted on May 7, 2013 by teacher-chef

Weekends (or any day) that start with Quiche are sure to be a good one…

Now that Spring is in Full Swing your go-to Quiche can enjoy a whole new flavor profile!

Spring has Sprung

This Quiche has a strong delicious Asparagus Flavor throughout which is encased in fluffy eggs and topped with chewy delicious cheese! If you prefer a more dense egg dish Continue reading →

Enchilada Cups

Posted on May 2, 2013 by teacher-chef

I. Love. Mexican. Food.

People always ask me what my favorite thing to cook is, or my favorite recipe. I honestly cannot answer that – but it seems the things I always go back to making are Mexican Food. In fact, Enchiladas were the first thing that I ever cooked for Rich the first time he came to my house (fun fact – Pizza was the first thing he cooked for me, and Continue reading →

Salt & Pepper Tofu

Posted on April 20, 2013 by teacher-chef

So often many of the delicious foods that we eat are loaded with fat and so unhealthy for you. Lucky for us though these tofu bites are not only delicious but good for you as well… gotta love win-win situations!

Tofu is a great meat-replacement for those of you who are vegetarians but is totally delicious for you meat-eaters as well (dad!). One of the major benefits of tofu is that studies have shown that it helps lower your cholesterol! Tofu is also quite high in Iron and has many of the same proteins that you would get from your red-meats. In addition to it being a good healthy food choice – it is amazingly versatile and can be used in so many different ways. The fact that tofu is so “plain” makes it the perfect canvas for your culinary creations.

Continue reading →