Indian Summer

The 70 degree temperatures and hours of leaf raking brought on a healthy appetite so we fired up the grill grill and barbecued a bucket of chicken parts, baked some sweet potatoes and coupled that with a French Green Salad, topped with Chere', julienned pickled beets, diced heart of palm, and marinated hare coverts and artichoke hearts and a crusty Sour Dough. A perfect ending to an Autumn day that felt like summer.

Itailian Wedding Soup

Sunday football lends itself to a long stretch in the kitchen. With rain in the forecast it was a perfect day for a big pot of Homemade Italian Wedding Soup. This is the traditional recipe, made with Chicken Stock, diced tomatoes, fresh spinach, tiny pasta pearls an of course freshly rolled and oven seared Italian Sausage Meatballs. The house smelled great as the Ravens beat the Broncos and the soup was enjoyed for days!

Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ Brussel Sprout Hash

Having a few slices of leftover capacola from our Italian Panini we did for the Raven's game Sunday, I decided to use a thin chicken fillet, the ham and Gouda to make a quick version of Chicken Cordon Bleu. I rolled the three just like you would a jelly roll, and glazed it with a Raspberry Pan Sauce. Served with a Brussels Sprout Hash consisting of, you guessed, brussels sprouts that I love getting on the stalk, along with multicolored potatoes and pearl onions, seared and steamed with fresh thyme and raspberry vinegrette.

Cajun Pork Chops

Here's a good one from Chef Paul Prudholm. We met him at his cookbook signing and have always had his Cajun Pork Chops as a favorite. A very thin loin chop, dusted with his Magic seasoning and flour, quick seared and drizzled with a Tabasco/Garlic Butter. If you like it HOT this is the one for you!! Sides included Rice Pilaf and Baby Spinach. We started this one off with a Mojito, probably the last of the mint out of our garden...