Capellini and White Clam Sauce

This is one of my favorite dishes. Perfect for a weeknight and the only seafood dish I can cook for myself, this is a treat that I try and enjoy one a month. The recipe calls for 2 cans of minced clams, but I usually use 1 can minced and 1 can chopped. Before you scoff at canned clams - they are delicious and a lot less work than buying, scrubbing and cooking whole fresh...

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Creamy Cocktail Sauce

During Culinary School we were often called upon to develop our own recipes for things. My partner in crime was fellow chef Patti Smith. She and I would spend lots of time brainstorming of new items for us to try. Some things wouldn't work out so well, but most of our creations I still use today and on a regular basis. Here is one of my favorites - this is perfect for steamed or boiled shrimp and has a regular place on our Kentucky Derby Party...

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Baked Pork Chops with Parmesan-Sage Crust

This is one of my favorite week night, somewhat easy to do after work meals. I am a fan of pork chops and you can buy them at such a great deal at Costco. I buy them and freeze them in small batches. On nights I want to cook with them, I put them in the fridge the night before to defrost. These have an amazing flavor and form a great crust. I prefer to use boneless...

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Garlic Marinated Lamb with Garlic Chive Mashers

I've always been a fan of Ming Tsai as he does an excellent job with fusion food. My dad brought home some 2-inch thick lamb loin chops and we wanted something new to use for a marinade. I did a little searching and found this at Food TV and it looks delicious. We didn't have 12 hours to marinate, but we were able to squeeze in 4 or 5 hours and that did the trick. I can...

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Cool Zucchini Soup

I heard about this on NPR a few weeks ago and after a quite fruitful trip to a local Farmer's Market on Saturday, I had some of the freshest zucchini I has ever seen in my hot little hands. I decided it was the perfect time for making this soup. The zucchini was so fresh that the soup had a slight sweetness to it. I garnished it with some freshly sliced basil from my parent's...

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Citrus Marinated Pork Chops

Citrus Marinated Pork ChopsServes 44, 8-oz double thick cut boneless center cut pork chops2 Tbls Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 Tbls grainy mustard10 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed from stems and choppedZest and juice of 1 limeZest and juice of 1 lemonZest and juice of 1 orangeIn a gallon plastic bag or a high-sided baking dish mix, whisk together the orange, lemon, and lime juice and zest, thyme leaves, grainy mustard, and oil. Place meat into the marinade...

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Pecan Day: Kahlùa Lace Sandwich Cookies

Today, March 25th, is Pecan Day. Therefore I decided to post one of my favorite recipes from years past using pecans. Since I am allergic to nuts, I have to be very careful when making these cookies, and I can only eat a couple before I start to have a problem. But these are so very worth the discomfort. I found these in a Kahlùa ad in a magazine sometime in the late...

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Toast Day: Bruschetta

Toast can take so many forms. My personal favorite is French Toast. I'm not sure that's what Toast Day really means, so I will save that recipe for another time (I mean, really, there has to be a French Toast Day, right?). Bruschetta Yields 6 servings 6 plum tomatoes, diced 2 Tbls balsamic vinegar 1 head garlic, broken into cloves, divided 3 tablespoons extra-virgin...

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National Bavarian Crêpes Day: Dessert Crêpes

I love crêpes and it is a rare occasion we make them as the cooking process takes so long - just getting through a batch. But my favorite is then turning these into blintzes. Yum. Dessert Crêpes From Nancy S Frank Yields 6 servings 3 Large egg yolk 1 Dash salt, table 1 Cup milk, whole 2 Tablespoons brandy 1/2 Cup water 1/2 Teaspoon extract, vanilla 1/4 Cup sugar,...

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California Strawberry Day: Strawberry Daiquiri

In my neck of the woods, I can't guarantee California Strawberries, but since it is Friday I figured a cocktail was the way to go no matter where the strawberries were grown. Strawberry Daiquiri Yields 1 serving Ice cubes 2 parts light rum 1 part Triple Sec 1 part fresh strawberries, tops trimmed off Lime juice, as needed Lime wedges Sugar Add to a blender and puree...

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Ravioli Day: Prosciutto Ravioli

I love Ravioli, but sometimes it can just be too labor intensive. However, I got this super simple recipe from Giada de Laurentis and they are delicious. Prosciutto Ravioli Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Yields 6 servings Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes 15-ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach,...

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