Warm Wishes to All!

please look forward to new recipes this month.....tasty treats for the holidays! stay tuned...

Christmastime!

did you have enough to eat? was thursday all you expected and more? plenty of food and family? i do enjoy thanksgiving. but i'm ready for december 1 to arrive....with bells on! let's eat drink and be merry!

d

Margi! and Kelly!

margi....you will be able to find the olive oil at luigi's in bakersfield. it's a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. make sure you use it as a garnish....not to cook with. make a salad, then drizzle! a slice of bread, then drizzle! you'll be hooked! be sure and tell gino you're following this blog! i'm thinking i need a sponsor!

and kelly....i'm thinking you should combine what you have a make a salad......i'm assuming the carna asada is pre-cooked. place your greens on a plate and season with salt and pepper and maybe a drizzle of olive oil. combine the black beans and corn (thawed and drained) in a small bowl, season with cumin, salt and pepper. top your greens with the meat, then bean mixture. if you have cilantro, a squeeze of lime, sour cream, or salsa, that would be great too. sounds like a tasty and healthy lunch to me! let me know if you put it all together.

eat up,
d

p.s. just returned from santa barbara and had an amazing dinner at petite valentien.....yes, the same chef that used to be here in bakersfield. if you're over that way, definitely worth a trip. his prices are very reasonable. lunch around $12 to $15 and dinner with wine.....i'd say you could get by....hmmmmm....i suppose i shouldn't quote an amount! not sure what wine you'll be drinking! nevertheless, stop in and see robert....you'll be glad you did!

Talk to Me!!!

i want to revisit why i'm here for you! i'm here to help those of us who are busy and don't have a lot of time in the kitchen.... i'm here for those who are not quite sure what flavors go together....and i so want to inspire those that simply don't know how to 'cook'. i'm here for you! i want you all to enjoy delicious food every night. talk to me....let me know what's in your refrigerator, cupboards and pantry. let's put some things together. give me some ideas of what you like....what you want to know.

in the meantime, here's your next recipe. be creative. make this dish your own!

Pork Tostadas

8 tostada shells

1/2 lb. pork (carnitas style, pre-cooked, trader joes), room temperature and pulled apart

1/2 cup or more, salsa or enchilada sauce (of your choice)

1/2 cup sour cream

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup cojita (or any mexican-style cheese), crumbled

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

mix 'pulled' pork with salsa or enchilada sauce, just to add a little more flavor.

place tostada shells on sheet pan. top each shell with pork mixture, dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of black beans, cheese and cilantro.

you could also add a little corn to the beans, roasted pequillo peppers or some chopped tomatoes. be creative. make it your own!

A Fall Salad

Here it is....one of my favorite salads....crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese, tart dressing...and so delicious!

Maple Dressing

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

2 T sour cream

2 T white wine vinegar

1 t horseradish (prepared in a jar)

1/3 cup olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl, combine maple syrup, sour cream, vinegar and horseradish. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified (or whisked together well!) Season with plenty of salt...and pepper.

greens (of your choice)

goat cheese, crumbled

bacon, sliced thin (pre-cooked bacon is available in many markets)

chives or scallions, sliced thin

pecans (sweet and spicy at trader joe's)

on your plate, place the greens in a mound, crumble goat cheese with a fork to your desire, top with bacon, chives and pecans. Drizzle with maple dressing and serve immediately.

make it and let me know what you think!

eat up,

d