Author Archives: echoanne

Turkish Chicken Kabobs

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Just made these the other night and thought it was worth a re-post – SOOO good, everyone loves them!

Wine to Walnuts

I think it’s no secret at this point that I love ethnic food, ESPECIALLY if it’s spicy.  Something about the belly-warming feeling of a hot meal with a good amount of spice really gets my mouth watering.  I also love grilling – screw that preconception that men are supposed to be the grillers!  There really isn’t anything better than – or anything that can be a substitute for – the smoky, charred flavors a grill can provide.

Since we’re going to be saying goodbye to summer in a month or so – or rather, many of you readers are, because Florida is perpetually in a state of summer – I decided to post this amazing little meal up while you still have some sunshine and warm days to enjoy it with.  Plus, what’s more fun than eating food on a stick?

just don't poke yourself just don’t poke yourself

Turkish Chicken Kabobs!
serves 3

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Turkey Wellington

Posted in baked, bread, cranberry, fruit, holiday, meat, mushrooms, recipes, rosemary, spices, thyme, turkey by

Not everyone feels like handling an entire 20 lb. bird for Thanksgiving – if you’re just cooking for yourself or a few other special someones, that’s a lot of leftovers!  Or maybe it’s mid August and you want all the deliciousness of Thanksgiving without the 5 day pumpkin spice latte infused extravaganza.  Whatever the case, this holiday spin on a rustic dish is sure to please and wow even the pickiest of turkey gobblers.  The classic technique is a bit tricky, but the reward is SO worth it!

DSCN0566Turkey Wellington!
serves 10

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Thanksgiving Turkey – Spatchcock It To Me!

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Thanksgiving is 13 days away – are you ready? Here’s a great way to prepare the Turkey that cuts way down on cook time and yields crispy perfect skin all over!

Wine to Walnuts

While Thanksgiving has come and gone, and my birth month has finally arrived, this recipe was just too good to deny front page status.  While perusing Bon Appétit for some Thanksgiving menu ideas, my mom and I came across this technically wonderful cooking method.  We did a test run on a couple of chickens, and when those turned out amazingly, we decided to take a risk and make our Thanksgiving turkey the same way.  My oh my, did it pay off.  Not only is the skin to die for (my favorite part!) but the meat was moist and oh-so-flavorful.  If that wasn’t enough, the cooking time was about half of what it normally would have been.  This is the first year that every scrap of leftover 15 lb. turkey was eaten – by two people and a dog.  Try this out with your next big bird, or with a delicious…

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Grilled Asian Pork Chops

Posted in asian, ginger, grilled, honey, meat, pork, soy, spicy by

In my house, pork chops are a twice weekly affair – we just can’t get enough of them! I’m always looking for new ways to prepare them, and a few months ago I had a hankering for Chinese food and some pork chops in the freezer. And so, this recipe was born… my second favorite pork chop preparation ever (behind my mom’s pork chops and mushroom gravy, of course, but that’s for another day)!

Untitled

photo credit goes to illustrious pork chop photographer/personal assistant Mike Prez!

Grilled Asian Pork Chops!
serves 4

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Perfect Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

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It’s official – Mabon, or the autumnal equinox, has arrived! Today is the day (and night) where day and night are equal, and it’s a time for reflection, balance, reaping what you have sown throughout the year and… PUMPKIN SPICED EVERYTHING!!! Here’s a foolproof way to make your own pumpkin spice syrup to add to whatever you like – baked goods, coffee, even to top off icecream! Enjoy!

Wine to Walnuts

Fall is my favorite season.  Being in Florida, I have to celebrate as hard as I can to make myself feel like it’s fall, because apart from the one day it cools down to 65, there isn’t much to remind you of fall here.  Everyone who loves fall loves that delicious PSL – pumpkin spice latte!!  Here’s a super easy way to make the simple syrup at home, avoiding the long lines and, best of all, the price tag.

2012-03-27_12-08-25_599 celebrating fall with pumpkin spice and Ithaca memories!

Perfect Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup!
makes about 1.5 cups

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Rosemary-Lemon Crusted Wild Salmon with Maple Glaze

Posted in baked, cedar, fish, lemon, pan-seared, rosemary, salmon, smoked by

A chill is in the air… it’s almost down to the 50s here in the sunshine state!  What better way to celebrate “cold” weather with a hearty, healthy meal of delicious cold water fish? Wild salmon has a higher fat content which makes it deliciously moist and chock full of omega-3’s.  You get the best benefits and most intense flavor from leaving the skin on, and when baked on a cedar plank, this swimmer really soars to new heights. I served this with lemon-maple green beans and wild rice – the nutty/sweet flavors really complimented the glaze well, and kicked the health factor up a notch.

IMG_20141210_210501_001

Rosemary-Lemon Crusted Wild Salmon with Maple Glaze!
serves 2

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Thanksgiving Turkey – Spatchcock It To Me!

Posted in baked, butter, holiday, turkey by

While Thanksgiving has come and gone, and my birth month has finally arrived, this recipe was just too good to deny front page status.  While perusing Bon Appétit for some Thanksgiving menu ideas, my mom and I came across this technically wonderful cooking method.  We did a test run on a couple of chickens, and when those turned out amazingly, we decided to take a risk and make our Thanksgiving turkey the same way.  My oh my, did it pay off.  Not only is the skin to die for (my favorite part!) but the meat was moist and oh-so-flavorful.  If that wasn’t enough, the cooking time was about half of what it normally would have been.  This is the first year that every scrap of leftover 15 lb. turkey was eaten – by two people and a dog.  Try this out with your next big bird, or with a delicious chicken. You can’t go wrong.

DSCN0420

Spatchcocked Thanksgiving Turkey!

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Thanksgiving Morning: Cranberry and Pumpkin Scones with Whipped Maple Butter

Posted in bread, butter, cranberry, maple, pumpkin, scones by

By  now most everyone in the United States is up and elbows deep in some delicious turkey day preparations.  My family’s Thanksgiving tradition generally involves no breakfast, me taking over any heavy lifting duties, as well as about 4 bottles of champagne for the cooks (of which there are usually 2 – you do the math).  This year we decided to be smart about it and make something simple yet filling and delicious to fill our tummies before the main event begins.  After just finishing my first bites and almost licking the butter container clean, I can tell you that these will definitely become a new part of our family tradition – how about yours?

pop goes the cranberry

Cranberry and Pumpkin Scones with Whipped Maple Butter!
serves 8

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