Buttered Chicken

1 TBS freshly ground ginger
1 TBS Garam Masala
2 tsp ground coriander seeds
1 tsp ground chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin seeds
1 TBS minced garlic
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cardamom
3 black peppercorns
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3 TBS tomato paste
1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
2/3 cup unsalted butter
1 TBS vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2/3 cup water
3 bay leaves
2/3 cup heavy [...]

Homemade Shortbread

3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 butterscotch chips
4 TBS heavy cream

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until [...]

Berry Trifle with Lemon Mascarpone Cream

Layer:
Pound Cake
Cream
Fruit
See Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
Cream:
24oz Mascarpone Cheese at room temperature
2 Lemons, zested and juiced
2/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 Tbs heavy cream
Using a paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone cheese, sugar and zest together. Add the lemon juice and cream quickly, being careful to not overbeat the mixture.
Fruit:
Hull and slice 2 pints of fresh strawberries
1 pint fresh [...]

Spinach Salad with Tzatziki Chicken

A spin off my chic pea salad, I made this one a bit more summery with dill and chives instead of the powerful rosemary in the original.
Baby Spinach
Chicken Tenders
Tzatziki Sauce
1/2 Hot House Cucumber, grated
1 C Greek yogurt
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 tsp chopped garlic
1 T freshly chopped dill
1 T freshly chopped chives
salt and pepper to taste
Relish
1/2 [...]

Chickpea Salad

This is my version of my favorite side dish (that is sadly no longer on the menu) at Ria’s Bluebird
2 cans of chick peas, drained
4 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled
1 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
3-5 sprigs of fresh rosemary, chopped
Salt, pepper and really good extra virgin olive oil to taste
Mix, chill, serve
Yum.

Orange Mascarpone Cheesecake

Crust:
2/3 c almonds
1 TBS sugar
2 TBS melted butter
2/3 c graham crackers
Cake:
16 oz mascarpone cheese (room temperature)
16 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS fresh orange zest
2 tsp orange juice
4 large eggs (room temperature)
(To turn this into a standard cheesecake, simply use vanilla extract and lemon juice instead of orange. Experiment with different types [...]

Loaded Potato Soup

1/2 lb bacon, chopped
1/2 stick butter
1 TBS garlic, chopped
3 lbs red potatoes, cubed
1 c flour
2 c chicken broth
3 c milk
1 c cream
1/2 c sour cream
1 c beer
1 TBS paprika
2 c cheddar cheese
1/4 c chives
Salt and Pepper
(this makes a huge pot that our family of 3 can eat on for several days, but the recipe can [...]

Sausage, Spinach and Mushroom Manicotti

1 1-lb bag spinach, chopped
1 lb mild Italian sausage
Olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
1 tbs chopped garlic
8oz baby bella mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1/2 c chicken broth
1 8oz block cream cheese
1/4 c torn basil leaves
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 c prepared tomato basil sauce
12 – 14 manicotti shells
In a large skillet lightly coat the bottom with olive oil, heat and then [...]

Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds of beef stew meat
1 cup flour
2 TBS season salt
1/2 TBS hot smoked paprika
1/4 c olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 carrots, cut into bite size pieces
4 ribs of celery, cut into bite size pieces
5 red potatoes, cut into bite size pieces
1 TBS chopped garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
2 TBS Soy Sauce
4 cups chicken [...]

Chicken and Dumplings

4 chicken breasts on the bone
4 quarts chicken broth
2 large cans cream of chicken soup
3 TBS olive oil
1 TBS minced garlic
1 large onion, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
Salt and Pepper
Flour
2 cans refrigerated biscuits
In a large stock pot, cover the chicken with water. Add salt and pepper and cover with a lid. Boil [...]