Beer Cheese Soup

Beer Cheese Soup

 

 

 

     I used to work at this upscale restaurant out on the river. They specialized in some seafood and a wonderful outside deck atmosphere that overlooked the river and the national forest. I loved working there. I made some great friends, had some great times, and discovered some great dishes. One of which was our cooks specialty. She made a fantastic Beer Cheese Soup. What was this? I had never heard of this kind of weird creation. Apparently this soup is pretty popular out in the Midwest where cheese is made famous. My first bite was kind of weary. I was afraid of the combination of beer and cheese in a warming soup. I was in shock. The flavors that were mingling in my mouth were fantastic. It was so creamy, hearty, and had a nice spicy kick to it. It was amazing. Sadly the chef that created this dish left after I had been there for only a year. This was 17 years ago. I never had it again. No one knew what her recipe was either. I decided to do some research and mold and create my own version of this fantastic soup. So here goes, my Beer Cheese Soup.

 

Ingredients:

• 3-4 slices bacon diced
• ¼ cup diced celery
• ½ white onion diced
• 4 tbs butter
• 4 tbs flour
• 1 tbs spicy mustard
• 1 tbs Worcestershire
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups beer
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Monterey jack cheese
• ¼ cup cream
• Salt/pepper

 

 

1.       In a large Dutch oven brown the diced bacon until just beginning to crisp.

2.       Toss in the diced celery and onion and cook until translucent

3.       Stir in the butter until melted.

4.       Mix in the flour and stir around with the bacon and onion/celery mixture until the flour has begun to cook through.

5.       Squirt in the mustard and Worcestershire sauce

6.       Pour in the chicken stock and beer and bring to a boil.

7.       Reduce heat and stir in the cheeses until they begin to melt and the soup has thickened from the cheese and the flour rue.

8.       Salt and pepper to taste and let simmer until ready to serve.

9.       Top each bowl with some homemade croutons.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

Serves: 4-6 people.

      If you like a hearty creamy cheesy soup with a kick of your favorite beer and spice, give this fantastic soup a try. Enjoy.



Salmon Pasta

Salmon Pasta

 

 

     While in Tuscany this past summer I had really wanted to try a salmon pasta dish that I kept seeing on menu boards. However I was unlucky in doing so as I had so many other options for dishes that I wanted to try as well. Back home I decided to try this dish and see if it was any good. I would have preferred to utilize smoked salmon, however was unable to find some. Actually funny story, the next week I went to the store, right there they were. Anyways, back to this dish. Even though I hoped to use a better salmon I did use the canned kind and it was still very good. I was surprised how much I liked this dish. I know there is a stigma against using cheese and seafood, but until you try it, don't knock it. Please enjoy my Salmon Pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 small filet smoked salmon, (or you can use canned salmon)
• 1 small diced shallot
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded pecorino Romano
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 tsp dill seed or weed
• 1 tbs fresh parsley
• 1 large diced clove garlic
• 1/2 juiced lemon
• Olive oil
• Pasta of choice

1. In a medium skillet over high heat drizzle a bit of olive oil and toss in the shallots and sauté.

2. Next mix in the garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add in the salmon and sauté just for a minute before adding in the dill and then the white wine. Simmer until the wine has reduced.

4. Stir in the cream and lemon juice and bring to a simmer.

5. Mix in the cheese. Once incorporated toss with your favorite pasta and sprinkle with some fresh parsley.

If you are like me you will love this dish. I surprisingly love fresh pasta in a cream sauce. I don't know what it is but it is one of my favorite.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Serves: 2-4 people

 



Burrito Casserole

Burrito Casserole

 

 

     This dish was inspired by one of those nights where you are just craving one thing and decide to turn it into a completely other thing. This "casserole" was fantastic. All the great flavors of a delicious wonderful burrito. The beans, the meat, the corn, onion, and don’t forget the cheese. This is so easy and quick that it makes for a perfect meal during a busy weeknight. Or if you want you can make it before hand and stick it in the fridge to bake when in a pinch. I will definitely be making this dish again sometime soon. Very good. Burrito Casserole.

 Ingredients:

• Flour tortilla
• 12 oz can refried beans
• 1/2 jar salsa, (your favorite)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Frozen corn
• Green onion
• Cheddar cheese



1. In a large skillet brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Drain off excess fat if needed.

2. Mix in a 1/3 cup water and taco seasoning. Boil and simmer until the liquid has evaporated and all the taco seasoning has been absorbed by the beef. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile in a microwave bowel combine the refried beans and salsa and microwave for about 30-60 minutes just until you are able to mix the two together and able to spread easily.

4.  Dice up your green onion. In a medium greased baking dish layer some flour tortillas. Spread some of the bean salsa mixture on top. Sprinkle some of the beef mixture. Then add some frozen corn and green onion. Repeat layers until you reach the top of the baking dish.

5. Top off with some cheddar cheese and bake covered for 20-30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese starts to brown.

    Who doesn't love some browned cheese cooked on top?  That's it. A simple and delicious Burrito Casserole. Hope you enjoy.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30-40 minutes

Serves: 4-5



Classic Meatloaf

Meatloaf

 

 

     The classic American four square white picket fence happy family meal that defines comfort food in all its glory. Meatloaf is to kids what working over hours on a Friday is to adults. (Smirk, laugh, giggle). I mean, as a child, like most of us were, I am willing to admit that this was not a favorite of mine. What kid wanted to come home and here their mother say, "we're having meatloaf for dinner". Oh mom not "that" thing again? is the typical response to a dirty faced little kid.

 

     I mean think about the idea of taking ground beef and forming it into a loaf. A loaf like that of bread. Baking it and then slicing it onto your plate. The presentation isn't the prettiest either. But at last as an adult I must now admit this meal is one of my favorite comfort foods now. I think as we grow older we appreciate things more. Things even as weird as a loaf of meat. (I still will not eat Spam though). LOL. 

 

     I asked my mother to give me her specific recipe for her meatloaf. Mom's was always good. Well actually anything mom makes is always your favorite. Am I right people?

 

     I took her exact recipe and changed just one thing. The delicious ketchup glaze on top. She used strictly ketchup. My idea was to spruce it up a bit. Change it around and make it my own but with the heart of my mother's. So here it is. A fast, delicious, and mouthwatering Meatloaf.

 

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground sirloin
• 1 egg
• 1 cup diced bread (I used my mother's homemade bread)
• 1 clove diced garlic
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 tbs oregano
• Salt/pepper
• Ketchup
• Molasses
• Brown sugar

 

1. Combine ground beef, diced bread, garlic, tomato, onion, oregano, salt, pepper, and the egg in a large bowl with your hands.  

 

 

2. Form into a loaf and place in a greased baking dish and cover with tinfoil.

 

 

 

3. In a 350 degree oven bake for at least 1 hour or until the loaf is cooked thoroughly.

 

Now for the topping.

 

1. In a small bowl combine enough ketchup, molasses, and some brown sugar to the desired taste that you like. 

 

2. After the first 45 minutes of cooking the meatloaf, spread the topping mixture over the top evenly and remove the tinfoil.

 

3. After 15 more minutes of cooking you can spread more on top as at this point the topping has started to brown and shine. 

 

4. Once cooked, remove and let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.

 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour- 1 1/2

Serves: 4 people

 

 

A Vintage Gnocchi

Vintage Gnocchi

 

     This dish is inspired by a wonderful restaurant I have the pleasure working for since earlier last year. A new restaurant had opened up in my small town. I had been working at my current career choice for almost 13 years and needed a change in my life. That change happened to come in the opportunity to work part-time on the weekends at this great new restaurant. I have worked in food and beverage in the past and have years of experience with it. I had missed the fun and excitement of being in that industry and wanted back in. So I took the step and applied. Since then I have had the pleasure of working there as a server on the weekends and have had a blast.

    

     Vintage is the name of the restaurant. A casual fine dining experience is what you get when you come and dine at Vintage. A modern atmosphere with just the right amount of upscale feeling that welcomes everyone. A mix between American style foods with Italian thrown in and wood fired pizzas at your fingertips. One of the pasta dishes that the restaurant makes is a wonderful gnocchi with a garlic cream sauce tossed with tomatoes, spinach, grilled shrimp, and country ham. The dish is one, if not, my favorite. So much so that even my mother fell in love with it. She is one hard cookie to please as an Italian she becomes very picky about her pasta dishes. She liked it so much that during our traditional Christmas meal she requested this dish to be made. We have always done the fish and pasta tradition when it comes to Christmas dining. So this year I tried my hands at recreating this wonderful dish. So here goes. My take on "Vintage" Gnocchi.

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 - 1 lb shrimp
• 1/2 lb pancetta diced
• 2 large cloves diced garlic
• 4 oz fresh spinach
• 1-1/2 cup cream
• 1/2 cup pecorino
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• Small handful cherry tomatoes halved
• Homemade gnocchi (recipe below)
• Olive oil

 

1. In a large sauté pan drizzle a little bit of olive oil. Toss in diced pancetta and sauté until it begins to brown.

 

2. Mix in the diced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

 

3. Now mix in the spinach and sauté until all of it becomes wilted.

 

4. Drop in the shrimp and toss around until the shrimp just becomes pink on both sides.

 

5. Now toss in the cherry tomatoes and the cream and bring to a slow simmer over low heat.

 

6. Mix in the cheeses, salt and pepper to taste. Toss with the gnocchi and serve.

 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Serves: 4-6

 

     This dish is fantastic and you will totally fall in love with it. Please give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Give the restaurant's website a look below.

 

 

Homemade gnocchi recipe: http://recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/05/Gnocchi-Meatballs.html

Vintage Restaurant and Wine Bar: http://www.vintageelkinswv.com/

 

 



 

Coffee Almond Biscotti

Biscotti

 

       Was craving cookies this evening and decided to make my homemade biscotti again. Didn't want to do the old standby of chocolate and orange so thought how good it would be to make traditional biscotti, one with almonds. What would go good with almonds other than coffee? So, I decided to create my own Coffee Almond Biscotti. This recipe makes about 15 individual biscotti. I used the same recipe as the one for my chocolate orange but instead of adding the chocolate chips and the orange zest I used sliced almonds and instant coffee. Add a little dash of brewed coffee and viola; you have delicious moist coffee almond flavored cookies that you will definitely gobble up. Coffee Almond Biscotti.

 

 

Ingredients:

• Biscotti recipe below
• 2 tbs instant coffee crystals
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tbs brewed coffee
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• Powdered sugar
• Milk

 

     Follow the recipe for the biscotti cookies listed above. In the recipe above you will take the 2 tbs of instant coffee and mix it into the butter sugar mixture prior to adding the dry ingredients. Next pour in the brewed coffee.  After adding the dry ingredients stir in the sliced almonds. Mold into a log and bake according to above recipe. 

    

     In a small bowl mix powdered sugar and milk until you have the nice icing consistency you want. Mix in the little bit of almond extract for that extra almond flavoring. Once cookies have been baked and cooled. Dip one end into the icing and let dry. Simple and delicious.  Hope you enjoy.

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 40 minutes

Cool Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 15

 

Biscotti recipe: http://www.recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/12/Chocolate-Chip-Biscotti.html

 



Pork Pappardelle

Pork Pappardelle

     A fantastic dish inspired by my last trip to Italy. This dish is based on a wonderful meal I had in Tuscany, specifically the little famous village of Pisa. I had heard they were famous for a wonderful hearty wild boar pappardelle. I ordered it at this little café on one of the back streets of Pisa. My cousins and I were looking for a little place, not full of tourists, but that had to have homemade pastas on the menu. You know we like our homemade pastas. We make and eat it all the time so we know what is good when we order.

     We started out walking down this little cobblestoned alley, past a pharmacy and a little shop, and right there at the end of the path was this little café with a little menu board out front with "fresh pasta" written in bright blue chalk. Their special for the day was wild boar pappardelle and I know this was where we had to eat. The dish was amazing. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the wild boar was so tender and had the best hearty tomato flavor that I fell immediately in love.

     Because of where I live and the availability of finding boar in the store I had to substitute this dish with a good cut of pork loin. The meat may have been different but the heart and flavor were still there. I made simple tomato based sauce and cooked the whole loin in my crock-pot in order to have this complete and ready by the time I got home from work during the week. Hope you enjoy Pork Pappardelle.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium pork loin
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrot
• 1 10oz can tomato sauce
• 1 clove diced garlic
• Handful chopped basil
• Large bay leaf
• Olive oil
• Salt/pepper
• Crock-pot

1. In a large sauté pan pour in a little olive oil over medium high heat. Toss in your onion, celery, and carrot and sauté until nice and tender.

2. Toss in the diced garlic and sauté until fragrant

3. Pour in the tomato sauce, chopped basil, bay leaf and salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat just to incorporate the flavors. Remove sauce from heat.

 

 

4. This fourth step I did in the morning before going to work so as to have it all ready when I arrived home. Place the pork loin into the crock-pot. Pour the premade sauce over it. Cover and set to low. This will cook for 8-10 hours.

5. Make homemade pasta. I chose hand cut pappardelle. I used my pasta recipe, rolled out the dough, and hand cut it to thick size about 1 1/2 inch in width. See below for the pasta recipe

6. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it floats to the top and is tender.

7. Break up the roast. After 8-10 hours in the crock-pot it will pull right apart into nice shredded pork.

8. Toss the pasta in the sauce and meat and serve with some fresh graded cheese.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8-10 hours
Serves: 4-5 people

Pasta recipe: http://www.recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/04/Fresh-Pasta.html

 

Harvest Soup

Harvest Soup

 

     It's starting to be autumn here and one good thing about that is it is slowly becoming soup weather. Anyone that knows me knows that I love a good soup. I love making soup. It's so easy and fun all you have to do is throw everything into one pot and you have a delicious, healthy, and warming meal in one bowl. I have many soups in my repertoire. Some are even posted on here. However I am always trying to come up with a new type of soup. I created this one to utilize some of the summer’s end vegetables that I was able to find at my market. This soup is hearty, full of flavor, and so comforting that I went back for not only seconds but thirds and fourths. I am calling this recipe Harvest Soup and it is sure to become one of my favorites and one I will definitely be making for guests from now on. Give this quick and amazing soup a try. Harvest Soup:

Ingredients:

• 32 oz of Chicken broth
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup diced potatoes
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 1 head of kale
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 12 oz can cannellini beans
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 clove diced garlic
• Salt/pepper
• Bay leaf

      In a large soup pot or Dutch oven pour in all the chicken broth. Place your frozen chicken breasts into the pot and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and remove. In same pot pour in the tomato sauce. Toss in the diced potatoes, onions, carrots, diced up kale, garlic, and bay leaf. Let simmer until the potatoes are about cooked through. Dice up the chicken and toss back in along with the cannellini beans. Salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve with grated parmesan or nice crusty bread. This soup is fantastic. You will definitely fall in love with it.

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serves 4-6 people

Risotto Tra Amici

Risotto Tra Amici

 

     This special dish is inspired by a good friend Tina Talerico Inquinto. A new friend with whom I became acquainted with a few years ago created this dish. I had gone to a mutual friend of ours house up state. They took me over to their mother's house where this friend was doing a cooking demonstration for a chef party. Enter Tina.  An Italian proud of her heritage like me, she was giving a cooking demonstration on this exact dish. I immediately fell in love with it as well as the cook behind the stove. She was awesome, personable, and just like me; a cook at heart. Since then we have been good friends. Any chances I get to travel up state we always try to hang out and have a good time. In fact, the last time I was up there for a football game we ended up cooking together in the kitchen late at night following the loss of our beloved Mountaineer football team. This dish is more than just a "risotto" dish, it has memories. It has taste, excitement, and love in it. The name translates into "Risotto Between Friends". That is exactly what this is. The creaminess of the risotto, the tenderness of the peppers, the spice from the sausage; all the above create this exciting explosion of taste in your mouth that it is one great party that only close friends who get together can have. This dish is easy to make and only includes a few simple ingredients. The only time included is how long it takes to cook the rice. Anyone that has made risotto knows that it is one dish you can never leave on the stove. You must stay put, stir, and give the rice all your attention. Please enjoy my, (or Tina's), Risotto Tra Amici.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1/2 diced red bell pepper
• 1/3 diced white onion
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• Olive oil
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/2 cup Pinot Grigio
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• Fresh chopped basil
• Salt/pepper

 

     First start by browning the sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat in a little olive oil. When cooked through remove. Next toss in the diced onion and red bell pepper and sauté until tender. Remove and set aside along with the sausage. Melt a tbs of butter in same skillet. Toss in the rice and sauté until the rice just starts to get a golden brown color. Mix in the white wine and stir until the rice begins to soak up the wine. Then start mixing in some chicken stock, about a 1/4 cup at a time. Keep stirring as the rice soaks up and cooks in the stock. This process takes roughly about 20-30 minutes until you have used up all the stock. Turn off the heat and mix in the cheese. I used Romano as that was what I had in the fridge. You can use Parmigiano as well. Mix back in the sausage/pepper/onion mixture and toss in some fresh chopped up basil. Salt and pepper to taste and viola! You have an amazing risotto dish that can be served as a side to a wonderful cooked roast meat or as an entrée itself. I hope you enjoy this wonderful dish as I do.  Thanks to my dear friend Tina!!!!!

 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 5-6

 

Tina and I in the kitchen cooking a bit tipsy.

 

Amatriciana

Amatriciana

 

 

     A Traditional dish from the Lazio region of Italy typically served with a bucatini pasta noodle and often found in Rome this dish is the perfect amount of spice, tomatoey goodness, and satisfaction that it will quickly become one of your favorite pasta dishes. So easy to make that it only takes roughly about 15 minutes from start to finish.

    

      Many people think that there is only one tomato pasta dish here in America, specifically just spaghetti. In fact many people think that the red sauce is just called spaghetti sauce but this is a fallacy. There are so many different "red" or tomato based sauces in Italy that they all have their own names and all taste very differently. Yes the basis is roughly the same but as I stated they taste much differently from each other. Every region has their type of dish. This one comes from the Lazio region and is actually named after the town of Amatrice. The traditional dish uses guanciale which is pork cheek, but I used pancetta as that was the only closest thing I could find at my market. Please enjoy, (and give this a try), my Amatriciana.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg sliced pancetta
• 1/2 small white onion
• 12 oz can crushed tomato
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 cup shredded pecorino cheese
• Olive oil
• Pasta of choice

     Place a large pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil to cook your pasta. I used homemade spaghetti alla chitarra using my grandmother’s old chitarra board. For a good pasta recipe check here: http://www.recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/04/Fresh-Pasta.html.

 

     Meanwhile dice up the onion and pancetta and sauté in a pan in a little olive oil until fragrant and the onion has become translucent. Next chop and sauté the garlic until the smell fills the air. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and chili flakes. Let simmer for about 15 minutes. Right before serving stir in the pecorino cheese till it melts and incorporates. Toss with pasta and serve.

 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes.

Serves 2-4.