Marinated Portobellas with Chimichurri Sauce

Despite the fact that describing mushrooms as having a "meaty" taste and texture is so cliche and unoriginal, it does not belie its truth, and portobella mushrooms in particular. While I find that description so meat centric, it did inspire this dish!

Chimichurri is the bright green condiment from South America that is traditionally served with steak (as the link for the recipe displays it). But it is equally (if not better!) with these marinated 'shrooms. Totally delightful and unexpected! These could easily be made with little cremini mushrooms (baby bellas) with a dollop of chimichurri for a delightful little amuse bouche! Hmmmm, ideas abound...

Seared Fennel and Orange Salad

My love affair with Gjelina continues...

It seems that they just adore searing vegetables in a hot pan and then adding a few choice ingredients to bring out the best of the vegetable's flavor. How can you argue with that! It certainly is making my hubby see vegetables in a whole new light, and eat ones that have never passed his lips to date. That's a win in my book!

This is not the exact recipe as listed in the cookbook, but we were happy with the results! Clearly this dish is best in the winter when citrus is most plentiful. But do not let that deter you, eat some fresh spring fennel with those non-seasonal oranges, I won't tell!

Cauliflower and Roasted Poblano Enchiladas

The last gasps of winter - you hope - will let you make this delicious but very gringo-minded enchilada...with cauliflower! Yes, it sounds crazy but think of tender roasted cauliflower smothered in a cheese and roasted chile sauce. You see the appeal!

It looks like many steps, but once you've made enchiladas this is an easy one to add to your repertoire, and so veggie-licious. This combo makes me think of other non-traditional fillings like roasted yams and chile or sauteed summer squash and chiles. The possibilities are endless!

Brussels Sprouts and Parsnips with Bacon and Dates

Yes, Spring is upon us, but in some places Winter still has a grip on the land, and that means Brussels Sprouts are still firm and sweet. Scoop some up and make this utterly amazing dish!

This is yet another wonderful vegetable dish from the Gjelina cookbook. Really, I can't gush enough so buy it already! You will not regret it!

Since there were a few parsnips laying in the larder they went into the mix and were just as tasty as predicted.

Just for this dish, bacon made it's way into our pescatarian home. He was shocked, "Is this bacon!!" Yes, it was and it was good.

Classic Linguine Carbonara

Can you believe I have spent nearly five decades on this earth and a few weeks ago was the first time I ate, let alone made, pasta carbonara? Me neither!! Who knows what failure that was, or whose fault, but no more!

Trying out a pasta machine that was recently gifted to me I decided it was time to end the strike against carbonara. Let me say it again, WOW! Make some fresh pasta and douse it with eggs, yolks, bacon bits and lots of cheese and you too will be in heaven!

What could be simpler? Quick fry bacon into cubes, cook pasta, whip eggs and yolks and grate in some cheese and then stir it all together and presto! Pasta ecstasy!

Peppadews Stuffed with Garlic Herb Cheese

One of the fun parts of living with someone who works at a grocery store is that he will bring home strange and interesting items that are either expired or about to be so. It is like my own Chopped! challenge of what to do with X ingredient. This is how peppadews came into my life.

Pickled sweet red peppers about the size of cherry tomatoes, they are sold hollowed out and just waiting to be stuffed. With some cream cheese burning a hole in my cheese drawer and plenty of fresh herbs in the crisper, garlic herb cheese was just the ticket!

Goat cheese will work if you want to get fancier, but the cream cheese was delicious too. These were served at an Oscar party and everyone loved them!