A few days ago, my friend Roberta sent me a recipe exchange email with a note stating “I rarely forward chain letters, but this sounds like fun!”. So I accepted the invitation, followed the instructions and in two days time… recipes started to pour into my electronic mailbox. This recipe was sent to me by…
Category: Seasonings
Pesto alla Genovese
The most popular kind of pesto originates in Genova in Northern Italy. It gets its name from the word “pestare” which means “to pound” in italian and its also the root of the word pestle. Its main ingredients are basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, parmigiano reggiano, salt and extra-virgin olive oil. In the traditional way…
Apricot Glaze
I love apricots, apricot juice, apricot chutney, apricot desserts and apricot preserves. I make my apricot glaze for pork loins, bbq pork chops, turkey, tarts (like my Apple-Almond Tart) and cookies. Also, amazing over brie cheese or with bleu cheese. Add a pinch of red chili pepper flakes and you have a delicious sauce for…
Garlic-Parsley Butter
This butter is one of those easy confections that can make a good dish, delicious; an okay bread, superb. I use it on bread, for rice, for corn on the cob, over filet mignon, to season chicken, for soups, mashed potatoes, simple pasta dishes, sauteed shrimp, lobster, etc. The possibilities are endless… Enjoy! Garlic-Parsley Butter…
Annatto Oil (Aceite de Achiote)
Annatto, the seed of a fruit, is used to give natural color and flavor to certain foods. It is also used to make products like lipsticks and insect repellent. Annatto or “achiote” originates from Brazil, but today it is also popular in other countries in Latin American and Asia. It is soluble in water and…
My Bouquet Garni
This is my 100th post!!!!!! I am so happy that I started this journey and even though it takes me a lot of time and effort to share my recipes in this blog every week, it is greatly satisfying and fulfilling (like my Blueberry Pound Cake). Ja, Ja! For this I am grateful and thank…
Arugula-Walnut Pesto
A few weeks ago, I had to fly to Florida unexpectedly due to a family member’s operation. Before I left, I saw I still had some arugula in the fridge which would have been spoiled by the time I returned home from my trip. So a few minutes before leaving for the airport, I decided…
Gremolata
Gremolata is used in Italian cuisine as a garnish for Ossobuco alla Milanese. I also like to use it to garnish salads and my favorite; to season my Gremolata Capellini. Believe me when I tell you the combination of tastes just burst in your mouth! Last Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day. In honor of this…
Recaíto
Recaito and Sofrito are closely related, but not the same. Recaito is a greenish blend of herbs, seasonings and veggies (no tomato) typically added while cooking to infuse the traditional flavors that characterize many Puerto Rican dishes. Puerto Rican Sofrito is when you cook a thick sauce made with garlic, onions, peppers, bay leaf,…