Cajun Shrimp & Corn Cake with Chipotle Cream celebrates the south with smoky spices and a burst of flavor from corn and peppers. A perfect weeknight meal that’s ready in 30 minutes PLUS an easy sauce. Layers of subtle smoky spice and cream make a delicious sauce for dipping the shrimp and sopping up with the sweet corn cake. This is the kind of dish that has all the Southern feels when you want to celebrate Mardi Gras or just feel the comfort of the South. Use your local shrimp for the best, fresh flavor. In these parts, we have spot prawns, and they are delicious. I always buy extra…
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Seafood Gumbo is rich and flavorful from creating a dark roux and adding crab, shrimp and spicy andouille sausage. “Laissez les bons temps rouler” ~ Let the good times roll ~ Tender shrimp combines with buttery crab and spicy andouille sausage in a rich, complex base of bell peppers, celery and onion, known as the holy trinity, bay leaves, seafood broth and okra. This Cajun stew is served with white rice and crusty French bread for sopping up the juices. It’s a relatively simple recipe once you have created the perfect roux. The roux takes time but is absolutely essential in creating the most flavorful gumbo. Making a portion of…
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Out West Style Thanksgiving celebrates Pacific Northwest farm to table ingredients with warm, earthy spices. Fresh from the garden Roasted Spiced Carrots with Agave and Pepitas bring a rustic elegance to your table in just 20 minutes. These beautiful, organic rainbow carrots are oven roasted with cumin and paprika, then topped with agave and pepitas. Cranberries dot a Shaved Brussels Spouts Salad like beautiful jewels. Drizzled in shallot lemon vinaigrette with parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs, this salad gets more delicious as it sits. Bring a little heat to the table with this creamy Serrano & Potato Gratin, made fool-proof with an easy to make cheesy sauce and finished in the…
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Red Wine Braised Short Ribs are first seared then cooked low and slow until fork tender with tender mushrooms and herbs in a pool of polenta. One of the simplest restaurant quality recipes to make at home. This dish takes very little effort and produces a beautiful, comforting one pot meal. Meaty beef short ribs seared to seal in all the flavor and slow cooked in a blend of red wine, beef broth and herbs. The short ribs take center stage when served over a creamy pool of polenta. Cook the polenta according to package directions. When thickened, add a tablespoon of butter and a splash of cream to take…
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Mexican Crab Cakes with Serrano Cream use rich, buttery, Dungeness crab and just enough Panko with a creamy serrano cilantro lime sauce. Crab cakes are so versatile. Pairing crab with end of summer vegetables like corn and zucchini makes for a seasonal favorite. I tend to pick up on the Mexican inspired flavor with almost every dish I make. I like the bright, colorful ingredients and love the spice. This recipe calls for Dungeness crab, local to the Pacific Northwest. It’s a rich, buttery, dense meat. I have been known to eat an entire bowl of shelled Dungeness crab all to myself. It’s memories for me. We would spend the…
