My friend Tina, who is an amazing cook, just sent me this wonderful recipe for feta cheese and spinach rice.  It is a very easy recipe but is so flavorful and full of great vegetables.  Since this dish has a Mediterranean flair because of the feta cheese, spinach, and tomatoes, this is a great side dish to serve along side Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb.
In a large saucepan, over medium, add:
3 tablespoons olive oil
Once oil is warm, add:
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring …

I love scallop potatoes and this recipe is rich and creamy tasting.  You’ll be suprised there is no cheese in the recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 1 and 1/2 quart casserole dish and set aside.  In a small saucepan, melt:
2 tablespoons butter
Add:
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
Once onion is tender but before it is browned, add:
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Slowly add, whisking the entire time:
1and 1/4 cup whole milk
Stir sauce constantly until it starts to thicken and bubble.  Remove from heat.  Thinly slice 4 …

This hearty pasta dish is sophisticated enough to serve to guests, but easy enough to cook any night of the week.  It is packed full of vegetables and the shiitake mushrooms give it such a rich flavor you won’t believe there isn’t any meat in the sauce.

In a large food processor (or small food processor, working in batches), add:
3 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 oz. of shiitake mushrooms
6 oz. of assorted mushrooms (white, brown, or cremini) cleaned
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon fresh …

This is a wonderful cornbread recipe and so easy.  The jalapeno pepper really makes the taste more interesting and the cheddar cheese keeps the bread moist and delicious.  This is a great side dish for chili, soup (try Taco Soup or Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder), or any mexican dish.

In a large bowl, combine:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
In a separate smaller bowl, combine:
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 stick melted butter
Using a wooden spoon, stir the wet ingredients into the dry …

Our friend, Kirsten, makes these stuffed green chilies as an appetizer when we get together for dinner parties.  My husband absolutely loves them and you will too because they are so easy and delicious.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Slit and rinse:
1 can (28oz.) of Ortega whole green chili
Make sure to remove all seeds and allow chilies to drain on paper towels.  Meanwhile, on a cutting board, slice  8oz. of Monterey Jack cheese into long wedges small enough to fit into chilies.
Arrange chilies in a shallow casserole dish, filling each chili …