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.

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 …

This is a lighter version of a fried honey chicken you would find in a Chinese restaurant.  It is so easy to make and the lemon compliments both the honey chicken and the rice.
In a small saucepan, over medium high heat, add:
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Once the butter has melted into the oil, add:
1 cup rice (I prefer jasmine, but any long grain rice is fine)
salt and pepper to taste
Cook rice about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to brown.  Add:
1/2 cup of dry white wine
Allow wine …

This is a great cheese dip for chips or steamed vegetables, like broccoli.  So easy to make and perfect for large crowds or parties, such as a Superbowl celebration.
In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil and cook over medium heat.  Once oil is warm, add:
1 onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Once onion is soft and garlic is golden, reduce heat to low and add:
1 can (16oz) chopped tomatoes, drained
2 cans (4oz) chopped green chiles, drained
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Stir occasionally and keep heat on lowest setting or simmer.  Meanwhile, in …

This is a simple delicious tomato sauce that can be used in pasta dishes, pizzas, or for meat dishes as well. It is a great base for soups as well.
In a blender, on lowest setting, puree:
2 cans (28oz) of whole peeled plum tomatoes, undrained
In a large pot, heat, over medium-high heat:
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon onion powder
Once garlic is browned, add pureed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon dried marjoram leaves and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low or simmer and let cook for …

This is a great side dish for a special occasion or just any night of the week.  They are an excellent side dish to Prime Rib or Filet Mignon Roast.  These twice baked potatoes are so easy to make and can be made ahead of time so you can spend less time out of the kitchen if you are entertaining.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Using a fork, poke a few holes into 5 washed potatoes (russet is a great baking potato).  Place directly onto rack and bake for 60 to …

My mom recently sent me this recipe, telling me she could could have “eaten twelve of these rolls at a time”. She made these rolls for Thanksgiving and I am making them for Christmas. They are the perfect dinner roll because they can be made ahead of time and look so beautiful because of the all of fresh herbs.
In a large bowl, sprinkle:
1 package of active yeast over
1/4 cup warm water
Let stand about five minutes or until yeast is dissolved and foamy. Stir in:
3 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon …