I love a simple dish with a little something special. This is such an easy weeknight dinner, with the smoky flavor of bacon, the bright color and fresh bite of spinach and a creamy sauce that is surprisingly simple. I prefer to use regular spinach, not the baby spinach sold in the salad section, which I find really ticky to cut into pieces and remove stems. I love the big, … [Read more...] about Creamy Bacon and Spinach Rigatoni
Pork
Italian Sausage Dip with Fontina and Sage
It's nice to have a really hearty, hot dip as part of the spread when the ravenous football hordes are hungry. This is a jazzed up version of a classic sausage dip recipe, with warm, winter flavor. Zesty Italian sausage with the bite of fennel is paired with woodsy sage and creamy, nutty fontina cheese, with a little kick of salty Parmesan to round it out. Don’t skimp on the … [Read more...] about Italian Sausage Dip with Fontina and Sage
Good Luck Gumbo (Black-eyed Pea and Collard Gumbo over Rice)
I am not an overly suspicious person. Sure, I have my little quirks, but I don’t worry about black cats, walking under ladders, throwing spilled salt over my left shoulder. But there are a few traditions that I adhere to because, well, it can’t hurt. Particularly if that tradition involves delicious food. So on New Year’s Day, I always eat black-eyed peas and greens. For … [Read more...] about Good Luck Gumbo (Black-eyed Pea and Collard Gumbo over Rice)
Spicy Chorizo, Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili
I love a good pumpkin dish for Halloween, and this one hits all the right notes. It’s easy to make, reheats well after a busy night trick-or-treating and is packed full of flavor. It is also a Halloween appropriate blend of orange and black! And chili is always a crowd pleaser, and extra fun for a gathering if you provide fun toppings to customize each bowl … [Read more...] about Spicy Chorizo, Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili
Charro Beans
I’ll be honest, I don’t actually know the history of Cinco de Mayo, I just know it’s a perfect excuse for a slap-up Mexican meal, and that is always a good thing. And there is something so friendly and communal about a Mexican feast. It’s a great way to gather friends and family, its interactive eating that everyone can enjoy. So for your own celebration, serve up some Smoky … [Read more...] about Charro Beans
