The Real Cooking Maggie

On Pesto Chicken Focaccia Sandwiches

Dear readers, Last time we talked about making a no-knead focaccia bread – now we’re going to use that bread for a delicious chicken sandwich. Ciabatta would probably be a little bit better/more stable, but that’s something I was ready to approach yet. BUT the bread still made for a fantastic loaf, and added such…

On No-Knead Focaccia

Dear readers, My brother-in-law is really great at making bread…like really great. He’s a little more adventurous in his cooking adventures than I am. Over Thanksgiving, he created one of the most amazing lowering contraptions out of a ladder and some rope to deep fry TWO turkeys and prevent any trips to the burn ward,…

On No-Knead Dutch Oven Cheddar Jalapeno Bread

Dear readers, Bread is an area of baking that I have been VERY intimidated by for the longest time. I don’t know what it is, but the idea of kneading and rising and making sure everything is JUST right is a little more stressful than I like to be when it comes to cooking/baking. However,…

On Ham and Bean Soup

Dear readers, I recently made my very first ham roast, and by made, I mean I got a 7lb smoked ham from my local butcher because they were the only one who had a spiral cut ham ready to go. One of these days, I will actually make a ham from start to finish (in…

On Soy Braised Pork Bowls

Dear readers, It’s officially lacrosse season, which means it’s also officially “me time” season. While Frankie coaches at IIT either early in the morning, or after work, this is when I get to really get my whole year in line. I get super prepped and ready for Junkend (essentially a weekend where in our neighborhood,…

On Fennel Crusted Halibut With Asparagus and Pea Salad

Dear readers, Did you notice the new color scheme?! I finally took the time to figure out the color hex codes of my logo and VOILA – actually thought, huh I bet I can customize the colors of my website to match. LOL You’d think I would have figured that out a while ago, but…

On The Kitchin (A Recap on the Best Meal I’ve Ever Had)

Dear Readers, In honor of the last post, and some of the direct comments I received regarding the meal we had at The Kitchin when we honeymooned in Scotland last summer! When I say this was the best meal I have ever had, I do in fact mean it was the best meal I’ve ever…

On Caviar Waffle Bites

Dear readers, Yes, you read that right…Caviar. Waffle. Bites… This was a last minute addition to our holiday party in December because when Frankie went to our local store for some last minute party needs, they were “sampling” some caviar that was on sale…by that we mean $35 for a 0.5 oz jar of Sturgeon…

On Vegan Roasted Chile Relleno

Dear readers, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! In honor of the new year, I thought I would kick off 2023’s recipes with a vegan Chile Relleno because maybe you’re in that instant “New Year, New Me” (or maybe you aren’t which I fully support) and you want to eat a little healthier at the start of the…

On Pan Con Tomate

Dear readers, This will be the last recipe of 2022, and what better way to end the year than with a new appetizer recipe from our annual Holiday Party? Inspired by the Catalan Style “Crystal” Bread at lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! in River North, I present a Pan Con Tomate. You can absolutely make this totally vegan/veggie…

On the Easiest Wonton Soup

Dear readers, It’s winter, it’s cold, and after being outside in the snow with my furry monsters, I get cravings for (drum roll) SOUP! I mean, Fall is the start of soup season, but I did a ton of soups this spring and wanted to hold off a little. But there is one soup that…

On The Best Chicken Salad Sandwich

Dear readers, So fun fact about me: I love sandwiches, especially given it’s almost Thanksgiving, which means TURKEY LEFTOVER SANDWICHES!!! HOWEVER, I hate mayo. Well, hate is a strong word, but I really don’t like it, and only use it sparingly when I have to…Additional fun fact: Sour cream makes a great 50/50 addition whenever…