The Real Cooking Maggie

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…

On Ribeye & Ramen Stir Fry

Dear readers, UPDATE 2022 AGAIN!!! Ya’ll, I have found the PERFECT Ramen Noodles for any and all future stir fry recipes and a WAY better sauce, so my recipe is adjusted below (though bear in mind, the ribeye is still the better meat option, but I couldn’t find it this time – so is life)….

On Italian Lemon Chicken & Squash Skillet

Dear readers, Who here likes squash? (Raises hand.) Lovely, then this is a recipe for you! I think that squash is another one of those ingredients that can transcend seasons pretty easily (I made a summer veggie pasta that had yellow and green squash featured and it was DELICIOUS) and sometimes the only thing that’s…

On Beef Roast & Vietnamese Rice Bowls

Dear readers, First off, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!) and EARLY BIRTHDAY TO MY AUNTIE LYN!!! Once again, we’ve been on the healthy, light, but filling train still, but I wanted to get a little more creative. We are big fans of Vietnamese food (Steak Bahn Mi anyone?) so I decided…

On Elotes

Dear readers, Have I already told you that if it were possible to be made of a food that I would be a taco? No? Well…maybe, I’m sure I’ve mentioned my taco obsession at least once or twice…well, I have a wee confession to make. I would also likely be made of elotes too, or…

On French Bistro Salad

Dear readers, There is a new French bistro in my neighborhood called the Pomeroy, and I stumbled upon it when I decided one day on my way home after a music event one of our friends was singing in that I really wanted to a salad, but it was stupid late and I was tired…

On Seared Scallops with Pea and Pesto Orzo

Dear readers, SEAFOOD DOUBLE FEATURE!!! That’s right, you get TWO recipes this week because I was in over my head and didn’t get my act completely together. This time though, you get one of my FAVORITE pieces of seafood: Scallops! What was different for me this time cooking them was I actually had a non-stick…