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…
Category: Italian
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…
On Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad & Fancy Cheese Boards
Dear readers, Sometimes, the idea of cooking completely repels me, so Frankie and I will engage in what we have called “French and Shit,” or a fancy way of doing a Midwestern Hat Trick. If THAT doesn’t make sense, basically we do a cheese board for dinner and sip on beer or whiskey. Now I…
On the Tucci Table (A Cookbook Review in Progress)
Dear readers, Over Christmas, I was very thoughtfully gifted The Tucci Table cookbook, and so I of course got right to work in making a handful of recipes this past week! The only recipe I did make and didn’t take a photo of was the Israeli Cous Cous with oven roasted cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic,…
On Baked Ziti
As we start to get into that fall weather, there is really nothing more satisfying or soul warming than a baked pasta dish. What’s even better is when you’re able to cut some corners (there are only a few times that I’ll go ahead and use a specific jarred marinara instead of making my own…
On Bruschetta Chicken
Can I just say, after now being in my house for 2 full months, it is SUCH a treat to have the kitchen to myself again. To mess up a little bit here and there (like for this recipe, I made an entire box of orzo pasta when only 1/4 of it would have sufficed…still…
On Italian Drunken Noodles
I know that this is usually made with pappardelle, but for some reason I just don’t like the way the pappardelle I’ve purchased from the store cooks up. It’s sticky and gummy…so until I figure out what the heck is going on (or just say screw it and make my own), I have turned to…
On Baked Feta Cheese
Well, it’s now official!! WE ARE ALL MOVED IN!!! Maybe not so much unpacked just quite yet, but we’re working on it (slowly, but surely). The fun bit is that my folks are coming for a quick visit to check out the place, the neighborhood, and help us get all the more settled in (while…
On Creamy Pasta Alla Vodka
THIS! This is the BEST creamy pasta alla vodka I have made in SOME TIME!! Like…ever actually! I mean, this recipe…there’s a phrase in my friend group that I hope you won’t find offensive…but this recipe is the tits. MAN!! The trick I learned was not to used canned diced tomatoes, but tomato paste instead,…
On One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper [UPDATED]
I won’t lie to you, but there are definitely some days after work that I’m absolutely beat and I really don’t want to cook, but then those seem to also be the days that I don’t have anything in my fridge and I really don’t want to spend the money on takeout (Chicago is pretty…
On Artichoke & Spinach Stuffed Shells
Happy November everyone! Nothing makes me crave pasta and cheese more than colder weather, and in honor of the continued effort of the cooking initiative at work, below is a recipe I have adapted for you all to enjoy! I also won’t ignore the fact that today is Election Day, but don’t worry, I am…
Cooking with Coworkers: On Pasta Carbonara
Once again, I’m sharing one fo the recipes from our weekly cooking sessions with the coworkers from my day job! Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I don’t eat eggy things. Mixed in, we’re all good, but if it’s cooked eggs mixed in, eh, I’d rather not. I just don’t like…
The Real Cooking Maggie 