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…
Category: Vegetables & Sides
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 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 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…
The Real Cooking Maggie 