Monday Menu Makeover: Fish in Parchment

Fish in Parchment

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The first time I did this dish was super senior year in college (IE: I took the five year plan).  It was for my dear friend Laura's birthday who I have known since 7th grade.  I forgot about preparing fish this way for a while now, but it is the absolute best way to make fish!  The flavors slowly seep into the fish and it cooks in its own juices creating a very moist and subtly flavorful fillet.  

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore

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Growing up there was an Italian restaurant we often went to as a family.  My 10 year old self LOVED this place.  I had the chicken cacciatore every time...with extra olives and 3 or 4 garlic rolls alongside.  I'm not entirely sure if I would still swoon for Alfonzo's as an adult, and unfortunately I cannot return for a true taste test.  At some point in the 90's, the restaurant closed and a Lowe's went up; I'm more of a Home Depot girl, so I was even more depressed about the change.  Luckily after a few tries, I have created my own chicken cacciatore similar to what I remember from Alfonzo's.  I'm pretty thrilled about it, and hope you are too!

Poached Pears Over French Toast

Everything about French toast fills me with happiness.  The Challah bread, the cinnamon, the vanilla, and...the SYRUP.  I absolutely love all foods with syrup...well sugar in general; however, my husband is not a huge fan.  "Sugar juice" is just a little too sweet for his taste.  I thought if I made my own syrup and cut it with something less sweet, I could perhaps make something to his liking.  Since I usually use a little orange juice in my French toast mixture, I thought it was just the right ingredient to add to syrup.  In my opinion, it was perfect...husband said it was still sweet, but much improved from the store bought junk.  

If you are not familiar, Challah bread is the ideal bread for French toast.  It is a yeast-risen egg bread that is typically braided using multiple "strands" of dough, and it is often served at many Jewish holidays.  The dense consistency perfectly soaks up and holds the egg mixture used in French toast.  The kind I bought from Trader Joe's also has a light honey flavor that is simply divine.  This is the kind of bread that carboholics LIVE for.  If you aren't sure what to do with the remaining loaf it is wonderful as cinnamon toast and also the classic sandwich of peanut butter and bananas.

The below brunch pairs nicely with a crisp mimosa.  

Poached Pears over French Toast

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Monday Menu Makeover: Hot Wing Burgers

Hot Wing Burger

Oddly enough I discovered this turkey burger variation on my honeymoon back in April 2010.  I know, why were we watching TV on our honeymoon?  It was just that afternoon gap between being on the beach and getting ready for dinner, and while I was sitting on the bed putting on makeup I watched the Rachel Ray Show.  She was cooking her Adirondack Burgers and my new hubby said, "make me that" - in a loving, not demanding way of course.  Shortly after returning from Caribbean bliss I gave it a shot; I edited it some since then and below is my adaptation. 

Monday Menu Makeover: Veggie Lasagna Rolls

Sometime in the past year I saw a recipe for lasagna rolls.  I thought it seemed like a good way to change up lasagna for a more aesthetic presentation.  I do not remember where I saw it, so I just created my own version.  Below is the recipe for 12 rolls.  When I did it I just did it for 5 rolls.

Veggie Lasagna Rolls