Bagna Càuda (Hot Garlic and Anchovy Sauce) with Crudités

In the last couple of times I've dined out, I've been served Bagna Càuda.  And, both times I fell in love with it (different renditions), and decided I had to make it.  It became my weekend plan.  I based mine on this recipe.  It turns out that this dish originated in Piedmont, Italy and dates back to the 16th century.  As Piedmont is a place I plan to visit, I was happy to know that I'm already enjoying food from there, here locally.

Birthday Dinner: Homemade Buffalo Wings & Twice Baked Potatoes

This meal was my son's request for his birthday dinner.  His favorite dish that I used to make for him all the time is Buffalo wings.  He loves the stuffed potatoes as well but the wings are king to him.  I made my favorite blue cheese dressing (bomb.com) to serve with them.  In the 80's, I lived in Ontario for a while.  I even had a boy in Buffalo that I was seeing who took me to where the infamous "Buffalo Wing" originated.  Those weren't my favorite though...I had a chef friend who worked at a pub in Ft. Erie (directly across from Buffalo but in Canada).  She taught me how to make wings and hers were my favorite.  It's the way I've done them since I've learned.  I never change, I do it the same every time as to me, it's perfect.  I don't use the deep fryer any longer though.  It's a simple recipe.

Seaweed & Sweet Pea Shoots Salad

This is easy to make.  I really like this salad as a side when having Japanese food.  When I look at the pre-made store bought brands, like at Costco, the ingredient list looks full of chemicals.  I decided to make my own creation tonight.  The only ingredient in the package below is dried seaweed, nothing else.  I would have used cucumber too, but my son doesn't like it.  I served this with some Pacific cod which I poached in unsweetened almond milk and cilantro.  My son also got a bonus green onion pancake with his as I went to the Asian market today for my lunch walk:

Chicken Paprikash

I was sure I had posted this recipe here already as it's one of my favorite dishes, but I haven't.  I was sure I got it from a co-worker, years ago but when I asked her, she told me her recipe was a Paprikash soup.  So now, I'm sure that I don't really know when I'm "sure"... Anyway, I don't know where I got the "how to" for this, but below is what I do.  There are a tonne of different recipes and comments about what is authentic Hungarian is and what is not.  The last time I made it and brought it to someone at work, he told me it tasted like "butter chicken".  I think I used boneless, skinless thighs that time.  😏  So, whatever I do is most likely not authentic, but all I care is that it tastes good.  It's comfort food and this was Sunday dinner.

Fried Brown Rice with Pork

I had some leftover pork roast to use up and thought I'd whip this dish up for dinner tonight.  I made enough to have leftovers.  I wanted to buy some good healthy rice, so chose organic Lundberg brown jasmine.  For sure this is my favorite brand that I have tried so far, that I can find locally in any grocery store.  I would have normally cooked it last night so it was ready to use today, but didn't have any in the house.

Zucchini Almond Butter Blondies

I saw this on "The Chew" t.v. show today on my DVR.  I decided I'd make them since they seemed somewhat healthy and a good thing to pack for the sweet "treat" in lunches.  Also, it was very easy and with few ingredients.