Blueberry Banana Hemp Muffins

This wasn't my recipe.  I have never used spelt flour before and once I made almond flour muffins for a gluten free friend and I couldn't get them out of the pan!  So I needed some help and I found inspiration here.  What I used:

Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

I had these huge mushrooms and thought it was the perfect opportunity to stuff them.  Since I had Italian sausage in the freezer, I skewed the filling to Italian seasoning.  I based mine on a recipe by Ina Garten.

Sugar Free Cornbread Corndog Muffins

I saw this on a cooking show and wanted to make them.  I had hot dogs in the freezer and they were wrapped individually so was good for the recipe. I wasn't going to blog this so didn't take any pictures while cooking, but they were so good, I want to remember it!  Good for a corndog fix without the deep fry!

Braised Chicken Thighs with Squash and Kale

I had intended to use my brand new enamel coated cast iron braiser for a Moroccan dish that originally was made in a tagine.  It called for Cara Cara oranges which I had at home now.  However, I saw this recipe and wanted to make it instead as the picture made me drool.  I decided to add the oranges in it.  I also had to add an onion and garlic.   Anyway, here's what I used:

Banana Tarte Tatin with Malai Ice Cream

I saw this chef's show on Netflix and knew I had to make it.  I've never made homemade ice cream before either though I have made tarte tatins a few times.  I found her recipe here.  I made the ice cream the night before and here's what I used:    

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I was inspired to make this after my friend told me she made this recently, though she stuffed hers with Brie cheese and asparagus.  I used what I had in the house.  I had goat cheese which was my first thought but the Boursin had a sooner expiry date of a week away and was leftover from Christmas...

Tabbouleh Greek Salad

I quite like bulgur wheat.  I have some in my freezer and was craving a healthy salad so this is what I made.  I guess it'd be called a "mash-up" - half Greek , half Tabbouleh salad.  I served it with falafel pitas and it was dinner.

Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto

I've been into making pesto lately.  This was the next one after a friend recommended making one with cilantro.  I made this to serve in pitas with falafels and white garlic sauce.  

Roast Beef Po' Boys

I've seen chef Justin of Parkway Bakery & Tavern in NOLA on a few cooking shows over the years.  After this last one, I decided to try making their roast beef.  The chef says they use chuck roast.  I saw a pile of whole garlic cloves by it and when he was seasoning it, I thought I saw cloves poked in the roast.  He said to season it well with onion & garlic powder then sear it off.  I saw an herb on the beef that looked like parsley when the sear was done.  Next he pours cream of mushroom soup mixed with some "Kitchen Bouquet" over it, thought I saw chicken stock there too.  He covers and bakes it at 225°F for hours and hours until fall apart, shredding tender.  This was my take on it:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I remember I used to make these all the time when my son was a little boy which was a LOT of years ago now.  Anyway, I decided it was time to see if I still thought they were as good as back then?

Kale Pesto with Asiago Cheese

I had a bunch of kale that I needed to use so I decided to make pesto with it.  I had a package of blanched almonds in the cupboard so I decided I'd pair that with it after toasting them.  

Garlicky Roast Pork Shoulder (Pernil Asado)

I can't remember the last time I had a good pork roast.  I saw this and knew I had to have it.  Groceries give me huge sticker shock these days and it seems funny thinking that pork shoulder is a "splurge" but it was... I read pork, rice, oranges and beans are all good luck to eat on New Years day, so this meal fit the bill for today...