Baked Feta & Tomato Spaghetti Squash

This seemed like an easy and possibly tasty recipe so I thought I'd give it a try.  I didn't have fresh oregano and only had fresh Thai basil but I used it anyway as I think it has more punch. 👊  Here's what I used today:

Rigatoni Pie

I saw this and wanted to make it with Marcella Hazan's sauce.  I prepared it as per recipe in the link.  It is my favorite sauce for pasta, I think because of the butter.  

Falafel Waffles with Creamy Lemon Yogurt Slaw

As soon as I saw this on food t.v., I knew I had to make it.  I was surprised that I only had to soak the chickpeas, but I guessed the waffle maker would cook them hopefully.  What I used:

Pit Boss: Smoked Mexican Street Corn Dip

This is my own version of a Mexican street corn dip.  A neighbor kindly gave me some fresh Chilliwack corn from the farm which is splendid!  Another friend sent me some "Everything But the Elote" spice from Trader Joes so I used that to season the corn after I brushed it with olive oil.  I grilled it, sear grate open at 350°F then closed the grate and turned it down to smoke for 20 minutes.  I removed it, let it cool and shut the "Boss" off for now...

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.  

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.  

Pasta alla Formiana

Another summer tomato recipe I decided to try.  This was going to be the side with braised short ribs tonight.  I really don't like pasta dishes where the pasta goes in raw and comes out cooked but I was curious as it's been a long time since I've done it... I chose pasta that looks like a rooster.  I've always wanted to try it and this seemed like the recipe for it.  

Tomato Grandma Pizza

 Another tomato season recipe I found and decided to try.  What I used:

Tomato Tart with Corn, Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese

Every tomato season, I always make Tomato Tarte Tatin.  Today, I decided to try a spin on it as there was fresh, local corn at the market so I decided to incorporate it.  I ended up making this up as I went along.  What I used:

Spaghettini al Limone (Lemon Pasta)

I was wanting something simple tonight so decided on lemon pasta.  There are a lot of variations of it out there, some with garlic.  I just used what I had on hand and kept it as simple as can be.

Francis Lam’s Ginger Scallion Sauce

I came across this and decided I should give it a try the next time I made fish.  I also just received a new ginger grater gadget that I was anxious to try out.  A food processor would be easier like the recipe showed but not for me today...

Sautéed Callaloo

At the farmer's market yesterday I stumbled across these greens called "Callaloo".  It was the first time I've ever heard of them, that I remember.  With a name like that, how could I resist?  The vendor said it was similar to spinach and I could use it in the same way.  He mentioned when a Jamaican food truck was on site at the market, they lost their minds when they saw this green...sweet memories of home ❤.  I perused recipes, it's a Carribean green. I decided I would just saute it and see what it was like.  I didn't have a "Scotch Bonnet" pepper or Habanero even, so I used Serrano.  

Roasted Baby Bok Choy

I had a bunch (haha) of baby bok choy in the fridge so I wanted to use it up.  I usually just put it in soups but after 6 bowls now, it had to go... I found this recipe which inspired me to make it like this.  

Greek Lentil & Spinach Soup with Lemon

Somehow I stumbled across this story "surfing" and when I finished it, I knew I had to make the soup.  What an entertaining piece to read!  I won't spoil it, but I do suggest you click that link and enjoy.  And bonus, not once is "covid" mentioned  😉.  My friend gifted me some fresh lemon balm from her garden so I thought I'd throw a bit in here, and it's pictured below.  

Golden Beet, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese Tarte Tatin

I realize the title of this is a mouthful.  I took out puff pastry and was going to make a pot pie but changed my mind and beet Tarte Tatin became the new plan.  I only had 2 beets though...so I put some onion in as well.  What I came up with:

Avocado Walnut Cheese Toast

This was my own creation.  I have a surplus of avocados because I was going to make sushi (California Rolls) but that's going to have to wait due to Christmas stuff going on...  They're all ripe now so my millennial son would be getting his fave avocado toast for bit.

Kale Dip

I think everyone remembers the infamous "Spinach Dip" with Knorr Vegetable Soup mix, well this is it, but with kale.  I saw reference to it and literally have not made it for years and years.  It was time to have it again.  I couldn't get frozen spinach so switched it up with kale.  I also didn't receive a whole sourdough loaf in my grocery order, I got a sliced one, so I didn't serve it inside the hollowed out boule like the "old days"...Here's how I made mine:

Black Bean Chocolate Chip Brownies with Pecans

I saw this on "skinnytaste" and wanted to make it for my son.  He loves sweets and pandemic life makes it a bit hard to be as active as he is in "normal" times.  I thought this would be a healthy treat to make and he loves brownies.  What I used:

Arugula, Tomato, Basil, Onion & Gorgonzola Cheese Salad

I ordered some Italian ingredients from a local shop here.  With the fresh basil I received I immediately thought about making a Caprese salad, but didn't have any mozzarella, fresh or block.  So, I decided to just try it with the Gorgonzola cheese I ordered which essentially is an Italian bleu cheese.  This one was mildly sweet.  

Maman's Cheese Soufflé

I've always wanted to make a cheese soufflé yet never have.  I was reminded when I saw Chef Ludo making it on t.v. recently, but the recipe I went with was by legendary Jacques Pepin.  The video is here.  I chose his because it's way less fussy and you didn't have to separate the yolks and egg whites to make it like all the other recipes call for.  Also, Comté cheese was on sale at Costco so the time was now...What I used: