appetizers

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet

What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Stay tuned and you’re about to find out. It’s as simple as A-B-C. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET”.

Fabulous Fixings

Has anyone else noticed fluctuations in your daily appetite? Some days I’m perfectly happy with an appetizer-portioned meal versus a full-course dinner at the end of the day. I’ve never really been one to eat cereal for supper, but I suppose there are those who do it. Since moving to Florida, where the balmy weather resembles a tropical climate, I just don’t have the same food cravings I had up north. In retrospect, I don’t neglect my daily water intake since hydration is key. That takes priority, for sure. I guess if I had to self-diagnose my issues, I could blame “senioritis” for my waning appetite since I definitely expend less energy than I did when holding down two jobs and/or raising children. Make sense? Since I admit to a less robust appetite, a few of these recipes may seem normal to you, too. That’s okay. Let’s chalk it up to “less food means less fat.” That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. As you scroll through social media, you may also notice a post or two have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter X (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. I also met Chef Michelle Tribble of Hell’s Kitchen reality cooking show. Fun times. Experience different flavors and textures one bite at a time. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Fabulous Fixings”. This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. 

Here Come the Holidays!

Ready or Not, the pages of the calendar click and turn by so quickly. Can it be, as we age, life jumps in with a vengeance to remind us of those hopes, dreams, and goals that seemed in the distant future have already been realized? If so, perhaps it might be time for unusual experiences and brand-new sensations. For me, it feels as though I have been cooking forever. Yet, when I take a different approach to preparing something to eat, I feel revitalized, gratified, and even serendipitous. Celebrity chefs appear to know all about trying new things, don’t they? Some of my posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even find me on Facebook or Pinterest at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Here Come the Holidays!” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement.

Griggsby’s Station in Greenfield, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: Griggsby’s Station in Greenfield, Indiana! Located within walking distance from the museum home of Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, Griggsby’s Station is a farm-to-table gastropub open for homestyle dining at your leisure. It got its peculiar name from one of Whitcomb’s poems by the same title. Outdoor dining encourages a spirit of camaraderie where everyone is either your neighbor or your friend. Check the blackboard for daily specials on gourmet food and spirited drinks. What you see written there promises to be robustly flavored and go well together. On occasion, live music is a treat for the evening, especially as the weather becomes warmer and people like to mingle. Look for the bright lights and the buzz of excitement. It’s right there on Main Street.

Joey’s Pizza & Pasta House on Marco Island, Florida

Dining Outside the Home: Joey’s Pizza & Pasta House on Marco Island, Florida! My husband always says, “It’s more fun to eat at a bar than drink in a restaurant.” At Joey’s you can do both… or choose to eat and drink outdoors in their welcoming patio area. No matter where you settle in, the mood is contagious. Everyone seems to be having a good time. The drinks are cold and thirst-quenching, the food is definitely spot on. That’s probably due to the fact that Italian pasta dinners, specialty pizzas, and sweet desserts are made from family recipes. Pace yourself by sharing appetizers. Pizza is the main attraction offered in the New York style of thin-crust, which can be folded in half to eat, or the popular Sicilian thick-crust version covered in olive oil. Either way, go overboard. Leftovers can be taken home and eaten later when the cravings return.

The Speak Easy of Marco Island, Florida

Dining Outside the Home: The Speak Easy of Marco Island, Florida! Is it any wonder this Chicago-style gin joint reflecting Prohibition of the 1930’s is located in a corner nook along the waterfront? Pssst. Follow the signs, Dollface, and lower your voice. Seating is available inside along the L-shaped bar, in a shadowy breezeway, or a few steps away on the exterior deck. Crafted cocktails are available by the glass or by the bucket. Make a mental note of the Speakeasy Sunset, Speakeasy Punch, and the Marco Wave. Then whisper into the server’s ear for one of those concoctions. Straight-shooters come pretty easy, too: Jim, Jack, and Johnnie. These guys know their options. In case you get hungry, there are plenty of appetizers for sharing, roaring sandwiches, specialty pizzas, and seafood platters. If you can’t find something to eat, it’s your own fault.

Sami’s on Marco Island, Florida

Dining Outside the Home: Sami’s on Marco Island, Florida! The locals still talk about this once convenience stored-turned affordable restaurant with approval and enthusiasm. Fresh ingredients and homemade meals became the norm. So much so, that word spread like wildfire. The extensive menu offers grilled dishes, home style pastas, garden salads, pizza variations, tempting appetizers, seafood favorites, and more. Grab a seat at the bar or a cozy table for two outdoors. No matter the time of day, Sami’s is a friendly place for your next island meal.

Equal Measures

A sprinkle of this and a dash of that is what makes cooking at home an adventure. Turn a basic recipe into a legendary dish by giving it a healthy twist of flavor or spice. Did you know a squeeze of lemon is a great substitute for salt? It’s also a good thickening agent for fruit butters, jams, and sauces. Lemon juice is my “go-to” marinade from time to time when slow-cooking meats. It also enhances olive oil for a light salad dressing drizzled over fresh vegetables. I think you get the idea. Time flies on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest at Gail Dorna, on Instagram @gail_dorna and Twitter @ Snapshotsincursive. What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as A-B-C. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen. No matter how much we travel, I relish the thought of returning there to create something delicious. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: EQUAL MEASURES!”

Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kalapaki Joe’s Sports Bar in Lihue, Kauai!  On the edge of nowhere sits the island’s secret for fresh salad meals, ocean fish, Happy Hour specials, ginormous burgers, cold beverages, and televised sports. Stop in for one reason or another. And if you’re hungry, go for the Big Plate Entrees. The Ahi Poke Crunch Salad was an adventure in fusion food: raw Ahi, Asian slaw, crispy tortilla strips, Oriental vinaigrette, and wasabi cream. No matter your craving, Kalapaki Joe’s brings people of the East and West closer.