food

Festive Food Gifts

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? There’s nothing better than sharing homemade foods with cherished friends, family members, and those very special people who make our lives easier. Think about all those who impact your life on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis: Mail Carrier, Hairdresser, Physical Therapist, Dog Groomer, Nail Technician, Bartender, Delivery Driver, Babysitter, Housekeeper, Lawn Service, Teacher, Coach, Clergy Staff, Neighbor, Secret Santa, and more. The holidays are perfect for saying, “I made this especially for you!”  Gifts of food are great ways to show thoughtfulness and appreciation. Many recipes can be divided creatively to make several gifts. Decorative boxes, ribbons, picks, and tags personalize each package. The recipes forthcoming in the days to come range from sweet and salty to healthy and heartwarming. So, turn up the music, slip on your apron, and get busy. Celebrate the season by giving something that is simply delicious: Festive Food Gifts!

A Burst of Flavor!

Herbs and spices make all the difference in Gail’s Kitchen. Whether it’s fresh, dried, or a liquid extract, adding herbs enhances the flavor of any dish. And compliments it. Maybe it’s time to cut back on the salt a little bit in exchange for a little zing! 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 at Gail Dorna, on Instagram @gail_dorna or Pinterest @gaildorna. What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own gourmet 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: A BURST OF FLAVOR!”

Food Plating

I wonder if I am one of those quirky people who notice how beautiful food looks on a plate. When my friends have observed how I take snapshots before their first bite, they simply tolerate me doing so. Who knows, it may raise their level of anticipation; I certainly hope so. Food Plating is actually a culinary art. That doesn’t mean you have to be a gourmet chef to do it successfully. It frankly means arranging food by color, texture, and shape to elevate each dining experience. The only tools needed are a neutral backdrop and kitchenware. It’s important to keep it uncluttered to balance the star attraction. The idea is to focus on the food, after all. By arranging it artfully, you could end up creating an experience that may very well be quite memorable. Some of my posts continue to be favored by Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (@gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest @Gail Dorna. It’s very easy to search for recipes there on the board entitled “Gail’s Kitchen Recipes”. 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: Food Plating”. 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.

Blistered Jalapeño Poppers

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Cut Above: Blistered Jalapeño Poppers! The next time you are in the grocery store, check the refrigerated section for Mexican ingredients. Oftentimes, this is where chorizo is found, as well as the popular Mexican cheeses. I stumbled on to this discovery one time and decided to try a bag of shredded chihuahua cheese. Its taste resembles a slight cheddar sharpness with a mild, buttery finish. And the best part is, it melts like a dream…which makes it perfect for creamy dips, dense fillings, and bubbly fondues. 

BLISTERED JALAPEÑO POPPERS

Ingredients: 

10-12 jalapeño peppers, washed and patted dry

1 tablespoon olive oil

12 ounces Mexican chihuahua cheese, shredded

Chile Lime seasoning, to taste 

Instructions: 

Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, removing and discarding veins and seeds. Place the peppers, cut side down, on a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Broil on High setting for approximately 5 minutes to char. You will see them blister, so watch carefully. Remove the peppers from the oven and carefully flip them over. Fill each jalapeño pepper with Mexican chihuahua cheese. Mound the cheese since it will shrink down as it melts. Sprinkle with chile lime seasoning, to taste. Return the baking sheet to the oven. Broil for 3 minutes longer, or until the cheese is  blistered and bubbly. Watch closely. Transfer the stuffed jalapeños to a platter. Serve while warm. 

Simple Sensations

Welcome! Life is a continuous celebration from one meal to the next. It can be carefree and easy-going some days while unsettled and harried on others. With the abundance of fresh fruits and garden vegetables, every meal can be a gourmet delight. It’s all about the flavor. Simple everyday food can be the winning combination that looks amazing on the plate. By choosing your family’s favorite foods, it automatically turns mealtime into an all-star event. This remarkable journey of the palate allows time 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. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as A-B-C. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Most recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be easily modified.  Leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten later or shared with others. Seeing a smile of gratitude keeps me going. 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: SIMPLE SENSATIONS!”

Home For the Holidays

Eating My Way Through the Holidays: Special Edition! Good times naturally accompany good food. Every family has its favorites. Some indulge in time-worn traditions while others enjoy modern classics. As you embrace the holidays with companionship, nostalgia, food, or festivities, celebrate the spirit of the season. In the next few weeks, join me as I share favorite foods as well as healthy options. Bring it home for the holidays!

Red Pepper Bruschetta Pasta

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food With Soul: Red Pepper Bruschetta Pasta! I truly enjoy perusing Italian gourmet markets. There’s something charming and romantic about choosing a jar of private-label olive oil, flavored balsamic vinegar, house roasted red pepper bruschetta, or four-fruit jam. An extensive collection of imported products can send my mind spinning as I begin to salivate with serving ideas. There are often aromas of freshly baked bread, smoked and cured meats, unique deli offerings, an antipasto bar, pizza nook, and fresh burrata station. San Marzano tomatoes always seem to make it into my cart as well as olive tapenades and basil pesto or marinated artichoke hearts. Before you leave, don’t forget a nice bottle of Chianti.

RED PEPPER BRUSCHETTA PASTA

Ingredients:

8 ounces spaghetti pasta

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/3-1/2 cup red pepper bruschetta, prepared

Basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta in a colander. Transfer cooked pasta back to the pot. Add prepared red pepper bruschetta mixture. Gently toss; heat through. Using tongs, place spaghetti clusters into a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Food With Soul

Everyone has an idea of foods that satisfy inner feelings. Some cultivate fulfillment; others promote happiness. Take coffee, for instance. I look forward to my morning cuppa joe. Coffee does make me happy. I begin every day with a cold double espresso, slightly sweetened and creamy followed by a flavorful espresso shot. Then I’m done. Don’t ask me to give up my Nespresso machine because that’s not going to happen. When my husband and I lived in a hotel for nine months while our new home was being built, the Nespresso machine was my daily companion. Sure, the hotel offered a complimentary breakfast, but come on……don’t ask me to give up my soulful morning espresso. Would you? This round of recipes might give you ways to substitute foods and ingredients that appeal to your soulful lifestyle and palate. It’s all about the possibilities, ideas, and balance. I encourage you to make substitutions in the recipes I offer without sacrificing taste. I do it all the time; you can, too.

Some of my posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter, now 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: Food With Soul”. 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.