recipes

Uplifting Aromas

Remember the early days of learning to cook? Was it 4-H or junior high Home Economics? It may have been in grandma’s kitchen using mid century utensils, chipped ironstone, and aluminum pots or mother’s enamelware , melmac, and plastic storage containers in harvest gold. Perhaps you even inherited a coveted cast iron skillet, the workhorse staple dating back to 1890. In any event, we all have those built-in memories of homemade favorites wafting through a lifetime of uplifting aromas. Sure, techniques have changed and improved, but that’s kinda the point. Everyone can be an expert. I’d like to think so. 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: Uplifting Aromas!” 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.

Elevated Edibles

You don’t need to go to a culinary school to step up cooking at home. By changing or adding a couple simple things in the way you prepare food, you can elevate the results from ho-hum to spectacular. There is no magic wand to wave or nose to twitch that guarantees creations like a celebrity chef, but then again we’re talking about feeding your family. That simply translates to taste-testing as you cook. I remember watching my grandma do exactly that. She’d say, “Trust your instincts,” as she’d sip the tomato sauce off the end of a wooden spoon. If you are aware your partner gags at the thought of mushrooms in a sauce, then forget the idea and tweak the recipe to make it work for you. Just remember to balance out the five basic flavors: sweet, salty, spicy, savory, and acidity. That’s half the battle. And speaking of the pros…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 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 as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Elevated Edibles!” 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.

Table Food

Most people have pretty busy schedules nowadays, no matter what stage of life you are living. Fast food, carry-out, and dining in food joints can supplement our weekly meals, that’s for sure. Yet, if you desire a more efficient way to stretch the budget, think low-key menu planning. This segment on the food blog, entitled “Table Food”, can be another option to reduce the stress of figuring out what to eat. I tend to follow my own grocery store shopping rule as much as possible: Shop the perimeter of the store for most of my grocery list. Usually that includes produce, bakery, meat, fish, and dairy products as a top priority. It keeps me from binge-buying junk food in a moment of weakness. Obviously, pantry staples need to be replenished from time to time. Basically, I try to fuel my body with healthy options. When I slip, I’ve learned to let go of the guilt. 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 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: Table Food!” 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.

Graze or Gobble

Are you a slow eater or a fast eater? Depends on the day. Is Time a factor that makes you practically inhale a plate of food on your way from one commitment to another? Maybe you planted yourself in front of the tv to stream the latest season of a popular series and before you knew it, dinner was gone. (Some blame it on the dog.) Me? I say, if the food didn’t look so appealing, I wouldn’t devour it. On the other hand, as a grazer, I’ve been known to be “Chatty McChat Chat” in conversation lingering over a meal. It’s a tipsy-turvy world. We all have those days when we eat too quickly. Sooooo, the next collection of recipes gives you the opportunity to graze or gobble. Only you can decide. 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 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: Graze or Gobble”. 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.

Clean Eating

Welcome to the world of buzz words. Some call this a lifestyle change, others refer to it as common sense. First of all “Clean Eating” doesn’t mean wash your fruits and vegetables, and yet I suspect you already knew that. Essentially, it means choosing foods that have been minimally processed with natural nutrients being at the forefront. It involves limiting artificial foods as much as you can. Check the ingredient list for added sugars (high fructose corn syrup is a well-known culprit) as well as unhealthy fats (like palm oil). Foods may be craftily disguised as “all-natural” but still contain growth hormones. It’s exhausting. The bottom line? Learn to pay attention to your body’s reaction. It goes a long way to help with weight control and a positive attitude. You can do this! 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 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: Clean Eating!”. 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.

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 (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.

Palatable Possibilities

Many areas of the country offer walking tours to get acquainted with history as well as attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Culinary tours have become a popular thing, too. Think about it. Cities have always been multicultural. People move in and bring with them family customs, lifestyle traditions, and amazing comfort food. Before long festivals celebrating ethic heritage are long-established and popular. People share recipes, our sense of taste is enhanced, and cravings set in with mental appreciation. Perhaps this is why some of us eat to live and live to eat. Amirite? So many foods and ingredients can be substituted to appeal to each 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 (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: Palatable Possibilities!” 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.

Bright Ideas

Some days it may seem as though we have too many choices and not enough ideas. Ever run to the grocery store to buy a bottle of ketchup? Once upon a time, you had two choices: name brand or store brand. Pretty simple. Then we started reading the list of ingredients. Now you have to choose between Sugar or Sugar-Free. Low Carb versus Fat and Calories. Sea Salt or Low Sodium. Artificial coloring. Natural Spices. Preservatives. Wheat. Nuts. And the list goes on. Is it any wonder it takes forever to buy groceries? It can be exhausting. Perhaps that’s another reason people use Instacart® and DoorDash®. When you cook at home, in your own kitchen, you are in charge. So many foods and ingredients can be substituted to appeal to your lifestyle and palate. It’s all about your 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 (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: Bright Ideas!” 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.

Waste Not, Want Not

If you needed a reason to stay home, despite the current climate, turn social distancing to your favor. After all, your place is a Safe Haven. Now may be the time to expand your creativity in the kitchen by being budget-friendly, challenging your cooking skills, and focus your energy on healthy alternatives. Take a look in the pantry, the refrigerator, and the freezer. People buy food they like in the first place. Right? Have fun when pulling meals together. Pretend you’re a celebrity chef and make cooking a choice of entertainment. Display some of your placemats, napkins, and dishes to keep it fun and interesting. 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 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: Waste Not, Want Not!” 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. As of this writing, WordPress has acknowledged that I’m on a 1853-day streak. Let’s keep it going!