Portillo’s Chopped Salad – Copycat Recipe This Portillo’s Chopped Salad – Copycat Recipe is just like the restaurant’s version.  It’s a hearty pasta and green salad combined.  A perfect finished dish to bring to a family gathering or a potluck at work.  Watch for an […]

Chicken Tortilla Soup I’m always making soup in the fall.  Chicken Tortilla Soup is a hearty and comforting meal.  It is filled with shredded chicken, fire roasted tomatoes, green chiles, corn, black beans, and tortilla strips.  Served with diced avocado and lime juice, it makes […]

Grilled Watermelon Salad Grilled Watermelon Salad another easy composed summer salad.  So fresh, so good! You can grill the watermelon on an outdoor grill or use a grill pan inside.  Either way it will taste delicious.  This Grilled Watermelon Salad is perfect for summer family […]

Heirloom Tomato Salad What did I have for dinner tonight?  A flavorful Heirloom Tomato Salad. I was able to pick up some Heirloom Tomatoes.  Unfortunately, they only had one type which is more of the Brandywine Heirloom Tomato.  When I grow them myself or get […]

Fennel Orange Salad This is a bright and refreshing Sicilian Fennel Orange Salad with a wonderful orange citrus vinaigrette. I like to use both Cara Navel Oranges and Blood Oranges, but you could use  whatever oranges you have access to. Equipment:  The easiest way to […]

French Potato Salad There are many Summer Potato Salads.  This French Potato Salad with a bright Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and sure to be a hit at any gathering.  You will want to use French haricots verts instead of American green beans […]

Beef Vegetable Soup January is national soup month.  Nothing takes the chill away better than a nice bowl of Beef Vegetable Soup.  This is a nice hearty soup.  It is simmered for several hours to build the flavors and ensure the beef is tender. The […]

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup I lived in Wisconsin on and off for 7 years.  I always looked forward to the fall as it was time for a comforting bowl of Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup.  It is a favorite in pubs and restaurants across Wisconsin. Per […]

Panzanella Salad Panzanella Salad is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad, and is typically made with stale bread croutons, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and fresh basil.  This salad is also popular in other parts of central Italy and is perfect as a fresh summer salad. I […]

Zuppa Toscana It is still winter and cold here.  So another soup.  Zuppa Toscana, which literally means “Tuscan Soup”.  This is similar to the Olive Garden version which is creamier and richer than the actual original from Tuscany. One issue I had is that the […]