Appetizers · Entrées

Beef Bulgogi

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

B3

I love all of the food videos that float around on social media these days. Lately, I have seen several Korean BBQ recipes that I have been wanting to try. Most call for sugar, however, and I have been trying to cut back on processed sweets. So I decided to try making bulgogi with honey instead. I also added ginger and chili sauce for a little extra kick. This dish was so simple to prepare and insanely tasty! I served it with rice and steamed broccoli. This dish is also the perfect filling for lettuce wraps! 

Continue reading “Beef Bulgogi” →

Garden

Garden Planning

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

IMG_0201

Even though summer still feels so far away and we just got a dusting of snow this past weekend, it is time to start thinking about my vegetable garden! If you want to start your garden from seeds, a good way to get a head start on the growing season is to sprout your seeds indoors. In Ohio, we have a shorter window of warm weather than many other parts of the country. By starting my plants indoors now, I can transplant them outside to my garden beds when old man winter moves on and the threat of frost is gone.

Continue reading “Garden Planning” →

Entrées · Sides · Soups & Stews

Louisiana Red Beans & Rice

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

IMG_0094
Fat Tuesday isn't until February 28th this year, but carnival season is well under way in New Orleans! Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday that lands 47 days before Easter. While Mardi Gras is technically only one day, carnival season kicks off each year on January 6th. Even though I am not down in Nola watching the parades this year, I am still participating in the festivities from up here in Ohio. Even if it's just in my own kitchen!

Continue reading “Louisiana Red Beans & Rice” →

Entrées · Soups & Stews

Spicy Chicken Pho

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0216

Growing up in rural Mississippi, pho wasn't a meal that we had easy access to. Our little town had a few local diners, one Chinese buffet, one Mexican restaurant, and a small handful of fast food chains. I was actually oblivious to the delightfulness of pho until my 20's, when I moved to Jackson, MS. My first experience with homemade pho came only a few summers ago, while visiting my California gal pals in the Bay area. It was a great weekend packed with lots of outdoor adventures and lots of good food!

Continue reading “Spicy Chicken Pho” →

Appetizers · Entrées · Soups & Stews

Caramelized Onion & Shiitake Bisque

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0251

I recently had a run in with a mean little case of the winter crud. It kicked me out of commission for a bit, but I let my body fight the bug battle while I drifted in and out of snoozeland. During this wild rollercoaster ride between feverish sleep and reality, I dreamed of eating wonderful soup made with rich shiitake mushrooms in a velvety bisque of caramelized onions. So naturally, when I regained enough strength to get back into my kitchen, I made a big batch of bisque!

Continue reading “Caramelized Onion & Shiitake Bisque” →

Entrées

Crawfish & Shrimp Étouffée

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0295

January 10th is a day that will make me smile for years to come! Last year on this day, my now fiancé and I were gallivanting around New Orleans. He had never visited this favorite city of mine, so I had a grand time showing him the sites and visiting with dear friends. On the last day of the trip, before heading to the airport, we took one last stroll around the French Quarter. As we passed through Jackson Square, where street musicians filled our ears with jazz and the sweet smell of beignets lingered in the air, my darlin' popped the question! It was the perfect day and we celebrated the memory this past weekend with a big ol' pot of etouffée! Cajun etouffée is usually made with just crawfish, but you will find the dish with shrimp being the star of the show as well. Since we were celebrating, I decided to make it with both!

Continue reading “Crawfish & Shrimp Étouffée” →

Appetizers

Cheesy Black-Eyed Pea Dip

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0232 (2)

I may currently live in Ohio, but I am still just as Southern as a black-eyed pea! Black-eyed peas are a common food item year round in the rich food culture of the Southern United States, but eating them on New Years day is said to bring you good luck in the upcoming year. There are many things you can do with these tasty fellas, but in the south they are traditionally slow cooked with a smoked ham hock or pork jowl. Once on your plate, you have the option to splash your peas with a pepper soaked vinegar sauce, simply referred to as "pepper sauce," which is a common table staple.

Continue reading “Cheesy Black-Eyed Pea Dip” →

Entrées

Quick Brined Garlic, Lemon, & Caraway Bone In Chops

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0156

Pork chops are one of those things that can be really hit or miss. I am usually leery of ordering them when I am dining out because I don't want to chance it and end up with a dry piece of something that makes me feel like I am chomping on an old sneaker! That being said, I have had some delicious ones at restaurants as well. One scrumptious one that comes to mind was served at Emeril's Delmonico in my beloved city of New Orleans. My dad makes a mean chop too and he is the one who set the bar high on pork chops for me.

Continue reading “Quick Brined Garlic, Lemon, & Caraway Bone In Chops” →

Sides

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

digginupdinnerLeave a comment

DSC_0284

It is a fact that I was one of those weird kids who actually liked eating their veggies. I loved spinach doused with lemon juice, southern style greens with pepper sauce, and at the top of the list… sprout balls!!!! (aka Brussels sprouts). I used to run around the house ninja kicking doors shut and announcing "Mom is cooking SPROUT BALLS!!!" Yeah I know, what a wierdo right?

Continue reading “Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Fresh Pomegranate Seeds” →