cooking for one or two – In Good Taste

Deconstructed Cinnamon Roll Flatbread

Maris Callahan — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 20:08:37 +0000

Instead of waking up and baking cinnamon rolls from scratch, which can be a lengthy endeavor, try this “naan traditional” deconstructed version with Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads, cinnamon, sugar, butter and homemade icing. Living in the city, I don’t consider fast food to be much of a temptation. Sure, I’ll fall prey to the occasional temptation of ordering pizza here and there, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve hit a fast food chain. When you live in a place where most of your shopping happens at a mall, rife with fast food joints, it’s not so easy to resist the siren song of the aroma that wafts from a cinnamon roll stand. Luckily, there’s another option and it starts with Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads. These deconstructed cinnamon roll flatbreads are the perfect breakfast in bed treat, especially with Valentine’s Day on the horizon. When you want to surprise someone with breakfast before they wake up, it needs to be quick and it needs to be stealth, or your mission will be intercepted by someone who smells bacon cooking and wants to know when their coffee is ready. That is to say if you’re planning on baking cinnamon rolls, you’d better hope […]

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Easy Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

Maris Callahan — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:20:23 +0000

When in need to make a quick and elegant dinner for guests, this creamy, spicy rigatoni paired with VOVETI prosecco is perfect for everyday pairing or chic entertaining with friends. When was freelancing five years ago, I took a part time waitressing job at a casual French restaurant to bring in some income while I worked on building up my client base. Though all of the servers received a pretty comprehensive wine training, we were by no means master sommeliers. In training, we learned a lot about which wine varieties pair best with different flavors, but that if we didn’t know the answer to a guest’s question about wine, there was one statement we could always resort to: sparkling wine pairs with everything. Even though my career in food service lasted so long you could have blinked and missed it, I learned an important lesson: certain wines really do pair well with anything on your plate and VOVETI, a high quality, craft prosecco made in small batches (only 15,000 cases are produced annually) is one of those wines. VOVETI is a collaborative effort between the Collavini family and the Ferrer family; each family brings 4 generations of sparkling wine expertise to the table. As with most […]

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Bruschetta Grilled Chicken

Maris Callahan — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:15:49 +0000

Grilled chicken is a summertime staple for me, but even when making fresh marinade from scratch, like grilled lemon and garlic chicken, it tends to get boring and repetitive. Even though there are a thousand and one ways to marinate chicken with different flavors, at the end of the day, you’re still eating a grilled chicken breast. One way to switch things up for a weeknight or for company is to top your chicken with a flavorful blend of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, dressed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Although this classic tomato mixture is usually served over toasted bread, serving it over grilled chicken keeps it light and low in carbs, which is a nice touch in the summer when eating heavy, rich meals tends to weigh you down (figuratively, although literally too). Here, the tomatoes are the star of the show, so be sure to use fresh, ripe ones — local summer tomatoes are all the better when available. On the side, serve grilled corn on the cob, a big fresh salad or crusty Italian bread depending on the occasion. This is as great a meal for company, date […]

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Spinach, Broccoli and Cheddar Mini Omelets

Maris Callahan — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 06:12:41 +0000

When it comes to breakfast, I much prefer savory food to sweet. Even though high-glycemic carbohydrates are my favorite food for basically every meal, I’m all about protein in the morning. Omelets and scrambled eggs are obvious choices on the weekend, but on chaotic Monday through Friday mornings, the easiest way to get my fix is to have something on hand that I can prepare and eat in under five minutes. I found a version of this recipe on Epicurious, though I think it’s initially from SkinnyTaste and is endlessly customizable. Though there are versions of miniature omelets and baked egg creations out there packed with yummy ingredients like ham, bacon, potatoes and loads of cheese, this version is a healthier way to start the morning. Even my six-pound chihuahua Henry thought they smelled delicious. When I was snapping some photos I caught him lurking around the table, presumably taking a break from alternating between naps and playing with his stuffed duck, to scavenge for dropped food. So far, he’s been unsuccessful at procuring any In Good Taste bounty, but his antics make for some pretty great food photography outtakes. Save Print Spinach, Broccoli and Cheddar Mini Omelets Author: Maris Callahan […]

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Elderberry Ginger Pecan Parfaits

Maris Callahan — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 17:00:26 +0000

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet it is so often the most forgotten. Eating a smart breakfast leads to healthier choices all day long, which is true for me, even if the reason is less scientific and more guilt-driven. When I start the day with healthy fare, like Elderberry Ginger Pecan Parfaits, I’m that much more likely to make better choices throughout the rest of the day. When I start the day with bacon and pancakes, it’s only a matter of time before I want macaroni & cheese or pizza. Or macaroni & cheese and pizza. Damn it. Even though I typically gravitate toward savory foods unless ice cream is involved, I’m also a fan of Greek yogurt flavored with fresh fruit. Or, if it’s allegedly springtime in Chicago but there hasn’t been even a hint of springlike weather in the air, Greek yogurt flavored with Norm’s Farms Elderberry Ginger Pecan Jam. We talked about Norm’s Farms last week, but the family-run North Carolina company’s Elderberry Ginger Pecan Jam is worth repeating. It’s loaded with chunks of pecans and candied ginger, and equally delicious when served with sweets as with savories. Pair it with your favorite soft cheese and crusty bread or pair the […]

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