This may be my hands-down favorite quick-an-easy meal. It’s so good, in fact, that I often order it if it’s an option on a restaurant menu! There’s just something about the thin pieces of angel hair coated with garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes that gets me every time.

Recreating it at home is pretty easy, and can be done in a myriad of ways depending on what you have on hand. A must is having olive oil, angel hair (though it might be argued that you could use a thicker noodle), and garlic. To start, get your water going so it will be boiling when you need it (add a tablespoon of kosher salt once it begins boiling). Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil to a skillet over medium-low heat. Saute chopped garlic in the oil until it has released its flavors (I usually do two cloves for myself, but I love garlic). (more…)

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Dairy free, Dinner, Italian, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney

I’ve waxed poetic about Limerick Lane’s wines many a time on this blog already, but they really just put out such wonderful wines. This bottle of furmint is no exception, though I was a little puzzled as to what I should do with it once I received it. Such an odd sounding wine — “fur… mint” I kept saying to myself. It came in a small bottle, so it must be sweet, I thought. So I decided to do a little investigation before opening.

I consulted my What to Drink book first, which has a handy reverse lookup (basically, what to eat). (more…)

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Appetizers, Dessert, Drink Time, Wine pairings by Courtney

This salad is great for a light dinner. The smoked duck seems filling, but it’s a salad with a with a with a vinaigrette, so it seems light at the same time. My recipe was born from trying to figure out what I should do with the smoked duck breast I bought from Fabrique Delices. Their booth at the Campbell Farmer’s Market is always full of yummy meats, such as merguez sausages, various types of duck, and pates. (more…)

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Dairy free, Dinner, Drink Time, Gluten free, Gourmet, Quick and Easy, Wine pairings by Courtney

If you want a chili that’s full of chili flavor, then look no further. With some chipotle, chili powders, dried chili soaked in water, and green chili, your taste buds are sure to be dancing with flavor.

This recipe combines some of my favorite ingredients to make a good chili. A bit of beer, water that has been flavored with dried chili, and cocoa powder. Trust me on the last one — it gives good color and a tad bit of bitter flavor.

This dish is quick on prep time, because you only have an onion and garlic to chop before getting the cooking started. The chilis can be chopped while cooking, and after everything is combined (which happens within 10 minutes), you just let it simmer with the occasional stir until ready. Have I convinced you that you need the recipe? (more…)

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Chili, Dairy free, Dinner, Gluten free, Quick and Easy, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney

Some people like a BLT. I’ve never been much on lettuce or tomatoes on my sandwich, so I’ve always made a BMT – bacon, mayonnaise, and toast. After years of making this sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I think I’ve hit upon the perfect ingredients for the perfect sandwich.

Not long ago, I stumbled upon Trader Joe’s organic mayonnaise. There’s something about this mayo – it just tastes so much better than the Hellman’s and such that you usually pick up at the grocery store (and we’re talking quick and easy meal here, so no making my mayo from scratch). Slather this on sandwich bread that has been toasted for a little wetness to all the dry. The bacon? (more…)

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Breakfast, Dairy free, Dinner, Drink Time, Lunch, Southern by Courtney