This light yet savory soup has become a fast favorite by loved ones around here. It is versatile, as it can be served hot or cold, as an appetizer for a dinner party or a main course any night of the week. This ambrosial soup hits every part of the palate; it starts out creamy and sweet, then leaves a subtle, lingering kick. Thai dishes are crazy like that! But my words don’t do it justice. You’ll just have to try it and see for yourself. …
*photo courtesy of Jonathan Garza
I recently made these delicious dates for an open house event I catered for my brothers awesome home-building company Gossett Jones Homes. They are beyond simple to make yet elegant enough to serve at any party or gathering. The combination of the sweet date and the creamy, pungent blue cheese can’t be beat. Sometimes I like to amp up the flavor volume even more by wrapping them in salty prosciutto and popping them in the oven for a few minutes. Just divine!
To make the job even easier, look for dates that are already pitted!…
When I first began cooking back in high school, egg sandwiches quickly became my “go to” dish. I would make them for breakfast, lunch, even dinner. For beginner cooks, eggs are the perfect place to start, and for those with a little more experience, they possess infinite possibilities. Poached. Fried. Scrambled. Nestled atop sumptuous noodles…etc. However, there is something I adore about layering one between two slices of toasted, buttery bread, allowing the yolk create a delicious golden sauce so good you want to use the last bread bits to mop every last drop. This Croque Madomoiselle is my answer to the perfect egg sandwich. While the Croque-Madam (ham, cheese, and egg) is a step up from the Croque- Monsieur (ham and cheese), I wanted to sophisticate (and healthify) it just a bit more. Lightly grilled, smothered with fresh basil pesto, this sandwich transports me back to France and Italy, (and thankfully not high school! 😉 ) all in one bite….
Welcome to Gouramanda! My hope for this blog is for those who come across it to be inspired by the dishes I bring to the “table”. Cooking is a true passion of mine, and I delight in feeding those I love. I hope the same goes (or will go) for you! But don’t let the name intimidate you! I do not consider myself a gourmet cook. In fact, I am completely self-taught, so I am always learning new techniques and playing around with flavors, textures, etc. To me, the mark of a good cook is never lacking creativity and passion, because without that, the food just won’t taste as good! So, without further ado…my first recipe!
This bolognese (meat sauce) is an easy, hearty recipe for any occasion or time of year. It can be served over whatever pasta you have on hand and is sure to be a crowd pleaser, for kids and grown-ups alike.