Baked Bacon-Wrapped Plantains with Espresso-Maple Glaze

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Espresso-Maple Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Ripe PlantainsWe love ripe plantains, or as the Cubans call them, “maduros”.  Which means, “ripe”.  Go figure!  Maduros are sweet, rich and just terrific with something savory.  This was a true regional fusion and were astoundingly delicious.   Continue reading

Bread Stuffing with Leeks, Celery and Herbs with a Browned Butter Drizzle

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Bread Stuffing with Leeks, Celery and Herbs with a Browned Butter DrizzleThis is more or less the dressing of my childhood.  I love, love, love stuffing or dressing.  You can keep the turkey, but keep the dressing coming.  This is herby and oniony and just plain wonderful…it wreaks of the holidays.  Continue reading

Savory Cornbread Stuffing with Fennel, Leeks and Mushrooms

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Savory Cornbread Stuffing with Fennel, Leeks and MushroomsThis stuffing is savory, loaded with vegetables and herbs.  You can add some sausage to this, if you wish, but it’s darn good without.  You won’t miss the meat at all.  Continue reading

Cornbread for Stuffing

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Cornbread for StuffingThis is a more substantial cornbread than the Sour Cream Cornbread I posted a while back.  That version is my favorite for serving as a side, slathered with butter and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.  But this version holds up better for stuffing (or dressing).   Continue reading

Pastel de Jamon (Ham and Cheese Quick Bread)

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Pastel de JamonThis is a really nice addition to your Sunday brunch or for this season, Thanksgiving day breakfast.  We had a slice with some salad for a nice, light supper, and as a side with a bowl of Creamy Mushroom-Pumpkin Soup with Sherry.  I think if might be good with gravy, as in biscuits and gravy…just a thought!  Continue reading

Empanadas! Or Savory Hand Pies!

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Empanada Gigantica and Smaller Empanada "Hand Pies"Do you have leftover Picadillo Cubano?  It makes a great filling for empanadas, and I threw a ripe plantain for good measure.  It was (note the past tense!) delicious.  The perfect light supper for The Latin Lover, after his return from the airport.  Yes, he travels a bit, leaving The Goddess to wander and get into all sorts of trouble.  Continue reading

Picadillo, Black Beans and Ripe Plantains

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Picadillo with Black Beans and Ripe PlantainsPicadillo is a favorite of The Latin Lover and the Progeny.  We like it a bit on the soupier side, because we serve it with or over rice and usually black beans and fried ripe plantains (maduros).  So The Goddess decided to throw caution to the wind and combine these flavors.  I mean, why not? Continue reading

Butternut-Bacon Cream Sauce with Sage

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Pasta with Butternut-Bacon Cream Sauce with SageIt’s autumn in New England.  Okay, so it’s autumn everywhere, but New England autumns are a Currier & Ives-type of beautiful.  This is The Goddess’s time of year.  There’s that little nip in the air, but no frost on the shrinking, post-Halloween pumpkins just yet.  The flavors of fall are big, bold flavors.  This sauce is a perfect mid-week sauce, but why wait?  Continue reading

Cassata with Ricotta-Mascarpone Filling

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Cassata with Ricotta-Mascarpone Filling with RaspberriesCassata is a wonderful dessert.  It’s perhaps, sponge cake at its very best.  Brush on some Lemoncello®, smear on a ricotta-mascarpone filling and serve with a wonderfully fresh, macerated fruit compote and YUM!  There’s just one other thing…this has to be made ahead, which makes it the perfect dinner party dessert. Continue reading

Tomato Soup with Lentils, Carrots & Apple

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Tomato Soup with Lentils, Carrots & AppleTomato Soup and grilled cheese.  It’s a marriage made in heaven and it is truly a heavenly combination.  Today is one of those chilly, rainy days that’s perfect for soup…and maybe a sandwich.  It’s comfort food, but of course, there’s a twist.  There’s always a twist with The Goddess.  Continue reading