This recipe had to be made for two reasons. 1) This is my Mom’s all-time favorite thing that I make. She is a bonafide carnitas freak and I wanted to show her how to turn a 13-pound picnic roast into sweet, fall-off-the-bone taco extravaganza. 2) I previewed my gigantic 20-quart stove top pressure cooker in a
I don’t drink anymore, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate cocktail inspired flavors. I was at the grocery store and saw blackberries piled high in the front of the produce department. For some reason it lit up some part of my brain that once saw a mojito made with blackberries. Mint, lime, blackberries… sounds
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I love to celebrate Christmas like the Whos in Whoville with a grand roast beast. However, my budget’s tight and I can’t afford to go all out on a standing rib roast. Luckily, there’s a much cheaper cut of meat that, if prepared properly, can be a striking centerpiece to your holiday meal. I’m
I had a friend in high school who was Italian and her Mom’s specialty for birthday parties and sleepovers was stromboli. What is effectively an Italian turnover, filled with deli treats, is emblazoned in my memory as a favorite adolescent food memory. It’s also a festive party dish, perfect if you’re feeding a crowd. One
I have been making chili for eons. It’s probably the thing I have cooked most in my life, but Ryan has always joked that no two chilis of mine were the same. I have never worked from a recipe. I always just start slinging things in a pot. But, there has been consistency between bowls
Our family doesn’t have any traceable roots to Italy. But, we have wondered if perhaps there was some mysterious ounce of Italian blood passed on to my sister. She has always been obsessed with Italian food. Every birthday, special occasion and dinner out, if there was Italian on the menu, it was on her plate. She’s
We officially have a Halloween tradition in the Simon house. For three years now, I’ve made a big pot of spaghetti with meat sauce (Bolognese if we’re bein’ fancy) and opened up the doors to friends and family before Trick-or-Treating. After a third round of rave reviews and inquiries for a recipe, I spent today
This recipe serves as the kick-off to my videos on YouTube! Get the story behind the dish and watch the play by play! The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post. *Original Recipe by Joanie Simon (joaniesimon.com)
Who is Poobah? That’s my Dad. When my first son was born, we asked Dad what he wanted to be called. “The Grand Poobah!” was his response. Thinking that was wildly hilarious, we started calling him Poobah, and so far, that’s what the grandkids call him. These veggie burgers are named for him because he’s
This recipe for Albondigas is a favorite during the winter months. Albondigas are Mexican meatballs, many times served in a savory red chile broth. The Original Recipe When it comes to food festivals, the Arizona Taco Festival is definitely the biggest party. Thinking about it conjures images of chihuahuas in tutus, tequila fueled party people
Sunday marked my third cooking class at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace. The theme of this class was cheese. In addition to teaching everyone the basics of a proper cheese plate for entertaining (post on that to come sometime soon) we also cooked with cheese. Enter, three cheese enchiladas. When I think of cheese, my brain goes
It’s time again for Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup! The latest in my Traina Foods series is a classic comfort food. Cabbage rolls are a staple of delis, but sadly haven’t ever been on my dinner table before this recipe. I always thought these would be complicated and laborious, but with the help of my pressure
