Hello Happy Cookers! This is one of my most popular dishes on the weekly meals menu: Moist and smoky-sweet BBQ Turkey Meatloaf accompanied by Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Peas/Carrots with Dill. Easy to heat and eat – a perfect weeknight treat! (Cauliflower recipe follows) Print Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Side Dish Cuisine: American […]
Chicken Under A Brick
Print Chicken Under A Brick Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Main Cuisine: American Serves: 4-6 Be a show-off in the kitchen when you prepare this recipe with your cast iron pan and shiny-covered bricks. The results will turn basic chicken into an amazingly juicy and tender dish with oh-so-tasty crispy skin. Ingredients 1 3-to 4-pound whole chicken (fryer) […]
Cooking with Cast Iron – Seasoning Your Pan
I love-love-love cooking with cast iron pans! Whenever I fire them up on the stove, I am literally invoking the culinary talents of my ancestors because most of my pans were handed down from my grandmother and mother. I never thought about buying a “new” pan but I was gifted a cute small cast iron […]
Cooking with Whole Grains – Pinhead Oats
Print Pinhead Oat-Crusted Fish with Lemon Cream Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Main Cuisine: American Serves: 4 Cooking with Whole Grains - This recipe is a tasty and creative way to make use of whole grains. Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large shallot, minced ½ cup white wine 1 cup heavy cream Zest […]
Holiday Pork Roast
Print Holiday Pork Roast Author: Webmaster007 Recipe type: Main Cuisine: American Serves: 10 to 12 This tender pork roast is great for a large holiday gathering. Ingredients 1 boneless pork loin, about 6 lb., Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 6 Tbs. unsalted butter 1 cup light red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Sangiovese (1 bay […]
Happy Cooker Tip – The Perfect Frittata
Friends of mine that have been to my house for brunch know that I love frittatas. Frittatas take away the timing issue with cooking eggs for guests. But this simplified omelet is great for a quick easy lunch or dinner as well. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect frittata: Choose the […]
Backyard BBQ and California Fusion Article and Recipes
Chef Donna delights readers with her Backyard BBQ and California Fusion recipes. See pages 15, 16, and 27 for recipes. After 23 years of working as a teacher and administrator at a very large school district, I decided to change careers and become a Personal Chef. I wanted to say goodbye to my long-time co-workers […]
Chef Donna’s California Jambalaya Recipe
My father’s folks moved from New Orleans, Louisiana when he was a child and even though I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, I grew up eating file gumbo with blue crabs, collard greens with spicy cha-cha relish, oyster dressing, shrimp balls, and cornmeal-crusted fried fish. But being a Cal Gal, I also […]
Backyard BBQ and California Fusion Recipe: Hawaiian Curry Fried Rice
Print Backyard BBQ and California Fusion Recipe: Hawaiian Curry Fried Rice Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Entree Cuisine: Hawaiian Serves: 4-6 Ingredients ⅓ cup of olive oil 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) of your favorite curry seasoning blend (I used Kaiulani’s Exotic Curry Medium) 2 tablespoons of minced garlic ⅓ cup of chopped cilantro leaves and stems […]
Recipe from Chef Donna: Open Faced Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwich
Print Open Faced Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwich Author: Chef Donna Recipe type: Breakfast, Brunch Cuisine: Mediterranean Serves: 6 Jump-start your brainpower with an intake of nutrients from this delicious veggie packed breakfast in hand. Made with fresh sauteed vegetables, Mediterranean Bean Spread, eggs, and feta cheese, all on top of an English Muffin. This will be your new "To […]