Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey
Pine Nuts, Bleu Cheese, Red Jalapeño

Here’s a great side dish for Christmas or winter holidays in general. Hot honey’s sweet heat contrasts beautifully with the earthy Brussels sprouts, tangy bleu cheese, and buttery pine nuts. It also ties the flavors together by adding a touch of sweetness and spice. Thinly sliced red jalapeños add that festive touch!

The creamy, piquant flavor of bleu cheese complements the slightly bitter taste of Brussels sprouts. This pairing works especially well when the Brussels sprouts are roasted, as the caramelization enhances their natural sweetness. The pine nuts toasty, nutty flavors add another layer of depth and another texture to the dish.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey Recipe

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Black Cod over Black Rice

Black Cod over Black RiceMiso Glazed Black Cod over Black Rice
Shredded Carrot Salad, Peas, Pea Shoots
Lemon Soy Emulsion

Black cod, also known as sablefish, is brushed with a miso glaze that complements the fish’s luscious buttery flavor and silky melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Black rice, with its nutty flavor, chewy texture, and striking dark purple-black color, is paired with peas for a colorful and classic combination. A zesty carrot salad adds brightness and crunch, while a lemon soy emulsion brings vibrant, salty, umami notes.

The combination of rich miso-glazed black cod, contrasting black rice, fresh carrot salad, and sweet green peas, results in a visually stunning, Asian-influenced dish that’s both simple and impressive. And fresh local pea shoots add mild spring pea flavor and make the whole dish pop!

Black Cod over Black Rice

Black Cod over Black Rice Recipe

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Gochujang Lamb Shanks, Polenta, Fresh Greens, Hot Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Lamb Shanks, Polenta, Fresh Greens, Hot Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Lamb Shanks
Creamy Parmesan Polenta
Fresh Wild Arugula, Mint, Scallions
Hot Mustard Sesame Garlic Sauce

Gochujang brings a fiery kick, while daikon radish provides a crisp, peppery contrast to the creamy polenta. A bold hot mustard sauce balances beautifully with the rich succulent meat. These lamb shanks are slow-braised in a tangy, sweet, and savory blend of pomegranate juice and figs, then finished under the broiler for a crispy exterior and meltingly tender, flavorful interior.

With its sweet heat and deep, fermented umami notes, gochujang—Korean red chili paste—offers a balanced fruitiness, a hint of smokiness, and layers of flavor from sun-dried Korean red peppers. It complements the meat and pomegranate-fig sauce perfectly, resulting in a dish bursting with vibrant flavors, contrasting textures, bold aromas, and a wild presentation.

Gochujang Lamb Shanks, Polenta, Fresh Greens, Hot Mustard Sauce

Gochujang Lamb Shanks Recipe

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Fagioli al Caviale (White Beans with Caviar)

Fagioli al Caviale (White Beans with Caviar)

Fagioli al Caviale (White Beans with Caviar)
Inspired by Sophia Loren

“At first glance, the pairing of caviar with beans might seem sinful. But remember the Cinderella story, and the splendid prince who falls in love with the humble, poor-as-a-church-mouse Cinderella. Well, marrying beans with caviar has the same charm,” says Sophia Loren, in her book Recipes & Memories published by GT Publishing Corporation 1998.

Pairing caviar with beans is an excellent choice for the holidays because it blends sophistication with simplicity, creating a dish that feels both special and approachable.

Caviar brings a touch of luxury, making the dish feel celebratory and indulgent—perfect for holiday gatherings. Cannellini beans, on the other hand, offer a creamy, comforting base, which resonates with the warmth and coziness of the season.

Sophia Loren - A scene from Scandal in Sorrento 1955.
Sophia Loren – A scene from Scandal in Sorrento 1955. Photo from her cookbook.

Fagioli al Caviale Recipe

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Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

It’s that time of year again. Time for the Annual Leftover Turkey Soup. For 2024 we have a hearty, cozy, comforting turkey soup with plenty of vegetables and big fluffy dumplings.

And this year, every single ingredient in the recipe is leftover from cooking the Thanksgiving meal. No need to run out to the market! This is a true LEFTOVER SOUP, everything is on hand from the turkey, to the vegetables, to the herbs and spices, flour and diary!

Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Turkey Soup with Dumplings Recipe

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