Recipes

Pull-Apart Monkey Bread with Raisins, Walnuts, and Berry Coulis

A quick and easy dessert to round out your brunch assortment.  You can make the biscuit dough from scratch if you have the time, but buying a good packaged dough that you like will cut down on the prep time so you can enjoy your brunch too – not spend the whole morning in the kitchen!

Turkey & Avocado Eggs Benedict with Chorizo/Chipotle Hollandaise

A very SoCal version of a brunch favorite.  Using the rendered fat from the chorizo to emulsify the hollandaise adds another layer of flavor to the dish, while the lime juice and cilantro bring freshness to a sometimes heavy sauce like hollandaise.

Cap’n Crunch French Toast

Who doesn’t love thick sliced french toast?  Now you can add another level of taste and texture by coating the dipped bread into crushed Cap’n Crunch cereal before cooking it to have a tasty, crispy outside, and a moist, tender inside.

Meal-on-a-Stick Garnish (for Bloody Marys)

Custom tailor this twist on a garnish using a snack stick to replace the usual celery stalk.  This recipe is just a guideline – use whatever veggies, cheeses, and meats you like / have on hand.  This is also a great trick for giving your guests something to nibble on while you’re still in the kitchen.  And you can make it into a Do-It-Yourself bar to free you up even more by letting your guests choose the items they want!

Shrimp, Okra, and Tomato Saute over Cheesy Grits

This is a great brunch item, which can pull double duty as a quick weeknight supper.  In a pinch, use quick-cooking grits to save time while you prepare the rest of the dish.  Make as much or as little as you need and serve warm to your guests!

Basil Red Sangria

Basil Red Sangria

On an especially hot day, whip up a batch of this refreshing cold cocktail to sip in the summer sun! The basil helps to flavor the sangria, without being too overpowering. Don’t have Syrah on hand? Substitute your favorite fruity red wine for it instead! This can also be pretty tasty as a white Sangria too!  Try using fresh summertime peaches and apricotsfor a less tannic drink.

Seasonal Fruit & Honey-Yogurt Parfait

Got some fresh fruit lying around the house, and not sure what to do with it?  No matter the season, you can use your favorite fruits that are in season to swap out the peaches and strawberries from this summertime treat.  A little vanilla bean livens up some plain yogurt, and the honey adds just the right touch of sweetness for your fruit-filled snack.

Creamy Tarragon Chicken Breast with Zucchini Pappardelle

Sometimes you’re in the mood for pasta, but want to find a more lo-carb option…though you won’t confuse the shaved zucchini for your favorite pasta, it does a great job pinch-hitting.  Using the tangy yogurt combined with the crisp flavor of tarragon packs a big big into this healthy dish!

Black Mussels in Spicy Tomato & Fennel Brodo

When you’re looking for a light starter that is packed with flavor, check out these mussels!  The combination of sweet licorice from the fennel, mixed with the heat of red jalepenos and the briny mussels mat this dish hot hot HOT!  Be sure to serve these with some crusty bread to soak up all that flavorful brodo!

Grilled Avocado & Tomato Salad with Arugula Pesto

Summertime is the best time of year to get the freshest and most flavorful heirloom tomatoes.  Even when their season is over, swap some sweet Romas and make this warm/cool salad any time of year.  The Arugula pesto puts a refreshing spin on the dish by changing up an Italian staple.

Watermelon-Cucumber Gazpacho with Cabernet Syrup and Smoked Sea Salt

This is a fun take on a Mexican classic.  Summertime watermelon’s natural sweetness lends itself to this crisp, refreshing dish.  The use of jalapenos and serranos adds two different kinds of heat, while the cucumber helps to cool.  A sprinkling of smoked sea salt finishes the dish, adding a deeper level of flavor.  Try it as a change of pace, a healthy accompaniment to a dish, or for easy entertaining!

Pasta e Fagioli con Salcicce

WannaBChef's Pasta e Fagioli con Salcicce

This is my own personal version of a classic Italian dish, utilizing white Cannelini Beans and Pasta.  Since we like our soups a bit heartier, I pureéd some of the soup, and cooked the pasta right in the soup.  A touch of basil, and some fresh Parmesan cheese round out this comforting soup.