Healthier Zuppa Toscana Recipe

This weather is "mandatory soup time", and this time of year is also "lose a few pounds time". What's a hungry soul to do? How about the little bit healthier version of a crowd favorite - Healthier Zuppa Toscana!?!?! (Sponsored by Rollin' Oats where you can get all the ingredients.) Healthy-ish Zuppa Toscana Zuppa Toscana, which…

Sous Vide Duck Breast with Orange-Honey Pan Sauce and Root Vegetable Gratin Recipe

Sliced sous vide duck breast with orange sauce

For the majority of my adult years, preparing duck was always something that intimidated me - and I don't shy away from much in the food world. I think, perhaps, I had just never had "good" duck. In most cases when ordering out, it always arrived undercooked or overcooked - and no one wants either…

Fried Lost Coast Oysters with Tomato Butter, Pickled Shallots and Corn Recipe

When generating new recipes, I always tend to abide by what's in season at that present moment. Currently in Florida, oysters, tomatoes and corn are in their prime, so naturally, I took advantage of that trio for this easy, yet impressive appetizer that is suitable for any and all occasions. All of the ingredients for…

Cacio e Pepe Rice-Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe

Nine times out of ten, if you hear Cacio e Pepe, there's usually some sort of pasta involved. Cacio e Pepe, which literally translates to "cheese and pepper" in multiple Italian dialects is a popular dish comprised of pasta, shaved parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper, for the most part. Throughout the years, many…

BLT with Basil Mayonnaise Recipe

One of the most wonderful times of the year is upon us - peak tomato season! From late summer, to early fall, tomatoes are in their absolute prime. From vibrant, eye-catching heirlooms, to juicy grape and vine ripe tomatoes - you should be cooking with these beautiful fruits as often as possible. [caption id="attachment_21436" align="alignnone"…

Grilled Soy Shrimp Skewers with Scallion-Lemon Relish Recipe

One of the best parts about this shrimp recipe is that it has the ability to evolve into any number of dishes - don't limit yourself to just the shrimp, alone. Turn them into the shining star during your next taco night, add them to your favorite salad, use them to top off a plate…

Blackened Snapper with Strawberry-Tomato Salsa & Summer Farfalle Pasta Salad Recipe

Blackened Snapper with Summer Farfalle Pasta Salad

During these hot summer months in Florida, cooking for hours over a hot stove isn't exactly desirable. Beat the heat and save some time with this Blackened Snapper and Strawberry-Tomato & Summer Farfalle Pasta Salad meal, which actually equates to three recipes in one. Right off the bat, some of you may be scratching your…

Sambal Soba Noodle Salad with Leeks and Lots of Green Onion Recipe

Soba Salad Finished Product with Chopsticks

For me (and probably most all of you), alliums are an essential cooking staple. There's a 100% chance that at least one member of the allium family is in our household at any given time. But, let's back up for a moment - what is an allium, you ask? In essence, an allium is a…

Healthy-ish Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

I can't say that I've never not wanted to crawl up into a big ol' lethargic ball of waste on the couch after ingesting a plate of enchiladas - especially those from a Mexican restaurant where the portions are enough to comfortably feed a family of 5. Don't get me wrong, those type of sinfully…

BLT + A & E Savory Dutch Baby Recipe

Due to current events in today's world, we're all spending a great deal of time at home, which means that we are all cooking a lot more. Most folks, I'm sure, are accustomed to grabbing a quick breakfast in the morning and running out the door with their coffee. However, COVID-19 has forced us all…

Dashi Beans with Sausage Recipe

Dried beans are totally an underrated and under appreciated pantry staple that 100% deserve our attention. Sure, canned beans are a convenient alternative that often aid in making our lives easier, but if you know me, you know that I find beauty in preparing food without any shortcuts. I think that there is something so…

La V – Vietnamese Fusion That Keeps You Wanting More

Lemongrass Beef sandwich and the Vermicelli Bowl

For the most part, comfort food is a rather ambiguous term that refers to food that makes us feel good. To some, that means a glutenous helping of sinfully delicious Thanksgiving staples, while others may attribute "feeling good" and "feel good" food to health-conscious meals that nourish and fuel the body. Comfort food, to me,…

Sola Bistro: St. Pete Beach’s Charming Wine Bar with Thrilling Cuisine

The Carbonara, Ribeye and Amberjack special

Upon cruising down Gulf Blvd, the main drag of St. Pete Beach, You'll notice a great deal of usual suspects: standard oceanside restaurants, unpretentious dive bars, a plethora of souvenir shops, beachgoers, and so on. One spot that most would not expect to stumble into is a cozy bistro and wine bar - cue Sola.…

Steak and Potato Salad with Gochujang Vinaigrette Recipe

I cannot tell you how many salad recipes that I have made for dinner that do not translate well for lunch the next day. That's right - I've opened up my pyrex containers the next day to many, sad, sad desk lunch salads. However, with this salad, recipe, it was my goal to create a…

Gourmet Burgers, Craft Beers & Buzzer Beaters: Engine No.9 is St. Pete’s Ultimate Sports Bar

What comes to mind when you think of a standard sports bar? Perhaps a plethora of televisions, refrigerators loaded full of domestic brews, and a menu overflowing with standard bar bites. I imagine that you probably agree, and while there is nothing wrong with any of the above, there is something to be said for…