Lemon Orzo Salad in a clear bowl.

Lemon Orzo Salad

A few years ago I went to a cooking class at my local Wegman’s supermarket. It was a great class on grilling. I learned a log of great tips and techniques. One of the recipes they made that night was a Grilled Orzo Salad. I must have liked the recipe, because I found it buried deep in my recipe stash.

Chicken Canzanese

Chicken Canzanese

A few weeks ago, we had a (much needed) lazy Saturday.  No birthday parties to go to.  No errands to run.  Nothing to do but putter around the house and catch up on some DVRed TV shows.  I wound up watching one of my favorite public television shows — America’s Test Kitchen from Cook’s Illustrated.  This is one of my favorite cooking shows, made by the folks who bring me 2 of my favorite cooking magazines — Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country.  I love their scientific approach to all things food!

The episode that caught my eye was for Chicken Canzanese (can-zan-ay-see) — a classic slow cooked comfort food. 

Chicken Cobbler Casserole

The other day, I was looking through “the pile” for casserole recipes and I came across this little gem!  I think it originally came a Southern Living magazine.

You know, I was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, but I’ve always thought that (deep down) that I was born on the wrong side of the Mason Dixon Line!  I love all things southern — the food, the hospitality.  I love it all.  And, I live vicariously through my Southern Living magazines!

OK, back the casserole…I pulled this recipe out with a few others (like Chicken Cannelloni with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce — which, if you haven’t already tried it, you MUST!) to try on a brisk fall day. 

Chicken Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese

I’m always on the lookout for dishes that I can pre-make for my work lunches.  So when this recipe popped up in my inbox I thought I would give it a try. 

Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers

Photo by Jim Hitchcock

I found this recipe in one of the many cooking e-newsletters that I receive.  It sounded and looked great so I thought I would give it a try. 

Southwest Salad

My favorite salad of all time is the Cobb Salad at Brixx Grille and Tavern in Scranton!  The other night for dinner, I was craving this salad but couldn’t run out and pick one up.  Fortunately, I had most of the ingredients on hand so I tried to re-create it at home.