Kristine Cocchiarella
Classically trained Cordon Bleu chef turned anti-GMO, pro-organic, food hippie blogger with a passion for REAL food.
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One Pot Jalapeno Chicken Corn Chowder
It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You’ve just survived the official kick-off to the Holiday Season. Hopefully you’re one day closer to being able to fit back into a structured pair of pants, but if not, don’t worry. Soon you’ll be decking the halls, and fa-la-la-la-laa’ing while you sit in front of the TV watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer while stuffing fistfuls of Spritz cookies and homemade fudge down your pie hole and your yoga pants will become your best friend. You might as well just kiss your jeans goodbye until January 2nd, when you join a gym (again) to get rid of those pesky 15 pounds you put on over the past…
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Curry-Cayenne Chicken Salad
Howdy! Boy, you guys are in for a real treat today. Curry-Cayenne Chicken Salad is one of The Stud Muffin’s favorite things to put between two slices of bread. It is packed with flavorful spices and it has a touch of heat. It’s also loaded with veggies, so that totally makes up for the fact that you will be using some mayonnaise in this recipe. This chicken salad tastes fantastic on toasted bread or wrapped in a tortilla with some crisp lettuce thrown in, or on regular sandwich bread.
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Peachy-Keen Sweet Potatoes
You guys are going to like this spin on a Thanksgiving classic side dish. And trust, me I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’re thinking “Peaches AND Sweet Potatoes?!?!” “Is this woman out of her ever lovin’ mind?!” Well, as a matter of fact, probably. But yes, peaches *do* go well with sweet potatoes and I’ll prove it to you. It would actually work better if you made this dish so you had additional evidence with which I could prove just how right I really am.
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Butter and Herb Infused Turkey
I know, I know- Everyone has an AMAZING Turkey recipe for the Holiday season. However, I belong to a family where no one does — Actually, I have an Aunt who cooks a fairly decent turkey– and I end up eating a turkey that has the moisture content of saw dust. This Turkey is juicy, delicious, flavorful and best of all- people will verbally tell you that this Turkey is much better than theirs. (And you’ll silently agree) Let me put it to you another way. This turkey is so good that when other family members invite you over to their home for Thanksgiving, you’ll want to cry because they won’t be serving…
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Let’s Talk About Herbs!
It’s the only thing I can grow in my garden that I don’t kill. What is it? It’s herbs. And not “those” herbs, but herbs like thyme, basil, oregano, mint, tarragon, chives, bay leaves- and the list goes on. I love fresh herbs and there is something to be said about growing your own. It makes me feel super-chefy! This post is all about my tips on storing, washing, growing, freezing and using herbs. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so I’ll get right to it! HERBY TIP #1: How to refresh sad, wilted looking herbs: If your bunch of parsley, cilantro, or mint is looking a little weary, there’s an…
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My First (recipe) Mistake (aka 7-Layer Bars)
Well Food Posse Peeps, I finally did it- I made my first mistake this evening while putting together a pan of 7-Layer Bars to share with y’all. The good news, they taste perfectly fine. The bad news- they’re not very stable, don’t hold their shape, are very gooey AND (whispers) they’re ugly.
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The Stud Muffin Makes Manly Banana Bread
TSM (The Stud Muffin) was in the kitchen this weekend and decided to make some scones (from a mix) and his Manly Banana Bread (not from a mix). Each time he makes this bread he reminds me that he came from a long line of bakers. Keep in mind that not one family member from this long line ever worked in or owned a bakery- they simply just baked their own bread anddesserts.
