An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cheli – Z – Magic
  • Travel
  • Goodwill Hunting
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • 10 Years
  • Category: Entree

    • Cajun Shrimp and Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce

      Posted at 8:28 am by NativeNM, on November 11, 2014

      Shrimp-and-Pasta-with-Lemon-Cream-Sauce-11

      Times are changing, my nest has recently become empty and I now only need to make meals for two.  My boys have both tested their independence at different times but also returned for a while.  This time feels more permanent somehow.  While Josh moved across town to his own place, Cameron made a move across country leaving me with a range of emotions.  With only having two to cook for, my habits will have to change.  I’m going to try to cut down my recipes to fit two people and also try to create more simple and frugal recipes that Josh and Cam can make.  This shrimp pasta is a good recipe to start with.  It makes a great meal for 2 – 3 people. And if shrimp is a little pricey for your wallet, boneless chicken breast or thighs would be a good alternative.  In the time it takes to boil pasta, you can make a lemon cream sauce that tastes just like you ordered it from a restaurant.  Serve alongside a garden salad and a hunk of french artisan bread and you’ve got a complete and flavorful meal!

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Cajun Shrimp and Pasta, Lemon Cream Sauce, Pan Seared Shrimp, Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
    • Aussie Shrimp

      Posted at 8:36 am by NativeNM, on August 8, 2014

      Aussie-Shrimp-11

      My favorite grilled shrimp comes from a copycat recipe for Outback’s Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie.  This is such a quick and simple meal to put together . . . you only need a blend of spices, melted butter and some lemon wedges. The spice blend is perfect and makes for the best grilled shrimp to serve as an appetizer, topper for a salad, shrimp tacos, or even as the main event.   I served these beauties alongside a bowl of creamy risotto and a tomato salad.  It was yummy to say the least!   If you want to show off, dunk these in a Remoulade Sauce that will make everyone smile.  It’s a big hit around here and expected at every shrimp gathering!  Hope you enjoy!
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes | 6 Comments | Tagged Aussie Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp, Outback's Shrimp on the Barbie, Remoulade Sauce, Spice Blend
    • Chicken Fried Chicken with Fried Green Tomato Gravy

      Posted at 9:07 am by NativeNM, on August 1, 2014

      Chicken-Fried-Chicken-with-FGT-Gravy-4

      This summer I’ve been really good about grilling foods and eating healthier but I just fell off the wagon.  I’ve been craving comfort food and made some Chicken Fried Chicken with some of the best cream gravy I’ve ever had.  It tastes just like fried chicken but the process is a little different. Chicken fried chicken is boneless and run through an egg buttermilk bath before heading to the flour and into the fry pan.  It fries up crispy brown and topped with cream gravy which makes it taste so good.  If you’ve never had this Southern comfort, well . . .  you just don’t know what you’ve been missing!
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Chicken Fried Chicken, Cream Gravy, Cream Gravy with Fried Green Tomatoes, Frontier Chicken Spice Blend
    • Southwest Egg Rolls with Flamethrower Sauce

      Posted at 9:59 am by NativeNM, on July 11, 2014

      Southwest-Egg-Rolls-16

      Egg rolls are known for being a fun finger food, an appetizer that tides you over until the main entree is served.  That might be the case at a restaurant but homemade egg rolls are a special treat.  Southwest Egg Rolls are packed full of colorful veggies with grilled chicken and bound together with melting pepper jack cheese.  And since they are packed with so much goodness, I serve them straight out of the fry pan hot and crispy onto plates where they are quickly devoured.
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes, Red or Green, Side Dishes | 2 Comments | Tagged Black Bean and Corn Egg Rolls, egg rolls, Flamethrower Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Roasted Corn, Southwest Egg Rolls
    • El Pollo Asado

      Posted at 7:29 am by NativeNM, on June 13, 2014

      El-Pollo-Asada-17

      I’ve been wanting to roast a chicken on the grill for the longest time but was skeptical of the outcome.  I had visions of chicken burned to a crisp or maybe a perfectly golden browned outer skin but under cooked on the inside. One of the best things I remember from our days in Albuquerque was going to this little chain called “El Pollo Asado” for the tastiest roasted chicken anywhere.  Joe and I used to go after work and order a plate with dark meat (thigh and leg pieces) or white meat (breast and wing pieces) served with tortillas, salsa, guacamole, cheese and sour cream on the side.  It was so messy, we picked apart the chicken right at our table.  Actually it was so tender it often fell off the bone.  We filled the tortillas with juicy chicken and all the flavorful sides.  They had little towelettes at the table to clean up with just like you find at the BBQ joints here in KC.   It’s one of those things I’ve often wondered if I could make myself.  I wish I would have tried this years ago, the chicken was tender and juicy just like I remembered with the flavors of citrusy orange and lime throughout.  I made all the fixings to fill our tortillas and it was so so good.  Cooking a whole chicken made for some tasty leftovers.  I had enough to add to a pot of green chile and corn chowder as well as a pot of creamy chicken and rice soup. Yummy week!
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Chile de Arbol Salsa, Chunky Guacamole with Sweet Corn, Citrus Marinade, El Pollo Asado, Flour Tortillas, Monterey Jack Cheese, Sour Cream, Vertically Roasted Chicken, Vertically Roasted Chicken on the Grill
    • Spicy Pecan Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries

      Posted at 9:12 am by NativeNM, on June 6, 2014

      Spicy-Pecan-Chicken-Salad-16

      Cameron is a kid of few words and rarely makes any requests for dinner.  Recently he was out to eat and ordered a chicken salad wrap that he described as having big chunks of apples with dried cranberries, kind of sweet with lots of dressing.  He asked if I could make it sometime and I told him I’d give it a try.  Not having tasted it myself, I was left to translate his description into a recipe that would live up to his expectations.  I searched several blogs to find a dressing that would go with what I had planned.  The one that stood out was a slightly sweet dressing with a hint of citrus from “Cookbook Junkies“.  My contribution was adding some sweet and spicy pecans to tempt the taste buds and give a little added crunch.   I had a crusty artisan sourdough loaf that I sliced and toasted for sandwiches and also picked up some spring greens for a salad. We all thought it tasted pretty amazing and was a success according to Cam which I guess is really all that matters!

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Burgers, Sandwiches, Paninis and Wraps, Entree, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Chicken Salad, Dried Cranberries, Granny Smith Apples, Rotisserie Chicken, Spicy Pecan Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries, Sweet and Spicy Pecans
    • Tortellini with Grilled Veggies and Herbs

      Posted at 8:49 am by NativeNM, on April 29, 2014

      Grilled-Veggies-and-Tortellini-3

      We’ve been dodging April showers this past week.  They’ve been more like downpours than showers at times.  The first day we had a reprieve I wanted to get outside and pop the cover off the grill.  Over the winter month’s I used the wok to cook my veggies but today I thought I would cook outside and enjoy some sunshine.  I sliced some zucchini, baby bella mushrooms and onion that tasted fantastic with a drizzle of lemon flavored olive oil, salt and pepper.  I paired the veggies with some tortellini, tomatoes and herbs to make a healthy vegetarian pasta dish.
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Fresh Herbs, Grilled Baby Bella Mushrooms, Grilled Onion Slices, Grilled Zucchini, Tortellini, Tortellini with Grilled Veggies and Herbs
    • Latin Salsa Chicken

      Posted at 9:25 am by NativeNM, on April 22, 2014

      Latin-Salsa-Chicken-19

      In the mood for some meat and potatoes . . . I found a recipe for Latin Pork and Potatoes in the local paper that looked intriguing.  It was an easy one pot meal but the list of ingredients seemed to be a bit on the bland side.  So I changed it up subbing in chicken thighs for the pork chops and adding salsa flavors to the pot.  It was an amazing blend of flavors with chicken so tender and juicy surrounded by potatoes, onions, green chiles and garlic in a brothy tomato base.  It made a hearty meal with a hunk of french bread on the side to sop of any leftover juices.
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes, Soups, Stews and Chili | 0 Comments | Tagged Braised Chicken, Latin Salsa Chicken, One Pot Chicken Dish
    • Chicken Cacciatore

      Posted at 8:38 am by NativeNM, on March 14, 2014

      Chicken-Cacciatore-17

      In need of some comfort food, I’ve got the perfect dish.  A bowl of chicken cacciatore with some creamy polenta will make you feel right at home.  It’s one of the most flavorful dishes you could make and the chicken practically falls off the bone.  So easy to make, everything goes together in a dutch oven to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.  I love it with a side of creamy polenta but it depends on the mood.  The spicy tomato gravy is so delicious you can pair it with pasta, rice or even mashed potatoes.   Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes, Soups, Stews and Chili | 4 Comments | Tagged Bone in Chicken Legs and Thighs, Chicken Cacciatore, Polenta
    • Thai Noodles with Curry Peanut Sauce

      Posted at 9:00 am by NativeNM, on January 24, 2014

      Thai-Noodles-13

      I have been looking for a curry dish to try out and found a great soup recipe that sounded like it would fit all our taste buds.  In full disclosure, my soup turned into a noodle bowl as I made it up ahead of time and let the noodles sit in the broth for about an hour before serving.  The noodles absorbed most of the liquids to make a thick saucy noodle bowl.  So if you want a soup dish, serve immediately.  In the end I learned that even though my dish didn’t turn out as expected, the flavors remained intact and it made a most delicious bowl.
      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes, Soups, Stews and Chili | 0 Comments | Tagged Bean Sprouts, Coconut Milk, Fresno Red Peppers, Red Curry Paste, Rice Noodles, Thai Noodles with Curry and Peanut Sauce
    ← Older posts
    Newer posts →
    • February 2026
      S M T W T F S
      1234567
      891011121314
      15161718192021
      22232425262728
      « Jan    
    • Previous Posts

    • Recipe Categories

    • Search

    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    • Follow me on:

      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
    • Things I Like

      • Penzey’s Spices
      • Tasteful Olive
      • New Mexico Photographs by Bill Tondreau
      • A Melancholy Moose
      • A Melancholy Moose on Etsy
      • The Woks of Life
      • Proud Italian Cook
      • Muy Bueno
      • La Bella Vita Cucina
      • Back Road Journal
      • Memories of My Mother
      • Hatch Green Chile
    • An Inspired Cook

Blog at WordPress.com.

An Inspired Cook
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • An Inspired Cook
    • Join 391 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • An Inspired Cook
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d