An Inspired Cook

- Apple Cinnamon French Toast
  
  Posted at 8:37 am by NativeNM, on February 20, 2015
  Recently Joe and I spent a long weekend in Detroit. We used to live in a suburb outside of Detroit in the early 90’s but haven’t been back in many years and it felt as if we were going back down memory lane. We had bought tickets months in advance to see the Red Wings play at Joe Louis Arena and were so excited to be in the old building again with all the history and banners and excitement. With hockey being late in the evening we decided to have a big breakfast and a late lunch so we could avoid the greasy vendor food. I have to say we had some of the most fabulous breakfasts ever. We had Eggs Benedict at “Recipes“, more precisely a BLT Benedict and a Lox Benedict which was so satisfying we went back the next day and had it again, oh yes we did! And on our last day we met with some family at the “Breakfast Club” where Joe and I had French Toast. Neither of us could decide so we shared a Triple Berry French Toast and an Oven Baked French Toast which is about 4 inches tall, I kid you not! Ever since our fun filled weekend we’ve been making more late breakfasts on the weekend. Our latest experiment was this Apple Cinnamon French Toast. It tasted every bit as good as it looks!
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  Posted in Breakfast, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Apple Cinnamon French Toast, Apples, Brioche Bread, French Toast
- Blueberry and Cream Cheese Crumb Cake with Blueberry Sauce
  
  Posted at 8:56 am by NativeNM, on February 13, 2015
  I have collected the Annual Southern Living recipes for some of the best recipes around and this one has stuck with me through the years. It’s one of those recipes that I continue to go back to time and time again. I used fresh blueberries for the cake but I also had a stash of blueberries packed and sealed away in the freezer that would make a very tasty blueberry sauce. Such a versatile cake, it’s perfect as a weekend treat for breakfast or brunch but can be also be served as a dessert.
  
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  Posted in Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Condiments and Sauces, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Blueberry and Cream Cheese Crumb Cake with Blueberry Sauce, Blueberry Crumb Cake, Blueberry Sauce, Cream Cheese Crumb Cake, Fresh Blueberries, Frozen Blueberries, Southern Living Recipes
- Ribeye Steak Sandwich
  
  Posted at 10:06 am by NativeNM, on January 30, 2015
  I’ve been craving steak and decided to stretch a ribeye into a meal for two with steak sandwiches. Instead of waiting for a warm day to grill outdoors, I decided to try Josh’s method of cooking a steak on top of the stove using the constant flip method. He has been trying all sorts of different foods and cooking techniques since he moved into his own place and he’s teaching this old cook some new tricks. Instead of cooking a steak and only turning it once, you turn it every 30 seconds in a smoking hot cast iron skillet giving it a more even browning and crusting on the outside and a warm pink center that is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Once the steak was on it’s last 30 seconds I added some butter to the pan and some chimichurri and spooned it over the steak which added so much flavor. Grill some onion and tomato in the remaining chimichurri butter and you’ve got the makings for one impressive sandwich!
  
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  Posted in Burgers, Sandwiches, Paninis and Wraps, Condiments and Sauces, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Chimichurri, Chimichurri Butter, Constant Flip Method, Ribeye Steak, Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Steak Sandwich
- Cheeseburger Soup with Green Chile
  
  Posted at 8:38 am by NativeNM, on January 27, 2015
  Another discovery from “Great Day Cafe” is their Cheeseburger Soup. Their daily soup menu changes day to day but you can always be sure to find a tasty bowl listed on the blackboard. My version has a few differences, however. Great Day Cafe cooked diced potatoes in their soup where as I like crisp fries on the side. Waffle fries are perfect to dunk in this soup and also as a side cruncher. To give it some New Mexican flavor add some green chile, which is purely up to you. Don’t tell Great Day Cafe, but I think I like my Cheeseburger Soup slightly better than theirs. That won’t stop me from going back, I feel inspired every time I visit their cafe!
  
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  Posted in Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Recipes, Red or Green, Soups, Stews and Chili | 0 Comments | Tagged Cheddar Cheese, Cheeseburger Soup, Cheeseburger Soup with Green Chile, Great Day Cafe, ground beef, Hatch Green Chile
- Green Chile and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
  
  Posted at 9:51 am by NativeNM, on January 13, 2015
  There’s nothing more comforting to this native New Mexican than a bowl of Green Chile and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. Especially like today when the temp will be no higher than 10 degrees for the day. It’s frigid outside and I’m all about staying warm. A bowl of comforting potatoes with spicy Hatch green chile and cheese is the perfect side dish or in my case main dish to serve on a blustery day like today! These mashed potatoes with buttery creamy melting cheese and green chiles are something that I make quite often. I love them soooo much!! Ask any member of my family and they will vouch for me that I have an infinite love of potatoes that goes way back. I had a hard time coming up with a recipe because I don’t measure when I make mashed potatoes, I just make them. So this time I did my best to put together something on paper that would help recreate the bowl of comfort that I’ve enjoyed so many times. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have!
  
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  Posted in Recipes, Red or Green, Side Dishes | 2 Comments | Tagged Cheddar Cheese, Green Chile, Green Chile and Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Hatch Green Chile, Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes with Green Chile and Cheese
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups Cheesecake
  
  Posted at 8:49 am by NativeNM, on January 6, 2015
  Another year passed by, another birthday cheesecake for Josh! For Josh it must be cheesecake and it must involve peanut butter cups. I try different variations every year so it’s not the same ole cake. Last year I made a layer of peanut butter cheesecake topped by a layer of chocolate cheesecake, swirled the two together and sprinkled peanut butter cups over top. He liked it, however he prefers a plain cheesecake with peanut butter cups, chocolate, and peanut butter as layers so he can savor each individual flavor. So I went back to the drawing board and came up with this. It’s a smaller version, a 6 inch cheesecake with little mini peanut butter cups that are so cute! I made a center layer of mini peanut butter cups with a drizzle of melted chocolate and a few peanut butter cups on top just for decor. I don’t know what’s in store for next year’s birthday treat but I’m sure it will include chocolate and peanut butter and cheesecake!
  
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  Posted in Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged 6 inch Cheesecake, Cheesecake, Mini Cheesecake, Mini Peanut Butter Cups Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Cups, Reese's Cheesecake
- Date Bars
  
  Posted at 8:54 am by NativeNM, on December 16, 2014
  It seems like dried fruit is always front and center this time of year. I enjoy most dried fruits but dates aren’t necessarily one of them. However, they are one of Joe’s favorites and he loves date bars so I thought I would give them a try. He described a soft chewy bar with a bottom crust and date filling, topped with a crumbly streusel. They must have turned out pretty good because he grabbed a bar every time he walked by and gave me a thumbs up with a smile!
  
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  Posted in Dessert, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Crumb Topping, Date Bars, Oatmeal Streusel Topping
- Creamy Risotto
  
  Posted at 8:42 am by NativeNM, on December 9, 2014
  Creamy Risotto is one of my favorite comfort side dishes. It’s similar to the recipe Pioneer Woman makes which was my inspiration. It’s so easy to make, the only requirement is that you stay close by and continuously stir the pot as the liquid is absorbed into the rice. The process is repeated by adding additional amounts of liquid until all is absorbed over an approximate 20 minute period. Then comes the delicious creamy part, adding a blend of three cheeses with a splash of cream that taste so good that you could eat the whole bowl! It’s meant to be a side dish but could easily be the main attraction!
  
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  Posted in Recipes, Side Dishes | 2 Comments | Tagged Arborio rice, Cheesy Risotto, Creamy Risotto, Risotto with Parmesan and Romano and Asiago Cheese
- Chicken Mole Nachos
  
  Posted at 9:52 am by NativeNM, on November 25, 2014
  Making anything from scratch is the way to go if you have the time and effort to do so. Mole sauce is a favorite of mine but is a bit complex to make with a long list of ingredients. When in a pinch for time, I sometimes reach for a Frontera sauce packet for a quick and easy meal. Frontera is founded by Rick Bayless and makes some of the most flavorful sauce blends you can find that is packaged and ready to go. I don’t usually promote pre-packaged anything but I will make an exception for Frontera products. This chicken mole makes fantastic nachos but is so versatile it would be yummy folded into tacos, rolled into a flour tortilla for burritos or stacked between corn tortillas for a savory enchilada with melted cheese and a fried egg. You can’t beat the flavor combinations of rich smoky mole chicken with melted Manchego cheese, jalapeno slices, fresh avocado pico, sliced black olives and verde seasoned sour cream.
  
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  Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Entree, Recipes, Red or Green | 2 Comments | Tagged Avocado Pico de Gallo, Chicken Mole, Frontera's Oaxacan Red Chile Mole Simmer Sauce, Manchego cheese, Mole Chicken Nachos, Mole sauce, Spicy Chicken Nachos, Verde Seasoned Sour Cream
- Great Day Cafe’s Cranberry Pecan Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
  
  Posted at 9:02 am by NativeNM, on November 18, 2014
  Great Day Cafe is one of our favorite little cafe’s in the heart of downtown Overland Park. It’s a quirky little cafe with a cool menu of sandwiches and panini’s with vegetarian and gluten free choices, a new soup for each day of the week, quiches, and my favorite, this Cranberry and Nut salad which comes with your choice of pecans or walnuts. You can’t beat the charming staff or the black board specials where you might find something new to tempt your palate! A very tiny space with an outdoor patio featuring artwork and a small band in house for a unique experience. Located next door to the Farmer’s Market, Penzey’s and The Tasteful Olive, it’s safe to say I’ve been there a few times. After my last visit I came home and made a Cranberry and Pecan salad at home with a homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette. I don’t have a house band to entertain you but the salad is great!
  
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  Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Entree, Recipes, Side Dishes | 0 Comments | Tagged Cranberry and Nut Salad, Cranberry and Pecan Salad, Grapefruit Balsamic Vinegar, Great Day Cafe, Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar, Raspberry Vinaigrette
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