Pork Shepard's Pie!

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St. Patrick's day is around the corner~Here's a twist to the traditional Shepard's pie that I think you will enjoy using "the other white meat"! This Shepard's pie which is typically made with mutton or beef, is lighter using pork. Because the shoulder has so much flavor you can opt to braise it in water instead of stock. I like using Yukon gold potatoes because they have a medium starch make up and can better absorb butter and cream. When it comes to cooking for a crowd, you want a all in one dish. Cooking many courses becomes difficult and overwhelming. This dish is perfect for a crowd and can be made in individual casseroles or one big one. I made individuals, then froze several for quick dinners going forward.

adapted from Chef Ryan Poli 

Bruleed Meyer Lemon Bars

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I got my lemon fix this week and made these treats! They are delicious and the caramelized sugar on top gives it a little something special both in taste and in presentation. 

These are very simple to make. The only hard part is waiting to eat one as they have to cool a couple times between stages. I used a food torch to caramelize the sugar on top but if you don't have one, you can broil them in the oven. Just pay close attention during the broiling process as they can burn quickly.  

Baby Arugula, Frisee Salad with goat cheese crouton!

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 I love salad every possible version of salad, so much that Wee Bear frequently calls me a rabbit! I love to create my own salads or twist a version that I have eaten at a restaurant or learned from one of my many classes. In this case, I am giving you a tutorial straight from a class. This one from Chef de cuisine Joe Worrell at Chochise-Geronimo, Desert Mountain. Chef Worrell began his culinary career in 1992 at Ugashi Japanese of Portland, Oregon. Joe joined Desert Mountain in 2005 as the Sous Chef at Cochise/Geronimo Clubhouse and then in August 2007 took the helm as Chef De Cuisine of Apache Clubhouse. Joseph has now returned to Cochise/Geronimo as of February 2013 as the acting Chef de Cuisine taking over responsibility for all clubhouse catering as well as the club sponsored events.... he is amazing!

Lasagna two ways! Figure friendly!

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Everyone loves lasagna and today I am giving you two options. One that I created 40 years ago and a healthy update that I recently created, that I love just as much! Lasagna is an EPIC dish! Sure it looks like a mass of cheese, pasta and meat sauce, but it is so much more than that. It is a cold weather, comfort food "Go To"!! In forty years of serving this dish to family and friends, everyone......EVERYONE has fallen in love with it! It is easy to make and figure friendly. However, my updated version is even friendlier! 

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

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I have been dying to try out my whoopie pie pan and came across a recipe for a chocolate whoopie pie from iVillage. I was originally planning on making something I could use my meyer lemons in, but couldn't resist the temptation to make these little cookies! This was my first time making and tasting a whoopie and I now know that I will be making them often and experimenting with different flavors. It was interesting to discover that whoopie pies originated in the Pennsylvania Amish country. The Amish women would bake these desserts (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in the farmer's lunch boxes. When farmer's would find these treats in their lunch, they would shout "whoopie!". Cute story I thought! 

The original recipe from iVillage used a Swiss Vanilla Filling, but TT really enjoys chocolate so I opted for a basic chocolate butter-cream frosting. Here is my version of the original recipe.

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Granola Cranberry Pancakes!

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Chicken Farro Salad-True Food Kitchen

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In my January 30, 2013 blog I told you about having the pleasure of attending a rare class given by Chef Michael Stebner, of True Food Kitchen. He co-created this popular restaurant with Dr. Andrew Weil. Chef Stebner created several recipes during the course of this class and I am offering you another one today. I admit, this salad is one of my favorites when I am out shopping or having lunch with friends. We have two locations of True Food Kitchen in Scottsdale, in two of my favorite open air shopping malls, Scottsdale Quarter and Biltmore Plaza. Now I am making this delicious salad at home and so can YOU!