I can’t get enough of Hawaii. We visited a few years ago and I’m just not over it. So, I created this little “Hawaii in a packet” to console myself. It’s sweet and brings back the flavors of the islands to me. It’s also easy to make with no mess!

4 boneless pork chops
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
4 individual serving containers of tropical fruit (or pineapple)
4 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
salt and pepper

Place one chop in the center of a piece of parchment (see Techniques page for info on using and folding parchment). Rub with 1/2 tsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1/4 of the garlic powder on top. Dump one container of fruit on top. Add 1 tbsp soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold parchment. Repeat with other 3 chops. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Allow to rest about 5 minutes before opening and enjoying!

I can’t get enough of Hawaii. We visited a few years ago and I’m just not over it. So, I created this little “Hawaii in a packet” to console myself. It’s sweet and brings back the flavors of the islands to me. It’s also easy to make with no mess! 4 boneless pork chops 2 … Read more →

I’m loving the section of Dec Everyday Food with all the cute little party food. Who doesn’t love fried mozzarella? It’s incredibly evil, but oh so good. Of course I had to try it:

Preheat oven to 250. Put 1 cup flour in a bowl. In another, beat 2 eggs. In another, mix 1 cup panko with 1 tsp thyme. Season each with salt and pepper. Buy 1 lb of bocconcini balls (fresh mozzarella balls  – I actually thought the bocconcini were too big, so I bought whatever the smaller size was called). Dry them off and dip in flour, egg, then panko. Heat 2 cups veg oil until a breadcrumb thrown in sizzles. Fry them, 4 at a time until golden, about 2 min per batch. Keep warm in the oven on paper towels on a baking sheet. Serve with a marinara sauce for dipping.

These were crazy good. I have to make sure that it if I ever make these again that there are a LOT of people around to snatch them up because I could just keep eating them.

I’m loving the section of Dec Everyday Food with all the cute little party food. Who doesn’t love fried mozzarella? It’s incredibly evil, but oh so good. Of course I had to try it: Preheat oven to 250. Put 1 cup flour in a bowl. In another, beat 2 eggs. In another, mix 1 cup … Read more →

We went to Alaska this past summer. It was an amazing trip. Mr. NoPot and son caught salmon we’ve been eating. They didn’t catch any halibut, but we did have the opportunity to have fresh halibut while we were there and it was wonderful. I’m back to frozen halibut now from the grocery store, but I have a great little cookbook I picked up in Alaska called Fishes and Dishes, which inspired this recipe.

4 4 oz halibut filets
3 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 tsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp dried dill
4 ounces frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry
salt and pepper to taste

Place one filet on each piece of parchment (and remember, you can find folding instructions and other tips on the “Technique” page of this blog). In a bowl, mix all the other ingredients. Spoon 1/4 of the sauce on top of each filet. Fold the packet and bake at 400 degrees for 17 minutes. Serve with some wedges of lemon to squeeze.

I love the light creaminess of this sauce and I am also a big fan of spinach. The flavors go so well with the light flaky halibut. I loved this quick, no mess, delicious dish!

We went to Alaska this past summer. It was an amazing trip. Mr. NoPot and son caught salmon we’ve been eating. They didn’t catch any halibut, but we did have the opportunity to have fresh halibut while we were there and it was wonderful. I’m back to frozen halibut now from the grocery store, but … Read more →

This recipe came out of my crescent roll experimentation and I love, love it. You could also use cooked turkey in this if you have  Thanksgiving leftovers.

For each muffin liner tin you will need:
crescent roll dough triangle
4 bite size pieces of turkey
1 tsp black beans
pinch cilantro
salt and pepper
1 tbsp salsa
2 tsp shredded cheddar cheese

Spray the muffing tin liners with cooking spray. Place the short end of the crescent roll around the top of the muffin liner, and press it into place. Leave the long flap of the roll hanging. Layer in turkey, beans, cilantro, salt and pepper, salsa and cheddar. Then fold the dough flap over and tuck it down the side. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

These were so cute and so tasty! You could put a little dollop of sour cream or guacamole on top if you wanted as well. My kids are loving my muffin tin recipes. Mr. NoPot was a big fan of this one as well!

This recipe came out of my crescent roll experimentation and I love, love it. You could also use cooked turkey in this if you have  Thanksgiving leftovers. For each muffin liner tin you will need: crescent roll dough triangle 4 bite size pieces of turkey 1 tsp black beans pinch cilantro salt and pepper 1 … Read more →

We eat a lot of salmon in this house. And since our trip to Alaska this past summer, we’re eating even more. Mr. NoPot and our son went on a salmon fishing trip and the fish they caught was flash frozen and shipped back home. I’ve got a freezer full of salmon, so we’re eating it about once a week. In the summer I usually grill it, but once the weather changes, I have to find other alternatives. Parchment paper packets is a fantastic way to cook fish. It keeps all the moisture in, cooks it evenly, and creates no mess! You’re going to love the simplicity of this and be amazed by the flavor.

Salmon with Mustard Sauce
4 individual salmon filets (5-6 oz) or one family size (1 lb to 1 1/4 lbs)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp brown sugar
salt and pepper

Mix the lemon juice, mustard, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Place the salmon in the center of the parchment paper. Spoon sauce over salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Seal the packet(s). Bake at 400 degrees. If you’re making one family size filet, bake for 30 minutes. If you’re making 4 individual pieces, bake for 15 minutes.

We eat a lot of salmon in this house. And since our trip to Alaska this past summer, we’re eating even more. Mr. NoPot and our son went on a salmon fishing trip and the fish they caught was flash frozen and shipped back home. I’ve got a freezer full of salmon, so we’re eating … Read more →

I use parchment paper cooking not only for main dishes, but for my veggies and sides too. The paper seals in the steam, and vegetables cook while retaining all of their flavors and nutrients. A fabulous, fabulous dish I cannot get enough of is this one:
Honey Dill Carrots
10 oz shredded or matchstick carrots
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp dried dill
1 tbsp butter
salt and pepper

You can shred carrots yourself (in a food processor) or buy a bag of matchsticks/shredded carrots. Place the carrots in the center of your parchment paper. Drizzle with the honey. Sprinkle the dill over them. Dot with the butter. Salt and pepper to taste. Fold up your packet and bake at 400 for 40 minutes. You could also make this as individual packets of 4 and it would cook in 20 minutes.

The carrots have an amazing sweetness and retain enough crunch to make them interesting. Kids in particular LOVE this dish because it doesn’t look like carrots, it looks like confetti!

I use parchment paper cooking not only for main dishes, but for my veggies and sides too. The paper seals in the steam, and vegetables cook while retaining all of their flavors and nutrients. A fabulous, fabulous dish I cannot get enough of is this one: Honey Dill Carrots 10 oz shredded or matchstick carrots … Read more →