For most Thanksgiving Dinner is about the turkey, but for me it's about dessert; that last dish that puts you over the edge right into that food induced coma. My dessert of choice is a rich, silky smooth sweet potato pie, not to be confused with the traditional Pumpkin Pie. I take mine on the couch in front of the TV as I fight the Itis off trying to stay awake for the NFL games. I think I'm 0 for my last 5 staying awake. Sweet Potato Pie is kind of a big deal, right there with potato salad at a barbecue. No half step-in aloud. I keep my version pretty traditional but elevate the flavor via use of brown butter and whole nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.
Roasted
Alright, alright, alright, my fellow flavor fanatics— Mr. flavorphile here, ready to drop some knowledge on you about a dish that’ll have your taste buds dancing like they’re on fire. We're talking holiday maple glazed ham that’s got soul, with a glaze so sweet and smoky you’ll be looking for a mic to drop. Infused …
Get ready to take your taste buds on a smooth ride with this slow cooker Mississippi pot roast recipe, remixed with the bold vibes of Trini green seasoning. It’s tender, juicy beef, slow-cooked to perfection, but we’re turning up the flavor like a 90s New Edition groove—fresh, vibrant, and unforgettable. The fusion of Southern comfort …
Slow-Roasted & Fall-Off-the-Bone: Tender Oven-Baked Ribs with a Sweet-Savory Glaze and Caramelized Crust Now listen here, kitchen groovers—this one’s for all my low-and-slow lovers. We're talkin’ oven-baked ribs so tender they fall smoother than Al Green’s falsetto in “I’m Glad You’re Mine.” These ribs don’t need no grill, no fancy setup—just your oven, a little …
Turn up the tempo in your kitchen with our crispy, simple weeknight pan-fried jerk chicken, a symphony of bold Caribbean spices that dance on your taste buds. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, this dish hits all the right notes for a jazzy, vibrant dinner that grooves with every bite. Get ready to cook …
These Southern candied yams are cooked in a flavorful spiced syrup that will provide you with an amazing mouth experience and make your guests love it. It is just one of those soul food dishes where everything comes together so well, from the warm spices to how sweet potatoes can take on some flavors while …
Charred & Savory: Whole Roasted Broccoli with Crispy Crowns and Bold, Earthy Flavor Now listen here, flavor fam—this oven-roasted whole broccoli recipe is comin’ through bold, grounded, and ready to take center stage. We’re talkin’ tender stalk, crispy charred tips, and that smoky roasted kiss that turns this humble green tree vegetable into a main-act …
Hello my fellow flavor peeps!—this baked swordfish fillets with green onion vinaigrette ain’t just dinner, it’s a groove session on your taste buds. With a meaty, firm bite that holds its own like a heavyweight emcee, this fish gets lifted by a hot oven roast and crowned with a bright, zippy vinaigrette that takes your …
Crispy roasted okra is one of my new favorite veggies. Its a no-fuss, delicious side that is ready in less than 30 minutes. Down here in Texas we're lucky to still be able to get fresh okra locally. If you're fortunate enough as well this is a great side you can add that will free you up to focus on other dishes. Many people fear okra because of the slime. Don't fear the slime, as a matter of fact, follow the great Nelson Mandela's words and don't fear anything - "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." I recently discovered the musician Mimi. She is an incredibly inspiring and brave artist. Check out her song "Afraid" as an example of her talent and testimony.
Elevate your weeknight dinner with our easy Caribbean-style carrot curry. Made with pineapple juice, ginger, and coconut milk, it's a flavorful side dish that's quick to prepare and sure to impress! Related Other Curry Recipes: Ridiculously good carrot curry cooked simply on the stovetop for an incredible weeknight or even special occasion side dish. Experience …
As simple as desserts can get in the form of these roasted plums. The spiced syrup topping gives the dish its dessert status. Agave, honey, or maple syrup depending on your preference is spiked with cinnamon and chili powder to make this a more fun and interesting dish.
You want that smoke? Well this charcoal baked purple sweet potato recipe is literally and figuratively fire! Delicious spuds, purple sweet potatoes are baked on top of hot coals and served topped with jerk butter and maple syrup. The sweetness of the potatoes are balanced against the savory heat from the jerk spice and …
Easy gourmet side featuring just two ingredients. The best part is the citrus caramelizes making the dish like a 2 for 1 - side + dessert.
A simple, but great cauliflower steak recipe in living color in the form of this purple cauliflower! Great for tapas night or as a hearty side. Thick cut cauliflower slices are seasoned and roasted then topped with a hearty and chunky salsa. I typically roast whole cauliflower heads, but was going more for an appetizer/tapas …
There are some recipes that are so easy to make yet so delicious you keep them in heat rotation, likely weekly. For us these jerk marinated roasted onions qualify. Thick cut onion slices are marinated in a wet jerk seasoning mix and then slow-roasted to deliciousness. This roasted onions recipe was stolen from the mental …
My campaign to put okra on the map. I love okra. Okra is good for you. Okra tastes good. Eat more okra. If you don't know how, then read this post for recipes and cooking tips. Plus I'm sure you'll learn a bunch of cool facts about okra that I bet you never knew.
Roasted Acorn Squash with Honey Ancho Chile Glaze are outstanding in both their taste and simplicity! Make this sweet and savory squash for your Thanksgiving meal, Sunday family gathering or even a weeknight dinner. They are naturally sweet but the glaze amplifies the flavor. Surprisingly I don't cook a lot most Thanksgivings. Between volunteering as …
These roasted sweet potatoes are a lab recipe gone well. I was literally toying around with Thanksgiving sweet potatoes recipes and stumbled into this one. It's easy, quick, no fuss and damn good. Don't feel like you have to wait til the holidays though. Its perfect on plain old weeknights and weekends too.
Simple and delicious roasted eggplant recipe that is bursting with bold flavors. This dish features a crispy brown outside with a creamy sweet inside then is topped with a garlicky Cuban mojo sauce. Note this post was updated September 20, 2019. Roasted Eggplant Ingredients Eggplant ingredients Mojo Sauce Ingredients Roasted Eggplant Recipe Inspiration …
Favorite to eat root vegetables is roasted. Roasting can turn any humble root vegetables into greatness. Baby turnips make the perfect foil for this technique. You get concentrated flavor and tenderness delived in 30 minutes. It's the glaze that actually puts the dish over the top. It's time to stop running from those root vegetables your grandparents tried to get you to eat. Actually these aren't your grand dad's turnips. They're way more flavorful.
Grilled wedges are one of my favorite and easiest ways to enjoy sweet potatoes. The best thing about this recipe though is the perfect sweet heat chili lime sauce pairing. Just a few a few ingredients that net a lot of flavor. They go fast so make enough!
The last of the recipes featuring harissa sauce, I think. I'm tempted to make another batch and create more recipes to pair it with. Keeping the simple + elegant vibe these glazed harissa carrots will put a smile on your face. No fuss, but high flavor.
Celery Root is definitely not the prettiest vegetable at the market, but what it lacks in good looks it more than compensates with inner beauty, dynamite taste and ease of prep/cooking. If you're not familiar with celery root or celeriac as it's known, it's beyond worthy of your consideration. This celery root steak recipe is a great introduction. We enjoy it in our house as one of our many meatless nights. It also presents well enough to be on your holiday menu. Don't worry it's tastes nothing like celery, is easier to handle than it looks, and is low calorie and low carb.
For a nice change-up to sweet potato Thanksgiving recipes try this simple, low prep hasselback sweet potatoes dish. This doesn't have to be a special occasion dish, as it easily works for a weeknight side. I've been experimenting more with ghee (claried butter) lately in some of my dishes. Ghee is a great cooking oil that I jokingly refer to as super butter since its both lactose and casein free, has a high smoke point (aka you can cook it at high heat levels without it browning/burning), and is rich and complex in flavor. Celebrate the life of the great Roy Hargrove with me by cooking to my favorite track "Strasbourg/St. Denis" which is my favorite song by his quintet.
Had the chance to team up with Parmigiano Reggiano brand cheese for this cheesy whole roasted cauliflower recipe. I like this dish personally because, besides being easy to make, it's versatile as both a side dish and meatless main entree. With the focus being on real Italian cheese, I thought it appropriate to call on Aretha Franklin's version of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." Enjoy
Baked Whole Black Sea Bass Recipe with Beet Greens Salsa - an easy and delicious baked fish recipe with step by step instructions for choosing and cooking whole fish. I eat a lot of beets including smoked beets, roasted beets, and even lightly pickled beets. Because of this and the fact that I hate wasting …
Super tender, flavor that's fire, and visually stunning this whole roasted cauliflower is perfect as a rut breaking main dish or a show-stopping appetizer at a dinner party. Cauliflower recipes don't have to be boring and basic. I like a nice mashed cauliflower, but cauliflower is destined for so much more. Roast it and enjoy …
Sheet pan roasted vegetables - a no fuss, no mess way to cook delicious sides while multi-tasking or devoting time to your main dish. The beans and potatoes are well seasoned and roasted directly in a sheet pan. Take out two birds with one stone with this easy dish! MOOD MUSIC What main dish goes …
Heirloom tomato galette made with puff pastry is an easy, savory dessert recipe for non-bakers or just anyone looking for convenience. Charming, effortless and screaming Summer dessert, this galette is a winner! MOOD MUSIC During my last farmer's market visit, the selection of fresh, vibrant heirloom tomatoes got me pretty damn excited. Admittedly, I lose …
Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash - flavorful, low carb way to get your pasta fix. The squash is backed by a tasty homemade basil pesto recipe. Some years ago when I was working for Kraft Foods we were doing a lot of research on low carb diets. This was near the height of the low carb …
For those who want to enjoy Summer's best fruit beyond a cold slice or fruity drink, this is a great alternative. With the appearance of Ahi Tuna, the texture and mouthfeel of a medium rare ribeye, this finished roasted watermelon steak is a great fancy appetizer and main ingredient for a summer salad. Summertime doesn't …
Are some of your favorite recipes the most minimalist? This whole roasted cauliflower recipe fits the bill and is probably the best simple recipe you'll ever have. The cauliflower is seasoned extremely well both inside and out. In most cauliflower recipes, cauliflower plays a supporting role. For this one, it's actually the star in a …
Crispy smashed sweet potato recipe featuring crispy, rich exterior with a sweet soft, and moist tender center for a perfect way to enjoy one of my favorite vegetables. MOOD MUSIC Duck fat and sweet potatoes are a perfect pairing. I buy duck fat from my local farmers' market from time to time, and then promptly …
Roasted Red Onion Flowers - beautiful, tasty, and irresistible vegetable side dish or fancy appetizer for your next party. The onions have a sweet tender center, with crispy outer edges. Onions are a big part of my cooking owing to my grandfather's influence. He always saw what an onion could become if used properly. Whether …
This vegan BLT sandwich is the TRUTH! Fresh tomatoes and a killer smokey sauce elevate this BLT to the head of the class. MOOD MUSIC Some years ago when I was working for Kraft Foods I had a research assignment where we visited Velveeta Cheese consumers to discuss and observe their Velveeta consumption habits. I …
A very simple roasted broccoli recipe dressed flavorfully for an easy weeknight side. Garlic and parmesan are simple adds that deliver big flavor! MOOD MUSIC I find some of the simplest recipes are the best. This roasted broccoli qualifies as such and is one of our favorite staples. It's especially great in a pinch when …
A roasted beet salad is a regular go-to in our house. This version with black kale is the base version, but it's more than good enough to add to your salad rotation. The heart shapes were Valentine's Day inspired around a heart beets theme, but clearly aren't required for the dish. I know many have …
Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar - Without a doubt one of the best roasted Brussels sprouts recipes you'll make; a simple, highly flavorful way to enjoy them! The sprouts are both savory and sweet, highly aromatic, and provides a unique mouth experience for the holidays or easy weeknight side. I never had brussels sprouts as …
For your next meatless meal try this sweet potato salad recipe or hockey pucks as my son calls the rounds. Cut them round, square, lengthwise or simply nice and fat. These oven-roasted steaks are enhanced by your choice of toppings. You can be as creative or plain as you want but this recipe strives for …
What better way to showcase delicious mushrooms than in these simple, flavorful vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms. This is a great option for vegans as well as non-vegans who just want to lower their meat consumption. This time of year when family and dear friends are around making it a great time to catch-up over familiar …