Once Upon A Chef

Spaghetti and Meatballs

When it comes to making meatballs, most people wing it with a little bit of this and a little bit of that...sometimes they come out perfect and sometimes they don't. I happen to like a sure thing, so I came up with an easy recipe that yields flavorful, tender yet hearty meatballs every time. You might be surprised to see what's in them.

Chicken Chili with White Beans

Chili is a staple at every Super Bowl party but, let's face it, most versions made with ground beef and store-bought seasoning mixes will leave you feeling guilty and stuffed, and desperately searching for a TUMS. Not this one...this is a hearty and healthy chili that you can actually feel good about eating. It's made from scratch, loaded with veggies, and chock-full of protein rich chicken and beans. And let me tell you, this is no girly chicken chili, even your manly football fanatics will love it.

Chicken Meatballs with Tomato-Balsamic Glaze

 

Shhhh...don't tell but these meatballs are really meatloaf in disguise. Fair or not, everyone knows meatloaf doesn't always elicit the most enthusiastic response. Meatballs, on the other hand, well...who doesn't love meatballs? And these here are no exception; they're light, elegant and bursting with great Italian flavor. Talk about a delicious, easy-to-make weeknight dinner that will please your whole family...even my daughter – a.k.a. Princess Picky – asks for seconds, and that’s a home-run in my book.

Mac and Cheese

Believe me, when there are impatient and hungry children to feed, I reach right for the blue box in the pantry. It's easy, and I certainly never get any complaints. But every once in a while, I crave Mac and Cheese and, frankly, the boxed stuff simply won't do.

Pan-Seared Turkey Burgers

Want a healthy burger but don’t want to sacrifice taste?  Try these turkey burgers.  You'll be glad you did -- they're moist, tender and incredibly flavorful.

Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic & Rosemary

 

I love a good flank steak, which is why I'll drive clear accross town - with both kids grudgingly in tow - to pick one up at Balducci's. Though it might seem obvious, I've learned through trial and error that it's very important to be selective about where you purchase this cut of meat. Let's just say there's a huge difference between one you'd buy at your local grocery store, and one you'd get at a reputable butcher.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This is a great chicken dish. You can dress it down for a weeknight family dinner or gussy it up for company. My kids love it, I think mostly because it bears some resemblance to chicken fingers, and so do we because, well, it's just plain delicious.

English Muffin Pizzas

Did your mother make English Muffin Pizzas growing up?  Mine did...all the time, in fact. They were part of her quick and easy repertoire.  My sister and I didn't mind a bit; we thought they were delicious and loved to help her make them.