Scallops with spaghetti pan-sauce

A few Friday nights ago, Mitcher and I were planning to go out to dinner after work to kind of celebrate the end of the week. But sometimes after a long week, the thought of going out got less and less appealing.

So, we decided to stay in, and I let myself imagine my most comforting meal, and I knew instantly that it would involve pasta and a homemade buttery pan sauce. Then, the entire picture came together once I imagined seared scallops on top. So I got started on creating my impromptu meal. I decided to write down the recipe as I went so I could share! Read on to see my recipe.

Ep. 16 – Japan – Nigori Martini + Okonomiyaki

I’ve been making Okonomiyaki for a long time. It’s my favorite Japanese dish to make at home, for sure. However, one thing I haven’t really gotten into yet is sake. My mother-in-law loves sake, so I’ve started trying it when I’m with her, and it’s really grown on me.

Some say that Nigori sake is a type of sake often known to be for sake newbies, because it’s on the sweet side, and quite mild. That also means that it tastes great in cocktails, since it mixes well. So I created my own version of a sake martini with nigori sake.

Ep. 15 – Peru – Pisco Sour + Ceviche

As we continue into episode 15 of my It’s Five o’clock Somewhere series, we’re heading to South America! I’ve never been to South America, but have always wanted to go. Peru has always been intriguing to me as a place to travel – with Machu Picchu, the Rainbow Mountains, and of course, The Amazon. Since I can’t travel there now, at least I can pretend to be there by eating and drinking things that originated in the country.

Saffron shrimp and feta bake

Are you in need of another pantry-friendly dish? This one is perfect. It takes frozen shrimp and a block of feta cheese, along with pantry spices, to create a really beautiful and delicious dish.

Ep. 12 – Belgium – Black Russian + Moules Frites

The timing of me publishing this blog post about Belgium food is a bit funny, because I was actually supposed to BE in Belgium today. I had a big Europe trip planned during May and June this year, but as you imagine, I had to cancel it due to COVID-19. Me cancelling that trip and being stuck at home is why I started this series in the first place: to still get that feeling of travel while being stuck at home.

In choosing what to cook each week, I kind of randomly chose different countries based on what my week is like, what I feel like cooking, what ingredients I have on hand, and how much research I’ve done. So it’s a complete coincidence that this week I’m posting my recipes for Belgium, and it’s the same week I would’ve been in Belgium on my trip. Que sera, sera, I suppose.

Ep. 9 – Mexico: Jalapeno Paloma + Spicy Crab Tostadas

For Episode 9 of Cocktails Under Quarantine, we’re traveling south of the border to Mexico!

How have I gone 8 episodes before this without getting to Mexico? Mexican cocktails are some of my favorites, and Mexican food — I mean, can you even go wrong at all?

As you know, I lived in Australia for two years. When you live abroad, you definitely find that you miss certain foods or drinks from back home more than others. Weirdly enough, one of my American favorites was actually not even American: it was Mexican food.

Ep. 8 – England – Gimlet + Fish & Chips

Without further adieu, for Episode 8 of Cocktails Under Quarantine, we’re traveling to England.

It’s about time I’ve made it across the pond, no? There are quite a few classic cocktails that originated in England, but the gimlet is one of the most well-known. I really love making classic cocktails; these cocktails are classics for a reason, and the gimlet is no exception.

To go with the gimlet, I knew immediately that I would have to do beer-battered fish & chips, because it was the most English thing I could think of (and it also just sounded mouth-wateringly delicious).

Almond-crusted redfish with lemon garlic butter

I try to cook fish at least once per week (gotta get those Omega-3s), so I was on the lookout recently for a new recipe to try and I stumbled across this recipe for an almond-crusted fish with a lemon garlic butter. Sounded delicious, so I gave it a try.

Tilapia in roasted red pepper sauce

Yumm this recipe was delish! I’m constantly looking for new ways to have fish, and this one looked really unique: a creamy roasted red pepper sauce. I found this recipe when perusing Pinterest, and if I’m being honest, it caught my eye simply because of how colorful and beautiful it is. The roasted red peppers create such a beautiful warm, rich reddish-orange color, and it just feels very comforting and inviting, so I thought I’d give it a try.

Salmon and asparagus twice-baked potatoes

Ok, so I know we’re all already sick of hearing about COVID-19 all the time, BUT I do have a recent example of how I found a positive outcome from all of this mess.

As a result of social distancing and things shutting down, we’re all forced to stay in and cook for ourselves more. As an avid home cook, I think it’s pretty exciting that there are people out there learning a new skill. But even for an experienced home cook, all this time at home is impacting me too.

In order to extend the time between grocery runs, I’m trying to be as efficient as possible with the groceries I do have. So that means using up as many leftovers as I possibly can – preferably, all of them – and using ingredients in new and creative ways, rather than running to the store for that one ingredient I’m missing.

This desire to use up every last bit of food is what led me to invent this new recipe: salmon and asparagus twice-baked potatoes.