Posts by The Katz Tales
TURKEY BURGER WITH CHEESE ON A PORTOBELLO BUN
If you’re looking for ways to lighten your meals without giving up on some of your favorite summer dishes, try this turkey burger. Turkey meat is a lower fat and cholesterol option than beef and with the right ingredients mixed in, you might not even notice that much of a difference. And rather than a…
Read MoreNO MAYO COLESLAW
Every year we have a big block party and I always like to bring something that goes with hotdogs and hamburgers. Because everything sits out for hours, I can’t make my usual coleslaw because it has mayo. Here’s a vinegar-based recipe with a tangy dressing. It’s best to bring a bowl of ice to place…
Read MoreGRILLED STEELHEAD TROUT
As a nice alternative to salmon, try steelhead trout. The fillets are usually thinner than most salmon fillets, so I find they cook more evenly on the grill. Here’s a simple recipe that comes together in no time. It’s a great last-minute dish for those lazy summer days. INGREDIENTS (serves 2) 1 lb steelhead fish,…
Read MoreROASTED TOMATO SOUP
It’s harvest time, so that means the neighbors have way too many tomatoes to know what to do with them. So, being the lucky recipient of their abundance, I’m putting this year’s bounty to good use with this creamy roasted tomato soup. There’s nothing better than making tomato soup from fresh garden ingredients. Wait, oh…
Read MoreGRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS
Now that it’s grill season, it’s time to spice things up a bit. Here’s a simple marinade for grilled chicken thighs. I like to use bone-in pieces because it takes longer to cook and allows the chicken to absorb more of the smokey flavor. INGREDIENTS MARINADE 1/2 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon…
Read MoreBACKYARD PASTA SALAD
So you’ve been invited to your neighbor’s house for a backyard barbecue and they’ve asked you to bring a side. You’re tired of making salads that no one eats, and want something that won’t spoil quickly in the heat. Ah ha! How about a pasta salad? You’ve got tons of tomatoes and cucumbers in your…
Read MoreGOAT CHEESE AND DRIED FRUIT DIP
It’s always good to have a great hors d’oeuvre to set out while people begin to gather. This has proven to be a great crowd pleaser and I can just set it out and forget about it. You can even make most of it a day ahead and just leave the baking part for right…
Read MoreINDIAN SPICED COD
After having a blow-out weekend of way too much food and wine, I wanted to dial it back for dinner tonight. I always put fish in the “not evil” category, but my husband and I have very different preferences when it comes to fish. I’m not a huge fan of firm white fish—which he likes—but…
Read MoreEMPTY THE FRIDGE SALAD
If you’ve been following my blog, you might notice a theme that runs through many of my recipes—I hate to waste food. And with the cost of fresh produce skyrocketing, it pains me to have to throw away things that might be a tad close to the edge. My solution—stir fry leftover veggies, throw in…
Read MoreSIMPLE SUNDAES
I don’t know about you, but I have a boatload of people coming over for the holiday and I’m running out of time to get things ready. Here’s a really simple idea for dessert that celebrates the day and gives you time to actually enjoy it. INGREDIENTS (Serves 6) 2 pints vanilla ice cream 1…
Read MoreCREAMY CHICKEN AND ORZO
I love one-pot dishes and this is one of my favorites. It’s great cooking the orzo in with all of the other ingredients so that the flavors really meld with the pasta. It’s a great dish for company, or even for a mid-week quick dinner. And the leftovers are even better the next day. INGREDIENTS…
Read MoreSAUTEED CHINESE GREENS
I’ve become obsessed with Chinese greens. I often find myself wandering around the produce section in Asian markets or Chinatowns trying to figure out what to do with all the glorious exotic vegetables. My particular favorites are the choy family; choy sum, gai choy, bok choy, yu choy and ong choy—all variations on greens, some…
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