meat and seafood

5 Easy Tips for Juicy Roast Chicken

A juicy, crispy roast chicken with vegetables is one recipe every home cook can—and should—easily master.

Roast Chicken Recipe

Why would a little old bird seem so intimidating to me? Maybe because the little clucker has inspired more failed recipe attempts for me than any other recipe I’ve tried to master.

Am I alone here?

Roast chicken is supposed to be easy. It’s not like you need new technology or fancy schmancy ingredients. It’s one of the basics and cooks have been roasting birds for, like, forever.

So what was my problem?

continue to the recipe… about 5 Easy Tips for Juicy Roast Chicken

Market Street Clam Chowder Recipe

This recipe is a favorite I published in the early days of FoodieCrush. This past weekend I ran into a friend at the grocery store who said she’d been searching for the famous clam chowder recipe from Salt Lake City’s Market Street Grill, which reminded me to re-share the recipe with some updated photos for you. So, without further adieu, here is a re-post of the best clam chowder recipe, in my opinion, EVER.

“Hey, Chowda-head!”

It was a greeting that one of my fellow waiters at my post-college/pre-real-life-seafood-restaurant-job has been teased about for lo’ these many years. And he has NEVER been happy about hearing it again, and again, and again.

See, that job at Salt Lake City’s Market Street Grill was all about presentation and customer service. That meant every dish, every cup and even every spoon was served by the waiter from a tray.

So when you had a 6-top—that’s waiter-speak for a table of six—who all ordered the house specialty, famous clam chowder, we would load up a HUGE tray, hoist it high over our heads with the straightest arm we could possible muster, and charge forth through the sea of waiting to be seated customers to serve our eagerly awaiting diners bowls of creamy, white chowder in heavy china bowls with plated liners.

One especially busy night—it must have been a big rush before a Utah Jazz basketball game—my friend had a big table and of course they all ordered chowder. He loaded up the tray, even stacking the bowls two high!

It was a feat to behold for mere waiter mortals.continue to the recipe… about Market Street Clam Chowder Recipe

Anderson Seafoods $300 Gift Card Giveaway

With only 2 more days until Veterans Day, 2 weeks ’til Thanksgiving and just 7 more Sundays to Christmas (whaaaaaat???) I say it’s time to get into the celebrating spirit with a $300 Gift Card Giveaway from Anderson Seafoods.

The first time I tried Anderson Seafoods I was nothing short of impressed. It’s the best quality seafood I’ve ever used as a home cook and since it was shipped overnight I’m pretty sure it was a lot fresher than what I can usually find at my local grocer, or even my fave seafood restaurant for that matter.

continue to the recipe… about Anderson Seafoods $300 Gift Card Giveaway

Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata

Simple yet elegant, this Crab Spaghetti is pure comfort food with a high brow touch—because who doesn’t find comfort in twirling pasta around the big old clumps of sweetly lush lump crab.

If there’s one thing you want to eat in it’s lumpiest form, it’s crab. Take my word for it.

Crab can sometimes feel a little intimidating to make. How do you cook it? How do you crack it? And doesn’t it take forever to get that meat out of those prickly sharp shells?

But in reality, whether it’s steamed in it’s long, lanky king crabby legs dripping with butter (this recipe is hands down the easiest way to fix it) or rolled into bite size appetizer bites like this, it’s incredibly easy to prepare.

Fear not, this Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata jumps from pan to plate in about a half an hour. And I have just the tip to make it as painless as possible to make cure your crabby cravings.

continue to the recipe… about Crab Spaghetti with Lemon Gremolata

Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Are you a dinner recipe planner or do you fly by the seat of your desires once your cute striped TOD’s hit the front door of your favorite grocery store?

I wish I was a better grocery shopping planner. But then if I was, I wouldn’t have found these amazing tuna steaks at the good old Costco. And because I would have had a list I was compelled to follow, I probably wouldn’t have deviated from said written word. And then, I wouldn’t have shared these lovely meaty fishes with you. Meaty fishes? Oxymoron. But still.

When we lived in Venice, we didn’t have to buy fish from the good old Costco. We had Santa Monica Seafood which for anyone who has a crush on fish is like a the sparks that fly between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Lining Playbook. Why oh why did he not win Best Actor. His baby blues deserve their own award, stat.

SM Seafood had a plethora of fish, every single day. Stuff you’ve never heard of. But the tuna was crazy good. But given we were on the pacific coast, we didn’t always have to get our tuna from the store.

Nope, we had Jimmy for that.

continue to the recipe… about Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche Stuffed Avocados

The most tasteful things in life are usually the simplest. And this dish is a shining example.

After weeks of nipping at our ankles like border collies herding sheep, Christmas Eve is here and New Years Eve will be scurrying right up behind it. I for one am ready to welcome in a new year of hope and gratitude with clinks of champagne and air kisses galore.

These occasions scream for something decadent, but with the flurry of social activities, travel time and overall high expectations, why don’t we all decide to keep it simple, shall we? Simply decadent.

This year I’ll be celebrating New Years on a beach in Mexico. No, not just in my mind as I settle into below freezing temperatures as my husband suggests I warm up that snow shovel. No, this is all real life baby. Sand, surf and shrimp will be tops on my itinerary, and not necessarily in that order.continue to the recipe… about Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche Stuffed Avocados

Chipotle Shrimp Burritos with Simple Avocado Crema

I’m Heidi and I love Mexican food. It’s 100% true and I am 100% good with owning up to the fact that if you can give me something spicy to eat I’ll be more than happy to choose it over a mundane turkey on white bread sandwich. Unless that turkey on white bread sandwich also comes with a layer of sweet cranberry sauce and avocado slices with a sprinkle of kosher salt. Then we are in business. Add pickles and I might be in heaven.

But for as much as I love Mexican food, from the tacos and gooey enchiladas to tomatillo salsa and citrusy guacamole, I’m not much of a burrito buff. So many flavors packed into portions that could feed a village resulting in the embarrassing wipe down of my face with half a dozen napkins—while searching for more—and the overwhelming kerfunkle of feeling like I just ate a house once I’m finally finished.continue to the recipe… about Chipotle Shrimp Burritos with Simple Avocado Crema

Crockpot Pork Posole Stew Recipe

This dish is kind of like Disneyland for both the OCD list makers who obsessively plan meals weeks ahead of time, and for those of us (eh-hem, I’m using the collective “us” so I don’t feel so alone) who somehow make their way to the grocery store before 1 p.m. to find a fresh, juicy Boston Butt ready to roast. By the way, who came up with the name Boston Butt? I feel a little like Beavis whenever I say, “Boston Butt, hee-hee, hee-hee.” Smudge loves saying it. That’s weird. She’s eight years old. Maybe the pork-parts-namers were marketing to adults who act like 8 year old juveniles?

But I digress. This recipe is all about the low and slow and there’s not many better ways to cook it low and slow than a slllllllow cooker. Ahh, another Beavis moment, but I’ll let that one go.continue to the recipe… about Crockpot Pork Posole Stew Recipe

Tasty Tomatillo Shrimp Recipe

This year in my garden I went above and beyond my basic tomato planting regimen and introduced a new garden bedfellow to the rest of the team: Hello Mr. Tomatillo.

Up until about two years ago I was pretty unfamiliar with raw tomatillos. I don’t think I had even put together the fact that they are the main ingredient in my favorite green salsa that I douse my morning eggs in.

But then I started experimenting and made up one of my favorite salsas and posted a plethora of tasty tomatillos recipes.

And that’s when I kinda fell in love with the sticky little buggers.continue to the recipe… about Tasty Tomatillo Shrimp Recipe

Friday Faves and Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit

I just stepped out of the orchard. No, I mean literally, I just stepped out of the orchard.

Today I stepped out of a van, into a picturesque Oregon orchard, to photograph, gawk and fondle some of the world’s most coveted pears and peaches grown and harvested by gifting company Harry & David. But more of that to come in a future post…

Ironically I had planned on posting this recipe before I actually visited the orchards, but I’m realizing the visit must have been on my mind when I started craving this salad since the nectarines have been ripening on my kitchen counter for the past week.

Some things happen for a reason. Right?

But first let’s talk about some of my Friday Favorites, stuff I’ve been crushing on this week via the www…

continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves and Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit

Mango Gazpacho with Quick Pickled Shrimp Plus 5 Fruity Recipes

He’s on a diet and in his book that means one thing. Soup for dinner. But every night?

Soup is my man’s default meal when he wants to drop a few lbs. and with his band’s final reunion gig just around the corner, he’s definitely made the commitment to come out strong and looking gooood. He’s even switched from his beloved Sierra Nevadas to light beer. HORRORS!

Thus his creativity in the kitchen has taken a nose dive. And since I’m not a big fan of soup in a can I had to take things into my own hands.

A week or so ago Smudge requested that I get her some mangoes. Wow, okay, that’s pretty adventuresome for her since mangoes are a fruit we don’t generally keep in our regular arsenal. I was impressed at the request and shot down to Costco to pick a jumbo size pack.

Why. Did. I. Do. That?

Long story short, it wasn’t fresh mango she wanted. Oh no, she wanted DRIED mango. Ah-ha! Fine then.

So what do I do with all of these mangoes? When life gives you mangoes, make mango gazpacho.continue to the recipe… about Mango Gazpacho with Quick Pickled Shrimp Plus 5 Fruity Recipes

Chicken Sliders with Pasilla Peppers and Chipotle Ketchup

I’m like my mom this way. I love a good burger.

On our summer trips to visit my Grandma in San Francisco, my dad would make a huge bed in the back of the Suburban and my sister and I would travel the 600 miles there and 600 miles back sprawled out in the lap of luxury on a 6 inch styrofoam bed, surrounded by magic markers, books and games.

Our road trips were pre-seatbelts, pre-DVD, pre-books on tape and even pre-VHS or Sony Walkman. Raise your hand if you’re wondering what those are. Oh my, oh my, oh my..continue to the recipe… about Chicken Sliders with Pasilla Peppers and Chipotle Ketchup

Mad for Dips and Creamy Clam Dip

When it comes to sporting events, we’re all about rallying the troops and gathering the pom poms, but really it’s an excuse for a foodie get together.

It doesn’t much matter the team, whether it revolves around engines, goggles or balls, it’s a simple reason to come together and become absorbed in the beauty of human determination and fortitude.

This weekend we’ll be choosing sides, donning our colors, and sitting back to immerse ourselves in March Madness. I’m partial to college basketball. My dad played college basketball, as did my grandfather, and yes, I play a mean game of H-O-R-S-E.

So as the remaining teams battle for the big win at the Final Four and the network entices the not-so-enthralled-fans with the musical medley of Jimmy Buffet, Blondie, KISS, Avett Brothers and the Black Keys—nothing like throwing a broad blanket on the entertainment picks to try and appease each and every demographic–we’ll be gorging on our go-to game time snack. Clam Dip.continue to the recipe… about Mad for Dips and Creamy Clam Dip

The Simplest Alaskan King Crab Legs and a Valentine’s Dinner Round-Up

Hearts, sprinkles, love letters and romantic gestures from someone you’ve admired from afar. Or, maybe not. Valentine’s Day is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. And the most dreaded.

But fear not the pudgy cherub with his pointy bow that may or may not be misdirected, it matters not whether you have a love in your life, you still need to feed your face.

A favorite of mine and my honey bunny poochie coo (er, husband) for V-day is keepin’ it simple with a bottle of wine and crackin’ crab in front of the Tivo and catching up on last week’s Parenthood.

Some people think crab is something you only get when you go out for that special meal, but honestly, we’re total opposites in that theory. Why spend all your dough on the restaurant mark-up when instead you can grab yourself a couple of extra legs to heat up toot sweet?

continue to the recipe… about The Simplest Alaskan King Crab Legs and a Valentine’s Dinner Round-Up

Swordfish Skewers and a Skewer Recipe Round-up

Pool side. Sunshine. Beers before it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Yup, it’s Labor Day.

I’m taking advantage of one of the last official days of summer to put my grill to the test with the assignment of cooking up some delicious, charbroiled vittles.

What’s on the menu? Chermoula Swordfish Skewers, a recipe I covet from a dog-eared 2007 issue of one of my undying foodie mag loves, the UK’s Delicious magazine.

Get the Chermoula Swordfish Kebabs recipe from Delicious mag and get skewered this weekend. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

Looking for more ways to bob your kebab? Here they are. Enjoy.

I am a big, big fan of Satay thanks to several visits to Thailand, where its served straight from the chargrill on the streets streaming with speeding Tuk Tuks and homeless dogs lurking about for a dropped morsel. Jen’s adaptation of Taste of Home‘s Thai Style Chicken Satay’s combines chiles and lemongrass for the sweet, tart heat that’s the dish’s Thai signature.\

The talented creative force behind the scenes of the online foodie magazine Maché (a.k.a. food porn deliciousness) Adam & Joanne’s obsession with the spiced up heat of one of my fav condimnets led them to creating Inspired Taste‘s Sriracha Beef Skewers in all it’s caramelized honeyed goodness.

When not on her bike burning all of the cupcake calories she might enjoy, Lisa is busy creating healthy recipes like Bike Bake Blog‘s Herbed Vegetable and Haloumi Kebabs. Haven’t yet tried this high melting point cheese that is oh-so good when grilled? Do yourself a favor and DO SO NOW!

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