Food blog Archives - Page 2 of 5

Banana Bread

Banana Bread is a staple in most homes and is a wonderful comfort food recipe. Our family makes this Banana Bread Recipe at least once a month in either bread or muffin form. Never throw away old bananas, just freeze them and save them for this wonderful bread recipe. I make a great one these days but my first attempt is something that I am teased about still to this day.

There are days when cooking is just not my thing and the first time I made banana bread was one of them. Even now…… twenty five years later, I still feel the sting of humiliation. I was newly married and wanted to make it for my husband. My sister had given me one of those homemade cookbooks, that you buy at church fairs and school fundraisers, and it had a recipe I thought I would try. As I was reading it, even I thought maybe 5 tbsp. of baking powder was a little much, but hey, what did I know? I am alone in my apartment experimenting and at the exact moment I add the baking powder, it begins to rise like Mt. Vesuvius into some strange, freaking, elementary school science project! As it overflows the bowl, onto the counter and then the floor, the front door opens and who walks in… my husband and is brother! I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because they saw their prey and pounced. These are the two most hilarious, sarcastic men I know and they had a field day. This is one of the many cooking disaster stories that they tell and even I have to say, if it was anyone else but me, it would be hysterical.

After all these years, and lots of practice, I make a great banana bread and they both will agree.

Don’t be afraid to take whisks – Unknown

The bananas need to be ripe….not pretty, just over ripe. I actually freeze the bananas, so I always have some available. The skin will turn black, but they are perfect inside. Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you don’t have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together). Add in all the other ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour. Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour. Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

This can also be made gluten free, I have used the King Arthur Gluten Free Flour in the past and it worked wonderful. You can add chocolate chips or nuts too, it would be a great addition. If you would like to see more, check out the Recipes page on my blog Sunday Chefs.

Allergens: Eggs, Gluten

Banana Bread

Sometimes the simple recipes are the best. This Banana Bread Recipe is easy enough for everyone and is sure to impress.

Prep Time1 30

Active Time15

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2

Cost: $5

Materials

2 cups all purpose flour Can substitute whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
3 bananas very ripe (brown skins)

Instructions

The bananas need to be ripe… not pretty, just over ripe. They can even be previously frozen.
Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you do not have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together)
Add in all the other ingredients. (Mix until just combined and no dry lumps)
Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.
Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

Showstopper Chicken Wings

Having showstopper chicken wings is a statement that makes you a favorite at the cookout. This chicken wings recipe is not difficult but does has some steps. Cooking low and slow can take all day, but it is worth it. This recipe is easily adaptable, so you can take this basic recipe and make it your own.

Nothing brings people together like good food.

-Unknown

I remember the first time I tried to make chicken wings I was so nervous. Chicken wings were not something that I would normally eat, so making them was very intimidating. My husband however, loves chicken wings and I love to cook so I thought I would give it a shot. It took numerous tries to get them right, but my family is always thrilled when I decide to make them. These showstopper chicken wings have become a tradition in our house for Superbowl Sunday. We make Jambalaya, Showstopper Chicken Wings and The Easiest Homemade Barbecue Sauce. We are very superstitious about our football, so these three things are always on the menu for the Superbowl.

The barbecue sauce comes together very quickly, but I suggest when you do make it, double the recipe and freeze some for later. Another great thing about this recipe is that it is very allergy friendly. In this house, we just love a recipe that is peanut free, tree nut free and gluten free! I find chicken wings hard to find. They have become very expensive and come in small packages, so you end up buy quite a few packages. My new go to is buying large packages of them at Costco. I just stick them in freezer and with the frozen barbecue sauce I can whip these up any time.

If you are interested in more, check out the Recipes page of my blog Sunday Chefs.

A showstopper chicken wing recipe makes you the favorite at the party.

Showstopper Chicken Wings

A showstopper chicken wing is a statement that makes you the favorite person at the party.

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Course: Appetizer, dinner, lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

3 lbs Chicken Wings chicken legs, wingettes, or chicken wings
Adobo Seasoning
Red Wine Vinegar
Barbecue Sauce

Method

Add chicken wings to a large pot of water.
Add at least 1 cup of red wine vinegar.
Bring to a boil until a bubbly film forms on the top of the water.
Be careful not to cook too long. You just want to get partially cook them.
Put partially cooked chicken wings on a cooking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray and with a rack or parchment paper.
Generously season the wings on both sides with Adobo seasoning or a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
Cook low and slow (250°) for at least two hours.
At this point, I usually add my homemade barbecue sauce and continue cooking in the oven or air-fry them for a few minutes.

Notes

This recipe is measured by feeling more than exact amounts. It is a general framework that can be easily adapted. Any sauce would work well, but my homemade barbecue sauce is our personal favorite. My homemade barbecue sauce recipe is located in the recipe section of http://www.sundaychefs.com

Best Breakfast at Metro7 Diner – Diner Recommendation

The Metro7 Diner in Latham, NY is the diner you’ve dreamed of. I am always looking for a diner recommendation, so here is one for you. A great diner is the perfect place to eat when on a road trip. I had the best breakfast at Metro7 Diner in Latham, NY and I had to share. We spent a weekend in Latham, NY for a lacrosse tournament and discovered this breakfast gem. After a little research we finally decided to try the Metro7 Diner and it did not disappoint. From the moment we drove into the parking lot I was thinking I made the right choice. The meat smoker in the parking lot was a very good sign.

The bright red and classic look of the building just screams great diner. But the pastry display at the counter clinches it. Metro7 Diner is clean, warm and friendly. My daughter had a lot of lacrosse to play that day so we were looking for big breakfasts and that is what we got. The coffee was great, the food was amazing and the portions were huge. Surprisingly, with everything so expensive these days, the cost was reasonable.

My daughter got the Original Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream with a side of bacon. The portion was huge and she said “They’re the best pancakes I’ve ever had!”

My husband got a tomato and cheese omelet with rye toast and a side of fruit. Everything was wonderful. I am a huge Eggs Benedict fan and decided to try the California Benedict. The California Benedict is two perfectly is poached eggs, turkey sausage and avocado on top of an English muffin, covered in Hollandaise Sauce. The California Benedict is my new favorite.

You can tell that the Metro7 Diner is a family restaurant. The employees are friendly and have an easy camaraderie that screams family. Our waitress was Rhianna and she was fantastic. She chatted with everyone, and made sure everyone had what they needed and that your coffee was always full. What more could you want?

My only regret..that I didn’t get one of the chocolate chip muffins for later. I would give Metro7 Diner as a diner recommendation any day of the week. Make sure to check it out if you are ever near Latham, NY.

If you would like to see some of my other recommendations, check out the Restaurant Review section of my blog Sunday Chefs. Happy Dining!

Bolognese Sauce Recipe – A Great Sunday Dinner

This Bolognese Sauce Recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner. Everyone needs a great Bolognese Recipe in their rotation and this one cannot be beat. I was craving a great Sunday Dinner, so I called my brother-in-law Ron for this recipe and he graciously shared it. It was actually my late father’s recipe, which I did not know. It does not get any better than that. I love nothing more than to make the recipes of the people I love. Food is love and memories and this checked all those boxes. My dad was a great cook and so is my brother-in-law, so this was a great Sunday Dinner.

When I started this recipe today, I could not find ground pork anywhere in the stores. I decided to use pork chops because I knew I could cook it low and slow to the point where the pork chops would shred. Great idea! This will be my new go-to method.

As you can see by my switching out the ground pork for pork chops, Bolognese Sauce is a very adaptable recipe. We leave out the carrots, because we have food allergies and use gluten free pasta for those of us who are gluten free. My new favorite gluten free pasta is Rummo. It is hard to find in stores, but worth it if you can find it. Red wine or white wine is fine. I prefer the red wine, but I have used the white and it was still fabulous.

I have started this recipe in a pot and transferred to a crock pot to finish cooking, but I am a big fan of the dutch oven cooking all day in the oven. Both ways are fabulous and all depend on how much time you have. Check out my other pages here on my Recipes page of my blog Sunday Chefs.

Sundays are for sauce and a great Bolognese Sauce cannot be beat.

-Lisa Leahy

Lisa Leahy

Bolognese Sauce – A Great Sunday Dinner

Sundays are for Sauce and a great Bolognese Sauce cannot be beat.

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Prep Time 20

Servings: 6

Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 lb. Meat (version of pork and beef) I use 1/2 80/20 Ground Beef and 1/2 lb. of ground pork or pork chops.
4 Garlic Cloves Minced
1 small Onion Chopped
1 Carrot (Optional) – diced We leave this out as we have food allergies and it is still wonderful.
1 Tbsp. Dried Basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil, lightly packed.
1 Tbsp. Dried Oregano
2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1 small can Tomato Paste
1 1/4 cup Red or White Wine I prefer the red wine but have used the white and it is very good with version also.
1 28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes or Ground Peeled Tomatoes I prefer San Marzano but I use whatever I have on hand.
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 lb. Pasta I prefer substantial pasta like Pappardelle or Rigatoni.
1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan

Method

Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy skillet or pot (I prefer my Dutch Oven for this) over medium – high heat.
If using pork chops brown them and put them aside. Add the ground beef (and ground pork if that is your version). Cook until the meat is no longer pink (about 6 minutes), breaking it up as you go.
I prefer to drain some of the fat off if there is a lot.
Stir in the onion and sauté for a few minutes until soft and then add the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and the dried basil if that is what you are using.
Add the tomato paste and stir until well combined. Add the wine and cook for a few minutes more.
Add the large can of tomatoes, about 1/2 tbsp. of salt and a tsp. of black pepper.
If I am using pork chops instead of ground pork, this is where I would add them back in. Cutting them into smaller pieces before I do.
If using the all-ground meat version, I would bring to a boil and then lower the temperature, and simmer for ten minutes.
If using the version with the pork chops, I would bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. This version I cook for a long time, a few hours until the pork breaks down and is easily shredded. It takes a long time but is worth it.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions.
While the pasta cooks, add the cream, nutmeg, remaining wine and simmer for another 8-10 minutes.
For a nice presentation, combine sauce with pasta and parmesan cheese and toss well in a large serving bowl. Add some parsley or fresh basil for a pretty presentation.

Restaurant Recommendation – The Hershey Pantry, Hershey PA

Looking for a great breakfast place in Hershey, PA? If so, then The Hershey Pantry is a must see. I enjoy giving restaurant recommendations when I just loved the place. Located at 901 East Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, Pa, it was really easy to find and parking was not a problem despite it being crowded. This is an easy restaurant recommendation. It was the best breakfast I have had in a long time.

After two days of lacrosse at the Summer Genesis Tournament 2024 and wanting some more adventure, we were headed off to Hershey Park for the day and wanted a good cup of coffee and a great breakfast. I am a huge fan of breakfast places and I am very picky about my breakfasts. The concierge at the Courtyard by Marriott Hershey was a great resource and the restaurant recommendation she offered was just down the road. We were a bit intimidated by the crowd but put our name in anyway. But they were very efficient and got us seated quickly. The restaurant is adorable. We sat in the front and it was very eclectic with that old time diner feel but prettier. The back porch looked beautiful with lots of plants and pretty tables, I will sit out there next time. Very nice vibe.

The menu had everything. My first impression, it seemed a bit expensive, but for the amount of food you get it was cheap in the long run. The coffee was everything I needed it to be and the cute mugs were large so you didn’t have to keep asking for refills. It was my kind of place. My husband and daughter ordered the breakfast sampler. The version they ordered included scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon and pancakes and it was about $15.00. The picture to the right is my daughters order! The pancakes alone would have been hard to finish, they were huge. My husband got blueberry pancakes and daughter got chocolate chip pancakes. I don’t tend to be a pancake person, but these were amazing. May I note here… the bacon was cooked perfectly. I always judge a breakfast place by that. Daughter went out of her way to say the scrambled eggs were amazing.

The menu included an entire section just for Eggs Benedict, there were five different versions. I got the traditional eggs benedict with hashbrowns. They were fantastic. I couldn’t finish the plate, but most likely because I kept sneaking pancakes from my daughter. I noticed the chicken and waffles looked amazing, as well as the cinnamon roll. The omelets and the biscuits and gravy caught my eye also. I noticed other patrons were ordering a cinnamon roll for the table, which was a clever idea.

The Hershey Pantry is located at 801 E. CHOCOLATE AVENUE, HERSHEY, PA 17033 just outside of Chocolate Town USA. If you would like to see some of my other recommendations, check out the Restaurant Review section of my blog Sunday Chefs. Happy Dining!

Beef Cubes in Sherry – Comfort Food Meal

Do you enjoy comfort food? Looking for a warm, comforting meal on a cold, rainy day? Then this Beef Cubes in Sherry over egg noodles recipe is the perfect choice. I was not a big meat eater back then (still not so much) but that gravy over the egg noodles alone is amazing. Putting it in the crock pot makes this meal even more appealing. It has been cooking all day and it is cold, rainy, and thundering out and this stew-like meal is going to be perfect.

The stove is the shrine where I convene with my ancestors
-Unknown

With the price of groceries lately, this is a very economical meal. The stew beef has been very expensive lately, so I bought a London Broil steak that was on sale and it worked wonderfully. You need to be flexible these days. You can also use the store-bought Cooking Sherry instead of the original alcoholic version and it will still be wonderful. Leftovers the next day are just as excellent. With cold weather coming, comfort food is on the menu everyday if I have anything to say about it.

This was one of my late mother’s favorite meals to make and she made this all the time when I was a child. I’ve been thinking about her today, so off to the store I went. Because if you know me, you know that food is memories for me. I get emotional eating a meal that someone I love has made for me. I will leave these recipes here for my daughters and hopefully, they will make them someday for the people they love and think of me and those that came before me.

This recipe would be great over rice or mashed potatoes. It can also be made gluten free, if you buy the gluten free option of the soup. The key is to cook it low and slow for a long time. So the crock pot is perfect for this, but a Dutch oven would work also.

If you are interested in more, check out the Recipes page of my blog Sunday Chefs.

Beef Cubes in Sherry

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, British, spanish

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

2 tbsp. Shortening I suppose butter, avocado oil or canola oil would work fine also.
2 lbs. Stew Beef Cubed
1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 cup Sherry Wine Cooking version (non-alcoholic) will work here also.
1 15oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
8 oz. Package of white mushrooms sliced
Salt and Pepper to Taste
1 lb. Bag of Egg Noodles Prepared

Method

Heat shortening in a heavy pot or frying pan if you are using a crock pot.
Brown the beef cubes on all sides.
This is where you can transfer to the crock pot or leave in the heavy pot.
Add remaining ingredients in order given and stir well. Cover pot and simmer mixture for at least an hour.
Alternative: Add to crockpot and heat on low for 4-6 hours.
Serve over egg noodles.

Lynwood Café – Bar Pizza Restaurant Review

Lynwood Café in Randolph, Ma is arguably THE best bar pizza in New England. Bar Pizza is a thing in here and everyone has their favorites. Lynwood Café is a small, neighborhood pizzeria that I began attending as a toddler with my parents and I now bring my grown children. There is a key to longevity with Lynwood Café and it is consistency, they know what works and they stick with it.

Lynwood Café opened in 1949 as a neighborhood bar and once they decided to start making bar pizza, they never looked back. When you walk in, you are walking back in time. The old time charm of the place with its old phone booth, which now houses an ATM (they are CASH ONLY, so this is quite useful) and the shuffleboard game that every child remembers forever.

Love Fades, Pizza is Forever
-unknown

We do not live local anymore, but recently we were in the area and went for the first time in about ten years and we were not disappointed. The warm and friendly atmosphere and the fantastic pizza is just to die for. My lifetime favorite has always been the pepperoni and green pepper, but the hamburg, which I would never order anywhere else is amazing too. My late father was a big fan of the Linguica pizza, which I have never seen in any other pizza place. I have always wanted to try the Boston Baked Bean but I haven’t taken the leap yet.

One tip: skip the bottled beer. I am not usually a draft beer person, but the draft beer at Lynwood Café is the coldest beer I have ever had and it always has been. Another tip: the draft beer comes in little glasses, so order two. Beer and pizza have never been so good.

When I met my husband I told him I was taking him to have the best pizza in Massachusetts and he thought I was crazy. We joke that after he had it was when he decided I was the one he wanted to marry.

REMEMBER: CASH ONLY!

I would highly recommend checking out Lynwood Café if you ever have the chance. If you want to see more restaurant reviews, check out my blog Sunday Chefs.

The Barnacle Restaurant, Marblehead Ma.

Looking for a quintessential New England seafood restaurant? Looking for a great restaurant in Marblehead, Ma? If so, The Barnacle Restaurant is just what you are looking for. I have been going to The Barnacle for too many years than I care to admit and it never disappoints. Located in old town Marblehead, Ma., overlooking Marblehead Harbor with stunning views of The Marblehead light and the beautiful Fort Sewall Park with all its amazing history.

The Barnacle is nothing fancy and it is close quarters but don’t let that scare you away. The drinks are cold and the food is fresh and fabulous. The deck has wonderful views on a beautiful day but sitting inside on a rainy, windy day watching the waves might almost be better.

Everyone in my family has their favorites. I can never decide between the fish and chips or the crab cakes. Hubby and daughter love the fried shrimp and the fisherman’s platter. But all of us love the chowder and shrimp cocktail! So lets just say we order it all and share.

I would usually say this is a summer destination, but The Barnacle is fantastic all year round, no matter the weather. And after you have filled your stomach to excess, go for a walk around old town and check out the sights.

To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location and the company as it is about the taste.
Heston Blumenthal

The Barnacle Restaurant is located at 141 Front Street in Marblehead, MA and is open 7 days a week. Next time you are in the area be sure to check it out. For more like this, check out my Restaurant Reviews page on my blog Sunday Chefs.

Rintintin – Eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood.

Looking for a great restaurant in New York? Maybe some eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood? Rintintin located at 14 Spring Street in the Nolita section of New York City is an adorable little eclectic spot that will not disappoint. A short walk from Sara D. Roosevelt Park and the Elizabeth Street Garden. They are open every day for Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Late Night and Drinks.

Every meal should be a small celebration
-Fannie Farmer

Our family is so happy that our oldest has moved to New York and is living her best life. We are thoroughly enjoying learning our way around and finding lots of little exciting dining spots to explore. This one day, we spent a long day walking and exploring on a beautiful Saturday in New York City. We were looking for a place to sit, rest and have some drinks, my daughter mentioned that Rintintin was a place she always wanted to try. But as a poor New York twenty something she never did. But with mom and dad there it was perfect timing. Safe to say, she was thrilled when we very quickly agreed.

We were lucky that it was beautiful out and a table was just opening on their pretty little outdoor dining area. I have to say, I love all the outdoor dining leftover from COVID. I hope that restaurants keep it up.

We ordered a hummus platter that came with veggies, warm pitta bread, olives, pickles and three kinds of hummus. We also tried the fig crostini. Warm bread with goat cheese and fresh figs all drizzled with honey was truly to die for. I have dreams about it. Even the fresh basket of hand cut french fries was amazing. We just got appetizers, but next time we will be doing the brunch as the the customers at the next table said that it was fantastic.

I hope you go out and try Rintintin in Nolita the next time you are in the area. I love nothing more than sharing great restaurants and recipes on my blog Sunday Chefs. I will be returning to Rintintin again.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream – My new favorite

I have a daughter who moved to New York City last year and we love nothing more than to visit and wander the city exploring any food establishments that catch our eye. It is a great way to find new and exciting places you may have missed. The little mom and pop shop or a fancy new bistro, it’s the excitement of the unknown that is so great. We have had some amazing meals and thank god we are walking so much to burn it all off! We have not been disappointed yet.

It does help that my daughter is a foodie and knows some great spots!

Ice Cream is cheaper than therapy
Unknown

Recently on a very hot, summer weekend, we ventured out to see what we could find. It was late and we were wrapping it up for the evening and walked past Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Vegan Ice Cream at 172 Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side. Vegan Ice Cream? Who knew? Let’s give it a shot! We had eaten so much that day but as my husband says, “The dessert tank is a different tank, the meal tank may be full but the dessert tank is still empty.” There is always room for dessert!

A LIFE WITHOUT ANYTHING GOOD IS BAD
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shoppe

What a cute little spot! The problem now is what to order. They all look amazing. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Ice Cream? I wish I had tried that. Earl Gray Tea? Vegan Churros and Fudge? Vegan Bourbon Vanilla Apple Crisp? Oat Milk Brown Sugar Crunch? Marion Berry Cheesecake? With the decision finally made, we ordered. The choices were a hot fudge sundae made with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for the youngest, a cup of Sicilian Pistachio for hubby and for me? I got the Vegan Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb.

The ice cream was so rich we could barely finish it all. I do believe, the decision was unanimous and it was the best Ice Cream we have ever had. I took a risk with the Vegan Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, but it was amazing. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Vegan Ice Cream makes their vegan ice cream with Coconut Milk or Oat Milk apparently and I would have never known. If you are concerned that vegan ice cream may be a little weird, it is not. If I had not ordered it myself, I would have thought it was regular milk based ice cream.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Vegan Ice Cream has locations all over the city. Nineteen in fact, with locations also in California, Texas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. New locations coming soon in Connecticut and Colorado. I do believe Massachusetts should be next on the list. If you are an ice cream fan, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Vegan Ice Cream is a must see!

Tag: Food blog

Banana Bread