Oven-Baked Eggplant Fries

I love fried eggplant fries, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood for the calories OR the hassle that comes with deep frying...

...so this oven-baked version is the next best thing! 

Thin Crust Shrimp Scampi Pizza ~ If you're a Trader Joe's fan, you'll LOVE this one!

At first glance this pizza may look dry to you, but trust me when I say it's anything but!  It's light, crispy, fun, and POSITIVELY delicious!!!   Keep costs down by replacing the shrimp with sauteed broccoli and garlic...or leave the toppings off all together and simply go with cheese! 

Now...here's where some of you will like me and some of you will not.  My Super Thin Crust Shrimp Scampi Pizza was made almost entirely with ingredients I picked up at Trader Joe's.

If you're one of the, "unfortunates" (with no Trader Joe's), the pizza can obviously be made by gathering the ingredients elsewhere...or go crazy and make it entirely from scratch.

Here's what you'll need...followed by the How To:

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich Smothered with Hot Melted Cheese on a Crusty Roll

Here is a simple, mouth watering vegetarian sandwich I first made 15 years ago, while working in an Italian Restaurant and Pizza place down at the Jersey Shore.  

While back in the kitchen prepping for dinner service, my boss Jason asked me to make him a sandwich.

"What kind?" I asked.

Jason replied, "make me anything,  just no meat and not one that appears on our menu...."

Grilled Sardines with Lemon and Herbs ~ Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Fresh sardines.  I think they're beautiful to look at, but then again, I've always had an affinity to fish.

I love the coast.  I love seafood.  Some of my fondest memories are of sitting around the table with my mom, dad, sisters and brother...slurping down clams and feasting on freshly caught flounder.  So when I came across fresh glistening sardines at Whole Foods this weekend (an item they don't always carry) I knew I had to bring a few home.

Red Velvet Coffee ~ Experimenting with Java

My friend Lauren recently tried a Red Velvet Latte in of all places...a local hospital cafe.  She was there to see her friend who had just given birth to a new baby boy, when as fate would have it...she met (in her words), "the most wonderful coffee drink she ever had the pleasure of sipping!" 

We've been laughing ever since, thinking of ways she can alter her daily commute just so she can get close again to that, "red velvety goodness!"  Possibly changing careers all together...(nursing perhaps???) 

Cheeseburger Empanadas ~ Baked or Fried!

More of an, "idea" than a recipe...I found these Goya empanada wrappers in the freezer section of our local grocery store. They come ten to a pack and are super easy to use!

Just thaw (they thaw quickly) and get stuffing!

Quinoa, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Truffles - No Bake (A year ago...)

This time last year my blog was named, Design Wine and Dine, I took these pictures and I posted this ...Quinoa, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Truffles. (Can you tell I'm a huge fan of the chocolate/peanut butter no bake combo???)

Anyway, since then...

Challah French Toast with Sauteed Apples and Coffee Cake Cinnamon Crumble

Let's just say if you do not make this Challah French Toast with Sauteed Apples and Coffee Cake Cinnamon Crumble for your sweetheart or your family...

well then ~

Lobster Rolls

Lobsters were $6.99lb. today... We picked up two 1.5 lber's and steamed them in a large lobster pot for 10 minutes until bright red...

Grilled Cheese with Roast Beef and Sweet Red Caramelized Onions ~ Sandwich Love.

I'm all about the food porn now a days. Sorry...I can't help it.  Seriously, I started caramelizing onions today...just because??  No reason.

I guess I figured some inspiration would emerge from the sound of the onions soaking and sizzling in hot, bubbling butter....

Some inspiration would emerge from the aroma of the onions rendering down in their sweet earthy goodness....

Well, this Grilled Cheese Sandwich is what resulted.  After its photo shoot...

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Cheese Bites with Crispy Bacon

Let me start by saying these Buffalo Ranch Chicken Cheese Bites with Crispy Bacon would make delicious sliders!  Just add a small soft toasted bun, thinly sliced red onion, a piece of lettuce and a side of chips and...well...need I say more??????

Shown here, as simple bites, they are a breeze to prepare and make for perfect toothpick/napkin food! 

Stacked Potato Slices with Melted Cheese, Scallion and Bacon

How about a tray of these little beauties at your next party?!

I made them in 4 inch porcelain ramekins, but I bet a well buttered muffin tin would also work AND allow you to knock a bunch out at once!