TALL Blonde's Cookbook : Food Glorious Food

Momma's Pecan Rum Gateau

This is an adult affaire...

This is a richy-rich cake...

This is a super moist cake...

...is why I could not understand why it tasted so good made by my restauranteur mother. She was in the biz most of her adult life although her food at home and at the restaurant was always outstanding, without complaint, sweets were never her strong apron, never, nada, zip. I begged for the recipe and voila, of course, it uses a box cake mix. It all makes sense now.

So here it is, a rich cake elegant enough to take to parties and simple enough for anyone to bake. Good enough to enter in a and win!

The very BEST roast chicken is the simplest roast chicken. Few ingredients, no cooking skills required and while roasting you will simultaneously make the most incredible sauce. In a roasted chicken is commonly served with . Below are both recipes for a roasted chicken and how to season French fries in the French manner. Serves 4.

There are those times when I am really craving fast-food, even if I have to make it at home. Here is TALL blonde's version of , but using instead of walnuts simply because pecans were available in my pantry and I am not a big fan of . Feel free to substitute it back if you are a .

Dammit, I forgot to take a glamor-shot of the whole roasted ham as it exited the oven. The pictured "before" and "after" of cooked ham will make a juicier and smokey holiday ham with simple pantry ingredients. It is lightly charred, juicy, sweet, fragrant, holiday spicy, smoky and tender. Take a spiral sliced ham, or with a steady hand and a very sharp knife do it yourself, then make a flavorful and aromatic paste. Perfect for next morning breakfast, added to soup or if you lack culinary imagination...a really tasty sammy and that it okay too!

To dine out, or not to dine out, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of and indoor dining, or to take arms against a sea of the and host a meal for your favorite friends at home.

It is always my preference to host friends in my home and share a home cooked meal with pleasant drink drenched in raucous laughter. Sometimes the happy compromise is to meet friends at a local eatery that has a menu that can accommodate all palates.

Under the new normal, I will hesitate to meet a friend and sit indoors surrounded by who knows who, and who knows what and if they share with me their viral cooties. I decided it is for me to up my culinary game and invest time and research towards a very respectable vegetarian meal.

Recently I prepared a three-course lunch plus dessert for a dyed in the wool vegetarian friend that included and (sans shrimp), Spinach and Cheese Quiche and these with a bounty of complex but complimentary flavors. Recipe in three parts most of which may be prepared the day before, warmed through and quickly assembled.

I have the honor and humility to share with you that after trying this cocktail sauce friends have told me this is the best they have ever eaten. Traditionally served with cooked shrimp or crab. May also be added to a classic Thousand Island dressing to give it an extra zing.

The long list of ingredients may look daunting but the bold savory flavor of this cocktail sauce you can never go back to the others, they will taste like ketchup by comparison We are a small family so this recipe is perfect for the two of us. I would highly recommend doubling it as it will also make the shopping more worth while for a big batch. After all, this lasts in my fridge for up to one month.

All of the ingredients should be very finely diced, No one likes a lumpy cocktail sauce so using a blender is perfectly fine for ease and time saving with one exception; *do not add the parsley to the blender as it will give an off color. Serves 6.

Mixed Berry Scones Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Recipe courtesy

I am married to a Brit and as a Brit he sometimes has terrible judgement in food. He loves scones and I think they are dry and gaggy like a bad bagel or old pita bread. Until now....

Here is a wonderful recipe for mixed berry scones that is easy and tasty and I can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning just to have one (or two). This recipe uses so they are easy to find year 'round no matter the time of year or region in which you live. makes 8. NOTE: The fruit must be kept frozen during the making of the dough. Serves 8.

I wish you could be here to smell the aroma of the smoked salmon and taste the creamy, delicate, buttery egg curds. A simple recipe, can be made in 10 minutes. perfect for morning breakfast when serving overnight guests or a great brunch with a . Click open to view time lapse easy to follow video.

There is some debate if this chocolate cake recipe is truly vegan due to the use of . The process of making white sugar involves the sifting through . The only sugar that does not undergo this process is powdered sugar but that has corn starch added and not proper for baking a cake. You may chose to substitute using , date syrup, maple syrup, molasses or agave, This cake recipe is intended for those folks that are vegan in order to reduce . Remember most is not considered vegan. Serves 6.

Beef Wellington Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

MMMMmmmmmmm, ; aka ''. A wonderful combination of buttery crust blanket wrapped around a beautiful medium rare roast lovingly bathed in a fois gras and shallot vest. Although some folks believe this is a classic because of its undyeable richness of flavor and depth of aromatic sauce it's origin is actually from . Evidence of a British Kingdom producing elegant food. HA!

This recipe is not for the faint of heart, it takes some planning, there are four major steps in its creation and it is expensive due to the cut of meat, but oh so worth it. 10 years ago I made this dish in a 5-course dinner for 10 friends and it was quite an effort but they still talk about it to this day. Perfect for a holiday dinner or very special occasion, perhaps replacing your November turkey or December ham.

I have made this recipe using home-made Puff Pastry and it tasted fabulous (as pictured), but this recipe is tricky enough where I opt in for the ready made stuff and minimize the extra steps.

Sweet Potato Garbanzo Curry Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

To be frank, I am on the hunt for to entertain our vegan friends. It's a culinary exercise for me to sharpen my skills and broaden my repertoire.

Okay now enough of the mumbo-jumbo, vegan cooking is not what it was 30 years ago. No longer do you have thoughts of corrugated wood pulp shipping boxes. Vegan dishes are packed with flavor, fresh ingredients and a smaller impact on the environment over an (but I still like meat). This recipe is also easy to shop for ingredients and in 35 minutes you have a fragrant tasty meal and your kitchen will smell like heaven.

Adult Tuna Sandwich

is a colorful layered sandwich of good quality canned tuna, an aromatic olive salad in vinaigrette and hard boiled eggs. If the aroma is familiar to you this is roughly the sandwich version of . Pan Bagnat translates to bathed bread to give you some idea how the vinaigrette influences the dish, but this is by no means a sloppy sammy. It is a healthier alternative to a traditional tuna sandwich with mayonnaise and pleasing to an adult palate. This admittedly is 's favorite food group: the sandwich.

Best made in advance if you can curb your appetite so that the flavors meld and flow into a tangy sourdough baguette. Tuna used must be a good quality packed in olive oil as albacore tends to have a dry quality so olive oil is preferable to water-packed. Whenever cooking with olive oil, always purchase California olive which is certified 100% olive oil and not cut with other oils. from other countries are not always pure olive oil.

I love a great stew, can be made ahead, can be slow cooked in the oven or crockpot. I have never used an InstaPot but I assume it can handle the challenge. Nightshade-free cooking is my latest area of culinary experimentation and a move towards good health. Click nightshade free recipes in the Category link of this blog if you are curious. Like all stews you are likely using an inexpensive cut of meat, slow cooking and always a treat served with a for that savory or served sliced and poured over cooked and hot , especially on a cold day....as in San Francisco in July (ha ha).

Brazilian Moqueca Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Moqueca is a flavorful and creamy fish stew from Brazil. Tomato and bell pepper based sauce with a twist. This includes coconut milk and heavily flavored with cilantro. I say this up front for those of you that do not care for it. You can use any combination of shellfish and firm white fish. I prefer to use equal amounts of cod and large shrimp.

The tomato coconut sauce is brought to a rolling boil then turned off, add the fish and allow it to slowly cook in the residual heat in a lidded pot so the fish cooks evenly and not rubbery. You will also need the use of a strong food blender.

Party Skewer Salads Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

I am going to admit it right here, right now, I borrowed this from . But hey, when there is a great idea it should be shared. These salads are clever, attractive on any table, easy to eat and if you are throwing a party you can serve several different salad variations with ease. If your party guests are standing while attempting to eat, than these salad recipes eliminate the balancing act of placing one hand on the paper plate, one hand on the fork and balancing a glass of wine on their head. Served on long sandwich length toothpicks with a colored frill or 5-inch bamboo skewers.

So fasten your seatbelt, there are 11 recipes to race through and I am sure you will find two or three you will try at your next party-

Jalapeno Powder Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

. I struggled on how to make this post interesting, what image to use, what description to offer but very simply put I now tell all my friends, "Don't buy anymore". The best part of this statement is that you can create your own with ingredients you cannot find in a prepackaged spice jar, and the flavors are more intense and fresh tasting. I don't recommend , it must always be used fresh.

<View video below>

While most of us were stuck at home last year I found new ways to amuse myself and spend my free time that I no longer used for daily commute or face to face meetings. I decided to spend my time in the kitchen as this is one of my passions to create new dishes and new ways of cooking. You do too, or you would not be reading my cookbook blog.

Tater Salad Dressing Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Completely packed with flavor and a little heat, TALLBlonde not only uses this for but it makes a tasty tuna sandwich. It has also become my favorite tartar sauce for deep fried fish, just add 2 tsp. dried . I suggest emptying a full jar of mayonnaise and refilling the jar with this great creamy creation, double the recipe.

One cup of this dressing is perfect for 1 large potato or 2 medium potatoes. Peel potato, cut into one-inch dice and boil in salted water until soft in the center but before it falls apart in the boiling water. Drain and mix in dressing while potatoes are warm so dressing soaks in.

has posted his simple and perfect pizza crust recipe. Admittedly I can never resist a tweak so I always add A Dash More.

Using instead of will give you a crispy crust and wonderfully filled with air bubbles and has a light chew without being gummy. I added a link to my NoMato Red Sauce for those who are (potato, tomato, eggplant, peppers, chilies) and craving a pizza but cannot abide the inflammation and indigestion. NoMato Sauce is perfect for pizza or casseroles such as lasagne, although not recommended for a plate of standalone pasta as it does not adhere well. Happily, you cannot detect the lack of tomatoes.

Makes 2 10-inch pizza crusts.

Rice Paper Bacon Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

As anyone can see by my recipe collection I am neither nor but I do enjoy experimenting outside my culinary comfort zone. I like bacon and while I do not slather it on everything and for some the occasional it is a great addition to many dishes, especially sandwiches. TALLBlonde's favorite food group!

Butter Pecan Ice Cream Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Have a little patience with this recipe, it is a 3-parter. The flavor you will create is worth all the extra time you will give it. Ice cream is not meant to be made spontaneously. You can thank me later by whispering to yourself, "Oh, this is so good", with each spoonful.

This is so rich you will not be filling a soup bowl of the stuff after dinner. Recipe makes 1 luxurious pint. Double the recipe if you are feeding an army or small party.

NoMato Sauce Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Okay America, I am just going to say it, this is "effing" amazing.

I must admit, I could not believe that a rich and flavorful could be made without tomatoes. I am cooking for a family member that can no longer eat (tomato, potato, eggplant, all peppers). The inflammation from the naturally occurring enzymes create great havoc with their immune system. If you suffer from , you may want to try eliminating nightshades for a few weeks and see how your joints feel with less inflammation and pain. I have reviewed numerous recipes and have developed this recipe that is 95% the closest to the real thing, a classic Marinara sauce without tomatoes. It can be done.

Some recipes require an expensive , which I do not own, nor do I want to dish out for one. requires only a and a classic . And may I say this is healthier than the stuff you purchase in a glass jar at your local grocer. I highly recommend sharing this with your friends that are suffering the ravages of nightshade terror.

They can eat pasta and pizza again, that alone make this worth it even if you are not nightshade intolerant because it is fresher!

San Mateo Tacos

I love it when a plan comes together, first time's a charm. These beef tacos with sautéed onions turned out so scrummy that I had to jump on my laptop and share the recipe. Even if it is only to memorialize the details of the recipe for my own use and not rely on a flawed memory. I was also looking for an alternative taco recipe that is nightshade-free.

Admittedly I was nervous about some of the flavor combinations. This uses and with a very beefy flavored cut of meat my fingers were crossed tight to the point of white knuckles that I made the right choices. Turns out the luscious onions brought out the best in a rich beefy cut of meat.

Tacos are not a precise dish and approximate measurements will be shown here. I will say the more added flavor enhancing items listed in the recipe, the better the outcome. So if I say oregano, add OREGANO! You know how to cook, you can get this right.

Kofta and Salad Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Third in a three part series centering on typical food served in Israel. Everyone loves Kebabs (Kofta) and here is TALL Blonde's version. I have previously tried recipes and felt the flavor components needed to be ramped up. That is my first contribution, the second contribution to this recipe is the option to consider using instead of ground beef, some optional flavor suggestions and the elimination of the skewer so anyone can make these without the requirement of a grill. These patties make terrific sliders smothered with a little plain yogurt and diced green onions or spicy (recipe link below)

If you wish to try your hand at preparing a complete meal, check on my other recipes titled "Isreal Step One" and "Israel Step Two" for complimentary side dishes: Pita Bread, Tabbouleh, and Green Harissa. I have included a recipe for refreshing Israeli Salad below.

Cornbread Breakfast Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Simple to throw together. I like to eat this for breakfast warm.

Three part recipe series on . There are more self described vegetarians and vegans in this country than any other single country in the world, true fact.

This recipe is a classic traditionally made with . I make this recipe with as a . So good, you will serve it in a martini glass.

Pita and Harissa Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

TALLBlonde's newest food obsession is , first in a three part series. Not that there is an actual . It is an amalgam of local bordering nations and diverse ancient cultures on the same land. Also did you know that the people of Israel have the highest rate of in the world?

Thank you "" and "" for these two recipes.

Smoked Salmon Chowder Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

It has been said a thousand times that soup is like a warm hug, but it's true. When you find a terrific soup that is layered in flavor, richness to the tongue and a little spike of heat to push away the chill it is like wearing cashmere underwear in a feather bed with flannel sheets and the electric blanket has been turned to high for an hour.

This is the soup for that warm and cozy, loungy day experience. took a basic and made it much more special. It is so superb I would serve this to guests as a first course.

Fruity Crunchy Granola Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

is a very personal thing. Everyone has their personal idea of the "perfect" granola mix. This recipe is super easy. There is a basic process to follow and flavor balance is up to you. Below is the basic oats preparation, dried fruits, nuts are added after baking to prevent burning in the oven.

Mango Chutney Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Truth be told I developed this recipe to reverse engineer my most favorite brand of prepared Mango Chutney and very difficult to source. This recipe is an amalgam of different flavor profiles to make the best Mango Chutney to throw into any dish at the last moment without much additional preparation. This is terrific on any pan seared or poached white fish,or as a glaze on roasted lamb or your favorite pork ribs. Even drizzled on a basic cheese pizza can bring sheer joy and delight to your taste buds with this sweet and acidic exotic elixir. I am truly proud to bring you this TALLBlonde Mango Chutney recipe. Get a clean quart-sized jar ready as you will only need to make this recipe once a year. While this may seem laborious on its surface I would like to think it is so good you will make an effort to make it twice a year to replenish your well used and well enjoyed supply. When you consider $8 for an 8 oz. jar this is so worth making.

Hawaii's Dole Whip Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Aloha.

If you have ever visited the , you know about . This is the smoothest, creamiest refreshingly ice coldest cup of nirvana you have ever tasted. (who owns the ) has released the recipe for you to now make it at home.

After a few attempts of my own I have tweaked the recipe to make it my own.

Champagne Leek Parmesan Pasta Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

This pasta dish is easy to prepare, cheap on the budget and packed with rich flavor of parmesan and luxurious butter sautéed leeks. TALL Blonde uses leftover Champagne from New Year's Eve. An economical and excellent morning after dish.

Sweet Hot Mango Prawns Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Here is another '' recipe that I likely would not have tried without being shackled to the homestead. Adapted from Jaime Oliver 5 Ingredients - Quick and Easy Sticky Mango Prawns. That guy is a genius!

Raspberry Almond Crunch Pastry Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

This is a four layer cookie that is rich, creamy and luxurious. It is more high end pastry where only a small sliver will leave you totally satisfied. Clearly I have been binge watching "British Baking Show" and was inspired to create this recipe. I will not write a step-by-step recipe or this would be a mile long tome on cookie baking so this is for the advanced baker. The ingredients and measurements are listed with minimal instruction as needed for clarification. There is nothing difficult if you take each of the four steps as one process. It would be wise to ensure you have all ingredients and lay them out mis en place. This is a wonderful December holiday cookie recipe as the almond flavor of the marzipan is reminiscent of German Stollen. So lets get started.

Gin Tonic Cake Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Perfect for a . This Gin & Tonic cake is very easy and wonderfully refreshing when served chilled just like your favorite classic libation. In this recipe you may use a . (I said it would be easy)

Potato Leek Stew Tall Blonde Cookbook Recipe

Last week I ordered 1 potato and was delivered a 5-pound bag. There is only so much mashed potatoes anyone can eat so I had to create a new potato-centric recipe. .A time honored classic for any cold weather day, .

My mother used to ask if I was partly because I love eating rice so much. HA, wouldn't she know? I would flood my with melted butter, hollow out a and fill it with rice while at the dinner table.

In a two and a half minute video I can show you how to make this delicious and . It is a meal, not just a side dish. Remember health has the word "heal" and this dish will heal you craving for something satisfying.

Kitchen Sink Cookies

TALL Blonde has been baking in my head the ultimate, unctuous, throw everything to the wall cookie for a couple years. Have you ever eaten a cookie and thought, this would be better if you added (fill in the blank). I tried to assemble all those "ifs" right here. I purposely developed this cookie recipe for a small commitment of ingredients and time. Sometimes I get in the mood for a home baked cookie to fill the kitchen with that wonderfully sweet smell but you may be low on ingredients, or for me I would rather not take time to bake several episodes of cookie trays in succession. One and done is sometimes a very good thing.

The butter used in this recipe is unsalted, but if you like that salt and sweet combination go for the salted butter version. You may substitute dark brown sugar over light brown sugar but I think the flavor may be a bit too heavy. Always, always pre-toast nuts before using in any recipe, and that include this one. Be careful not to burn them.

Last night I was watching a 1-hour documentary from series "". It is an ongoing beautifully scripted series on the various histories of successful industries, celebrities, geography, tragedies, and historical news events. Sports to earthquakes to wine and much more are covered. As a real Homer, born and raised here I have watched every episode in the series even on topics of little interest to me such as surfing and every time I watch I learn something wonderful.

The most recent airing told the story of how the Bay Area contributed to the space race and the formation of . BUT- as I Iove to cook a tiny little story appeared about 's well guarded recipe for wonderful crab cakes, and here we go with Ms. Temple-Black's recipe in her own hand:

made from pulverized in your . can be substituted, go experiment. You can control the level of sweet making this almost a crust with savory possibilities.

is pretty self explanatory with this 2 minute video #TLLBLND made for my talented and creative son who loves to cook like his mom.

is not exactly an American original recipe but it sure is a classic. Here is TALL Blonde's three part tart with a instead of flour and a crispy, toasty .

I made this in an , because I am too cheap to go out and purchase a as this is my first attempt at this recipe. So if it did not turn out nicely all I wasted was the ingredients at the time of this post.

Obviously by now, it turned out well or this recipe would not be published. HA!

51 second 'HOW-TO' You Tube video

Photo: Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Mayonnaise is not just for tuna sandwiches. Ever have a , they have been around since forever. I started baking these at age 11 from my 6th grade school cookbook which makes me about 2,000 years old. That is how long this recipe has been around...forever. These may be compared to but much lighter and more delicate. They really do melt in your mouth and you must have 6 at a time because they are addicting.

When you read comments online such as "What, mayonnaise in cookies???" the 'paid sponsor' is being hyperbolic and likely are attempting to captured your attention to click and earn advertising dollars. They will also lie to you and tell you there are no eggs in this recipe but when I checked the label, eggs are a major ingredient in prepared mayonnaise.