Salmon Piccata

by Robert Irvine

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/salmon-piccata.html

Easy and fast to make despite the multiple elements to the dish. I enjoyed the couscous as the carb for a change and will use it more often with fish. Dish was tasty and light, but was not special enough to make it again. I used frozen spinach but would use fresh if I made it again.

Special Ingredients:
- capers
- spinach
- cannellini beans

Will I make it again? - no

Normandy Chicken and Apple Saute

from Best of the Best, Vol.9

from The Rustic Table, Constance Snow

I tried this recipe as a change to my beloved french chicken in wine. The chicken itself did not taste that much different, however it was delicious well braised and was falling off the bone. The apples were a refreshing side. The skins help keep the shape and add flavor. Apples were a little crunchy and can be cooked longer. The sauce was the most delicious part of the dish - sweet, sour and creamy. But it was too watery. At the end I added roux (2 tbsp butter mashed with 2 tbsp flour) to a smaller amount of sauce and cooked it down to make thicker gravy. Next time instead of mashed potatoes I would serve it with boiled potatoes so I could mash in the sauce. The Calvados can be substituted with any brandy. I simmered the chicken twice as long and it was falling off the bone. I forgot to add the walnuts.

Special Ingredients:
- Calvados, can be substituted with regular brandy
- apples

Will I make it again? - yes

Chicken Piccata

By Giada de Laurentiis
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-piccata-recipe2.html

Delicious and refreshing Italian recipe and excellent change to my favorite French recipies of chicken in wine. Loved it! And love the combination with pasta as opposed to potatoes with the French recipes.

Special Ingredients:
- chicken, boneless skinless
- capers

Will I make it again? - yes.

Bay Scallop Gratin

by Ina Garten
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/bay-scallop-gratin-recipe.html#communityReviews

One of the most festive dishes I have made. Very easy and fast to make. I did not use salt because I used salted butter. The prosciutto was very mild maybe because of the distinct fennel flavor from Pernod. I was not sure if I should buy the Pernod for the dish but it is the key ingredient. I would use slightly less of Pernod next time to compare. I also cooked for about 20 instead of 12 minutes watching the topping to crisp up and the shallots to cook. The scallops still turned out great. If I had a broiler I would put to broil for 2 min at the end. Excellent dish to make for guests or a special occasion.

Special Ingredients:
- Pernod
- prosciutto
- shallots

- panko

Will I make it again? - yes

Apple Crisp

By Patrick and Gina Neely

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/apple-crisp-recipe.html

Tasty and easy apple crisp, a delicious fall desert to go with the ice-cream. I wanted more doughy crispiness, but that may improve if used a smaller dish. I used the large baking pan because the apple layer seemed too much. But it diminishes as it cooks. The nuts add nice crispiness, but I will try a smaller pan to get more dough next time. I used walnuts instead of pecans and that worked well. Recipe calls for very little cinnamon, that that was enough. I used granny smith apples and cut lemon juice in half.

Special Ingredients:

- pecans (used walnuts)

Will I make it again? - yes, but will also try other recipes.

Waldorf Chicken Sandwitch

By Nancy Fuller

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nancy-fuller/waldorf-chicken-salad-sandwiches.html

Delicious salad with many layers of flavors and makes great sandwiches. Excellent idea for an elegant party.

Special Ingredients:
- grapes
- walnuts
- apple

Will I make it again? - yes

Braised Spareribs with Fennel

By Anne Burrell

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/braised-spareribs-with-fennel-and-mustard-recipe.html#communityReviews

Tasty sharp ribs recipe. I thought the sweetness of fennel will add to the fat of the ribs. Contrary the dish was spicy and flavor was crisp with the complexity that are typical for Burrell's recipes. The vegetables were not blending well so I added water for the liquid, and it took much longer to brown the vegetables. Not sure how to resolve this issue next time. But the flavor turned out crisp and spicy, so still worked.

My colanders were too fine for the spaetzle and it was working too slow, so I finished with dumplings. The flavor was great. I love the homemade noodles and would make them again.

Overall flavorful recipe without the typical fatness of the ribs.

Special Ingredients:
- fennel
- fennel seeds

Will I make it again? - yes.

Chicken with Vegetables and Cilantro Rice

From Cooking School Thai

A refreshing version of a coconut curry. The rice is fried separately with bok choy and cilantro, and chicken curry is made as another part of the dish. Green vegetables taste fresh, and the coconut flavor is fairly light which I really liked. I used just one can of the coconut milk which is less than the recipe calls for. Next time I would also add dried chili flakes or something to add the heat. A squeeze of lemon or lime could add to the flavors.

Special Ingredients:

- chicken

- bok choy

- cilantro

Will I make it again? - yes. I liked the freshness of this version of the coconut curry, but would add chiles for heat.

Parmesan Chicken Cutlets

By Epicurious

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/ejs-simple-oven-bbq-ribs-recipe2.html

Very easy, quick and tasty weekday dinner. The chicken was cooked perfectly and I loved the crispy breading. We were missing vegetables. A simple steamed broccoli, cauliflower or beans would go well. I used one egg in the breading process and half of the flour than the recipe calls. I did not taste the mustard powder, so will try doubling it next time.

Special Ingredients:
- chicken
- egg
- panko
- parmesan
- mustard powder

Will I make it again? - yes. Great recipe for a fast dinner.

EJ's Simple Oven BBQ Ribs

by Emeril Lagasse

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/ejs-simple-oven-bbq-ribs-recipe2.html

Very simple recipe to cook ribs. They were falling off the bone and the meat was falling apart like soft butter. I was careful with spices and used total 4 spoons of Emeril's rustic rub - two per each side. It gave some spice kick but not too much. Next time I will try using 100 Mile Sauce rub as it is more complex. This is a great base recipe to precook and finish on a grill

Special Ingredients:
- ribs
- spices for rub
- BBQ sauce

Will I make it again? - yes. Very simple and ribs turn out great. Great preparation for grilling.

French Onion Soup

By Tyler Florence

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/french-onion-soup-recipe2.html

Great recipe for the french onion soup. I like using the red wine as it adds depth. I would use less flour, 2 spoons and not heaping. I simply toasted the bread in a pan and melted the cheese while toasting the second side. The toast soaked up in the soup tastes very rich. Although dry toast tastes great as well but i enjoyed the soaked one more to my surprise. Next time I will try using good broth as I expect the soup to be more liquid with less flour. I used gruyere and parmesan for the cheese. A kind of pizza oven would work great for toasting the cheese.

Special Ingredients:
- onion
- red wine
- broth
- baguette
- gruyere cheese

Will I make it again? - yes, definitely. Easy and pretty quick, and delicious.

Beet and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad

by Giada de Laurentis

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/beet-and-goat-cheese-arugula-salad-recipe.html

I was surprised how rich and multi-layered this salad tasted. It has several of my favorite ingredients. The avocado is a must. It is the foundation if the richness in this salad. I found the dried cranberries a little too sweet. I should look for more raw flavor ones next time. I would also like to try this salad with blue cheese.

Special Ingredients:
- beets
- arugula
- avocado
- walnuts
- cheese, goat or blue
- dried cranberries or cherries

Will I make it again? - yes. Refreshing way to use beets and a good filling salad.

Succulent Braised Pork

By Melissa d'Arabian

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/succulent-braised-pork-recipe.html

Truly succulent roasted pork, melts in your mouth. Great fall dinner. I wanted to make a pork roast, but got pork tenderloin tips by accident, and they turned out great. Easy delicious recipe, however have to be ready to cook for 3 hours.

Special Ingredients:
- pork
- red wine
- basic vegetables (carrots, celery)

Will I make it again? - yes, defenitly.

Potato Salad

By Patrick and Geena Neely

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/grandma-jeans-potato-salad-recipe

This is my go to recipe for a potato salad. I bring it to family and friends grill-outs. What I like about it is that the recipe does not use vinegar and instead takes mustard and pickle relish. Flavorful. refreshing and filling.

Special Ingredients:
- mustard
- pickle relish
- celery

Will I make it again? - yes. Made it several times already

The Ultimate Fish Tacos

By Tyler Florence

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-fish-tacos-recipe.html#communityReviews

Some of the most delicious fish tacos I've ever had and they are home-made which makes them taste even more real. Light summer dish full of multi-layered flavors. I changed proportions in the salsa (less onion) and used canned mangoes so looking forward to trying with the fresh mangoes next time. And should not forget to season the fish.

Special Ingredients:
- radishes
- mango
- chipotles in adobo sauce

Will I make it again? - yes, definitely

Cioppino Seafood Stew

By Epicurious

Delicious and easy to make fish stew. I used a frozen seafood mix and that worked well. The clam juice  adds good layer to the complexity. I would cook the whole fennel. The stew could use more vegetables. Tasts like a good fish soup with good compllexity.

Special Ingredients:

- seafood and fish

- fennel

- cellery

- clam juice

- baguette

Will I make it again? - yes. Excellent fish soup but will look for a different recipe to try.

Chrispy Chicken Cutlets with Tomato Panzanella

By Epicurious

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/crispy-chicken-cutlets-with-cherry-tomato-panzanella-56389765

Bright and light summer dinner. I would add a side of potatoes for a heartier fall meal. I was glad to use the garden tomatoes. Although the recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, which I will have to try next time. The croutons turned out delicious. I used Italian bread from Trader Joes and cut them into cubes. Did not put all the vinegar, and the panzanella was sour enough. I added some home grown basil which really set the whole flavor.

Will I make it again? - yes. Will add a side of potatoes next time.