Step up your Meatless Monday game with this delicious Fettuccine with Poblano Alfredo dish.

I’m sure you’ve tried poblano peppers at some point, either in a mild salsa or roasted and stuffed with cheese. But the sauce in this Fettuccine with Poblano Alfredo will really make you reconsider this incredibly versatile pepper.

The sauce is lighter in calories because I’ve substituted olive oil for the butter and got rid of the cream and used milk instead. The poblano peppers add an interesting depth of flavor and help thicken the sauce.

Don’t worry, this Fettuccine with Poblano Alfredo still has the Parmesan cheese.  I mean, it’s an Alfredo after all… you’ve gotta have the cheese!

I originally developed this recipe for Mom.me, the one and only parenting and lifestyle brand for moms at every life stage, from pregnancy to empty nest!

One great thing about the changing weather is that comfort food, like my delicious Baked Pork Chops and Apples, is back on the table.  

I really like this recipe for Baked Pork Chops and Apples because it’s quick and easy (of course). But if you hit the farmers markets, you’ll find an amazing assortment of apples that can really make this an interesting dish.

I don’t know why pork and apples play so well together. Maybe it’s because pork needs the sweetness of the apples to bring out its flavor. Or maybe, if the pork is cooked properly, the apples add just the right amount of moisture to the meat to make the flavors pop.

And speaking of overcooking your pork— don’t!

If you like it dry and white and hard, that’s fine (yes, I’m judging). But, really, there’s like zero chance of you getting trichinosis or some other wild disease if your pork chops are slightly pink in the center. They’ll be moist and delicious and taste like they should, not like a cooked shoe.

I’ve added a little apple cider vinegar to my Baked Pork Chops and Apples because it brings a little brightness to the dish.

What is brightness? It’s that little mouth spark that you get when you first bite into something delicious that makes you want to keep eating it.

Meat needs a bit of brightness because it has very little natural acid. And acid (think lemon juice) helps enhance flavors.

Fall has fallen. Cooler weather is on the way. But there’s comfort in what I’ll be putting on the table over the next few months.

Ahh, Greece… sunbaked sandy beaches, lapis blue ocean waters and the air subtly scented with wild oregano. Yes, I’m dreaming right now…

I’ve always wanted to visit Greece, but until I can make that magical trip, I’m happily making do with this delicious and easy to make Sheet Pan Greek Chicken.

I shared my recipe for Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken earlier this year, so you know that dinner can be ready in a little more than 30 minutes. Sheet Pan Dinners are especially wonderful because everything is blended together in one pan, so cleanup is a quick and easy.

This Sheet Pan Greek Chicken is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, like oregano, lemons, artichokes and pine nuts. The red bell pepper adds color and crunch and the feta adds a subtle tangy saltiness. You can print the gluten-free recipe… and scroll down for the tutorial.

I threw in some pitted Kalamata olives because they’ve got an interesting (but mild!) umami taste… but you can always leave them out.

If you can’t actually get to Greece…this dish will carry you there. It’s the next best thing to being in Santorini… (well, kinda!).

 

 

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Tutorial

1. you’ll need… 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts (can be halved or quartered), drained; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 cup diced red pepper; 2 lemons cut in quarters or slices; ¼ cup pine nuts (optional); 4 cloves garlic minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ cup Kalamata olives (optional); 8 ounces feta cheese; ½ cup fresh oregano or mint leaves (optional); salt to taste.

2. Move oven rack to center. Heat oven to 425°F. Place chicken, drained artichoke hearts, onion, red pepper, lemons, pine nuts (if using) and garlic on a large, rimmed sheet pan or baking sheet.

 

3. Drizzle olive oil over meat and vegetables.

4. Sprinkle with oregano and black pepper. Toss gently with a spatula to combine. Add Kalamata olives (if using).

5. Roast for 20 minutes, stir and add the feta cheese. Roast for another 5 to 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh oregano or mint leaves if desired.

 

In case you’re hosting an Oscar party, here’s a throwback post to one of my favorite appetizers!

The Oscar for Outstanding Food in an Academy Award nominated film goes to Crabby Snacks and Homemades, starring in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

“Beasts of the Southern Wild” certainly provided some strong competition (the star of the movie is named Hushpuppy, afterall). Messy fresh crabs, fried alligator tail and even (gulp!) cat food had huge scenes.

Another contender: the White Cake that never got served in “Django Unchained.” Of course, “Life of Pi” and “Les Misérables” were most notable for the lack of food.

But back to the winner.

In Matthew Quick’s novel, “The Silver Linings Playbook,” he describes Crabby Snacks as “buttered crabmeat and orange cheese on English Muffins.” Homemades refer to homemade egg pasta.

I thought it would be fun to whip up my version of Crabby Snacks. They’re relatively simple to make. Because they’re made with processed cheese, white bread and mayo, you just know they are going to be absolutely delicious.

This recipe makes 48 bites, so if you aren’t feeding a crowd, cut the recipe in half. And serve it Sunday night during the big broadcast… it’s guaranteed to keep everyone from getting crabby when their Oscar picks don’t win!