Recipe: Fried Caprese Salad

“Basic cooking skills are a virtue... the ability to feed yourself and a few others with proficiency should be taught to every young man and woman as a fundamental skill." - Anthony Bourdain

I am obsessed with caprese salad, and after ordering it many times at our favorite restaurants, I've decided to take attempt recreating the dish at home. A few months ago, G & I went to a restaurant where they had a fried caprese salad! After trying the dish, I just had to figure out how to make it!

Today, I'm sharing my new favorite recipe - Fried Caprese Salad, and I added a few twists to it as well!

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Cork & Fork: Classic Summer Pairings

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." - W. C. Fields

Now that the warmer months are here, I tend to eat a lot of grilled foods and delicious salads! Today, I am pairing my favorite grilled lemon pepper wings and avocado salad to two amazing white wines. Typically, I am a red wine drinker, but when I'm relaxing in my backyard and soaking up the sun - a crisp white wine is my ultimate fave.

Below are my favorite pairings, and I'm matching these two dishes with wines from Total Wine.

Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings

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Cork & Fork: Surf & Turf

"More important than the food pairing is the person with whom you drink the wine." - Christian Moueix

When I initially started capturing my home recipes, many of you asked how I pair my wine with my meals. Well, today I'm introducing a brand new series to the blog - "Cork & Fork". I'll be taking my popular recipes that you all have loved and pairing them with wines from some of my favorite local wineries.

To kick this series off I'll be featuring a Scallop Risotto - one of my first recipes on the blog. Also, the most recently popular Surf & Turf dish! Also, I'll be pairing these yummy meals with wines from Rosemont Winery, in sourthern Virginia.

Scallop Risotto

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Recipe: Chicken Dinner

"Making food is a wonderful way to spend a Friday night." - Chrissy Teigen

Winner winner, chicken dinner! We have been really enjoying trying out new recipes in our cast-iron skillet. This chicken dish is one of our new favorites. You can pair it with your favorite veggie or carb, and it will be a hit!

Today I'm sharing my recipe for my winning chicken dinner!

What you'll need:

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Broccolini 
  • Red Potatoes
  • Garlic & Herb Seasoning
  • Red Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Sea Salt
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Butter
  • Olive Oil

Step 1: Marinate your chicken breasts 24 hours in advance before cooking it. I use a mixture or paprika, red pepper, lemon pepper, and a dash of sea salt. Also, I put a little bit of olive oil in the marinade as well. Once this is completed, you can place the chicken breasts on a plate, wrap it up with saran wrap, and store it in the fridge overnight.

Step 2: The next day, take your chicken out 1 hour, before it will be cooked. It's important to have your chicken close to room temperature so it will not go into shock in the cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Now, it is time for the oven roasted potatoes! You can find my recipe here on how I make them.

Step 4: Prepare your veggies! Cook your broccolini in a skillet for about 5-10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Once the pan is heated, add the broccoli, and the garlic and herb seasoning. Stir the veggies consistently to ensure the olive oil and seasoning coat the broccoli. 

Step 5: Lastly, it is time for the chicken! Ensure the cast iron is on high heat, and coat the skillet with olive oil. Once the pan is heated, place the chicken breasts in and add a tablespoon of butter. Baste the chicken to ensure the flavor is locked in! Cook the breasts on each side for 3-4 minutes, while basting the meat throughout the process. Once the searing process is complete, place the steak (with the cast iron skillet) in the oven at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. 

Step 6: Plate, serve, and enjoy!

XO, Analise

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Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Flatbread

"Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul." - Dorothy Day

Whenever I want to whip something up super quickly, a naan flatbread dish is my go to! You can throw on ground beef, chicken, or shrimp and build an amazing meal. I love experimenting with new recipes and branching out to try different things.

Today, I'm sharing my favorite grilled shrimp naan flatbread. It is super filling and so delicious. Also, it completely curbs my pizza cravings! 

What you'll need:

  • Naan
  • Cilantro
  • Uncooked & Raw Shrimp
  • Cucumber 
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Butter
  • Tomato
  • Avocado
  • Uncured Bacon (optional)
  • Olive Oil

Step 1: Grill your naan flatbread, or put it in the oven at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prep your veggies. Chop up your cilantro, slice up some cucumber, and dice your tomatoes. Also, if you love avocado - you can mash it up on the flatbread as a base. If not, feel free to add a basil pesto or cilantro lime sauce!

Step 3: Now, it is time for the shrimp! Begin to heat up the pan to medium heat. Add butter and a teaspoon of olive oil to the pan. Once the pan is heated add the shrimp and sprinkle in lemon pepper seasoning. Sear the shrimp for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side. 

Tip: If you want to add a little pizzazz, feel free to slice up some bacon and it to the flatbread!

Step 4: Plate, serve, and enjoy!

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