Spicy Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad

"Spicy Grilled Shrimp Summer Salad" .. If you are like me, there is nothing better than a cool, refreshing salad on a hot summer's night. Well, that is unless that salad has spicy grilled shrimp in it! Then it's heaven! 

Ingredients include marinaded Shrimp and Grape Tomatoes, Chili, Cumin and Cayenne Powder, Butter Lettuce (I love the texture), Avocado, Cilantro, Scallions, Lemon, Dijon Mustard, Olive Oil, Garlic, and of course, Salt & Pepper.

There are a few steps to this salad, but the rewards of this dish are high .. and if spicy isn't your thing, simply leave out the chili and cayenne and it's equally as good.

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Hawaiian Sangria

"Hawaiian Sangria" .. Aloha! Ready to take a culinary trip to Hawaii this "Thirsty Thursday"? My Coconut, Pineapple and Mango Sangria Recipe is the epitome of Hawaii in a glass. Bright fresh fruit, “tropical” flavors and it’s super easy to make. Try this recipe and you'll swear you're at Waikiki! 

Ingredients

1 bottle (750 ml) dry White Wine
4 cups Coconut Water (unsweetened)
½ Pineapple, cubed
2 Kiwis, cubed
½ Mango, cubed
2 cups Club Soda
Mint for garnish

Preparation

1. Pour the wine and coconut water into a large pitcher. 
2. Toss in the chopped fruits and mix well. 
3. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors of the fruit to blend with the coconut water.
4. Pour the sparkling water into the pitcher just before serving
5. Garnish with mint leaves. 

Hau'Oli Maoli Oe

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Spaghetti alla Carbonara

"Spaghetti alla Carbonara" .. Without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite pasta dishes! Salty, peppery, eggy, cheesy .. you know, all the right things!

Regionally speaking .. Carbonara is an Italian Pasta dish from the Lazio Region, and more specifically Rome. It's ingredients include Eggs, Cheese, Bacon, and Black Pepper. 

As far as pasta, Spaghetti is the usual suspect, however, Fettuccine, Rigatoni, Linguine or Bucatini can also be used. This delicious dish was created in the early part of the 20th century.

Buon Appetito!

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August Chicken Salad

"August Chicken Salad" .. Hot, mid-summer evenings often call for a light dinner entree. In this recipe idea, it's a calling that you'll swear doesn't come around soon enough.

Grill or pan sear Chicken Breasts after a "quick" marinade of Mayonnaise, Rice Wine Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Honey, Ground Pepper and Sesame Oil (make enough to use separately as a "vinaigrette" for salad).

I like to make this salad using Spinach, Romaine as well as Green and Red Butter Lettuces. Add "Granny Smith" apples that have been tossed in pineapple juice to keep them fresh and vibrant.

Sprinkle a good portion of toasted Walnuts, Almonds and Sunflower Seeds as well as a few dried Cranberries. Add the cooled chicken and drizzle with fresh vinaigrette. That's it!

This is one of my favorite "light" summer salads and I know it will soon be yours as well! 

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Summer Sangria

It's another "Thirsty Thursday" and time to try my "Summer Sangria"! 

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Tagliatelle with Oxtail Ragu

"Tagliatelle with Oxtail Ragu" .. This is a hearty dish originating in Florence, Italy in the late 1800's. Basically the protein is the cross-cut section of a "beef cattle's" tail which is braised with vegetables, wine and broth. 

This has become one of my signature dishes over the years especially when paired with my house made garganelli, tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta. Of course, everything I do usually involves a culinary twist. Want to guess what mine was?

I hope you enjoy my take on “Oxtail Ragu”. 

Mangia Mangia!

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"Mia Piccola Cucina's" Shrimp Stock

"Mise en Place Monday" continues with "Mia Piccola Cucina's" Shrimp Stock ... facebook.com/TheBaldChefCooks

"Mia Piccola Cucina's" Signature Pasta Dough.

Mise en Place! Busy day for a busy week! Making several batches of "Mia Piccola Cucina's" signature Pasta Dough. 

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Cucumber Melon Sangria

"Cucumber Melon Sangria" .. Looking for complete refreshment this "Thirsty Thursday"? How about trying my Cucumber Melon Sangria.

The subtle sweetness of the Honeydew Melon combined with the bright Cucumber makes for what possibly could be the most refreshing Sangria of the summer season.

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Garganelli con Salciccia e Piselli

"Garganelli con Salciccia e Piselli" .. or "Garganelli pasta with Sausage and Peas". My hand made Garganelli was the key to this scrumptious dish. If you have never tried it .. you should! The mouth feel is perfect and fresh pasta is always better than dry, store bought.

Garganelli are egg-based pasta shapes formed by rolling a flat, square noodle into a tubular shape. They are usually rolled on a “Pettine” or “Gnocchi Board” to create those sauce grabbing ridges, however, some are rolled smooth much like “Penne". 

Garganelli feature a "flap" that is clearly visible where one corner of the pasta square adheres to the other. This versatile pasta originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy around the early 1700's.

My recipe tonight utilized Sweet Italian Sausage, San Marzano Tomatoes, farm fresh Peas, Butter, Heavy Cream, Onions and of course, Olive Oil. The use of the dairy makes it an authentic Emilia-Romagna style dish!

Mangia Mangia!

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Apricot Glazed Ham Loaf

"Apricot Glazed Ham Loaf" .. Being North East Ohio born and with roots DEEP into Stark, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties, I often herald back to recipes that youth. My updated “Ham Loaf” recipe oozes comfort food and rural home cooking, relaying it's strong German, Amish and Mennonite Heritage in an more modern manner.

Basic Ham Loaf is an specialty dish that in rural NE Ohio area, finds many markets and butcher selling ham loaf meat already ground and mixed. However, if you're in So Cal, NYC or Atlanta, it is possible for all of you outside this area to create your own! You simply must give this recipe idea a try .. It's simply delicious!

You simply must try this NE Ohio treat! See more on facebook.com/TheBaldChefCooks 

Pulled Orange Ginger Chicken Sliders

"Pulled Orange Ginger Chicken Sliders" .. Want a great change of pace? Try this unique summertime recipe idea that features the fusion of fresh squeezed Orange juice, Chicken Stock, tangy Ginger and a touch of Garlic. 

This is a "fix and forget" recipe. Braise the bird in this unique concoction, pull it, and present on toasted slider buns with a few slices of Cucumber! BOOM!

Try this new twist on BBQ or Ohio Shredded Chicken Sandwiches!

Enjoy! Check of this recipe idea on facebook.com/TheBaldChefCooks

Pappardelle al Pancetta

"Pappardelle al Pancetta" .. When Pigs Fly!

Well, I mean every time they are turned into Bacon, Pancetta, Prosciutto or any other delicious cured pork product they fly straight into my mouth. 

With this dish, there is supersonic pig aimed directly at me. So fasten your seat belts because if you make this “Papparelle al Prosciutto” for your guests, it’s going to be a bumpy night.

Ingredients are simple as it gets and include Pancetta or Bacon, Onions, San Marzano Tomatoes, Olive Oil, a hearty Pasta .. I made Pappardelle .. and grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano Cheese.

Buon Appetito! 

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