Gourmet Culinaire and Cuisine

Fresh Basil, Tomato, Mozzarella, Avocado AppetizerLinda's AppetizerI call this Linda's Appetizer because it is my dear friend Linda's favorite!  She insists that I make it every time we get together!1 good sized tomato (try to find the best for the season)Fresh Mozzarella (either one large round ball or the smaller ones packed in water will do)Fresh Basil (be sure to use the flowerettes if there are any as they really are the strongest part of the basil plant)1 ripe avocado (not too ripe but just starting to soften)Fresh garlicFreshly cracked black pepperWhite Balsamic Vinegar (white is a little less acidic than the regular and it doesn't turn the rest of the ingredients dark)Extra Virgin Olive Oil  Crusty baguette slices (you can crisp up baguette slices by spreading them on a cookie sheet, then brush with olive oil and toast in a 400 degree oven for 8 to 10 mins. or .. more»

Here is a great lime Jello with pineapple recipe that uses cottage cheese instead of the heavier cream cheese. It makes a very pretty molded gelatin dessert to serve on top of salad greens, or as a nice luncheon centerpiece.2 boxes lime gelatin2 cups boiling water2 cups cold water4 tablespoons mayonnaise1 (16 oz.) container cottage cheese, small curd1 (16 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drainedMiniature marshmallows1 (12oz.) container Cool WhipDirectionsIn a medium bowl, Add boiling water to the two packages of lime gelatin; stir until gelatin is dissolved completely. Pour in cold water and stir. Stir the mayonnaise into the cottage cheese. Add cottage cheese to gelatin mixture.Mix in the pineapple and stir until gelatin begins to thicken. Pour into the Jello mold. Put in refrigerator and chill until gelatin is firmly set. Unmold gelatin onto a serving plate.Add marshmallows to Cool Whip and then spread over top of gelatin.=> Jello .. more»

Pierogi is one of the first things that come to mind when you talk about Polish cuisine. The reason pierogi is such a popular dish is because they can be prepared several different ways. The pierogi is a dumpling that can be stuffed with any filling of your choice. Here is a recipe for pierogi stuffed with sauerkraut.Dough:2 cups of flour¾ cup of warm water1 egg1 tablespoon of vegetable oil½ teaspoon of saltFilling:1 14.5 OZ can of sauerkraut3 slices of bacon¼ cup of diced onions2 tablespoons of butterDirections:Coat an empty bowl with cooking spray. Add the water, egg, and vegetable oil, and stir. Mix in the flour and salt until you make a dough. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead it on a table coated with flour until it is smooth and not too sticky. Roll the dough into a ball, place it under plastic wrap, and .. more»

When you are too busy to cook fancy dinners but you have the craving for one, you have found the right recipe for that. Shrimp are always easy to make and delicious to enjoy, that is why they have become very popular when cooking. This recipe does not need more than a few pounds of shrimp and good pasta to make it right, fast and delightful.You will need:Linguini pasta (1 pound)Butter (1/4 cup)Garlic (5 cloves, minced)Shrimp (1 pound, deveined and peeled)Bread Crumbs (1 cup)White wine (1/2 cup)Lemon (1, juiced)Olive oil (1/4 cup)How to do it:This recipe it's very fast, all you have to do it's preheat the oven and have it ready to a 350ºF or 175ºC; while this is warming up you have to do the pasta, that's very simple just take a large pot with water and put it over medium heat, add the pasta and keep boiling .. more»