For as long as I can remember, my family has been making the 1905 salad. Coming from Tampa, FL, I have grown up eating Spanish food. There's a landmark in Tampa called the Columbia Restaurant. It serves some of the best Spanish/Cuban food in Florida. One particular item on the menu is the 1905 salad. It's name originates from the ancestors of the original owners of the famous restaurant. They immigrated from Cuba to Tampa and started a small coffee/sandwich shop in 1905 that is now known as the Columbia Restaurant. This salad is one of my favorites. It's always served at our family gatherings…

I was shopping at Kroger the other day when I came upon a bag of bay scallops. I was taken back to my days growing up in Florida when my family used to go to our favorite seafood restaurant. I would love to order the broiled bay scallops, scampi style. They were so good. I decided to recreate the dish of my childhood. I've actually never bought this particular bag of frozen scallops. I rarely buy scallops because I can't find fresh bay scallops around this area. However, these were actually very good. They were only $5, too. So this meal is a very economical dish that can be prepared any …

Pasta is such an easy and inexpensive meal to make. You can add almost anything to pasta and make a meal. This dish is a little more extensive, but the flavors are worth it. I make this dish for my clients and they just love it. Because of the cream, it's not something you want to eat on a regular basis. However, it's a great dish for company or a large family. I usually serve this dish right after cooking because the consistency of the sauce can change when reheated. Served with a nice salad and some garlic bread, this dish will satisfy everyone. If you can't find chorizo sausage, you can …

Trying to find meals that don’t require turning on your oven is a real challenge. I always turn to salads for great summer meals that are satisfying and healthy. One of my favorite salads is Caesar salad. Although it’s not the healthiest dressing, you can put on as little or as much dressing as you'd like. I like to make my own Caesar dressing, but you can always buy your favorite at the store. Try making your dressing and you can alter the taste to your liking. You may already have everything in your pantry, except the anchovy paste. Anchovy paste is sold at most grocery stores, usually in …

I love easy and delicious meals. This is one of my favorites. When I want something healthy, quick, inexpensive and delicious, I make this dish. I usually keep frozen tilapia in the freezer for quick meals and I always have rice on hand. There’s always a great recipe for each. I happened to buy a very large bag of spinach at my local warehouse store to add to my juicer in the morning. I wondered how I could use  it. This recipe came to me because I love rice with fish. Mixing spinach in with the rice is a good way to add something healthy. I use Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends …

I love dishes that you can make in a flash. This dish is one of them. I always keep the ingredients on hand for a last-minute salad. It’s great to take to parties and picnics. By using yogurt, you save on fat and calories. The kids will love it. It’s sweet and juicy with a little crunch from the coconut and almonds. Most of these ingredients can be kept on hand for making this dish any time you need it. I like to buy large bags of almonds and coconut and then transfer them into small plastic bags and keep them in the freezer for easy use. I will also buy the canned fruit when it’s on sale and…

Everyone should roast a chicken at least once. If you find a recipe that produces an amazing roasted chicken, stick with it. I love this recipe. It’s so simple and the chicken comes out perfect every time. All you need is some lemons and a whole chicken. It’s also a great recipe for company because you can make several at a time. I usually ask the butcher at my local grocery store for some cooking twine. They’re usually more than happy to give you some. Serve this chicken with some mashed potatoes and broccoli for a wonderful, healthy meal. INGREDIENTS 1 whole chicken ½ cup fresh lemon juice …

This recipe was adapted from Giada De Laurentis. It’s a very rich and creamy corn that goes great with barbecue. I love to make this dish when corn is inexpensive. I usually buy a large quantity, grill them, cut them off the cob and freeze them. INGREDIENTS 4 ears of corn, husks and silks removed 2 tbsps. of butter at room temperature Salt and pepper 1 tbsp. of flour ½ cup of heavy cream ½ cup of milk ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp. of fresh flat-leaf parsley INSTRUCTIONS 1. Grill corn over medium high heat until tender. 2. Slice the corn kernels off the cob and place in a bowl. 3. Heat …

Don’t let the name fool you. This is a meal your family will love. It’s made with all the leftovers that usually get thrown out. I love fried rice and it’s such an easy meal to make. You can put as little or as many items that you want into it. It’s filling and will satisfy any hungry man. I bought a huge bag of broccoli at Costco and I knew most of it would be wasted. It ended up in the fried rice, along with some chicken and several vegetables that were about to go bad. This recipe is only a basic guide to what you can put in your fried rice. Make it your own. It can also be made with beef…

This recipe was conceived when I was back home in Florida this summer. My sister was raving about a shrimp kabob she had eaten at a friend's house. It was very simple, just shrimp, papaya and plantains. Even though she wasn’t a big fan of papaya, she said it was delicious and I just had to try it. It was so good, I will definitely be making them again. My sister didn’t know what seasonings were on them, so I came up with my own. The papaya and plantains should be almost green. If they’re too ripe, they will fall off the skewers. This recipe is great for summer grilling. It makes you feel like…

Parmesan tilapia is one of my easy go-to dinner recipes. It’s so delicious and so easy to prepare. There’s not a lot of ingredients and you can use any mild white fish that’s on sale that week. I like to buy the bags of individually frozen tilapia filets. That way, I can take out what I need for that day. Pair with some steamed broccoli or some fresh spinach with Dijon vinaigrette for a healthy addition to this tasty dish. This is also a great recipe to make for company. It’s so easy to place all the fish on a baking sheet and top with the sauce. Just pop it in the oven and you have an entrée…

I don’t know what it is about sliders, but I just love them. I think it’s because they’re so cute. I am obsessed with making sliders all the time. It’s my new favorite go to dish for parties, picnics or just anytime. You can put pretty much put anything on a slider. I like to cut chicken breasts into thin slices, marinate, grill them and put them on a slider bun. This recipe came to me when I was trying to figure out what to do with the same old chicken breasts. Of course, I thought of a slider. Putting the chicken in a food processor grinds it up like a burger. You can add any ingredients …

Summer is a great time to make plan-ahead-meals. As a personal chef, I always have to have recipes on hand that freeze well. This dish is a great example of a freezer meal. You can make this a few weeks ahead and have it on hand for a busy weeknight or unexpected company. I like to make some dishes ahead of time and take them on vacations to the beach or lake instead of spending money on dining out. Enchiladas are easy and delicious. Pair this with some sour cream, guacamole, lettuce and tomato for toppings and you’re all set. It’s easy to make in large foil pans. You can also use glass …

With the warm weather, people are spending more time at the beach, the lake and the pool. One thing that is great to bring along for a dish is asparagus. It’s so fresh and wonderful this time of year. I have an easy and tasty dish to make. It goes great all by itself, or you can cut the asparagus into small pieces and toss into a pasta salad. If you love asparagus, you will definitely love this recipe. This recipe can be served warm or chilled. Make sure that when you prep your asparagus you cut off the bottom woodsy stem. This part of the asparagus is very tough if eaten. Usually I cut about…

Do you like artichoke dip? I know that every time I go to a party and there’s a bowl of artichoke dip, I can’t stop eating. I think it’s an addiction. If you love artichoke dip like I do, then you will definitely love this bread. It’s a version of the dip but on a loaf of crusty bread. How good does that sound? Next time you have a cookout or barbecue, pop this dish out of the oven and watch how it disappears. It’s that good. INGREDIENTS 1 loaf of Italian or French bread ¼ cup of olive oil 3 cloves of garlic, minced ⅓ cup mayonnaise 1½ cups of grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup grated mozzarella …

There’s something so comforting about a slice of meatloaf with some fluffy mashed potatoes. I rarely make meatloaf anymore because is takes a while to cook, but I came up with an easy way to get dinner on the table in no time. I like to use turkey in this recipe but you can use beef if you like. The turkey comes out moist with the addition of salsa and applesauce and the kids love having a little meatloaf all to themselves. I usually add one-half cup of unsweetened applesauce to the mix, but if you don’t have any, it still comes out good. I’ve done it with and without the applesauce. Usually …

After writing my article on mocha chocolate icebox pie last week, I received some suggestions for diabetic desserts. I decided to do some research because I wasn’t too familiar with making desserts for those with diabetes. I found that there are many ways for diabetics to enjoy desserts that are delicious and sugar free. I experimented with some pie recipes and came up with a simple and tasty coconut cream pecan pie. I will use this recipe for parties; it’s not just for those with diabetes. For Paul, Melinda, Adrienne and many others, this pie is for you. INGREDIENTS 1 pie crust 1 small box …

As summer approaches, a lot of people head to the lake. I always try to pack a big cooler full of great snacks and treats. Popular cookbook author Ina Garten has a recipe for a mocha chocolate icebox pie that is easy and so good. The cold chocolate is just right for a hot day. Keep it in a cooler full of ice or refrigerate it. You can also freeze it the night before so it stays cold for the day. INGREDIENTS 2 cups cold heavy cream 12 ounces Italian mascarpone cheese ½ cup sugar ¼ cup Kahlua liqueur 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder 1 teaspoon pure …

Warm weather means picnics, outings and poolside parties. I always make a great salad or side dish that can handle the warm temperatures. Everyone asks if I can bring the bean salad. This dish is so easy to make and tastes so good with any burger, sandwich or hotdog. It’s great because it can stay outside in warm temperatures. This dish is even better when it sits in the fridge for a few days, so it can be made ahead of time. You can experiment with different kinds of beans to find your favorite. INGREDIENTS 5 14-ounce cans of assorted beans rinsed and drained. (kidney, black, great northern…

During these gorgeous spring days, I love to visit my local farmers market and buy fresh from the farm vegetables. There’s just something about picking up the seasonal produce and finding a great recipe to make with them. Pasta salad is always a versatile and easy way to use produce. You can modernize it by adding some sundried tomatoes or broccolini. I found this recipe from the Food For My Family blog. This recipe is great for taking to a party or a picnic. You can make big batches and feed a crowd. It’s easy and delicious. You can always experiment with different vegetables and make it …