I love looking at Flatbread offerings at restaurants. Far from traditional pizza combinations like pepperoni or spinach, it seems that any three ingredients + a spread = a delicious $14 appetizer. Sometimes the ingredients obviously complement each other - caramelized onions and mushrooms with goat cheese; other combinations, like a recent ... view more
Mains (Lunch + Dinner)
Ropa Vieja {Cuban Braised Shredded Beef}
This is a recipe I would have shied away from when I first started cooking. Several techniques, "weird" ingredients, and do I even like "Ropa vieja"? Well, let's smash the why-I-can't list with a meat mallet. Upon further reflection, the "several techniques" were just a few rotations of searing (browning in a pan), and braising (cooking in ... view more
One-Pot Stovetop Lasagna Ragu with Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage
If you have been following My Utensil Crock for a while, you know that I have been a member of a Cooking Club for more than 10 years now, ever since my buddy JBM and I decided that cooking with friends and talking about food and recipes would be the perfect way to spend one Sunday each month. One of our classic themes was "Soup's On!" ... view more
Sweet Potato, Black Bean + Quinoa Veggie Burgers
I have made this recipe exactly once, and I already know these Sweet Potato, Black Bean + Quinoa Veggie Burgers will be a 2016 go-to favorite. My first batch did not last long at all. And I could not wait to share this post with you! After the sweet potato is baked and quinoa is made, these veggie burgers take only a few minutes to assemble and ... view more
Healthy Nachos for One {or Two!}
Healthy food that does not taste healthy? My favorite. Filling up a whole baking dish, settling in for a Netflix binge session, and shoving nachos in my face? Done. The Walking Dead: Season Four, you're mine. These nachos may be one of my upcoming staples for 2016. They are great for weeknights and it's easy to keep the ingredients in ... view more
Ratatouille Lasagna {No-Noodle}
I have so much to tell you about this lasagna, and I want to say it all at once. In no particular order - or, all at once, if that were possible: It's DELICIOUS. The ricotta and mozzarella you crave from lasagna, and the rich vegetable flavors of ratatouille, together in one casserole. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Healthy twists in this recipe will give ... view more