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  • Menus
    • Dinner
    • Lunch
  • Recipes
    • starters/first course
    • main courses
    • sides and salads
    • desserts
    • breakfast/brunch
    • drinks
  • Inspiration
    • The art of the table, and knowing which rules to break
    • how many and how much? how to estimate the right quantities for any meal
    • seating…or who sits where?
    • mindfulness…practice it everyday at the table
    • The challenge of timing or how to flawlessly get everything on the table
    • thoughts about manners, table and otherwise
  • About
  • Contact
  • Menus
    • Dinner
    • Lunch
  • Recipes
    • starters/first course
    • main courses
    • sides and salads
    • desserts
    • breakfast/brunch
    • drinks
  • Inspiration
    • The art of the table, and knowing which rules to break
    • how many and how much? how to estimate the right quantities for any meal
    • seating…or who sits where?
    • mindfulness…practice it everyday at the table
    • The challenge of timing or how to flawlessly get everything on the table
    • thoughts about manners, table and otherwise
  • About
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  • main courses

Main Courses

The main course recipes offer a variety of different cuisines that can serve as a starting point for you to create a perfect meal.

If you do not use one of my menus, and want to create your own, start with the main course and determine a first course and dessert that will complement it.

Lebanese chicken meatball & halloumi salad with pomegranate dressing

You can make this is a salad or leave the greens out and have it alone.

Cauliflower fried rice

This recipe is ideal to whip up in a hurry, and also to use left over vegetable.  I recommend carrots and peas as the base but you can add red,...

Pan Roasted Salmon with Broccolini

This one is with a refreshing lime flavor which bring a freshness, and some sunshine to the dish.   

a bit about layering salt

The idea of thinking of salt in layers is something important to cooking. We often may just assume that adding salt to saucepan of boiling...

Mexico: Chicken Pozole soup

There are many variations of Pozole with different meats and ingredients that create red, white or green broths.  It's the Mexican culture, and flag, in a bowl.  The most traditional...

southeast asia: Laska soup

I’ve heard about this soup from friends of mine from India and living in Singapore. Both said it was the most amazing soup, ever!

Thailand: Thai Coconut Soup, Thai Kha Gai

Anything with coconut and some spice sounds delicious.  Thai has to be one of my favorite cuisines.  It's fresh but spicy, feels clean but satisfying. 

korea: Kimchi Noodle Soup with Shrimp

Korean is know for its many soup options. One of the more popular ingredients, of late, is kimchi. A somewhat sour, almost funny concoction of fermented cabbage that is good...

Persia: Ash Reshteh (Persian Greens, Bean and Noodle Soup)

This is a popular Iranian soup that is rich, satisfying and easily creates an entire meal.  Full of herbs, greens and chickpeas the flavors are delicious and quite different.

Cilantro lime chicken

Delicious, delicious, delicious!  This is recipe is great on so many levels because it is really easy and the flavor is fantastic. 

Liza’s fajita salad bowl with pico de gallo & guacamole

Food blogger and cook book author, Liza Cannata's recipe for us to enjoy. It's the perfect meal for a large group and can always included other sides should you want...

crunchy&crispy mustard chicken with potatoes

Who doesn’t love a meal cooked in one pan?  This recipe has a wonderful flavor combination of mustard and white wine, yum!  After many months, I pulled out a cookbook...

grilled zucchini ribbons

The simplicity of cooking seasonal, fresh zucchini is hard to beat.  In the summer, you can grate or thinly slice for salad and they need...

Summer salad of peaches, arugula, prosciutto and mozzarella

The bitterness of the greens with the sweetness of a perfectly ripe summer peach combines well with the salty flavor of a thinly sliced piece of prosciutto.  The fresh mozzarella,...

Pasta with summer zucchini, lemon and basil

I first made this pasta at a cooking class.  We learned to make the pasta using a hand cranked pasta machine which was quite relaxing, and less time consuming than...

Chicken skewers with peanut sauce

These are great way to add a different style to a summer grill.  The peanut sauce is a pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Fish en Papillote

The fish is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish. 

Crunchy spring salad with peas & asparagus

What's not to love about this salad that features two of the early harvest vegetables that mark the start of spring.

One Pot Roast Chicken with vinaigrette

An easy and super versatile recipe that that is great as is or can be adapted to your own tastes.

ricotta cheese & spinach filling

A very easy ricotta cheese based filling that can be used to for eggplant rollatini or pasta shells.  It’s super easy to make, and adds great flavor to Italian style...

rolled eggplant with filling

This dish has a few moving parts but can be made in stages, prepared a few hours ahead, and you will be ready for any dinner. T

Pork and chive dumplings

Yum! Biting into a juicy dumpling with the pop of savory pork flavor scented with chives is so satisfying. Dumplings are a great thing to...

Chinese longevity noodles with chicken, ginger & mushrooms

These noodles are part of a Chinese New Year celebration menu but also good anytime.  Super fast to make and always delicious, you will no longer need to have any...

Classic Onion Soup

Nothing like a super satisfying bowl of this savory soup oozing with cheese on a cold winter’s night. Julia Child perfected the recipe in her cookbook, Mastering the Art of...

shredded Brussels sprouts salad

Brussel sprouts are a vegetable that can take some time to acquire the taste to enjoy, and usually are not a favorite of kids.  I...

Pork Wellington stuffed with apples & onions

Yum and yum!  What is not to like about perfectly cooked pork wrapped in a delicious puffed pastry that gives you sweet and savory in each mouthful.

roasted butternut squash soup

Nothing says winter like a warm bowl of butternut squash soup.  Serve this to start to a winter meal, or as a full on meal maybe with a large hunk...

Lentils with pancetta, spinach & garlic olive oil

In Italy, lentils are served on New Year’s Eve in the belief that they will bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.  In...

Pumpkin, chickpea and coconut curry

A delicious vegetarian and seasonal version of curry that is ideal for when butternut squash and pumpkins are loaded into the markets

Thai green curry

Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite foodie personalities, or should I say celebrity chefs.  His approach to food is not fussy or complicated, and his recipes are fool proof. ...

Shrimp with orzo and spinach

This is a take on the classic recipe of shrimp scampi.  I have never loved shrimp scampi and this recipe cuts through the richness of...

skillet chicken with couscous, halloumi & cucumber

A little bit of inspiration and flavors from Persian cuisine but with a twist. The cool flavors of the salsa add just the right sweetness to the bitterness of the...

Steak with orange peel and coriander spice

The combinations of orange flavor with steak is not something we would normally consider together. But Nik Sharma of A Brown Table calls this his “go to” spice mix for...

Eggplant Pilaf

This recipe is really a meal in itself.  The spices make it flavorful and satisfying.  It can be served alone, with any type of protein...

Everything spice salmon (or chicken) over tahini kale salad

Salads are often the choice for lunch but overlooked as an option for dinner.  Or a salad becomes the “side dish” sitting next to the more robust protein.  For me,...

delicious Italian spaghetti & meatballs

There is almost nothing as comforting as a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.   Nothing sophisticated or too complicated but a plate of warm, satisfying pleasure that is almost a hug...

Summer salmon burgers

Anything on the grill for summer is always a great idea. You can feed a crowd and still be social while grilling away meats and...

Grilled shrimp tacos

You can stuff many things into a taco to make it delicious, and spicy grilled prawns are not an exception. I love them because the different flavor and texture they...

grilled rib eye steak with chive butter

Rib eye steak is one of the more tasty cuts of beef with either bone-in or out.  For this recipe you can use either.  The meat is also one of...

Herb scented Hassleback sweet potatoes

Something a bit fun to try that I’ve done before with white potatoes.  But sweet potatoes are better for you nutritionally, and are often overlooked-...

Lamb with herby breadcrumbs and mustard

A boneless leg of lamb has a milder flavor than that with the bone.  The recipe here uses a mustard sauce that coats the meat inside and outside before the...

Chicken, spinach & herbs in phyllo bundles

A dish with flavors of Greece and the classic Spanakopita.  Here I have added the addition of chicken to the pungent flavors of herbs- chervil, parsley, and dill. Each piece...

charred broccoli with olive oil & lemon

You can keep this simple with lemon and olive oil, or add some red chili flakes, grated parmesan (or other type), pine nuts or sun...

Stuffed Branzino Persian style

Making fish takes a bit of confidence. I say that for no other reason than because many people feel intimidated by it.

Risotto with mushrooms

Another flavor of risotto made with mushrooms.  Select a variety of mushrooms that are fresh and will give the risotto a nice flavor.  I think the best is a mixture...

A basic risotto with parmesan

Making risotto requires time. Time to allow the starch in the rice grains to slowly release creating the creamy consistency but firm bite of each...

US: potato leek & Jerusalem artichoke soup

A soup that is a creamy and a bit decadent but works perfectly for either lunch and dinner.  You can use either Yukon or Russet potatoes but it works better...

Fish fillets with green beans & potatoes in pesto broth

This recipe creates a delicate broth that is then boldly flavored with pesto.

Classic Agnolotti dal Plin (meat filling for ravioli)

During the time of Italian Dukes, the large amounts of meat left over from celebrations were used to make Agnolotti al Plin.  If you have...

Ricotta ravioli filling

Super easy and classic filling for any shape of ravioli.  The creamy ricotta cheese is seasoned with just enough flavors to create a delicate filling.  If you are feeling adventurous...

ravioli dough

Ravioli dough is slightly different than a noodle pasta dough in that it has more egg yolks that create a greater amount of moisture, more fat and a brighter color. 

Pasta with eggplant (alla Norma)

Pasta all Norma is a classic recipe containing only vegetables.  The flavors of the eggplant, tomatoes and onions create a luscious sauce that coats the...

fresh homemade pasta

Why not try making homemade pasta noodles?  It is not difficult and adds an extra bit of pizzazz to any meal.

sesame crusted salmon rice bowls

Fabulous bowl food that samples some interesting flavors to complement the sesame crusted salmon.  You can change the ingredients on top of the rice to include other favorites such as...

classic and delicious beef stroganoff

What is about beef stroganoff that makes it such a classic dish?  Even if you have never eaten or prepared the rich, delicious dish, no...

cod in tamarind, cilantro and fenugreek sauce

Fish or cod can often be served in delicate sauces or with very simple ingredients but here is a recipe that brings lots of spice to your plate.

the best ever tortilla soup

The spicy tomato-based broth with an entire rotisserie chicken is super filling...and satisfying.  You can add 3-4 fresh strips of corn tortillas to soup with the onions, sautéing all together.

Italy: hearty lentil soup with spinach

This is a super simple soup that is backed with protein and iron.  Lentils are common in many parts of the Mediterranean. 

grilled sumac spiced chicken skewers with pomegranate glaze

Delicious!  Juicy and tender chicken skewered with fennel and red onion finished with the bittersweet pomegranate glaze makes this recipe memorable.  Cooking the skewers in the oven versus grilling, creates...

garlic lamb cutlets with mustard mint sauce

The mint in the recipe cuts some of the stronger flavors often found in lamb while the mustard adds a bit of tartness.  What is best of all, is the...

frittata with zucchini and mushrooms

Basically a frittata is an open faced Italian omelette or I often think of it as a type of quiche without the crust.  The key...

grilled salmon on cedar boards

If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is rich, hearty and wonderful.

grilled salmon on cedar boards

If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is rich, hearty and wonderful.

Roasted Tequila and Lime Chicken

The dish definitely "feels" Mexican but without overwhelming spices or heavy ingredients. The tang of the tequila and lime roast the chicken to create an...

Chicken patties with pistachios, cumin, coriander and sumac

I enjoy experimenting with different types of meatballs or meat patties, not only changing the type of meat used but also the seasoning and the shapes.  Here I created a...

Pesto Salmon Papillote with green beans

The salmon is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish. You can also achieve delicious flavor using fresh herbs rather...

Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives

The first Nomad inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, greatly influenced Moroccan cuisine creating the slow-cooked tagines and couscous.  Tagines are wonderful, warm pots of comfort...

Chicken teriyaki bowls

Teriyaki sauce is actually as much of a cooking method, grilling, or “yaki” as it is in the sauce or glaze, “teri.”  Believed to have been created in the 17th...

Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams)

One of the best memories of summers in Portugal is Linguine with clams.  How unusual that an Italian dish ignites the tastes, sights and sounds of another country. 

Indian butter chicken

If you have never made an Indian dish from scratch, here is the perfect one to try.

whole wheat pizza dough with mozzarella and tomatoes

My preference is whole wheat pizza crust.  I like the texture better than regular white dough.  It tends to be more chewy and satisfying.

Skewered Salmon Shawarma with lemons

The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.

Chicken Shawarma in the oven

The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.

Orange soy seared salmon

The mixture of honey, soy sauce and orange juice creates a fantastic glaze with a deep rich color and incredible flavor.  And best of all the recipe is super simple...

Delicious miso salmon with ginger soy noodles

This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served for family dinner or could...

miso chicken with leeks, broccoli and noodles in broth

This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served...

roasted pork tenderloin with apples and onions

A pork tenderloin, cooked properly is the tenderest of meats, and the apples and onions add a savory sweet flavor that everyone will enjoy. I like to serve this dish...

Pork, apricot and tomato tagine

Morocco is one of my favorite places in the world, and of course tagines represent much of what there is to love in a beautiful part of the world.

Pumpkin Chili

A seasonal treat for the autumn season when pumpkin is on your mind!  My niece, who is a nutritionist, posted a picture of the dish...

Pumpkin and ricotta filled ravioli (by hand) with butter and sage

Heavenly, creamy and seasonal homemade pumpkin ravioli that takes a bit of effort but results in an unforgettable dish. I recommend if you have never made your own pasta or...

Lime and Tumeric roast chicken

The recipe here is fool-proof and really delicious. The high cooking temperature of the oven cooks the chicken in 1 1/2 hours resulting in a beautiful crispy skin and very...

Not too spicy chili with red beans

A recipe staple that works well on a cold night when something warm, hearty and flavorful is called- I love to serve as a ‘help...

Juicy and tasty turkey burgers

Turkey burgers are a great alternative to beef burgers.  In order to add lots of flavor, the fresh scallion, basil and capers create the perfect combination. I like to serve...

Spiced eggplant and peppers with bulgar wheat

I took this recipe from Julia Moskin in a New York Times article.  Her recipe included pearl couscous but I made it with bulgar wheat since I had some in...

Prawns with fresh tomatoes

I first had this dish at my sister-in-law’s house.  She is from Argentina, and grew up having the dish as a regular feature in many...

Florentine grilled steak (bistecca all fiorentina)

The simplicity of this recipe makes it ideal for any meal.  The addition of a rub of fresh garlic after grilling adds such depth of flavor, you will never do...

Portuguese pork with clams

A classic Portuguese dish most often found on menus in the central area of Portugal called the Alentejo. 

Cauliflower and Black Beans Enchiladas

A different, vegetarian take on traditional meat enchiladas that is delicious.  When I first thought about this combination it seemed quite strange but the flavors,...

deconstructed chicken enchildadas

Best Beef Enchildadas

A friend of mine is a wonderful cook despite her protests to the contrary.  I took this Enchilada recipe directly from her after enjoying the dish many times at her...

Grilled chicken with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes

Grilled chicken tastes great and is super fast and easy to prepare. I prefer it in the summer months but that being said, anytime really...

Curried mango and ginger chicken salad

I first made this recipe for a bridal shower with an English tea party theme.  I wanted to keep the menu somewhat traditional with a few little twists, and thought...

Roast crispy chicken with fennel and onions

What I like about this recipe is the essence of the fennel and onion steam through the chicken while roasting, adding a deeper flavor.

Pasta Amatriciana

If you have ever been to Rome, Italy, you surely have seen Amatriciana pasta on the menu.  It is a staple in Roman cuisine but...

super flavorful chicken, broccoli, bacon pie

Savory pies are popular in the UK but not so much in the US.  What I love about this recipe is the interior is made with chicken broth and then...

salmon with fresh pesto

Fresh pesto can be delicious on a variety of different fishes but works especially well with a luscious piece of salmon fillet.  The spicy, bright flavor of pesto complements the...

Lemon parmesan baked chicken

What can make a chicken breast more interesting? This recipe takes chicken to a new level with the sharp flavor of parmesan cheese offset by...

Lemon risotto with a dab of pesto

Incredibly delicate with the perfume of lemons, a beautifully balanced dish that brings forth the essence of each ingredient.  This recipe is delicious and creates a dish that can be...

pasta with peas & fresh ricotta

Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and sweeter on the palate.

pasta with pesto & mascarpone

Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and...
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Barbara

Barbara

table&spoon is all about entertaining and bringing your friends and family around the table.

Born out of years in the hotel and restaurant industry, and love for entertaining, table&spoon brings you tricks, tips and the ‘art of the table’ to create more confident hosts.

And if you need advice with a party, from deciding a theme, to table settings and arrangements to menu selection, please contact me.

Buon appetito!
Barbara

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