Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Sausages & Peppers Spaghetti Divadish wishes all her foodie friends and their families and friends a...

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Sausages & Peppers Spaghetti

Divadish wishes all her foodie friends and their families and friends a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

My above picture is how I celebrate Christmas, a big plate of Angel Hair Pasta with lottsa MEAT!!!

May yours be as Joyful, enjoying what you have not what you didn't get. Reminiscing, Laughing and Loving each other.

I look forward to seeing all of you in 2015.... 
Always a Diva

Divadish Personal Chef Services & Catering

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Christmas Meal 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Winter Meals!!!

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Winter Meals!!!: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Beef Stew The cold brings out the best soups and stews season...Brrrrrrr! My beef stew is delicious full...

Winter Meals!!!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Beef Stew

The cold brings out the best soups and stews season...Brrrrrrr! My beef stew is delicious full of flavor and low in calories. Can't beat that with a stick...

I usually use beef chuck roast and cut it up myself because buying stew meat costs more because of the convenience of it being cut up. 

Ingredients:
Yukon Gold Potatoes 1 to 2 lbs peeled and quartered
Celery 1 pkg. washed and quarter. ( Do not use the ends or the leaves in stew it will sour it.)
Carrots ( Pre- Boil ) so they are 1/2 cooked and then add to stew
Vidalia Onions (1) medium sliced in strips

Seasonings: 1/2 -3/4 tsp of each
Garlic powder
Basil
Sea Salt
Beef stock
Beef Gravy
Oregano

put all ingredients together in crock pot or slow cook in Oven roaster @ 325 for first 2+ hours then last hour or so @ 275 till everything is soft and tender.

Serve with a hearty crusty bread and butter and a side salad and you have a well balanced complete meal for you and your family.
Leftovers if there are any freeze very well, and keep for app. 90 days.

Enjoy this recipe and share it with other foodies, Eating Healthy is always my goal and it serve you and your family well to do the same. 

Divadish Personal Chef Services
Chef Gianna E. Ianos

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Winter Meals 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Low Fat Meals???

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Low Fat Meals???: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Stuffed Pork Chops Pork the other white meat? Yes indeed, and it has as many ways to fix it as chicken, ...

Low Fat Meals???

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Stuffed Pork Chops

Pork the other white meat? Yes indeed, and it has as many ways to fix it as chicken, with less calories too.

This dish pictured here is one that I created for my clients, it is a Apricot& Coconut Rum Marinade with a apricot stuffing.
Now you may think low calorie no way, Yes Way as the kids say, I make the marinade with a all organic no sugar marmalade and a 1/2 cup of coconut rum, add a little olive oil and garlic and stir all together, brush the pork chops with it after they are stuffed and pour the remainder marinade over the stuffing.

The stuffing is made with chicken stock and assorted seasonings with No Butter or margarine added, I do add a 1/4 cup of brown sugar to it plus a secret ingredient to make it pop, but other than that it is totally fat free stuffing, Yes you are reading it right, O FAT!!!!

Cook these @ 350' temp in oven till internal temp is 165' till no pink juices show.They will be moist, delicious and Low in Fat..... 

Healthy Eating everyone.. 

Divadish Personal Chef Services...

Chef Gianna

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Low fat Meals 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Mini-Turkey's!!!

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Mini-Turkey's!!!: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Mini -Turkeys Thanksgiving week deserves it's attentions towards our favorite foods week, here is on...

Mini-Turkey's!!!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Mini -Turkeys

Thanksgiving week deserves it's attentions towards our favorite foods week, here is one I think deserves it's time in the Spotlight....

These little babies are mini turkey roasts, I just Love them, they have all the taste of their Bigger Brothers but not as much work, and when you are fixing food for a family gathering or a meal on the fly these would fit the bill and make your Life a whole lot easier and simpler too...

I prepare them with a olive oil basting and seasoned with garlic, basil and sea salt, then rub them with kitchen bouquet for additional flavor.
Slow cook them @ 325' oven till internal temp. reaches 160; degrees, then you let them sit for app. 10- 15 minutes before slicing them, add your gravy and other traditional fixings and you have a delicious lower fat meal of course it does depend on how and what you fix for your other sides..:)

Holiday Meals do not need to mean hours in the kitchens and slaving over your hot ovens and not enjoying your families and friends, with a little planning everyone can have a good healthy meal and enjoy the Best part of The Holidays our family's and friends....

Divadish cares about all the aspects of cooking and our love ones are part of that equation too, go and enjoy and remember Eat Healthy for Life!!!

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Cooking for the Holidays 

Thank You from Second Harvest Heartland

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Staying Well ?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Staying Well ?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Spinach Bacon Quiche' Eating healthy is easier than you think and is one of the ways to help your Im...

Staying Well ?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Spinach Bacon Quiche'

Eating healthy is easier than you think and is one of the ways to help your Immune system.

Here is the (6) strategies to stay well all year!

1. Eat Healthy

Limit your sugar intake, saturated fats, trans fats, and processed foods. The Old Adage everything in moderation has always been the Golden Rule for most everything we do in Life, our diets are no exception. 

It is OK to celebrate during the Holidays with our favorite foods but make sure you are also eating plenty of vegetables and fruits along with lean proteins whole grains and low fat dairy. To learn more about eating for your body type visit choosemyplate.gov

2. Exercise often

Regular exercise helps flush bacteria from the lungs and may even reduce cancer causing cells from our bodies through increased waste, such as urine and sweat.Exercising also increase white blood cells, which detect diseases earlier.
3.Sleep more
When you sleep your body produces cytokines, which are proteins that reduce inflammation, infections and stress.
In addition lack of sleep increases our risks for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

4. Stress less

Living in our World today with all that we are expected to do and now with technology as advanced as it is we get less down time. Stress creeps in and does it Bad thing by releasing a hormone called Cortisol, this little hormone wracks havoc with our immune systems leading to weight gain, and chronic illness.
How can you help your stress levels, take 10 minutes each day to do deep breathing exercises, a brisk walk, yoga, meditation, these things will help manage your busy life.

5. Live well

Lifestyle choices can also help your overall health.
Quitting or not smoking, drinking in moderation. Reduce your blood pressure levels, washing your hands regularly, limit your exposure to sick people.

6. Supplement wisely
Here is a list of musts:

• Vitamin C 1,000-2,000 mgs daily
• Vitmin D3 2,000-5,000 mgs daily
• Echinacea 1-2 tabs per manufacture directions .
• Elderberry 3.8 grams per manufacture directions

To capture the Best Healthy Life make good eating a regular way of life, exercise often, make better life choices to make Your Life the Best it can be!

*Excerpts are from The Healthy Living Magazine article by Dr. Andrew Myers

Divadish Personal Chef Services: BBQ Meals, sandwiches, etc....

Divadish Personal Chef Services: BBQ Meals, sandwiches, etc....: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Brandy BBQ!! Fall is now in our shadows and daylight savings is Sunday, sooooooo? what do we do now....?...

BBQ Meals, sandwiches, etc....

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Brandy BBQ!!

Fall is now in our shadows and daylight savings is Sunday, sooooooo? what do we do now....? I have a simple solution let's head back to our kitchens and start cooking again... !

Colder weather brings out the best foods, soups, stews, BBQ meats, Pulled Meats with glazes, Turkey, the list is endless.

I love creating new flavors and new seasoning combinations, and Winter brings out my what if thinking, and since it is cold and windy out it just ramps up I am staying inside today...

Here are some suggestions for you to try in your own kitchens fellow Foodies.

Using Wines, Brandies, Rums in your sauces and as a marinade to your meats accomplishes two things, it softens and enhances meats, it also adds a enhanced flavor component to your sauces.

Now I am not saying pour a whole bottle in it, I am suggesting a 1/4 cup to a 1/3 cup depending on your menu item.

Spillage it happens can easily be wiped up with your tongue, (Just Kidding)...

So there you have it Foodies, this weeks Food Tips and some new ways to make up a excuse to use Alcohol in the kitchen,,, Good Luck and Happy & Healthy Cooking. 

Ciao Bella & Bellos, 
The Diva 
Chef G.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Alcohol in the kitchen 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Taco Soup!!!!

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Taco Soup!!!!: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Taco Soup This weeks soup is Taco , if you Love Taco's you will Love this easy making soup.....! You...

Taco Soup!!!!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Taco Soup

This weeks soup is Taco , if you Love Taco's you will Love this easy making soup.....!

Your list of ingredients:

• (2) cans of Mild Chili Beans with sauce
• (2) cams of diced tomatoes 
• (2) cans of tomato sauce
• (1) can of tomato paste ( add water to paste in a separate container, app. 2 cups till all is blended then add to your soup mixture)
• 1 tsp. of cayenne pepper
• (1) pkg. of taco seasonings
• 1/2 tsp. of Ginger (dry)
• 1LB. of browned 80/20 chuck hamburger (drain all fluid off before adding to the crock pot) I season this with a Taco seasoning and olive oil while browning it.

Put all of these ingredients in a crock pot on High setting for 2 hours stirring occasionally till blended, then switch heat to Low and simmer still stirring occasionally for another 2+ hours, tasting in between so if you need more punch you use that time to do so and add it.

Serve this delicious soup with taco chips and a dollop of sour cream and some Mexican cheese blend  and you have a hearty soup and low in calorie too.

You may also make a complete meal by adding a 1/2 turkey sandwich and a side salad to round it out.

Dessert rounds this meal out with Ginger/Molasses cookies, okay I am getting hungry, enjoy this weeks recipe and Blog this to others and share my food blog with others, gotta keep the Foodie Chain growing now don't We?

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Taco Soup? 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fall Soup's...

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fall Soup's...: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fall Soup's... : Divadish Kitchens & Catering Potato Bacon Soup Fall is here and so is soup seas...

Fall Soup's...

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Potato Bacon Soup

Fall is here and so is soup season,,, today's soup is Potato Bacon,,, Yummy and full of creamy goodness.
Made with 1/2 & 1/2 and chicken stock it is one of my fav's with a good dunking bread...Beverage of choice a cup of hot spiced apple cider and your have a meal. If you fill extra ambitious you could even add a Candied pecan /bleu cheese salad with Balsamic dressing. Really what's not to like? 

If you like more veggies in your soup you can add a can of organic corn bits and 1 cup of steamed golden or russet potatoes chopped to bite size, simmer this all together in a crock pot with your choice of seasonings for app. 3-5 hours till everything is blended together in flavors.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Fall Soup's 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens...

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens...: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering : Divadish Kitchens & Catering Greek Chicken Being half Greek &amp...

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Greek Chicken Being half Greek & half Italian allows me to combine seasonings that add flavor to al...

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Greek Chicken

Being half Greek & half Italian allows me to combine seasonings that add flavor to all my dishes. Both my parents were self -taught Chef's and very good ones. My Dad was a Personal Chef to our local parish out East and cooked for the Cardinal himself, my Mom was the go to person for family meals in their restaurants.

Cooking and creating new recipes has always been in my blood and I find myself doing it in my head when I see something I like but want to change it up a bit to make it better or just different.

Living in Minnesota allows me to explore all those skills because people like all kinds of food here, and if you have something that is just a little bit different than what the drones of others are offering, it does not take long for people to find you and tell others. Lucky Me...

The above pan of baked Greek Chicken is just one of many I offer my clients and cook for myself regularly, it is just good comfort food.

Marinated with Lemon juice and Olive oil and a special blend of seasonings that is a secret recipe makes this dish mouthwatering delicious.

Start your own creations and enjoy eating healthy for a Happier, Healthier YOU!!

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Healthy Eating 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!...

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!...: Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!! : Divadish Kitchens & Catering Fruit Tacos???? Love fruit? tired eating it out o...

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!!

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!!: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Fruit Tacos???? Love fruit? tired eating it out of a bag? How about in a soft shell taco???? No I am no...

Fruit Desserts!!!!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Fruit Tacos????

Love fruit? tired eating it out of a bag? How about in a soft shell taco????
No I am not Nuts, well ,maybe a little, but these are really tasty and are only 4 grams of fat.....:)

So who's laughing now...hmmmmm!

Okay here is your recipe... 

Take any brand Soft taco shells, I do use Mission brand like it texture and they are organic...
Ingredients:

Raspberries (Fresh or Frozen)
Blueberries (Fresh or Frozen)
Strawberries ( Fresh or Frozen)
Put all these in to a large bowl so you have room to stir, add a 1/2 cup of sugar or Agave, or Honey to them, add a 1/2 tsp. of Ginger
then a 1/2 tsp. of ground Cardmone, stir till mixed well and everything is coated evenly.

Then drizzle some chocolate sauce on flat taco first, spoon in the fruit filling roll it up and drizzle some more chocolate sauce, or raspberry sauce on taco shell. You may use other fruit drizzles or sauces as you like, these are so good with anything, and take less than 15 minutes to make! It would be a good Mom & Kids project, and the whole house will not need cleaning afterwards:)

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Fruit Roll Ups??? 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Foods For Fall?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Foods For Fall?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Chicken Wild Rice Soup.... Although it does not feel like Fall weather outside now it soon will be, and...

Foods For Fall?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Chicken Wild Rice Soup....

Although it does not feel like Fall weather outside now it soon will be, and we will all need to get ready for it right????

When I feel the weather changing, I start to build up my soup stocks. Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable stocks are all the basics when making a good tasty soup base, it like a house's foundation, you need good Bones before you can guarantee your structure is not going to fall down on you!

What do you need to do, here is my basic list that I always, always have in my pantries so I can throw together a delicious soup into my crock pot and let the slow cooking take care of the rest.

Organic Carrots ( Fresh or Frozen)
Peas (Fresh or Frozen)
Green Beans (Fresh or Frozen)
Onions (Fresh or Freeze Dried)
Poultry Seasonings
Dried Mixed Veggies
Garlic Powder
Potatoes
Mushrooms
Lentils
Black Beans
Chili Beans
Meats:
Chicken (Fresh or Frozen
Beef (Fresh or Frozen
Fish (Fresh or Frozen)
Pork (Fresh or Frozen)

Sauces:
Chicken
Red Sauce
Alfredo

The combinations of any of these ingredients takes a creative mind and a skilled hand, but if you are neither than I suggest keeping it Simple, basic and simple is always good too, ,and everyone will still taste the difference between a can of soup opened up and served and your delicious Home Made Edition served to them from your home kitchen.

So take my Fall Challenge go into your kitchens People and make your families some Good Old Fashion Soup, you will be glad you did and your family will thank you all the way down to their empty bowls and the quiet you will hear around the table as they are enjoying Your Creation Tonight:)

So let the clocks be turned back to give us more time to spend with our families and create more delicious meals in our kitchens. 

Divadish Personal Chef Services and Catering

Chef Gianna

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Creating Dinner Tonight? 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Pie Season is here?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Pie Season is here?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Pie Season....! Pie season  is what makes Fall so wonderful...  There are so many good choices and so li...

Pie Season is here?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Pie Season....!

Pie season  is what makes Fall so wonderful...  There are so many good choices and so little time to get them all in....
I Love fruit pies especially, the flavors are so good and you can combine several fruits to add even more taste and texture.

This one pictured is a Apple & Peach pie, I felt like trying this combination for two reasons, one I had some over ripe peaches that were too good to waste and also some Pink Lady Apples that were given to me so I said why not combine them and see how it will taste I was not disappointed, I feel you need to mix it up once in a while and this was one of my mix ups....

Other combinations of fruits that go well together are Cherries and Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries, Strawberries and Raspberries.

So the next time you are deciding what to do about those leftover berries or other fruits, thinks pies and do some Mixing up of your own.

Divadish Personal Chef Services
Chef Gianna

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Fruit Pies 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: French Toast Quiche?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: French Toast Quiche?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Fruit ,Bread and Eggs!!! Quiches have always been a fav around my kitchen, because it is a one pan meal ...

French Toast Quiche?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Fruit ,Bread and Eggs!!!

Quiches have always been a fav around my kitchen, because it is a one pan meal and you can add so many delicious ingredients to them.

I prefer mine to be a little sweet & salty at the same time, so adding bacon, cheese or feta, helps with that.
Now once you pick your ingredients then you add your seasonings to match your quiche your put this pan into the oven @ 350 for app. 30-40 minutes till a toothpick stick comes out clean. 

Serve this with sliced fruit and toast or bagel, add a beverage of choice and Whala you have a delicious healthy meal instead of fried, greasy or in a can. 
Bon Apetite!

Divadish Personal Chef Services

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Quiches for anytime meals 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Breakfast Muffins?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Breakfast Muffins?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Pumpkin Or Apple Muffin? Breakfast muffins are so delicious especially if they are lower in calories, fa...

Breakfast Muffins?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Pumpkin Or Apple Muffin?

Breakfast muffins are so delicious especially if they are lower in calories, fat, and sugars. Right?
Now don't go wimping out on me now, you do not need all that fat & sugar to make a muffin taste better, and you do not need  to Super-Size it either, because that is where we all get into TROUBLE!!!

Let's start with one of these little tasty gems for our breakfast trays. 
Here is what one of these muffins will add up to a whole 75 calories each, yes you are reading it right and if you are watching your fat grams, each muffin is 7 grams of fat... Now if you still think you are dreaming and I must be selling you a story or swamp land in FLA. I'm not, made the right way, and made to reduce your intake of processed foods you can enjoy all the Guilty Pleasures but,,, Yes But, prepared a little differently.. And you don't have to sacrifice taste... ! Oh my please sign Me up... Yep that's what I say each time I eat one of these delicious muffins, so next time call The Diva she'll send you a Little Bit of Heaven Your Way..... Ciao Bella...

Divadish Personal Chef Services

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Muffins made your way! 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Divadish Kitchens & Catering: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Apple/Peach Pie? If I was to pick a Super Hero  it would have to be Superman, but not the new one the old ...

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & CateringApple/Peach Pie?

If I was to pick a Super Hero  it would have to be Superman, but not the new one the old one Clark Kent, in the 60's show. He was my dreamy guy as a child of 8 years old as he appeared magically on my TV each night after dinner. I would sit there and be mesmerized by his power to see threw objects and with his strength to bend steel and fly it was so amazing to me as a kid!

Now everything is done by digital computers it goes beyond what is even believable.
Super Hero Powers would be so awesome: I would ask for mine to be this:

 I would want all my food to make people instantly Happy:)

Now I know I would have to be very careful not to abuse such a Power, but How Cool would it be to take a bite of my food and just think Happy Thoughts, ? I think it would be so great!

So here;s my suggestion the next time you are looking at ordering from the fast food line, or maybe just putting something in the micro wave, Why not call Divadish Catering and put some HAPPY in your mouth instead!!!!!

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Who's your Super Hero? 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!!

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Fruit Desserts!!!!: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Berries, Berries, Berries Love fruit? Love it even more with a chocolate drizzle? Well I can make that h...

Fruit Desserts!!!!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Berries, Berries, Berries

Love fruit? Love it even more with a chocolate drizzle? Well I can make that happen for you with just a flick of my famous drizzle stick... It is so easy to do... !!!

I love making fun and delicious snacks, and it is also healthy, what's not to Love.... :)
The above picture is a multi -mix of berries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and finally raspberries, are you dizzy yet? Hope not because here comes the Kicker a swirl of chocolate sauce over the whole thing, Yum does not even cover this little bundle of Joy...:) Now you can use this mixture over crumbled cookies or cake bits, or angel food too, ,so there are other good choices to pick from, let your mind do the wandering and your taste buds do the enjoying.

Hope you Love this weeks blog see everyone next week, Ciao Bella,,, G.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : fruit desserts 

Shrimp & Pasta?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Shrimp & Angel Hair Pasta!!!

How do you say perfection? with a forkful of shrimp and pasta. What else, they were like they say made for each other, put these two together in a room and I will guarantee you the plate will be returned empty, and No Room key was required:) 

Yes Food Humor but heh, you gotta play as you see it, or in this case as you EAT It... Preferably by the plateful with lots of grated Parmesan Cheese on top and a good glass of Pinot right next to it:)

So when you get hungry for pasta remember the shrimp, it goes so well with everything, and it is O Fat and Low in CALORIES, What's Not To Like!!!!!

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Shrimp & Pasta? 

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Meat Pies?

Divadish Personal Chef Services: Meat Pies?: Divadish Kitchens & Catering Meat Pies!!! Europe is not the only place you can eat meat pies! Divadish created this recipe for a clie...

Meat Pies?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Meat Pies!!!

Europe is not the only place you can eat meat pies! Divadish created this recipe for a client of hers who Loves Meat, with a side of Meat!!!!:)
Now before you get your undies in a twist about the calories, the cholesterol and so forth,,,, this delicious beefcake is made with Chicken and stuffed with Mozzarella and garlic seasonings.
A match made in Heaven and simply Divine for sure for your taste-buds!

I made this one pictured above with sweet bell mini peppers, slice Vidilla onions, sliced sharp cheddar cheese, and a crust made from phyllio leaves. Making it light, fluffy and less calories.

The end result when finished was a beautiful site indeed and it makes me so Happy to offer my clients Heart -Healthy Delicious Choices too.

So when you want to have something other that frozen or fast food, please let your fingers do the walking to text or call Divadish Tonight! She will be Happy to make you one of these Meat Pies Too! :)

Divadish Personal Chef Services
612-859-3270

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Meat Pies? 

Chicken for Dinner?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Greek Chicken

Who's Loves Chicken? 

It probably is one of the most versatile meat on our grocer's shelves. 

Here are some meals that come to mind.

• Stir-fry and seasoned rice
• Ginger Sauce & Apricots with Chicken fried rice and pea pods
• Seared Greek Chicken with Rosemary seasoned red potatoes
• Grilled chicken with a Brandy or Rum Marinade
• Italian Breaded Chicken (Baked or in Red or White Sauce)
• Chicken 
  Chili
• Pan fried chicken with sweet bell peppers and onions

See what I mean you can do anything with that meat, white or dark it adds to our meals and is still inexpensive to cook and serve.

So when you are at the grocery store next time and are getting deeply depressed by those outrageous beef prices take another look at the other meat counters and remember you can cook something else other than Cow for dinner tonight!
Your waistline will also thank you and your family will believe you are a Master Chef, You Go Girlfriend.

Divadish helping you aspire to Greater things in Your Kitchens.
Eat Healthy and Living your Life to the fullest!
Chef Gianna

divadishkitchenscatering.com

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Chicken the other meat? 

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Organic Chicken Pot Pie!!!

The Old saying "Your are what you Eat" is very true indeed. Why you ask, well let's talk about that for a bit.

Fast foods chains may be trying to lure us back with the salads, or the wraps, but do you really know what is in them? how many calories are there in each one?
How much sugar in the dressing, and what did you pick for a beverage?

Why am I asking all these questions because when they say Fast food that is what it means, it does not mean Home made, made to order or carefully selected ingredients to make it healthier.

You have to ask yourself can I eat this everyday? or can I eat this occasionally?Will it screw up my good diet? or eating habits? 
The answers are not complicated, do you eat wholesome foods all week? do you drink plenty of water? and do you exercise? these are the common denominators for anyone to stay well threw out their entire life and reap the benefits from it as well.
As a human race we tend to skip around a bit on the word Healthy because it might taste bad, like the commercials keep saying try it you might like it!
I agree on that point because once you start adding in some good choices in your diet you become accustomed to it very quickly and will be tempted less often by the Fast Food Merry -Go- Rounds.

Here are some healthier choices for you to think about when you go out to eat.

• Ask for dressings on the side
• If it has breading on it ask if it is heavy or pan fry it, it is lighter and less greasy
• Gravies ask for them on side
• Potatoes choose baked with sour cream and butter on side
• Beverages (Do not ask for a Big Pop) if you must have one ask for one small glass and no refills Please!
• Always add a piece of fruit to your meal for these reasons, fills you up, meaning you will eat less, and is good fiber and balances your sugar levels. Making you loose weight naturally!
• Eat Proteins first, salads and fruits next and if you need a sweet add a small cookie not iced or a small slice of fruit pie. Your plate should be 70/30 meaning 70% Veggies and fruits and grains and 30% lean proteins.
• Keep a journal of how you are doing or a app on your Iphones or Smart phone will help you stay on track, and watch yourself and your waistline thank you later.

This is easier than you think and with all the technology out there to help you it is even easier, good luck and like I always say " Healthy Eating is a LIFESTYLE"

Divadish Personal Chef Services
Chef Gianna

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Good food? 

Good Food Good Life?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Organic Chicken Pot Pie!!!

The Old saying "Your are what you Eat" is very true indeed. Why you ask, well let's talk about that for a bit.

Fast foods chains may be trying to lure us back with the salads, or the wraps, but do you really know what is in them? how many calories are there in each one?
How much sugar in the dressing, and what did you pick for a beverage?

Why am I asking all these questions because when they say Fast food that is what it means, it does not mean Home made, made to order or carefully selected ingredients to make it healthier.

You have to ask yourself can I eat this everyday? or can I eat this occasionally?Will it screw up my good diet? or eating habits? 
The answers are not complicated, do you eat wholesome foods all week? do you drink plenty of water? and do you exercise? these are the common denominators for anyone to stay well threw out their entire life and reap the benefits from it as well.
As a human race we tend to skip around a bit on the word Healthy because it might taste bad, like the commercials keep saying try it you might like it!
I agree on that point because once you start adding in some good choices in your diet you become accustomed to it very quickly and will be tempted less often by the Fast Food Merry -Go- Rounds.

Here are some healthier choices for you to think about when you go out to eat.

• Ask for dressings on the side
• If it has breading on it ask if it is heavy or pan fry it, it is lighter and less greasy
• Gravies ask for them on side
• Potatoes choose baked with sour cream and butter on side
• Beverages (Do not ask for a Big Pop) if you must have one ask for one small glass and no refills Please!
• Always add a piece of fruit to your meal for these reasons, fills you up, meaning you will eat less, and is good fiber and balances your sugar levels. Making you loose weight naturally!
• Eat Proteins first, salads and fruits next and if you need a sweet add a small cookie not iced or a small slice of fruit pie. Your plate should be 70/30 meaning 70% Veggies and fruits and grains and 30% lean proteins.
• Keep a journal of how you are doing or a app on your Iphones or Smart phone will help you stay on track, and watch yourself and your waistline thank you later.

This is easier than you think and with all the technology out there to help you it is even easier, good luck and like I always say " Healthy Eating is a LIFESTYLE"

Divadish Personal Chef Services
Chef Gianna

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Good food? 

Is your Garden Biting You?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

As we get into our glorious days of Summer, one thing always puts a Buzz Kill to totally enjoying it,Bugs! 

What can we do? Do we kill off everything that flies in order to get back our yards and our gardens?

Here are some natural ways to keep these flying pests at bay and not hurt or harm our planet, and other good flying creatures and insects.

Mosquitoes:

Instead of using DEET, bases spray products which of course work but are not environmentally safe there are plant based natural alternatives.
The product called PMD is a lemon eucalyptus oil extract that is very effective smells nice and is approved by the CDC and Prevention and it's available products that use these ingredients Repel Lemon Eucalyptus or Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus

Wasps:
Using peppermint soap diluted with hot water and put into a spray bottle will keep these flying pests from making your yard theirs!
You can also use this mix for ant hills at your foundations or sidewalks, destroying there scent hills and making them move onto other not so annoying you areas.

Garden Pests(aphids,white flies,scale )
There is a horticultural oil used by professional landscapers that will not harm your plants but get rid of your pests!
Another way is using a formulated insecticide soap that you spray on the infected plants.
And last but not least a concentrated amount of dish soap diluted in a spray bottle will also help and keep them under control, but please be diligent as this is not as strong as the recommend products.

If in doubt here are the the product words to look for when buying commercial products for your household or yards.

Certified by Organic Materials Institute for use in gardens or households.
Let's all enjoy our Summer a little bit more and our gardens and yards to the fullest.

divadishfoodblog

divadishkitchenscatering.com/food-blog.php

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Garden and Pests? 

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & Catering



Brandy BBQ

Love BBQ? but hate the thick paste that it sometimes tastes like? I have a solution for all of you BBQ Lovers!!!!!!

Divadish loves to do her sauces she serves with meats to be rich yet not so thick they make you gag...:( 

What you need to remember is to thin them with a little liquor...:) Or as I like to suggest Happy liquids:)

Now don't go crazy with this and make it a Alcohol bath party,,,, just adding a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of brandy or rum or wine to your sauces depending on what it is will make your sauce more tasty and even a bit more delicate then it was before. 

The most famous of food houses use all types of liquors to bring out the flavor in your meats, and also tenderizing them too as they cook, this little add in adds flavor and tenderizing all for the same amount , it is like a twofer all rolled up in one shot glass! Such a deal you should get says my Jewish Side I so love a good quote...!
Now all you have to do is pull out that side of beef, pork, or chicken and start adding your regular marinade with a little extra to it and let it sit a bit in this mixture for all of it to take hold and then sear it into the meat and slow cook it in your oven @ 275-325' till it falls apart when pulled with a fork. Now if your mouth isn't watering and your stomach growling then you are either not Alive or your a Vegetarian,,  So Sorry for you..... :(
Here in Minnesota we honor our Cave -Man Ancestry, and then some and I gotta tell you I am glad we do, it makes me smile and also keeps the Dr's away because as my Italian mother is famous for saying and I quote 

" Skinny B_____ches... Die so much Sooner ... ! She has stuck to that witticism since I can remember and she is 89 and going strong, and is by No Means a Skinny B______! So like I always have said cooking is a creative process, not something you throw on a plate and scarf down in two minutes and say okay that's done now, food is a gift to our bodies and should be enjoyed and relished, so go and get that bottle of Booze and do some relishing and a Happy Dance all the way to your kitchens. 

Diva Loves Ya, G.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Alcohol and Cooking 

Spaghetti for Breakfast

Divadish Kitchens & Catering









Spaghetti & Peppers

My Italian Mother always says you can eat spaghetti anytime. She's right, because my granddaughter eats it for breakfast, she likes her carbs and her meat. Now I don't always add meat to my sauces sometimes I prefer to use them as bases for other things such as soups, stews and pizzas.

Adding different ingredients to your red sauces adds texture and flavor, creating a whole another level of richness and tasty sauce.
Here are some of the things you can add to make your red sauce POP!!!!!

• Peppers
• Black or Green olives
• Onions (Red or White)
• Meats( Chicken, Pork, Beef )
• Wine
• Brandy
• Different seasoning combinations ( Ginger, Cardmone, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Red Pepper)
• Combination meats such as beef & pork or chicken and pork

It is fun and creative to twist things up now and then making your eating experience interesting and flavorful. So the next time you walk into your kitchen look at it as a dinning experience instead ofOMG what the heck am I going to cook for tonight's Dinner?!!!

Always a Diva and cooking  with You in Mind!

Chef Gianna

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Stir Fry

Do you Love veggies? would you like to have more taste to them then just butter?
Well here is another way to enjoy your veggies and add a little zest to it too! Like Mom use to say you have to clean your plate before you can have dessert!

Well with this meal you will be going back for seconds....!

Basic Recipe:

Fresh or Frozen
 Pea Pods
Broccoli
Carrots
Sweet bell peppers
Dash of Ginger
Dash of Cardamon
Dash of Garlic powder
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Ginger Orange Glaze Sauce 
Cooked Large Shrimp


Take all the above ingredients sliced thinly, add seasonings and mix together till everything is covered well.
Pre-heat heavy skillet add olive oil and then add all the seasoned veggies to it till they are aldente' app. 10-12 minutes.
Then add the shrimp last pour over entire mixture the Ginger/Orange glaze sauce, and stir all together, cook another 5-8 minutes and serve over Jasmine rice or noodles.

This will be one of your go to meals when you are craving Asian but do not want all that Fat and $$$$ to spend when eating out.

Healthy, Fast, and you made it yourself.

Divadish just Loves good food.
See Ya... G.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Veggies made easy