Happy Memorial Day!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Onion & Peppers Quiche

Memorial Day marks the beginning of Summer for everyone no matter where you live in the states.It also marks graduations, picnics, celebrations.These events are all marked with all types of foods.

Being a Chef and also one who professes healthy eating I do try to start my day out with a healthy meal, and this picture is a Hearty Quiche I made for a clients Holiday weekend. 

It is a 1/2 pan of light, fluffy eggs combined with sauteed peppers, onions, a dash of basil, and a dash of garlic powder.
This is then poured on top of a crust of crisp hash browns and baked @ 350' for app. 35 minutes till done. Testing it with a toothpick stick .Now serve a piece of this delight with buttered toast with or without jam and a good cup of coffee and you have Heaven on a plate, and it makes your tummy sing The Star Spangled Banner just for you.

Of course it always goes without saying these dishes can be made ahead of time, and they  freeze very well too, so think a little ahead if you can and make yourself a little slice of Heaven and Celebrate Your American Freedom's with good food.:)

God Bless America and all Who Serve to keep Us Safe and Free, We All Thank You.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Eating for Health 

Stir Fry Meals

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

When you are called for dinner what comes into your mind? This dinner did for me one night so I decided I see if I had all the ingredients to make it.. Whala I di so I sauteed the veggies in a Ginger/Orange Glaze sauce, added some extra ginger and garlic to sauce and slow simmered.
Then in another pan I seared my Jumbo shrimp in olive oil and a touch of lime juice, added a little sea salt and added those to my steamed veggies.
Then I made some Jasmine rice and when that was all done I added my stir-fry to the top of it all poured a little extra glaze on it and sat down to a delicious wholesome all organic plate of deliciousness...:) 

So when you get the call for dinner  think of what would make you smile and see if you got all the ingredients to make a quick and delicious plate of your own.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Stir Fry Meals 

Mother's Day Soup!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering







Potato Bacon Soup

What no flowers? How dare you, well in my family we give food as a thoughtful gift. 
Flowers are nice but food is always welcomed, especially if I do not have to cook it:)

My Mother always Loved food gifts, and still does especially since she is in a Nursing Care Home, there food it somewhere between Icky & yucky...:( but they call it nourishment, I can't repeat what I call it!
So my picture is for all the Mother's out there who would like to receive a delicious bowl of soup or a container of soup for a few extra meals later on, and also for those foodies like me who cook all the time and someone else says Heh I can do that for you,,, ahhhh that is so nice really it is..:)
Divadish and The Diva would like to wish all the Mother's Male & Female
  a very Happy- Mother's Day, enjoy your children Big or Small and tell them how much they mean to you, family is a gift and one you should cherish.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Mother's Day! 

Searing Meats!

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Seared Chicken

Chicken is such a versatile food that goes with just about any side dish too.This dish pictured I fixed with a side of honey carrots, it was a nice combo meal and was very satisfying.

Searing meats is something that has been done mostly by restaurants boasting that they have the secret to keeping your meats juicy and tasty.

How do you sear your meats? well it takes a heavy frying pan, preferably a Food Safe pan because these can take the heat and hold it too which is important for searing.

Okay so we got the right pan now so now to proceed to searing our meat, make sure you preheated your pan slowly, meaning not turning your flame or electric burner to high and leave it there, it needs to warm up the pan slow I suggest at a med flame or temp, add your cooking olive oil and your seasoned meat. 

Then sear meat for app. 2-5 minutes each side turning it as needed. Finish cooking the meat this way in pan till done or put in a greased baking dish and bake @ 350' for app. 30-50 min. depending on what you are cooking. 
Steak, Shrimp, or chops do not do, but most other meats like chicken pork roasts, beef roasts are just fine.

Cooking can be fun, but you have to put some effort into it too. so go forth and Cook and enjoy.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Searing Meats 

Ricotta for Dessert?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Sweetened Ricotta Dessert

This dessert pictured above is very light and creamy to the tongue. Textures and visual is what most foodies look at when they go food shopping, they like bright colors and appetizing layout as much as a artist likes the perfect sunset.

When I make something new I make sure I like the combinations of the ingredients first, second I see if I want to tweak any of them, third then I see if I can make it taste better.

With all there is out there today to choose from in seasonings, extracts, toppings, icings, etc. you should not be limited at all to having the Best Food experience ever. If you are not as adventurous in the kitchen and want to be or just want someone else to do all the work please feel free to call The Diva @ 612-859-3270, I will make sure your taste buds and your stomach are doing the Happy Dance after all is done:)

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Ricotta for Dessert? 

Cake decorating?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Cake?

Divadish likes to mix it up a bit even with her cakes. I do not like thick frosting on anything especially cakes as I feel it weighs it down.

Why not eat a slice of cake instead of a mouthful of icing? it seems reasonable to me.

So what I do for my cakes, cookies, and cupcakes is use a drizzle stick, this is a great little tool and it allows you to decorate anything from desserts to a garnishment on a plate with a flick of the wrist and a small amount of product to make your desserts or main entree look absolutely Divine!

You can find these little wonder tools at any kitchen store or online @ Kitchen Nova. Com great tools for a little price, now you go off and find something to drizzle on!

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Drizzling 

Comfort Foods, what's Your's?

Divadish Kitchens & Catering

Grilled Cheese & Cran -Raisin Salad

Comfort foods are so welcoming when you are not feeling well, or had a Bad day, or the weather is just plain awful.:( 

The Diva has one of her fav's pictured above, grilled Cheese and a side salad. This all American Classic has many variations but when I want the good old original I get my sliced cheddar, pepper-jack, and Colby -jack cheese slices lined up and pre butter the sour dough bread or Texas toast  warm the 6" chef's saute pan up add a little olive oil for a base with a sprinkle of Cayenne pepper in the bottom and add my sandwich for a slow brown and melting app. 4-6 min. What comes out of that pan is a delicious combination of gooey Yumminess. It is like a bite of Heaven and a feeling of comfort like that old sweater you just can't part with, or for me a old red scarf that is so full of holes it is holding together by threads! Who cares really when it makes us feel good on those days when you just need a little something extra. 

Hope this makes everyone feel a little better after this very long Winter we all have had, Go SPRING :)

Divadish Personal Chef Services
Chef G.

Posted by Gianna Elizabeth Ianos. Posted In : Comfort Foods