Tuna Casserole, Improved!!

I know i've posted this before, but this time I have been hit by lightning!

That moment when you take something your parents have been making your whole life and you make it better!

Items I removed: 
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Milk

Items I added:
- Water
- Black Truffle Italian Sea Salt
- Herbs in Duxelles Seasoning (combination of the following powdered items Porcini, Shitake and Bolete mushrooms, shallots, lemon peel, chervil, parsley, tarragon, and chives)

The results were a lighter dish that proved to have a huge flavor punch that lingered for hours in your mouth. I watched a documentary on food and they brought up a good point. We take these amazing ingredients and season them with so many things to the point that sometimes we loose the purpose of those amazing ingredients. They stated, and I totally agree, why not season a tomato dish with Tomato powder? enhance the flavor with that of it's own? This is something that has really grabbed my attention and I am definitely going to be testing this out more.

Port Wine

Portugal ... When it comes to Porto wine, they mean business.

A very impressive collection of old vintages that have been stored. Another amazing Gem to add to the treasure trove we all collect on our travels.

Traveling Lasagna

A Lasagna Garfield would be proud of!

Completely put together an environment out of my own, and still turned out!

Doesn't matter where you go in the world, cooking will always bring back that comfortable ease of home.

Portugese Pasteis de Belem

Pasteis de Belem!

What an amazing pastry, made from egg! I have to send out many thanks to Margarida Garcia, for introducing me to such an incredible delicate pastry, packed with such good taste that you could understand after one bite, that you should stop at TWO!

Throughout Portugal they are known as Pasteis de Belem, however in the small area of Belem they are simply known as Pasteis and there are great restaurants dedicated to the continuous creation of these delightful pastries.

Portugese Ginja

Ginja in Lisbon, Portugal!!!!

After dinner drinks!! Digestivos!! What ever you want to call em, you simply cannot deny em!

Ginja, a Portugese after dinner drinks made from Tart Cherries and served traditionally in a small Espresso sized Chocolate cup!

One of the better after dinner drinks I have tried. Not thick at all, very easy to go down and has a great flavor.

Catalan Crostini

Catalan inspired!!

Very simple and easy yet so good.

Basic crostini/ toast, rubbed with garlic and layered with a very shortly pan fried eggplant then finished in the oven. To finish thin slices of Pecorino Cheese on top!

Spanish Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed Bell Peppers are never disappointing!

- Ground Beef pan simmered in a light tomato and carrot sauce.
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Beef stock flavored rice
- Pecorino Cheese
- Avocado closure

Bell Peppers as I have stated in the past can add a great flavor when included in sauces. This particular instance I used Red & Green bell peppers. The Red Bell Pepper adds incredible flavor with sweet notes while the Green Bell Pepper leans more towards the earthy stock texture.

One Bell Pepper is always enough for a person.