poultry and eggs Archives - East of Eden Cooking

2016/10/102018/03/23

Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers

Dinner Made Easy

“Lee had kept Adam’s eggs warm and had fried two for Cal. Aron walked through the dining room on his way to school. Want me to wait for you?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

All the sweet flavors of multi-colored bells mingle with your favorite salsa for a spicy update to the classic recipe in Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers. The rice stuffing cooks inside the peppers that are nestled in a tomato based sauce. Topping these Spicy Stuffed Bell Peppers with an egg adds a boost of protein which could be dinner, lunch or brunch. The Spicy Egg Topped Stuffed Bell Peppers can be served with chips and salsa but warmed tortillas would be wonderful too. Temper the spiciness of the recipe by varying the type of salsa and amount of red pepper flakes. READ MORE . . .

2012/06/052017/12/26

Chicken and Bread Salad with Heritage Blend Lettuce

Chicken and bread salad with heritage lettuces

The easy recipe

“Now in the cold parts of the country, don’t you think people get to wanting perishable things in the winter—like peas and lettuce and cauliflower? In a big part of the country they don’t have those things for months and months. And right here in the Salinas Valley we can raise them all year round.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Living in the Salinas Valley has piqued my interest in learning more about the local agricultural community. Since World War I, the economic growth of the Valley has been driven by agriculture. With changes in technology, food safety and consumer preferences Athena and I wanted to learn more about our local food sources. Matt Lyons, of River Ranch Fresh Foods graciously shared his knowledge about about growing lettuce in the Salinas Valley. READ MORE . . .

2011/09/222017/12/26

Salad with Chicken and Curry Dressing

“He walked to Stone Street where the Catholic church is and turned left, went past the Carriaga house, the Wilson house, the Zabala house, and turned left on Central Avenue at the Steinbeck house.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The Steinbeck House, John Steinbeck’s childhood home at 132 Central Avenue in Salinas is open for lunch and tours. The Valley Guild has published a cookbook with the much sought after lunch menu recipes, Steinbeck House Cookbook. A favorite is broccoli with chicken and a curry dressing, Poulet de Broccoli. I had thoughts of updating this Salinas classic and found inspiration in a salad I had at the The Portola Café at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. My recipe is a major shift from casserole to salad, and from broccoli to lettuce, but both recipes include iconic Salinas Valley ingredients with chicken and a curry dressing. READ MORE . . .

2011/09/152017/12/26

Raspberry Chicken with Goat Cheese

Elegant and easy!

“The chicken’s good, Lee. I don’t think I’ve been aware of the taste of food for a long time.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I stepped outside of my comfort zone with this recipe. It’s not that it’s difficult, it’s actually very easy and fast to prepare. Everyone I’ve shared it with raves about it. I developed this recipe for a contest. I have never entered a recipe contest before and felt intimidated. Anyone could enter, including professional chefs. A professional won the grand prize last year. I entered and did not even make the semi-finals. I am feeling kind of silly about the whole thing. (I can’t wait to try the winning recipe for this year!) If you try my recipe I would love to hear what you think! READ MORE . . .

2011/09/042017/12/26

Salad for Dinner

Summer on a Plate!

“Well, right now you can buy fruit and all kinds of vegetables for two bits a lug.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We often enjoy salads for dinner. I wanted to make a salad with the fruits and colors of summer as a main dish. The chicken could easily be omitted and the salad would still evoke summer on a plate. READ MORE . . .