Scallops In Cream Sauce

There's something about them you'll love!!

1 lb large sea scallops (rinsed, add dash of salt and pepper)
1 Tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup mixed bell peppers (use a mixture of colors if available)
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 Tablespoon flour
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Dash of hot sauce
1 - 8oz bottle of clam juice

2 Tablespoons half and half or milk
1 Tablespoon butter
Optional: Sprig of fresh dill for plate

Preheat oven to 325.

Using a small non-stick fry pan, heat olive oil over med high heat, add scallop. Sear both sides about 3 minutes. Place scallops in oven dish and bake for 10 minutes, in the meantime prepare sauce…

Add bell peppers to the fry pan over medium heat. While stirring, add the flour. When it starts browning, stir in lemon juice, hot sauce and butter. Turn up the heat and add milk and clam juice. After the sauce is boiling, lower heat and let simmer 5 minutes. Add dash of black pepper. Serve scallops with sauce (optional: garnish with sprig of fresh dill).

Serves 3 to 4.

There's Something About Mary (1998)

“There’s Something About Mary” was and is one of the best comic movies ever made! I have too many favorite scenes to choose one, but if I must. Ben Stiller plays Ted, a guy who has loved Mary since high school. Ted has come to take Mary to the prom. He goes to the bathroom and has an accident with his zipper. Painful for Ted, but funny as hell for us!

Our recipe for There’s Something About Scallops was inspired by “There’s Something About Mary.” Scallops are a delicacy from the ocean with it's beautiful outer shell. It’s one of those things you like, but can’t really describe why. Cameron Diaz played Mary, who has those qualities. A beautiful girl, but just a little off kilter. You know you like her, but you don’t know why. Our scallops recipe is like Mary, because there’s something about Mary and scallops!

Baked Fish in Vegetable Cream Sauce

I love baked fish!!

1 large Blue or other large fish suitable for baking (at least 3lbs)– cleaned, gutted, and head removed
½ cup largely chopped carrots
½ cup largely chopped onions
½ cup largely chopped celery
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon season salt
½ teaspoon bay seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 cup white wine
¾ cups water

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Add season salt, bay seasoning and lemon pepper to both sides and inside of fish. Add celery, onions, carrots together in the bottom of roaster pan. Place fish on vegetables. Add wine and water to side of roaster. Cover and bake for 45 minutes or until done (depending on size of fish).

Remove fish from pan and remove skin, place on a platter, and cover with foil. Place roaster on top burner (leave vegetables and liquid in pan) add, cream of celery soup and butter. Turn heat up high to a boil, and then lower to a simmer, add dash of black pepper. Let simmer for 7 minutes.

Pour all ingredients in pan through a strainer. Discard large vegetables pieces, keep small ones. Pour sauce around fish. Add fresh parsley. Optional: Serve with rice or pasta.

Serves .

Jaws (1975)

Our recipe for “I Love Baked Fish” is inspired by the movie “Jaws.” That shark fish terrorized a community in the movie and made “real people” afraid to go swimming. Well, we have tamed that beast with a roasting pan and a vegetable sauce that kicks some shark bootie. You will scream “I Love Baked Fish,” but don’t scare the neighbors!

Sausage Jambalaya

This jambalaya is Jammin!

Inspired by the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008)

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is truly an original film. It tells the story of Benjamin Buttons’ (Brad Pitt) most usual life from birth in New Orleans. I don’t what to spoil the film for those who haven’t seen it. You will be surprised, but in a very good way. Brad Pitt shows he is much more than a pretty face. This film earned several awards, including 3 Oscars and was one of the best films of 2008!

We have another winning recipe with the New Orleans spice and flair! It’s super easy to make and packs a mighty favor blast in every single bite. Make enough for leftovers because you will want more the next day. Another inspiration from the Bayou, where the great dishes keep coming!

2 Tbs vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg Eckrich beef sausage
1 - 15oz can stewed tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp. sugar
3 cups cold cooked rice


Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, celery and garlic and cook until soft. Remove from pan and set aside. Add sausage to skillet, stirring until lightly charred. Return vegetables to pan and add stewed tomaotes, chicken broth, pepper and sugar. Reduce heat and let simmer 10 minutes. Add rice to skillet, stirring well to incorporate all ingredients. Continue stirring until heated through. Serves 4 to 6.

Lady Blues Blue Cheese Crusted Steak

Lady Blues Cheese Crusted Steak pays tribute to Blues and Jazz singer Billy Holiday (Lady Day). This dish is named for Lady Day, because of its edgy blue cheese topping. The ordinary steak is now, extraordinary!


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Topping:
½ cup Progresso Bread Crumbs (unseasoned/plain)
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon blue cheese crumbles
3 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoons olive oil
4 – 4 to 6oz. boneless Rib-Eye or other prime cut boneless steaks, rinsed and
seasoned with salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare topping by combining bread crumbs, blue cheese, butter and garlic powder. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Cook steaks about 5 minutes per side. Remove, drain on paper towels.

Place the steaks on a baking sheet. Top each steak with 2 ½ tablespoons of topping. Pat down evenly.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 8 minutes.

Serves 4.
 

 Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

Diana Ross was nominated in the lead actress category for her brilliant portrayal of Blues and Jazz singer Billy Holiday aka "Lady Day". It does not matter which actress won for 1972, Diana Ross gave the best performance. The moving and shocking scene where she and her man Louis (Billy Dee Williams) are at home and Billy needs her “fix” real bad. Louis is aware and tries to keep the drugs from her. Billy freaks out and attacks Louis, and finally pulls a razor on him. She was willing to kill him to get to her drugs. Billy Holiday’s huge talent and life were destroyed by heroin, and Diana Ross made you feel her pain.

Rich Chocolate Brownies

Rich, moist and super easy to make! Sooo000 Dreamy!!!

Dreamgirls (2006)

The Tony Award Winning play “Dreamgirls” opened in 1981 and was a smash hit! In 2006, “Dreamgirls” was released as a motion picture starring Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jenifer Hudson and Anika Rose. Jenifer Hudson won an Oscar for her role of Effie, the loud talking soul singer who went from rags to riches to rags and riches again. There is wonderful music throughout this film, including the scene stealer when Effie sings “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” If you have a soul Effie shook it up!

Our recipe for Dreamy Chocolate Brownies is our gift to all you chocoholics. Its' inspiration is from the film “Dreamgirls”, which tells the story of three young girls with a dream of stardom. Just like the Dreamgirls, these super moist chocolate brownies are musical (you will hum "mmmmmm!" while you eat them). Rich with flavor, these brownies are unforgettable, just like “Dreamgirls.” You'll make them again and again.

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1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 sticks butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup Hershey's syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar, Hershey's syrup, vanilla extract and eggs. Mix well. Add flour mixture and chocolate chips.

Spread into a greased 9x9 baking pan. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Do not overbake. Serves 9 to 12.

Vanilla Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries Parfait

Happy Birthday America!!

Inspired by the movie, "Born on the 4th of July" (1989)

In celebration of the 4th of July we salute America with a video of Bruce Springsteen singing his hit “Born in the USA.” Our recipe is "America’s Parfait" inspired by the movie “Born on the 4th of July” starring Tom Cruise in his Oscar nominated role of Ron Kovic. He returns home from fighting in the Vietnam War as a quadraplegic. After months of torture in rehabilitation, he finds renewed purposed protesting the war. Ron said to a reporter at a protect rally “People say, if you don’t love America get the hell out, well I love America.” Indeed Ron Kovic’s voice was America voice!


2 cup of sweet fresh blueberries (rinsed with cold water twice), add 2 tablespoons of sugar 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and mix gently in a bowl

2 cup of Vanilla Low Fat Yogurt

2 cup of sweet fresh strawberries (rinsed with cold water twice) cut into mouth size cubes, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice from fresh lemon , add 2 tablespoons of sugar and mix gently in a bowl

Using 4 dessert glasses, add ½ cup of blueberries to the bottom of 4 dessert glasses, then add ½ of a cup vanilla low fat yogurt, finally add, ½ of strawberries as the top layer for each glass.


Optional: Can be prepared with less sugar or a sugar substitute.

Add a sprig of mint to each dessert glass. Serves 4.

Rosemary's Baby's Chicken

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

The movie "Rosemary’s Baby" was ahead of its time. It showed how modern day witches live among us. In 1968 people felt cheated, because you never saw the devil’s baby. I believe it was better left to people’s imagination. If they had shown some fake looking creature, it would have done damage to the film. The scene I will always remember is when poor Rosemary finally knows the people she trusted most, including her husband, are playing her. Director Roman Polanski is and was a very controversial man, but he showed his genius with this film.

No witches spell here, but our recipe for Rosemary’s Baby’s Chicken is bewitching! In the classic film "Rosemary’s Baby", the main character Rosemary (Mia Farrow), was meek, yet strong, a bit odd, yet beautiful. That’s our lady and the Rosemary herb. This chicken dish is just wonderful for Sunday dinner and a “reel” company pleaser.

1 whole chicken (at least 3 lbs) cleaned and removed of excess fat
1 ½ Tbls olive oil
1 ½ tsp season salt
1 ½ tsp lemon pepper
1 ½ tsp Emeril’s Essence seasoning

2 full sprigs of fresh Rosemary
2 Tbls liquid smoke
2 cups water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use a roasting pan with a rack, add water and liquid smoke to the bottom of pan. Set aside. Place chicken on a plate and add olive oil in your hands, rub oil all over chicken, front and back. Add season salt, lemon pepper, and Essence seasoning to both sides and inside of chicken. Place chicken on rack in roaster pan. Add Rosemary to inside of chicken. Do not cover.

Bake for 2 hours 30 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure there is liquid in bottom of pan। If needed, add another cup of water to bottom of pan.

After 2 hours and 30 minutes, turn heat up to 400 and let brown for approximately 15 minutes. Remove from oven, let rest for 15 minutes.

Place chicken on a platter and remove Rosemary from inside of chicken and place on side of platter.

Serves 6.

My Winning Pillsbury Bake-Off Recipes

Bayou Shrimp
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=18989

Chicken Chile Stromboli
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=11473

Double Cheeseburger Pizza Rounds
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=14251

Paradise Pineapple Coconut Cheesecake

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

This movie has pirates, curses, action, comedy, lovers, and style, but the real star of this movie is Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the drag-a-lious Captain Jack. Those were the days when pirates roamed the Caribbean and caused chaos, kind of like what’s happening today. Inspired by "Pirates of the Caribbean, our “Paradise Cheesecake” recipe brings you the favors of the Caribbean and tastes like paradise!





½ cup crushed walnuts3 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ package graham crackers (about 27 crackers), crushed
3 tablespoon butter, melted
2 ½ -8oz packages of cream cheese
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 eggs – room temperature
1 cup plus 1 tablespoons sugar
1 -4oz container of sour cream
1 -20oz can of sweetened crushed pineapple
1 small jar maraschino cherries (the ones used for ice cream topping)
½ cup of toasted coconut (spread coconut on baking sheet & toasted in oven until light golden, about 5 minutes)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Drain crushed pineapple reserving juice. Set aside.

Combined walnuts, graham crackers, 3 tablespoons sugar, and butter in a bowl, mix well. Using a 9x13 baking dish, pour in mixture. Spread out evenly on bottom and sides of dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Add to a large bowl cream cheese, pineapple juice, vanilla, and rum flavor, eggs, sugar, lemon peel, and sour cream. Mix on full speed with electric mixer for at least 8 minutes. Pour cream cheese mixture over graham cracker crust, and spread out evenly.

Bake 50 minutes or until center is cooked, test in the center of dish with a fork. If it comes out clean, it’s ready. Let cool for an hour.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Remove from refrigerator and top with pineapple, cherries, and coconut. Spread out evenly.

Serves 18.

Fiery and Fabulous Shrimp Wontons

Some Like It Hot (1959)

“Some Like It Hot” was innovative and ahead of its time when it was released in 1959. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag, and Marilyn Monroe, the sex queen of her time and beyond are just as much fun to watch today. In the last scene a rich bachelor is pursuing Jack Lemon’s female persona (Josephine) and they are in a speed boat and Josephine turns to Mr. Rich and pulls the wig off and says “I’m a man,” Mr. Rich looks at him and says “Well nobody’s perfect.”

My recipe for Fiery and Fabulous Wontons brings the heat and spice just like the movie that inspired it “Some Like It Hot.” For people who aren’t afraid to feel the fire, this one’s for you. Make a batch for holidays or just because it’s Tuesday.

12 large raw shrimp

dashes of hot crushed red peppers

dashes of lemon pepper

dashes of season salt

1/3 cup Feta cheese, break pieces up
2 serrano or jalapeño hot peppers, chopped finely
¼ cup celery with leaves, chopped finely
¼ cup tomatoes, chopped finely
Dash of salt and pepper
30 wonton wrappers
1 egg slightly beaten
Pure vegetable oil for frying

Dip (optional):

3 tsp sour cream

3 tsp caesar salad dressing

1 Tbl lime juice

dash paparika

Mix dip ingredients, store in refrigerator.

Mash shrimp, add dashes of hot crushed red peppers, lemon pepper and season salt. Set aside.

Add cheese, hot peppers, celery, tomatoes, and dash of salt and pepper to a bowl and mix.
Place 2 wonton wrappers (on top of each other) in front of you in a triangle or diamond shape. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of cheese mixture and 1 heaping teaspoon of shrimp. Spread out evenly, but keep the ends free. Brush all sides with the egg. Start folding at the bottom first (like an envelope), then left and right sides, finally fold down top. Make sure wonton is secure. Repeat until you have 15 won tons.

Heat 3/4 cup oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Cook no more than 3 at a time, about1-2 minutes on each side until lightly golden. Drain on paper towels.

Slice each one at an angle, yielding 30 pieces. Serve with dip, if desired. Serves 10.

Bangin' Bayou Crawfish

Eve's Bayou (1997)

Eve’s Bayou is a magical film. Its' look and feel of the Bayou is far from ordinary. If you have not seen this film, I strongly recommend you do so. If you have seen it, revisit this movie as soon as you can. There is a scene where Eve’s aunt Mozelle (Debbie Morgan) tells her the story about her past three lovers, and the story is told through a mirror. This was so innovative and I applaud Director Kasi Lemmons, a black female Director who rocked this film. Enjoy the video trailer below.

My recipe for Bangin' Crawfish Bayou is inspired by the movie Eve’s Bayou. This movie tells the story of people rich in the Cajun culture, and Crawfish and Cajun spices are a part of that history. Lagniappe (lahn-yop) is a Cajun French word meaning "a little something extra" and our dish is just that!


2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup each of chopped red, yellow, orange, and green bell peppers (if all colors are in season)
¼ cup chopped red or yellow onion
¼ chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups chicken broth (or 4 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of Better than Bouillon Chicken Base)

½ cups uncooked rice

1 ½ lb packaged crawfish (or 4 lbs of fresh crawfish-using only tail end meat and rinse clean)
2 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce
1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup water
1 Tbl flour
Optional: Sprig of fresh Dill for garnish and dash of salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add peppers, onion, celery and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes, add chicken broth and rice. Cover, cook for 10 minutes, and then add crawfish, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Stir, cover and cook 5 minutes. In a small bowl, mix well, flour and water, turn heat up to high, add flour and water and cook an additional 3 minutes.

Serve on a large platter (Optional- garnish with a fresh sprig of dill). Serves 6.

Bloody Mary Smoothie

Inspired by the movie, "Twilight" (2008)

Our recipe for Bloody Mary Smoothie is the perfect drink to enjoy while you watch the movie Twilight. It is a modern love story with a twist. Spoiler Alert! The twist? The guy is a vampire! How deliciously chilling, so is our Bloody Mary Smoothie. Our recipe serves 4, so be sure to share with your family and friends, or make an extra batch for watching this hugely popular movie.

Fill 2 ice trays (about 32 cubes) with tomato juice; you will need about 30 oz (I like Red Gold fresh squeezed) freeze ice trays

Juice of ½ lemon
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
6 drops of Tabasco sauce
1 cup of Vodka (more or less, according to taste)
Dash of salt and pepper
6 fresh chopped basil leaves

Add all of the ingredients above in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in tumbler or cocktail glasses with a small stalk of celery or slice of lime.

Serves 4.

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Salmon Wrap with Lemon Caper Sauce

Elegant and Delectable

Its A Wrap - Our Salute to 10 Amazing Movie Directors!

Click arrow above to play.

1. Alfred Hitchcock
2. Martin Scorsese
3. Steven Spielberg
4. Billy Wilder
5. Francis Ford Coppola
6. James Cameron
7. Spike Lee
8. Clint Eastwood
9. Woody Allen
10. Quentin Tarantino

1 lb salmon fillet cut into 4 equal pieces, skinless and boneless
1 package Pillsbury or other Refrigerated Pie Crusts – 2 folded crust package (for 9"pie)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1 -1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Egg wash – whisk 2 egg yolks with 5 drops of water

Lemon and Caper Sauce:
2 teaspoons capers
1 cup low fat milk
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice from a fresh lemon
½ teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoon butter
1/3 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon lemon pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Unfold 1 pie crust and cut circle into 4 equal pieces. Place the 4 crust on a lightly greased cookie sheet, you should have 4 triangles. Set aside.

Add salt, lemon pepper, dill, and olive oil to both sides of salmon. Place 1 salmon piece in the middle of each triangle. Fold all sides of triangle to close securely. You should now have 4 squares, turn over to smooth side.

Using a pastry brush, cover all 4 pieces with egg wash. Optional, put a small sprig of dill in middle of each crust.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden.

While salmon is baking prepare the lemon and caper sauce above- Stir all of the ingredients over high heat with a wire whisk until smooth, about 3 minutes.

Remove salmon from oven and let cool about 5 minutes – serve with lemon and caper sauce around each serving.

Optional - sprigs of fresh dill for garnish.

Serves 4.

Oriental Baby Back Ribs and Rice

Rush Hour (1998)

A sweet young Asian girl has been kidnapped and James (Chris Tucker) has interjected himself in the case with the FBI. James is on the phone with the kidnapper and he says “we want 50 million dollars,” James yells in the phone, “50 million dollars, who do you think you got, Chelsea Clinton.”

Oriental Baby Back Ribs and Rice is inspired by Rush Hour’s blend of oriental spice and soulful ribs. Just like are guys James and Lee. This dish is the very best of both worlds. Enjoy!

1 cup of rice
2 lbs pork baby back or regular ribs, cut lengthwise between each bone
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
4 cups water
¼ cup rib broth water
2 teaspoons sesame seed oil and dash of salt for rice
½ teaspoon sesame seeds or 1 tablespoon sliced almonds for garnish (optional)

Prepare rice according to package directions.
Place ribs in 4 cups of boiling water, boil, uncovered for 50 minutes.
After ribs have cooked, use a nonstick skillet add hoisin sauce, broth water, garlic, sugar, hot sauce, and soy sauce. Stir constantly for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Add ribs to sauce mixture and stir the sauce to completely cover the ribs about 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
Pour rice onto platter, add sesame seed oil and dash of salt, mix. Place ribs in center of rice.

Optional, top with sesame seeds or sliced almonds

Serves 4 to 5

Potato Salad

Quick, Super Easy and Delicious, this potato salad has heart and soul!

Soul Food (1997)

“Soul Food” is one of those movies when you watch it, you feel the love and history, good or bad, with the family. Early in the movie Mama Joe (Irma P. Hall) is in the kitchen with her three daughters cooking Sunday dinner, which is a tradition in their family. They share laughter and spit some fire, but it’s all good!!

My recipe for Heart and Soul Potato Salad is a tradition in my family, just like Mama Joe’s. All the great food at the Sunday table is much more than just sharing a meal. It’s a time for families to share each other. Heart and Soul Potato Salad on your dinner table or picnic outing will certainly bring your family and friends together.


5 medium size red potatoes
2 eggs
½ cup mayo (you can use a lighter mayo, if preferred)
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
¾ teaspoon of bottled celery seed
1 tablespoon light vegetable oil (I prefer Wesson)
Dashes of salt and pepper , to taste
Optional: Dashes of paprika on top of salad


Boil potatoes in water until tender (large folk should glide through). Let potatoes cool, then chop into mouth size cubes.

Boil eggs. After eggs have cooled, peel and diced into small cubes.

In a large bowl lightly mix all of the ingredients above. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Serve on serving plate lined with lettuce, spoon classic potato salad onto plate. Optional: Sprinkle with paprika.

Serves 5 to 6.