Reel Chow Blog

Culinary Postings from the Original Gourmet Craft Service Industry Insider

Healthy Turkey Burrito

New York Fashion Week is around the corner, and this past week I’ve been doing a lot of work for our other company. Client demands haven’t left me much time to cook dinner, but I’ve been playing with the Healthy Turkey Burrito recipe in the back of my mind for a long time now.

One of the first dishes I used to make when Ron and I were first living together was turkey tacos. It was big treat to experiment in the galley kitchen of his old bachelor pad and work on different variations until I came up with unique ones I wanted to keep making over and over.

One of the other early things I made all those years ago was Brussel sprouts. Ron said it was the first time he’d eaten non-bitter Brussel sprouts. Healthy Turkey Burritos are a great way to meld those two early flavors from our first years together. That’s my personal take on this dish. Everyone else will think they are simple and delicious treats for when you’re pressed for time, but want a little fusion flavor in your dinner. Of course, these burritos are very healthy. Please enjoy them!

Healthy Turkey Burrito topped with brussel sprouts, leeks and cranberries.

Healthy Turkey Burrito topped with brussel sprouts, leeks and cranberries. ©Reel Chow

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Chunky Eggplant Chutney

Reel Chow Original Recipe!This past weekend, Ron, our new puppy, and I took a trip to New Jersey to see an old friend, Johanna Dominguez. We met Johanna five years ago at the scene of some of Ron’s graduate work, Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York during the Summer Writers’ Conference. Ron use to teach one-on-one poetry conferences during the day. I would visit every night for the evening poetry and fiction readings and have dinner and drinks with his fellow literature friends, who soon became my friends.

Those summer evenings are missed, but we’re still in touch with some of the friends we made all those years ago. Johanna Dominguez is one of them. A brilliant poet and outstanding equestrian, Johanna invited us to her New Jersey home for an incredible cookout this past weekend.

Ron and I out in NYC with friends from the Summer Writers Conference. Johanna is between Perry and Ron.

Ron and I out in NYC with friends from the SLC Summer Writers' Conference. Johanna is between Robert Perry Ivey and Ron. ©Reel Chow

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Shrimp and Mango Salad

Reel Chow Original Recipe!I hardly ever make shrimp anymore. I think it’s because after Ron and I started dating we probably ate shrimp twice a week. We just enjoyed eating it. Shrimp is one of those foods with which you can have fun switching up the flavor. I went through a period of no shrimp after a while for a few years, but all things culinary come in cycles. The other day at the fish market, I saw fresh jumbo shrimp, and it gave me the craving for my old shrimp salad.

This is a recipe I have been making for years, way back while Ron and I were still dating. The shrimp is marinated in turmeric, fresh ginger, dried dill and sliced shallots with light extra virgin olive oil. It’s a spicy shrimp dish without the intense heat.

Shrimp and Mango Salad.

Shrimp and Mango Salad. ©Reel Chow

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Red Quinoa with Ancho Chile Roasted Pearl Onions and Cranberries

Our friend at 7th Taste, Diane S. Lee, sent us a few bottles of her delicious gourmet olive oils recently. I have been itching to use them, especially the Ancho Chile Olive Oil. It has a red tint to it and smells amazing! The flavor is the perfect amount of subtle spice and earthiness with a hint of smokiness. With a base of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, the entire experience is light, but delicious—really great for marinades and vinaigrettes.

Red Quinoa with Ancho Chile Roasted Pearl Onions and Cranberries served with organic chicken and mixed green salad.

Red Quinoa with Ancho Chile Roasted Pearl Onions and Cranberries served with organic chicken and mixed green salad. ©Reel Chow

Red quinoa is very healthy, and I consider it a great substitute for wheat and gluten. It’s filling and light at the same time, but lacks flavor. I decided to pair the red quinoa with roasted pearl onions and cranberries. I was determined to use my 7th Taste Ancho Chile Olive Oil to flavor up this dish.

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