fettuccine w/ prosciutto & orange

Sounds odd, right? Prosciutto and orange do not seem like they're two things that should really go together. Cheese and orange doesn't sound quite right either. Well strangely, they're all lovely. Whodathunk? Go easy on the cheese though. It may seem ridiculous to say that, but trust me: lesson learned. Here's what you'll need:

• 12 ounces fettuccine
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 lb. sliced prosciutto, chopped
• 1 orange, zested (is that a word?) and juiced
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan
• Black pepper

salmon w/ hoisin, orange and bok choy

I don't know what to call this. It seems like a pseudo-salad, but that's just because it's over a leafy green (one making it's debut on Bon Chap). Whatever it is, it was pretty damn good. I'm chalking this one up to the hoison-orange super team in the dish. I don't know why they go together, but they really do - deliciously so. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 head of bok choy, chopped
• 1 salmon fillet
• 1 orange
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon hoison sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger (or just use the powder stuff like I did)
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

southwestern chicken casserole

While most people aren't so thrilled with the end of Summer, I really don't mind it. I love the chilly weather, the layers and the coats, the return of hot coffee, and the change in seasonal cuisine. I've said it before and I'll say it again - casseroles are one of my all-time favorites. You really can't screw them up, and they're almost always delicious. I tend to make the same ones over and over (ahem, tuna noodle), but I do like to brand out. For my first new casserole of the season, I made a Southwestern version. Is there anything Southwestern about it? I have no idea. Readers from New Mexico - feel free to weigh in! It has salsa, and I think to those of us out on the East coast, anything with salsa in it is "Southwestern." Whatever. It's good, try it out. Here's what you'll need:

• 2 servings rice, cooked
• 1 large chicken breast
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Dash of black pepper and salt
• 1 package cheddar/monterey jack shredded cheese
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (or chicken, your choice)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 jar medium, chunky salsa

caprese pizza

When you're working crazy hours and have absolutely no time, sometimes there's nothing better than a 5 minute pizza. This caprese is beyond easy, yet quite tasty. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 1 large tomato
• 1 ball bufala mozzarella
• A few basil leaves
• 10" whole wheat flatbreads (these came in packs of 5 for $2 at my market) or ready-made pizza crusts

sautéed chicken & radishes w/ mustard & tarragon

Longest post title yet? Possibly. Best new meal in a month or two? Definitely! Last night was a happy blend of known deliciousness (as evidenced by my oft-referenced dijon salmon w/ tarragon recipe) and new surprises. With the exception of a random salad here and there, I don't think I've really ever had a radish before tonight. I also don't think I've ever had sautéed spinach. Both are going to be new staples, along with the delicious chicken I had for the main course. Here's what you'll need:

• Skinless, boneless chicken breast
• Black pepper
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons shallot, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1/2 dozen radishes, halved lengthwise
• 1 bunch fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

tilapia piccata w/ snap peas

It's been awhile since I've made a good, new fish recipe. Everytime I'm hungry for some tasty fish, I resort back to the dijon mustard salmon recipe from awhile back. It's delicious, but every now and then you need to try something new. Tonight I tried a new tilapia recipe, it was very subtle, but the snap peas really made it light and fresh. And it took all of 25 minutes, start to finish. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 tilapia fillet
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 tablespoons cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon capers
• 6 ounces snap peas
• 1 red potato, cubed pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons white wine

spaghetti alla carbonara

I seem to be on a pasta kick lately. Maybe the late summer heat has me craving carbs? Maybe I'm just tired of making salads and pizzas? Whatever the case, I've been revisiting old favorites and trying out new ones. Carbonara is a dish that was big in Rome when I studied there, but I haven't attempted to make myself until now. Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 pound spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 pound pancetta, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste

szechwan shrimp stir-fry

It's been awhile since I'd made a stir-fry (see here and here), but they're so delicious and almost impossible to screw up, I figured why not try another? It's all in the sauce. You'll have to trust me on this one. The ingredients sound a little gross together, and they don't even smell that great when you mix them (I'm really selling this one, huh?), but something happens when you put it all together and it comes out great. You can throw in whatever vegetables you want. I had red and white onions, broccoli and mushrooms laying around. Snow peas and baby corn or carrots would work great as well. Here's what you'll need:

• 8 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sliced onions
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
• 1/2 cup mushrooms
• 12 ounces cooked shrimp, tails removed

pizza w/ prosciutto, pears & feta

The weather has been so ridunkulous lately that it's been pretty much unbearable to spend any amount of my windowless, a/c-less kitchen. That's why I've either been eating out, getting take out, or making things that take less than 5 minutes to make. This one isn't much of a recipe, but if you're in a situation like mine, you'll appreciate the idea.

I love a good, easy, personal-sized pizza (as you'll see here, and here, and more to come soon). Here's what you'll need for this masterpiece:

• 2 multigrain flatbread
• 6 slices of provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/4 lb. of prosciutto 
• 1/2 cup arugula
• 1 pear, sliced

limehouse chicken

You seriously can't go wrong with some well-made chicken. It's not the craziest dish in the world, but done right, it can be incredibly tasty. I tried a new one a few nights ago with ingredients I'd never used with chicken - mint, lime, brown sugar. It turned out great, a definite addition to my permanent rotation. Here's what you'll need:

• Chicken breast
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• A few shakes of red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 sprig fresh mint, chopped