breakfast
Comfort Food
Cheese and Dairy
Sonoran Style Vegetarian Nachos Supreme Stuffed Bell Peppers
Nachos supreme stuffed bell peppers! Outtake from the Taste of Tucson cookbook. Recipe and food photography by Jackie Alpers. […]
Celebrations
Brigadeiro: Brazilian Chocolate Truffles With Sprinkles!
How do you say “delicious” in Portuguese? Brigadeiro, that’s how! These easy-to-make balls are fun to roll in chocolate jimmies. Box them up for the perfect gift. […]
Celebrations
Fleur De Sel Caramels
Fleur de sel (“flower of salt”) is a hand-harvested sea salt with distinctive flavor. Look for variations that have a pink or gray tone. You’d think that something with such a fancy-sounding name might be complicated to make, but in fact these sweet and savory bite-size treats are as easy to concoct as they are to devour. Still, if you want to let your friends believe these caramels are a feat of culinary magic, your secret’s safe with me.
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Atkins Friendly
Recipe for Chorizo, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Taco
I ate this as a makeshift breakfast every day for weeks while writing Taste of Tucson.
The fat from the tablespoon of chorizo makes the egg really crispy and adds a lot of flavor without too many extra calories. I fry up a batch of chorizo in advance and store it in the fridge, where it becomes solid until I scoop it out and heat it up. […]
breakfast
Matzoh Molletes
This quick vegetarian breakfast is a cross between matzo molletes and huevos rancheros. I used beans from a can and my homemade chiltepin salsa. […]
Comfort Food
Beef Patty Tacos
A plant-based, high-moisture ground beef alternative such as Beyond Beef also works well in this recipe. […]
Celebrations
Chocolate Caramel Apple Pops
Cute, kid friendly recipe for slices of apples dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles candy or nuts. This recipe was originally developed fro Refinery29. […]
Baked Goods
S’mores Brownie In A Mug
This recipe was originally developed for Refinery29. Brownies are pretty good all on their own, but when you fold in marshmallows and give them a soft, melted chocolate center, they take on a whole new level of decadence. Even better, you can make this recipe just for yourself, day or night. […]
Chicken
Chicken Molé Amarillo Recipe from Cafe Poca Cosa
Chicken Molé Amarillo | Recipe by Jackie Alpers from the cookbook Taste of Tucson: Sonoran Style Recipes Inspired by the Rich Culture of Southern Arizona. […]
Chicken
Sonoran Style Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
There are Southwestern regional influences that vary from New Mexico to Arizona, Texas, and Southern California. Here in Tucson, our regional cuisine is defined by fresh veggies, grilled meats and all of the delicacies that a mid-sized, sunshine filled desert city/college town, 60 miles from Mexico, has to offer. It’s summertime eating all year round. This recipe was There are Southwestern regional influences that vary from New Mexico to Arizona, Texas, and Southern California. Here in Tucson, our regional cuisine is defined by fresh veggies, grilled meats and all of the delicacies that a mid-sized, sunshine filled desert city/college town, 60 miles from Mexico, has to offer. It’s summertime eating all year round. This recipe was originally developed for Today.com. […]
breakfast
Baguette Breakfast Casserole with Canadian Bacon, Eggs & Cheese
Here’s an elegant, yet quick and easy baked breakfast casserole. Tuck savory Canadian bacon, eggs, herbs and cheese inside crusty baguettes the night before. When you wake up, add a little cream, then slip it into the oven for brunch. This recipe originally appeared on Tastecooking.com […]
Atkins Friendly
Celebrations
“The Moist Maker” Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich from Friends
Inspired by “The One Where Ross Loses it Over a Sandwich.” Our version uses leftover dinner rolls instead of bread. This recipe was developed for refinery29.com […]
breakfast
Skillet Stuffing Shakshuka
Be sure to make extra-extra stuffing for Thanksgiving so that you can make my Skillet Stuffing Shakshuka the next morning with the “leftovers” Serves 2-4 Ingredients: 2-4 cups leftover stuffing (one cup per person), warmed […]
Celebrations
Creepy Spaghetti Carbonara with Fungi (Mushrooms)
This recipe was originally developed for TasteCooking.com. It’s quite spooky looking, yet elegant enough to serve at a Halloween themed adult dinner party. […]
Comfort Food
Recipe for Healthier Tuna Noodle Casserole
How to make tuna noodle casserole. […]
Appetizers
Buffalo Chicken Rumaki Bites
Whatever happened to Rumaki, that vaguely Polynesian appetizer that they used to serve at tiki themed parties in the 70s? Maybe making buffalo-style rumaki will help modernize them a bit and bring them back into […]
Atkins Friendly
My mom’s Marinated Flank Steak, “Sonoranized”
Recipe for marinated flank steak using my mom’s recipe from the 80s, adding in some Mexican oregano and extra citus so now it’s an Ohio meets Tucson recipe. […]
Chicken
The Italian Stallion Hot Dog
This no-recipe recipe is my tribute dog to Sweathog, Vinnie Barbarino. Slice an Italian roll across the top, not the side. Spoon a tablespoon of warmed marinara sauce inside the cut roll, then tuck in […]
Comfort Food
Spaghetti Squash Supreme Pizza Boats
Pizza flavored spaghetti squash: It is good for you, it’s fairly low in calories, is very filling… and it tastes like pizza. So it’s win-win-win-win. […]
Baked Goods
Bombshell Boxed Brownie Dessert Pan Pizzas
These individual brownie pan pizzas are baked and served in Lodge 3.5” cast iron skillets. You can use one 9” cast iron skillet instead if you prefer. The options for different toppings are endless. Have fun experimenting […]
Baked Goods
Mini Brownie Stack Cakes
Remember, that brownie mixes now come in gluten free varieties too! This recipe was first written for Refinery29. Ingredients 1 package brownie mix Cooking spray 2 cups mixed fresh berries 1 cup whipped cream. Instructions […]
Celebrations
The Mexican Street Corn Hot Dog
Inspired by Mexican Style Street Corn, this whole beef jumbo hot dog is topped with roasted corn, mayo, lime and spices and served in a top-cut, whole grain bolillo roll. Food photo and recipe by Jackie Alpers. […]
Appetizers
Spicy Ranch French Onion Dip
Two Dips That Live As One, Together At Last […]
Appetizers
The Cheesiest Cheese Crisp with Chipotle Ranch Dipping Sauce
Serves 2 to 4 A cross between a Mexican pizza an an open-faced quesadilla, the cheese crisp is the perfect comfort food. Southern Arizona restaurants started selling the dish more than 50 years ago and […]
Comfort Food
Quinoa Burrito Bowl With Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette
This recipe originally was written for and published on Refinery29 as part of an article on easy and affordable grain bowls. Check out the rest of the recipes on their site. The Greek yogurt adds a little […]
Baked Goods
Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti with Sprinkles
This triple-chocolate double-baked treat is dipped in a dark chocolate coating with sprinkles on top. Arizona is one of only three states in the US where pistachios are grown and chocolate and sugar are two of the most revered ingredients in Sonoran cuisine. […]
Comfort Food
Recipe: Sweet Corn Paletas
Sweet Corn Paletas Mexican ice pops often incorporate more exotic ingredients than their northern counterparts and my Sweet Corn Paletas are no different. Makes 12-16 servings Ingredients 1 cup milk, I used almond milk but any kind […]
Baked Goods
Recipe: Three Sisters Pizza With Corn Masa Crust
Corn, beans and squash are three of the earliest domesticated crops grown by Native Americans in the Sonoran region. For this recipe, prepared corn masa, which is usually used to make tortillas or gorditas, is […]
casserole
Gooey, Creamy, Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
For a lower carb version of this dish, replace the pasta with an additional cup of chopped broccoli. Serves 4 Ingredients For the “Copycat” Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup 3 tablespoons butter ¼ cup flour […]
Baked Goods
Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough
This recipe has only two ingredients! The fine folks at @refinery29 made made the video. With this pizza dough trick, you’ll be a pie-making pro in no time. Prep Time: 10 Minutes Yield: One large or two […]
Chocolate
Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches With Sprinkles!
This may be one of the easiest recipes ever. It was originally written for and published on Refinery29 where you can find seven more of my Oreo recipes. I literally wrote the book on sprinkles, so if you’re […]
Atkins Friendly
Thai Cauliflower “Fried Rice” with Coconut
Cauliflower that has been pre-chopped into tiny rice-sized bits is my favorite new food product. It’s almost indistinguishable from real rice in recipes, yet contains significantly less carbs, so it’s perfect for grain-free and Paleo diets. […]
breakfast
Creamy Wheat Berry Breakfast Hash Bowl
Prepare the grains according to package instructions unless otherwise noted. You can do this in advance and store the cooked grains in the refrigerator to save time later. Different varieties of the same grain have […]
Cheese and Dairy
Spinach Linguine with Walnut Pesto
Walnuts are less expensive and easier to find than the traditional pine nuts and I think they taste even better. Plus they’re loaded with healthy fats. This recipe originally was written for and published on Refinery29 as part […]
Appetizers
Sweet Pepper Poppers
How To Make Sweet Mini Pepper Poppers Lay peppers on preparation surface. Slice off the front of each one, leaving a deep well and the stems intact. Fill the remaining hole with jalapeño cream cheese […]
Baked Goods
Chicken Pot Pie in a Mug
For centuries, people believed that it was impossible to make a chicken pot pie in the microwave. I have proven them wrong. This recipe first appeared in the article “10-Minute Dinner Recipes That ANYONE Can […]
Baked Goods
Appetizers
Vegan Cocktail Pups recipe With A SECRET INGREDIENT!
Vegan Cocktail Pups The secret ingredient is baby carrots! This is so simple that there isn’t even a recipe. Just toss a bag or two of baby carrots a crockpot with your favorite barbecue sauce […]
Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding With Frozen Berries
Frozen berries top this easy dessert with a 5-minute prep time… because it’s hot out there. Chia seeds are truly a super-food packed with antioxidants, fiber and loads of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, so they are a […]
Appetizers
How To Make Edible Holiday Centerpieces
In my latest article for the Food Network I show you how to make 5 fun, edible holiday centerpieces, including this tree made out of powdered sugar doughnut hole. Here’s how!
Appetizers
Snack of the Day: Cincinnachos! – Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Nachos
Ohio meets Arizona! Cincinnati style chili cheese nachos – Cincinnachos as they will henceforth be known. The best of everything for snacking season. Start with My Recipe for Cincinnati Style Turkey Chili, substituting ground grass-fed beef […]
Baked Goods
Mini German Pancakes with Greek Yogurt, Berries & Stone Fruit
These healthier German pancakes are topped with fat-free Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, reducing the sugar content. I added a little spreadable fruit and garnished them with confectioners’ sugar so they still taste sweet. This […]
breakfast
Spicy Southwestern Style Mashed Potatoes With Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
There was a time in history when an all white meal consisting mostly of flour and milk was the most depressing idea imaginable. In Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer Scrooge famously sat down to a […]
Baked Goods
Carb-Free Sausage, Egg & Cheese Muffin Cups
There’s no flour in these muffin cups, yet they’re still light and fluffy! The secret is to beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. I mixed in spicy Italian chicken […]
Appetizers
Sprinkles Fairy Bread Sandwiches
Make any day a celebration! Just barely sweet, these sparkly sandwiches make a fun breakfast surprise, after-school snack, or party food. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “Fairy Bread” in A Child’s Garden of Verses, fairy […]
Atkins Friendly
Appetizers
Snack of the Day: New York Style Hot Dog Bites
The folks at Whole Foods Markets asked me to come up with a holiday recipe using ingredients from their stores. I’d planned to do an organic grass-fed roast beef with root vegetables from their amazing […]
Baked Goods
Low-carb Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Hot Dogs on Cheesy Cloud Buns
I made this low-carb bread replacement (often called “Oopsie Bread”) out of eggs and cream cheese from a recipe I’ve seen all over the internet. It turned out great. It smells like cheesy-bread while it’s […]
Appetizers
Parmesan Pepperoni Crustless Pizza
If you bake a layer of Parmesan cheese in the oven it will crackle and pop after a while, turning into a crispy, brown cheese cracker that’s much tastier than any pizza crust I’ve encountered. I […]
casserole
Three Ways to Make Johnny Marzetti
I’ve hit a carb overload. The holidays are over, thank god. I’m really ready to get back to eating healthy, but I also want food that carries some weight to it, so I came up […]
Baked Goods
Chocolate & Coffee Figgy Pudding Recipe
I want some figgy pudding! How could I not after hearing that song year after year. So, I came up with this recipe for Chocolate & Coffee Figgy Pudding for my latest article in Broadway+Thresher […]
Appetizers
Recipe for Fennel, Blue Cheese & Spanish Chorizo Mini Pizzas
This week I’m a guest writer/photographer for heart-stoppingly beautiful new magazine about rural culture, Broadway+Thresher. Here’s a link to the article, featuring my photos and the recipe I developed for “Fennel, Blue Cheese & Spanish […]
Atkins Friendly
Mini Pumpkin Goat Cheese Cheesecakes
Saying that I don’t eat a lot of sweets is perhaps not the best way to start a post about dessert. Cake in general is not really my thing. I prefer fruit, though I do […]
Cheese and Dairy
Red Wine Sausages With Creamy, Cheesy Noodles
It’s the middle of the end of summer and it’s insanely hot. Today it was 112 in the shade (my thermometers under an overhang); and yet, I still felt the urge to cook up this […]
Comfort Food
Cincinnati Style Turkey Chili
Cincinnati chili does not exist in Arizona, except for in a suspicious canned variety, so I went on quest and figured out how to cook it myself. I made 4-way (spaghetti, beans, onions, cheese) Cincinnati […]
Atkins Friendly
Salsa Chicken Lettuce Tacos
I was very surprised to find that one of my favorite Mexican restaurants now offers their famous tacos nestled in a large lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla. I was even more amazed at how […]
Cheese and Dairy
The Best Fettuccine With Whole Clams
I came up with this recipe because I wanted a more creamy, cheesy sauce than the traditional version. I started with a really basic cream sauce using a combo of milk and some of the […]
Chocolate
A Super Simple Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Salty, Crunchy Snack
This is a great snack when you want something sweet with not a lot of calories. It’s high fiber with balanced protein and very yummy.
4 Triscuits or Woven Wheat Crackers […]
Comfort Food
Sonoran Style Potato Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette and Red Onion
Here in Southern Arizona, our famous Sonoran style Mexican food is often garnished with pickled red onions and Mexican limes. I’ve incorporated those flavors into this spicy potato salad tossed with a chili-lime vinaigrette. […]
Appetizers
Grilled Chipotle-Lime Mexican Style Corn
Every year on the 4th of July I make a different version Mexican grilled corn, which along with the Sonoran style hot dog is a popular street food around here. This year I modified a […]
Chicken
“Cake is Not my Downfall” — Jackie Kashian’s Recipe for Paprika Marinated Chicken
I’m a fan of comedian Jackie Kashian. I knew we were kindred spirits when I heard this “Cake and Chicken” bit on her “It’s Never Going to Be Bread” CD: “I was at my first […]
Appetizers
Sonoran Style Chunky Guacamole Recipe
Chunky Guacamole for the win! I swear the recipe from my cookbook Taste of Tucson is the best ever… it’s spicy, salty and creamy yet crisp and bright with lots of citrus and just a […]
breakfast
Rolled & Baked Breakfast Tacos
Rolled & Baked Breakfast Tacos Wake, roll and bake for breakfast. Mexi-breakfast is always the best. May 15, 2011 by Jackie Alpers Ingredients 2 eggs 1 T. Greek yogurt 2 frozen sausage or veggie sausage patties […]
Comfort Food
Quick and Easy; Rotini Pasta with Caviar and Parmesan
I had a lot of left over caviar from my deviled eggs recipe so I boiled up some pasta and mixed it in with a hearty dose of Parmesan cheese. This recipe is super simple […]
Chicken
Tom Kha Gai: Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Coconut Milk Recipe
I believe in the healing power of both chicken soup and Thai food. Combining the two will cure whatever ails you and the spicier you can make it the better. If you are healthy, this […]
Baked Goods
Homemade Thin Crust Pizza
More often than not, Sunday night is Pizza Night at my house. It took me forever to figure out how to make a thin crust pizza at home. I practiced stretching the dough for months. […]
Comfort Food
Classic Caesar Salad Recipe and Photo by Jackie Alpers
CAESAR SALAD DAYS This is a story about choices, creativity, personal power, and a salad. Specifically, the Caesar salad from the 1967 Joy of Cooking. My mother made it table side at a dinner party […]
Comfort Food
Onion-Barley Matzoh Ball Soup Recipe
I’m craving soup. Here’s a hearty vegetarian version of traditional matzoh ball soup. I modified it from an onion/mushroom soup recipe that my mother used to make when I was a kid. For the matzoh […]