Cooking together is one of our favorite things to do as a couple!

CONFESSION: I’m not a good cook…unless we’re counting pancakes as a major food group, then I’m kind of the bomb.

Growing up, I wasn’t the most eager to learn how to cook Puerto Rican rice from my dad, nor was I super enthusiastic to learn how to prepare a perfect Thanksgiving feast from my mom (*both of which I regret). Even when I lived on my own in the city, I opted for yogurt and granola more times than I could count & in true New York fashion, Seamless was my best friend.

FACT: Richie loves to cook. Needless to say, we’re were a match made in Heaven!

After a few months of living together & him constantly being in the kitchen, I knew it was time for me to throw on the apron. They say practice makes perfect, and although I’m still working on both, we’ve made some delicious creations over the years! With stay-at-home orders in place, I thought it was a perfect time to share some of our favorite meals.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE RECIPES:

Salmon with onion + cauliflower rice. What you’ll need: king or Atlantic salmon (half lb. per person), cauliflower, butter, olive oil, seasoning, 1 yellow onion.

How to prepare: Step 1. chop your cauliflower & throw it in a frying pan with 1 tbls. butter & a dash of olive oil over medium heat| chop your onion to your liking & throw in a separate pan with 3 tbls. butter low to medium heat. Step 2. season one side of your salmon with favorite seasoning (ours is Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning). Step 3. once the onions are sautéed (until translucent) add the salmon, seasoned side down, into the same pan & cook 5-7 minutes per side *depending on thickness. Step 4. plate cauliflower, top with salmon & onions. Step 5. enjoy!

Mac & cheese with pancetta. What you’ll need: 1 box of your preferred noodle (we love shells), 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of cream, 3-cheese blend: Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, diced pancetta.

How to prepare: Step 1. boil water for noodles in large pot | add pancetta to small frying pan over medium heat | add milk & cream to small sauce pan over low-to-medium heat. Step 2. once milk & cream blend start to heat, mix cheese in little by little until melted, stir continuously. Step 3. add noodles to boiling water, cook as directed on box | stir pancetta & remove from heat once crisped to liking. Step 4. drain noodles then add back to pot, stir pancetta into cheese sauce & pour over noodles. Step 5. mix, serve in bowl and enjoy!

Lamb chops + brussel sprouts. What you’ll need: 1 rack of lamb chops, 1 bag or bunch of brussel sprouts, salt, pepper, butter, olive oil.

How to prepare: Step 1. add 1 tbls. butter & a dash of olive oil to a medium frying pan | season lamb chops with salt & pepper on both sides | chop or shave brussel sprouts to preferred size. Step 2. add sprouts to frying pan, add salt & pepper, cook until crisped to liking. Step 3. grill lamb chops for 3-4 minutes per side. Step 4. plate sprouts with lamb chops and enjoy!

Do you love to cook or have a recipe you want to share? I’d love to hear from you! Message me on IG or shoot me and email.

Happy cooking!

XO, Nicole