Broiled Ahi Tuna with Blood Orange Balsamic Reduction


Since we didn’t make a big Holy Thursday Seder meal this year, I thought it would be nice to make something memorable for Good Friday. Catholics are bound not to eat meat on Good Friday. I was at the market on Thursday picking up some last-minute things, and the butcher brought out two lovely pieces of Ahi tuna. I already had purchased Blood Oranges at the Farmer’s market earlier in the day. I also wanted something simple for Friday night because we would be spending a good deal of our day in the church for the Stations of the Cross and The Seven Last Words of Christ.

I have to say I was proud of my son. Our church has the kids from the middle school put on a play, complete with Roman soldiers and a real wooden cross. Spane said to me, “Mom, can we leave, it’s really sad.” Later, I saw he had a tear in his eye, and I knew that he had finally GOTTEN it. We will be going to Easter Vigil on Saturday night (Sunday according to the liturgical calendar), so we will once more be joyous again.

After all that, I was kind of tired when we got home. I looked on the Internet for tuna and blood oranges, and everything was pan-seared. I wanted it to be broiled, so I went my own way. It was delicious, and I suggest you try it. You can even do the whole thing on the grill, just make sure you have an oven-safe pan for the sauce.

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Bacon Crusted Mini Quiches for Mother’s Day

Bacon Crusted Mini Quiches

Bacon Crusted Mini Quiches are so simple to make, look fantastic, and taste great. Make them plain with only eggs, or make them fancy with what you like in your scrambled eggs. These are not quiches in the true sense of the word because they don’t have a real crust.

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Jalapeno Stuffed Peppers for 2

Jalapeno Stuffed Pepper Served
Jalapeno Stuffed Pepper Served

What’s on Your Plate

Jalapeno Stuffed Peppers are a practical leftover recipe that uses already cooked rice and pickled jalapeños from a pizza order to make a quick vegetarian dinner. The peppers cook gently in a covered roaster, the filling stays creamy and balanced, and the dish adapts easily to what you already have.

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Baked Asparagus Fries

Supreme Baked Asparagus Fries

Baked asparagus fries make an excellent appetizer or side dish. Did you know that you can eat asparagus with your fingers?

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Fantasy Island Bars

Fantasy Island Bars
Fantasy Island Bars

Fantasy Island bars are the tropical version of the famous Magic Cookie Bars, starring Pineapple, Macadamia Nuts, and Coconut. Make sure to save one for yourself because they will be gobbled up quickly.

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1-2-3-4 Sheet Cake

1-2-3-4  Sheet Cake
1-2-3-4 Sheet Cake

1-2-3-4 sheet cake is a traditional American cake and is simple and elegant. It can be used as a sheet cake, or as seen here, 3-layered with strawberries.

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Peach Pancakes with Marsala Rose Butter Sauce

Peach Pancakes

Start your day with a taste of bliss by indulging in Peach Pancakes with Marsala Rose Butter Sauce. This mouthwatering breakfast treat combines the delicate sweetness of peaches, the fluffy goodness of pancakes, and the luxurious touch of Marsala rose butter sauce.

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Sour Cherry Jellies for Valentines Day

Sour Cherry Jellies for Valentines
Sour Cherry Jellies for Valentines Day

You know, sometimes you’re a day late and a dollar shy. I found silicon heart-shaped molds at a resale shop back in November and saved them to make something for Valentine’s day. Spane came home from school on Valentines Day with a box of chocolate he was selling as a school fundraiser. After dinner, we went to the market to buy milk, and sell candy to the store owner. While we were there I got a bottle of sour cherry syrup to put in my coffee. Spane did very nicely selling candy on the home to people who were getting last minute Valentine gifts.

It wasn’t until the next morning when I was sipping my sour cherry flavored coffee, which was excellent by the way, and happened to look up and see the valentine molds, that I remembered I hadn’t done anything for Valentines Day, but I could be a day late and a dollar shy if I made Sour Cherry Jellies.

If you’re trying to find sour cherry syrup, look in Mediterranean markets. Zergut makes the one I use. If you can’t find it at your local store, visit Indo-European, and order directly from them. They make all kinds of really good, minimally processed foods.

Did you know that sour cherries are really good for you? Medicinally, sour cherries may be useful in alleviating sleep problems due to its high melatonin content, a compound critical in regulating the sleep-wake cycle in humans. These jellies have intense flavor, and a low in sugar and calories, so they make a healthy treat.

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