What's New at Valerie's Place — July 31, 2026 🥖

Pickled Shallots and Red Onions

Thinly sliced red onion and shallot rings are quick-pickled in a warm brine of vinegar, sugar, and salt until vibrant pink and tangy. These crunchy, acidic pickles cut through the richness of tacos and carnitas, adding the essential bright contrast every taco bar needs.

Recipes

Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo with Homemade Fettuccine

Homemade egg fettuccine made with a stand mixer and pasta roller is tossed with pan-seared chicken, roasted broccoli, and a creamy Asiago-Parmesan sauce brightened with lemon. This from-scratch pasta dish is an impressive yet comforting weeknight dinner that rewards a little extra effort.

Recipes

Chicken Salad with Apples and Grapes

A light and creamy chicken salad with crisp apples and sweet grapes in a yogurt-buttermilk dressing. A refreshing, healthier take on a lunchtime classic.

Recipes

Tom's Mom's Apple Pie

A tender food processor crust made with lard and butter cradles Granny Smith apples spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg under a woven lattice top, served with dollops of mascarpone whipped cream. This heirloom family recipe is the definitive all-American apple pie, with a flaky, old-fashioned crust and a filling that honors tradition in every spiced, buttery bite.

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Greens with Polenta Croutons

A fresh green salad topped with crispy pan-fried polenta croutons and dressed in balsamic vinaigrette. A clever twist on a classic salad with satisfying crunch.

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Valerie's Chicken Enchiladas

Shredded chicken marinated in a homemade roasted tomato-poblano sauce, rolled in tortillas with Monterey Jack cheese, and baked until bubbly before a final broil. A rich, saucy enchilada with deep roasted flavor that captures the heart of Southern California home cooking.

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watermelon cocktails

Fresh watermelon blended with lime juice and sugar, strained smooth, and served over ice with optional tequila and orange liqueur. A refreshing summer sipper that works beautifully as both a cocktail and a mocktail.

Recipes

Zucchini Rollatini

Thin zucchini slices are blanched until pliable, rolled around a ricotta-herb-mozzarella filling, nestled into marinara sauce, and baked at 400°F until bubbly. These elegant vegetable rolls offer all the comfort of traditional rollatini while keeping things lighter with zucchini standing in for pasta.

Recipes

Roasted Pork Sliders

Pork loin is seared, then roasted with onions, pineapple, and a coconut milk-BBQ sauce until tender and caramelized, and served on slider buns topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw dressed in spicy mayo. These island-inspired sliders balance sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors in every handheld bite, making them a luau party essential.

Butter Lettuce Salad W Hazelnuts And Bacon Bits

Recipes

Butter Lettuce Salad with Hazelnuts and Bacon Bits

Tender butter lettuce tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and topped with crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, hazelnuts, and Roquefort. A composed salad that is both delicate and satisfying.

Looking to make something else?

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