What's new at Valerie's Place this week 🍫 8.7

Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms sauteed until deeply golden with garlic and baby spinach, finished with a splash of balsamic vinegar. A simple, earthy side dish that rounds out any holiday spread with wholesome green goodness.

Recipes

Bacon Caramel Scuffins with Caramel Clotted Cream

Mini muffin-scone hybrids studded with crispy Applewood bacon and brown sugar, hiding a molten caramel center, served with caramel-swirled clotted cream. A sweet-savory indulgence that proves bacon truly does make everything better.

Recipes

Zucchini and Ginger Naked Cake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

A four-layer cake made with grated zucchini, brown sugar, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and cloves is frosted between the layers only with a ginger cream cheese frosting studded with crystallized ginger. This striking naked cake puts a bold, spicy twist on the classic zucchini cake, letting the rustic layers and pops of candied ginger take center stage.

Recipes

Quick Cook Carnitas

Pork butt is seasoned with cumin and ancho chile, then pressure-cooked in an Instant Pot with beer, orange juice, and lime juice until fall-apart tender, shredded and served with warm tortillas. The Instant Pot transforms a traditionally hours-long braise into a quick-cook weeknight reality without sacrificing any of the rich, citrusy pork flavor.

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Corn and Cauliflower Sauteed in Bourbon Butter

Fresh corn and cauliflower florets sauteed in a homemade bourbon-infused butter. A unique side dish that bridges Italian and Southern cooking.

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Tomato Bruschetta Valerie Style

A classic Italian appetizer featuring ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and kalamata olives piled high on grilled bread. This bruschetta is Valerie's go-to starter for entertaining close friends.

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Mom's Hero

This is the sandwich I grew up on and it still hits exactly the same way. Prosciutto, hot capicola, Genoa salami, and provolone layered onto ciabatta with plum tomatoes, shredded lettuce, red onion, and pickled pepperoncini — all drizzled with a simple red wine vinegar dressing. Wrapped in wax paper and sliced in half the way a proper hero should be. This is not just a sandwich. This is a love letter to my mom.

Recipes

Eggs Benedict Rx

A streamlined Eggs Benedict with poached eggs and deli ham on an English muffin. The perfect brunch cure-all, simplified for a relaxed morning.

Recipes

Poppy Seed Crackers with Egg Mousse and Caviar

Thin, crisp food processor crackers studded with poppy seeds are baked at 300 degrees, then piped with a smooth egg mousse made from hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and chives, and crowned with glistening caviar. These luxurious, three-layered bites are the epitome of elegant entertaining and deliver a satisfying contrast of crunch, cream, and briny pop.

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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