MaiTai Tracy’s Kitchen:  Our Favorite Recipes

 

 

 

From Our Kitchen To Yours

“A passion for food is a passion for life” – Old Italian saying

Welcome to MaiTai Tracy’s Kitchen!

Tom and I love to travel … and to eat!  When Tom started Travels With Mai Tai Tom, MaiTai Tracy’s Kitchen was added as a way to help Tom build content.  Somewhere along the way, I realized I enjoyed sharing recipes and really liked writing and taking pictures.  I started by posting some of our favorites recipes from our years of entertaining.  I have kept track of the menus for every single dinner and party we have had at our house since 1999.  We like to host, what can I say?

Our very first party in 1991 was a Blazing Saddles costume party where we served Yankee Bean Soup and Tuna Surprise (food from the movie – not to worry, those recipes are not here).  Our second effort was Thanksgiving, where the turkey erupted in flames.  Apparently, it was a very juicy turkey and the drippings spilled out and caught fire in the oven.  As I recall, everything turned out great despite our beagle snatching a loaf of cranberry bread from the table.

We are much improved since those two efforts.  The recipes I share with you are our favorites; ones that can’t go wrong and that we feel are worth the effort.  Our motto: “Good Food, Great Friends and Fun.” 

On the travel side of things, I am the “Scribe.”  I take copious notes that Tom magically transforms into his trip reports and posts.  I am also his back up photographer; if it is a close up or a panorama, that is probably mine.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we like sharing them!

“People who love to eat are always the best people” – Julia Child

Tracy & Tom

Browse by Course

Breakfast 

Starter

Soup and Salad

Cocktail

Side

Main

Dessert

Dog Treats

 


March 10, 2023

Chocolate Irish Whiskey Cake

Irish Whiskey Dessert Takes The Cake! Chocolate Irish Whiskey Cake Dessert BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER! And so easy. A friend served this for dessert (and breakfast the next day) and it could be the best chocolate cake I’ve tasted yet. No fancy frosting. A simple yet indulgent deep, rich, moist […]
February 3, 2023

Tom Sez “Wow” Yogurt Marinated Chicken

A Cultured Dish Tom Sez “Wow” Yogurt Marinated Chicken Main Here is a recipe we have been making in Mai Tai Tracy’s Kitchen since 2010. The first time I told Tom we would be having chicken marinated in yogurt he was not all that enthused. However, after one taste he […]
December 18, 2022

Cathedral Window Candy

Windows Of Opportunity Cathedral Window Candy Dessert Here’s a blast of nostalgia that arrived in my in-box recently, Cathedral Windows. The last time I had one of these chocolate marshmallow delights was in high school when our neighbor, Mrs. Stetler, made them for Christmas. They are called Church or Cathedral […]
December 10, 2022

Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffronskaka)

Swedish Sensation Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffronskaka) Dessert Here is a moist, delicious cake I came across in an Eating Well article on saffron. The cake originated in Sweden where it is called, Saffronskaka, and is frequently served on St. Lucia’s Day celebrated on the 13th of December in Sweden, Norway, […]
November 11, 2022

Make-Ahead Tom’s Gruyère Mac and Cheese

Overnight Sensation Make-Ahead Tom’s Gruyère Mac and Cheese Main We’ve hosted Thanksgiving almost every year since 1990. (I can’t remember ever being that YOUNG!!) I always ask our guests what is a “must have” tradition at Thanksgiving, and Mac & Cheese is a frequent request.  We are crazy about Tom’s […]
July 18, 2022

Crispy Saffron Rice with Chicken and Lemon Zest

Rice With A Little Crunch Crispy Saffron Rice with Chicken and Lemon Zest Main The gift that keeps on giving! Amazingly, I still have some saffron my friend, Joanne, brought from the Spice Souk in Dubai. The saffron is a deep, rich scarlet color and so fragrant, it should be […]
June 10, 2022

Ina’s Filet of Beef Carpaccio

Slices Of Heaven Ina’s Filet of Beef Carpaccio Starter Here’s one for the meat lovers in your family. Before I met Tom, my favorite cut of beef was the end cut of the prime rib … well done and crusted in seasonings. I would never, ever eat anything less than […]
May 2, 2022

Mini Frittatas with Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach & Prosciutto

Anytime Frittatas Mini Frittatas with Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach & Prosciutto Breakfast Here is a recipe that I made for Easter brunch, but it would be perfect for Mother’s Day or a breakfast on-the-go. Bursting with the fresh flavors of roasted red peppers, shallots and spinach, combined with crispy Prosciutto […]
April 4, 2022

Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta

Sumptuous, Sweet, Citrusy Sensation Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta Dessert Every vacation Tom falls madly in love with a dessert which he orders the entire trip. Recently, friend Mary made this Lemon Panna Cotta from Ruth Reichl, and we were transported back to our 2008 trip to Italy, where Tom fell […]
March 12, 2022

Irish Stout Cake with Irish Cream & Espresso Buttercream Frosting

Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling Irish Stout Cake with Irish Cream & Espresso Buttercream Frosting Dessert When Cooking Light magazine briefly went out of business, they sent me Eating Well in its place. I frequently try recipes from both and like how they lighten up recipes and explain why they […]
February 17, 2022

Red Lentil Soup with Saffron

Healthy and Delicious Red Lentil Soup with Saffron Soup After opening the tin of saffron that my friend Joanne brought back from Dubai to make the Roasted Carrot and Saffron Risotto, I needed to use it up fairly quickly before it lost its flavor. Fortunately for me, Eating Well magazine […]
January 26, 2022

Roasted Carrot and Saffron Risotto

Starchy Saffron Sensation Roasted Carrot and Saffron Risotto Main, Starter or Side My good friend Joanne brought me a tin of saffron from the Spice Souk in Dubai. The saffron was a deep, rich scarlet and so fragrant you could smell it through the tin it was stored in. That’s […]
December 29, 2021

Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Stew with Red Wine Sauce)

Parisian Perfect For A Winter Evening Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Stew with Red Wine Sauce) When our menu is French, Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris is my go-to cookbook! Ina’s Boeuf Bourguignon is a great recipe and is best made the day before. Hearty, homey and deeply satisfying, this savory stew […]
December 15, 2021

Baked Fennel, Pancetta and Blue Cheese Dip

A Dip To Celebrate The Holidays Baked Fennel, Pancetta and Blue Cheese Dip Starter Here is a recipe from Better Home & Gardens that I have been making since 2004. I recall tearing this from one of those holiday appetizers issues that I am unable to avoid purchasing in the […]
December 6, 2021

Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Comfort Soup Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Pot Pie Soup Soup and Salad This soup recipe from the Barefoot Contessa’s latest cookbook, Modern Comfort Food, is silky, creamy deliciousness. An explosion of flavor from the leeks, carrots and fennel combined with fresh tarragon, cream sherry and a Parmesan cheese rind tossed in […]
November 15, 2021

Barefoot Contessa’s Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

Cheesy Kick Starter Barefoot Contessa’s Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread Starter Last year I received Modern Comfort Food, a Barefoot Contessa Cookbook from my boss because she knows how much I LOVE Ina Garten. (Thanks, Sascha!). I tagged many recipes to try and the first one was Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread. […]