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.  These days I also take most of the photos on my iPhone.

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

 


November 22, 2019

Green Beans Three Ways: Green Bean Bundles with Bacon & Brown Sugar; Green Beans with Pancetta, Shallots & Pecans; and Green Beans with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan Panko Crumbs

Going Green … Beans Green Beans Three Ways: Green Bean Bundles with Bacon & Brown Sugar; Green Beans with Pancetta, Shallots & Pecans; and Green Beans with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan Panko Crumbs Side I love green beans!  They always make an appearance at our house, especially for Thanksgiving […]
October 29, 2019

Rigatoni with Sausage and Fennel Ragù

Remembering Bella Bologna Rigatoni with Sausage and Fennel Ragù Main Autumn, my favorite time of the year, my favorite time to travel, and perhaps my favorite time to eat pasta!  
 Benventuto Autunno! Last year, while traveling in Bologna, Italy (trip report here), we had the most delicious Pappardelle with […]
September 25, 2019

Pan Roasted Chicken with Pancetta, Mushroom & Leek Sauce on a Bed of Hash Browns

Comfort Food! Pan-Roasted Chicken with Pancetta, Mushroom & Leek Sauce on a Bed of Hash Browns Main Tom once again returned from an event at Melissa’s Produce with a treasure trove of goodies (he works for food).  Among them was a bag of Melissa’s Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes, Cleaned and […]
September 13, 2019

Hatch Chile Carrot Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting and Hatch Chile Candied Walnuts

Carrot Top Hatch Chile Carrot Cake with Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting and Hatch Chile Candied Walnuts Dessert September basically marks the end of Hatch chile season, and we picked up a bunch of Melissa’s Produce Extra Hot Hatch chiles.  Tom has been hankering for my carrot cake lately, so I […]
August 19, 2019

Skillet Hatch Chile Cornbread with Hatch Chile Honey Butter

Taking Cornbread To The Next Level Skillet Hatch Chile Cornbread with Hatch Chile Honey Butter Side Just in time for Hatch Chile Season! From MaiTai Tracy’s Kitchen archives…. Here is an oldie but goodie, really goodie, updated recipe for skillet cornbread adapted from the delicious and decadent Iron-Skillet cornbread they […]
July 25, 2019

Jamie Purviance’s Red Wine Cipollini Onions

Shed No Tears With These Onions Jamie Purviance’s Red Wine Cipollini Onions Side Tom was fortunate to attend an event at Melissa’s Produce featuring grilling expert Jamie Purviance, author of WEBER’S ULTIMATE GRILLING: A Step-by-Step Guide to Barbecue Genius!  Tom is the grill master in our family, so I have […]
July 2, 2019

Watermelon, Feta, Mint, Arugula Summer Salad

Scrumptious Summer Salad  Watermelon, Feta, Mint, Arugula Scrumptious Summer Salad  Soup & Salad Watermelon, Feta, Mint, Arugula Salad is one of my favorite go-to salads for summer.  Recently, we fired up the BBQ and invited some friends over for grilled corn on the cob and Mr. C’s Flank Steak.  To […]
June 14, 2019

Mr. C’s Grilled Flank Steak with Chile, Cinnamon and Cumin Marinade

Cinnamon on Steak with this Marvelous Meat Marinade!  Mr. C’s Grilled Flank Steak with Chile, Cinnamon and Cumin Marinade Main Summer weather in Southern California came late this year (yay, for May Gray!), so we only recently fired up our gas barbecue.  Speaking of fire, there was one small problem […]
May 14, 2019

Citrus Olive Oil Bundt Cake with Kumquat Infused Syrup

Sensational Citrus Olive Oil Bundt Cake Citrus Olive Oil Bundt Cake with Kumquat Infused Syrup Dessert I never know what to do with the kumquats our tiny tree produces.  This year it was particularly prolific, probably due to all the rain.  In the past, I have made Kumquat Infused Vodka, […]
April 18, 2019

Mr. C’s Southwestern Quiche with Cayenne Pepper Crust

Quiche-y Keen! Mr. C’s Southwestern Quiche with Cayenne Pepper Crust Breakfast I make a pretty good Quiche Lorraine, but this is my absolute favorite quiche and so easy to make!  This dish is our go-to recipe for brunch and, as it is even better the next day, it gets bonus […]
April 9, 2019

Oatmeal Walnut Bars with Blood Orange Jam and Apricots

Crumble Bars Two Ways (Part Two) Oatmeal Walnut Bars with Blood Orange Jam and Apricots Dessert As promised in my earlier post for the Raspberry Habanero Jam Crumble Bars, here is the recipe for Blood Orange Jam, Apricot, Oatmeal, and Walnut Bars lightly adapted from Giada De Laurentis’ Apricot Oat […]
March 25, 2019

Raspberry Habanero Jam Crumble Bars

Crumble Bars Two Ways (Part One) Raspberry Habanero Jam Crumble Bars Dessert  Tom has been obsessed with jam lately … specifically with Laura Ann’s Jams and particularly with her Raspberry Habanero and Bourbon Blood Orange jams.  We have been going through peanut butter and jam sandwiches as if we had […]
February 28, 2019

Roasted Sweet Potato, Poblano, Avocado & Black Bean Tacos

Healthy Tacos Roasted Sweet Potato, Poblano, Avocado & Black Bean Tacos Main So our January and February plan to diet during those months did not materialize.  But now it’s almost March, and we’re starting over. Despite being a gentleman of a certain age, Tom has a list (short) of foods […]
February 11, 2019

Butterscotch Pots de Crème with Bourbon Whipped Cream & Toffee Bits

Crunchy Delight in Every Bite Butterscotch Pots de Crème with Bourbon Whipped Cream & Toffee Bits Dessert There are some holidays when it is easier to stay at home and cook.  In my opinion, Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays.  I made this recipe from Betty Rosbottom’s Soup Nights […]
January 31, 2019

Tiffany’s Cream Cheese & Cheddar Cheese Toast (and Dip!)

The Cheesiest! Tiffany’s Cream Cheese & Cheddar Cheese Toast (and Dip!) Starter Ok, here is probably the easiest recipe I have ever posted, courtesy of my sister-in-law, Tiffany.  We have been making this recipe for years, um, decades, and it never fails to please.  I have also used this as […]