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Naked Epicurean

eat. drink. bemerry. repeat.

  • eat
  • drink
  • be merry
    • exploring
    • entertaining
    • joie de vivre
    • the raven’s nest
  • about
  • eat
  • drink
  • be merry
    • exploring
    • entertaining
    • joie de vivre
    • the raven’s nest
  • about
comfort food, dessert, holiday, party food + snacks, vegetarian

Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle

This Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle is almost too pretty to eat!  ALMOST. When the weather starts to get balmy (and stays that way for 5 months), my go…

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2019-05-28
Greek + Mediterranean, salad dressing, salads, vegetables + sides

Chopped* Greek Salad

You may have heard me pontificate about what makes a real Greek salad–the Horiatiki salad, like my mom used to make, straight from the bounty of our garden. Ripe tomatoes,…

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2019-02-25
alcoholic, tincture

Spicy Pineapple + Jalapeño Margarita

Occasionally, at the end of the work week, I gather my tribe for a postmortem rendezvous. Our primary focus, of course, is to ruminate the meaning of life. And during…

read more
2019-06-12
seafood

New Orleans Spicy BBQ Shrimp

Can you say rapture? Yes, that’s what I feel when I eat this dish. Rapture. These shrimp prepared New Orleans barbeque style steep in a spicy + buttery bath so…

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2019-01-16
  • gluten free,  main course,  pescetarian,  seafood,  sugar + spice

    Quick + Easy Blackened Shrimp 

    2019-06-22 /

    A gold star on my forehead. There was nothing I treasured more than that sticky foil star, smack dab between my eyes. I intended to wear it the entire day, as a trophy, a distinction. Unfortunately, within the hour my forehead was glistening with perspiration and the star lost its grip. Such is life in New Orleans where the weather is either balmy, hot, or ooh-wee chile’ scorching. What had I done to receive such a high honor? I cleaned my plate. Almost to the point of licking. I was at K-Paul’s, Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant, experiencing blackening seasoning for the first time. On redfish, I recall. Redfish seasoned and seared…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    2019-04-27

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  • sugar + spice

    House Blend Blackening Seasoning

    2019-06-22 /

    Years after the buzzwords blackened redfish burst onto the foodie scene, I dined at Chef Paul Prudhomme’s restaurant in New Orleans. It took one mouthful of that flavor explosion to make me a life-long devotee. If you ask me about that dining experience, I will unashamedly confess that I licked my plate clean. Period. I am including what I believe to be a replication of the authentic spice blend that was born in the kitchen at K-Paul’s. This blackening seasoning is so easy to throw together you may never buy it from the market again. A bonus of making your own is that you can personalize this recipe to control…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Quick + Easy Blackened Shrimp 

    2019-06-22

    House Blend Curry Powder

    2019-04-27

    Raspberry Sugar

    2019-06-26
  • Asian fare,  crowd pleasers,  gluten free,  main course,  pork

    Sticky Honey + Hoisin Lacquered Ribs

    2019-06-18 /

    This recipe is simple yet packed with big flavors. But before you jump feet first into this recipe, I feel compelled to share that making these Sticky Honey + Hoisin Lacquered Ribs is a two-step process. This cooking process will result in fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs through braising and then coating them in a deep + dark amber lacquer.  Once they’re done, you’ll want to suck these babies all the way down to the bone. But these aren’t just any ordinary BBQ ribs. Oh, no. These are ribs with a Chinese flavor twist.  Yessiree, a fusion of flavors that is so.damn.good you’ll be licking that sticky coating off your lips and fingers…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Curried Chicken Wings + Mango Chutney-Yogurt Dipping Sauce

    2019-04-01

    Creamy Coconut + Curry Chickpeas

    2019-04-27

    Panang Curry Noodle Bowl

    2019-04-20
  • Asian fare,  can be vegetarian,  main course,  pasta + noodles,  poultry,  salads

    Vietnamese Shredded Chicken + Noodle Salad

    2019-06-17 /

    I  wish everyone reading this post could jump through the screen and taste this Vietnamese Shredded Chicken + Noodle Salad! It is bursting with bright colors + savory flavors + sundry textures. I am scarfing down another heaping helping right now. It’s a good thing I am writing and not talking because my mouth is full and NO ONE wants to see that. I was craving this Vietnamese Shredded Chicken + Noodle Salad as I wanted to make something substantial yet light. This salad nails both of those qualifiers. The chicken adds a lot of substance, as do the noodles, while the vinegar-based dressing keeps it bright. (Excuse me while…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    House Blend Curry Powder

    2019-04-27

    Easy Spicy Ahi (+ Ebi) Stacks for 2 

    2019-06-27

    Seared Pepper Ahi Tuna + Wasabi Vinaigrette

    2019-05-12
  • appetizers + hors d'oeuvres,  dips,  Mexican,  party food + snacks,  salad dressing,  vegetarian

    Creamy Chipotle + Lime Dressing + Dip

    2019-06-14 /

    Here’s a quick and easy recipe for you to make while you are gulping down sipping the drink I hooked you up with on Tuesday. (Remember?  The Spicy Pineapple + Jalapeno Margaritas?) If you don’t remember Tuesday, that means you didn’t read my post (and you really should) OR you have had soooo many of those cocktails that you can’t remember much at all (thank you for reading, and you’re welcome). So here is a perfect weekend dip–something you can throw together in a flash (really, just dump and stir). Put it on your burgers or grilled corn or fries or chips or vegetables or your fingers…(this is a NO…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Warm Goat Cheese + Bruschetta Spread

    2019-07-06

    Hand-Crafted Gournay

    2019-06-04

    Oysters with Pink Peppercorn Mignonette

    2019-02-14
  • alcoholic,  tincture

    Spicy Pineapple + Jalapeño Margarita

    2019-06-12 /

    Occasionally, at the end of the work week, I gather my tribe for a postmortem rendezvous. Our primary focus, of course, is to ruminate the meaning of life. And during our meetings we may imbibe elixirs that make us sound brilliant (at least we think so). After all, we have had a lot of epistemological practice. Some might even say we are PROFESSIONAL philosophers. Today I reveal a brilliant revelation: why wait till the end of the week to drink solve the world’s problems? Doesn’t the world need our sagacity every day? So I share with you the most momentous decision you can make any day of the week: to…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

    You May Also Like

    Sugar-Rimmed Raspberry Gin Smash

    2019-06-30

    Summer Watermelon Mojito

    2019-07-08

    Cool Cucumber + Basil Gimlet

    2019-07-08
  • 4th meal,  appetizers + hors d'oeuvres,  breakfast + brunch,  comfort food,  party food + snacks,  sandwiches + roll-ups

    Toast 6+ Ways

    2019-06-09 /

    Toast is one of my ultimate comfort foods. When I was very little, toast was front and center of my morning routine with my father. I was his official self-appointed toast maker. Every morning, as he was shaving, I would prepare his toast. How many times had I under toasted the bread or was overzealous with the butter or the dollop of my mom’s homemade peach preserves? Who knows, because my sweet dad said it was “absolutely perfect!” every.time. Dad and I took turns fixing each others’ toast for many years. Toast was our love language. Toast was our thing. Today’s toast transcends the white bread stereotype. It is no…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Mexican Three-Way* BLT Dip

    2019-02-10

    Caribbean Poutine (aka Dirty Tots)

    2018-10-16

    Chunky Mediterranean Hummus

    2018-10-11
  • appetizers + hors d'oeuvres,  cheese,  dips,  gluten free,  party food + snacks,  vegetarian

    Hand-Crafted Gournay

    2019-06-04 /

    If provincial northwestern France had a flavor, it would be buttery + herbaceous Gournay. You have probably bought creamy + salty + garlicky + herby artisan Gournay cheese dozens of times without giving thought to how easy it is to create yourself. No need to run to the store to make this oh-so satisfying + fragrant snacking cheese. I’d bet you already have the ingredients for this blend at your fingertips!     Herbs? Check! Garlic? Check! Butter?  Check! Cream cheese?  Check! You got this!   I’d also bet that once you create your own house blend of Gournay, you will have choice ingredients at your fingertips At.All.Times.Forever.Amen. Whether they are…

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    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Warm Goat Cheese + Bruschetta Spread

    2019-07-06

    Toast 6+ Ways

    2019-06-09

    Loaded Baked Potato Dip

    2019-01-30
  • comfort food,  crowd pleasers,  main course,  pescetarian,  seafood

    Low Country Boil aka Frogmore Stew

    2019-05-30 /

    One of the new gals at work is from California, and I have taken it upon myself to play Southern Tour Guide to help her settle in. For convenience, let’s call her Becky. Becky and I have gone to museums and the theater, canal cruises, cultural festivals and SEC games—the full gamut. There is no dearth of activity in our area, so our orientation schedule has been pretty packed. “We will leave no stone unturned!” I told Becky. Becky smiled politely…and then I think she rolled her eyes. I am on a mission. Part of this mission means hosting a lowcountry-ish shindig. Every newbie to the South needs to experience…

    read more
    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Pasta Aglio e Olio: CYOA

    2019-07-18

    Lemon Zest + Spring Pea Parmesan Orzo

    2019-05-09

    Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle

    2019-05-28
  • comfort food,  dessert,  holiday,  party food + snacks,  vegetarian

    Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle

    2019-05-28 /

    This Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle is almost too pretty to eat!  ALMOST. When the weather starts to get balmy (and stays that way for 5 months), my go to relief is LEMONS. I love lemons. I also love trifle. I do not love baking. There. I said it. I DO NOT BAKE. Suffice it to say, my favorite kind of dessert is a no-bake dessert. Hence, this Lemony Creme + White Chocolate Trifle. Trifles are always a win because they look so elegant without a lot of fuss. You do not even have to turn on the oven to make this gorgeous citrusy delight. All you have to…

    read more
    Ann Beth Strelec 0 Comments

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    Panang Curry Noodle Bowl

    2019-04-20

    Lemon Zest + Spring Pea Parmesan Orzo

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    Low Country Boil aka Frogmore Stew

    2019-05-30
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2018 Ann Beth Strelec Out of professional courtesy, please contact me if you plan to republish one of my recipes. You can get in touch with me at nakedepicurean@gmail.com
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