The Healthy Rebel: I Learned It from My Friends

By Jessica M Pfeufer

This book has been a journey into cooking – A tribute to friends long gone and to the ones still inspiring me. Recipes are meant to be discovered, shared and experienced with the people you love. It brings people together in conversation and laughter. Cooking is an expression of one’s soul in creativity.
I began collecting recipes at a young age. I wish I knew where that little tin box full of index cards was today, what wonders it held! I suppose I could trace my first cooking experiences back to childhood, but my journey really began years later in the kitchen of my beautiful and amazing friend, Rosario Patti. He made cooking fun. He would always scold me with, “pay attention – I won’t be around forever.” Sadly, he wasn’t, and I was stuck trying to remember the words he spoke as we cooked the perfect pasta carbonara! To this day, I am still in search of it.
So, as a reminder to all, if someone makes a dish you can’t stop thinking about or want to share with everyone you know, don’t hesitate to ask them how to make it. Write it down, learn it and share it. It is what food is all about! It’s EXACTLY why I began the journey of “I learned it from my Friends.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665534123

Jessica M Pfeufer

Jessica Pfeufer is not your average chef. From saving lives as EMT/Firefighter of the Year to soaring like a bird in a glider plane over the Sierra Madres, she does what she loves and lives how she pleases – enjoying each adventure to the fullest. A self-proclaimed eccentric who has spent her life traveling the world, Jessica uses each new destination as her springboard, taking every opportunity to explore local fare, local flavor, and local fun! While many culinary geniuses found their calling in the grandest dining rooms of the finest restaurants in all the land, Jessica’s passion springs from earthier beginnings, in the kitchen of the firehouse where she served for many years, eventually finding that her passion and life’s work truly lay in the culinary arts. At home in the Napa Valley, Jessica has immersed herself in wine, learning the wine industry from the ground up, incorporating her culinary skills with oenophilia, and eventually (over the last 20+ years) creating pairing menus for wineries, weddings, and events. Jessica is a certified health and wellness coach, stewarding her website The Healthy Rebel which combines healthy menus, habits, and lifestyle coaching with a rebel yell for MORE! MORE! MORE! adventures to come.

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© 2021 Jessica M Pfeufer. All rights reserved.

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transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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ISBN: 978-1-6655-3411-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-3413-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-3412-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021915938

Published by AuthorHouse 01/20/2022

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TO B – FOR GIVING ME A REASON TO LEAVE A LEGACY!

TO GRAMMA – THE ONLY SOUL ON EARTH WHO KNEW EVERYTHING

ABOUT ME AND SHOWED ME KINDNESS AND EVERLASTING PATIENCE!

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Acknowledgements

To my family and friends for always being willing participants in my discovery of food, laughter and adventure.

To B, for always helping me edit and create. To Zach and Grace for bringing such a blessing into this world! Thank you both for finding the patience to love me JUST as I am! I Love you all very much

To Rosario Patti for keeping me in check in the kitchen and showing me the joy in sharing a well-cooked meal. And to Santi Sacci for always sharing encouraging words and wisdom. I love you!

To Jill Ross, who always puts class and style into life and living. so talented, so kind and such an amazing designer. And to Tchon, for always seeing the good in me! I love you!

To my beautiful sister in Northern Michigan, Christina Pfeufer, for the zoom classes, the trips to the beach, an open heart and mind but most of all, for the time spent in your gourmet kitchen working on this book. I love you!

To Cathy and Jerry for always providing a warm and welcome home, having an open mind, and a willing stomach. I love you!

To my crazy Irish friend, Siobhan Magee, thank you for the laughter and light when things got dark. For showing me my talents and guiding me to always strive for better. You are a true gem in this world! Blessed to call you friend!

To Rhonda Goolsby, no matter the occasion, for always making me laugh at myself and the situations arising around me. Life is too short for bullshit; you’ve shown me that! Blessed for our friendship and fun times.

To Rita and Steve Jarvi, through it all, I am forever grateful for all the good food, laughter and love you’ve have shared with me. You are truly two of a kind and I love you both!

To my friends and family on Huntington Way, the Melillo’s, the Moreno’s and the Evan’s. So many BBQ’s, street events and holidaze we spent laughing and sharing. I am so grateful for all of you! Not only did so many recipes make the book, but the memories we have made, go deeper, and I am so blessed to call you friends.

To my family in the Napa Valley, Janice Ilsley (Ilsley Family Vineyards), Norene Allara (Saddleback Cellars), Ron Caperton (Chef) and Phillipe Jeanty (Chef, Bistro Jeanty). So much fun pairing wines and great food. Who could have asked for more!

To my gracious momma, Margaret Capurso, for taking the time when I was young to show me around the kitchen. I always enjoyed the time we spent! I learned a lot from you over the years and I am grateful for all that you have given. I love you

To my zoom buddies, thank you for you taking time out of your lives to cook with me and teach me some things! Also, for contributing recipes, lots of laughter and stories! Caileigh Kendrick, Daniela Belo, Jasmine Fullwood, Brittany Heinemeyer, Julie and Rick Thatcher, Micah Lloyd, Lisa Cook, Jaalyn Le, Domonic Valentine.

To my sister-in-law, Trisha Gooch, for her inspirations, talent and passion for life. I love spending time with you in the kitchen. I am always in awe of every dish you make. Wish we were closer so we could cook together more!

To Rowena and Steve Long, for opening their home and hearts. For the fun adventures that await and for always making me feel like family. To Kayla Long for all of your spirit, positive aura and kind words. You truly are a bright light in this world!

To Kelley and Mike Sullivan, Tamara, Austin and Ulani, Delia Garcia, Joe Alfaro, Sherry Carr, Abel Solis, Renae Garcia, Brian Lowe, Jessica & Justin Osborne, Priscilla Lara, Megan Satchwell and Lisha Levore for your contributions, good times, laughter, and great food ideas. I am grateful, thankful and blessed for our friendship!

To all my friends in Northport Michigan; Russell Madsen, Milan Collins, Chris Nielsen, Danielle Percy, Nance Schuman, Leroy and Betsy. You ALL made life so fun and enjoyable while I worked on this book and found myself. I miss you and can’t wait to cook again with you! Thanks for sharing your world!

To Susan Batdorff and Heather Lockwood, I loved spending time with you both in nature. So many laughs, tears and conversations. I can’t wait to explore more of life with you!

To Kelsey Whalen, you too are a bright light in my world. You have always pushed me to be better and do better. You are so full of life and energy. Cooking with you was always a pleasure, no matter where we were or how we were doing it! Thank you for your spirit, guidance, and love!

To Diana Salazar and Kevin Condit for opening your home, providing laughter, conversation and great BBQ!

To Kate Brown, you are an amazing teacher w a lot of patience! Blessed to call you my editor and friend! I couldn’t have gotten so far without your patience and time! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Anthology of Quotes

Introduction

STARTERS

Deviled Eggs

Dragon Balls

Rebel Soul Sausage Balls

Stuffed Mini Bells

Crostini Bruschetta

Baba Ganoush

Hummus

Gorgonzola Polenta Puffs

Corn Dip

Garbage Dip

Pizza Dip

BLT Dip

Cowboy Caviar

Rita’s Salsa

Chorizo Dip

Spicy Refried Bean Dip

Jalapeno Bomber

Rebel Soul Beef Jerky

SOUP, STOCKS & SALAD STUFF

Vegetable Stock

Beef Stock

Chicken Stock

Seafood Stock

Rebel Soul French Onion Soup

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Rebel Soul Chicken Tortilla Soup

Rebel Soul Tuscan Zuppa

Rebel Soul Tomato Bisque

Caesar Salad Dressing

Ger’s Killer Thousand Island Dressing

Blue Cheese Dressing (OR Dip)

Lime Vinaigrette PHO

Greek Yogurt Sauce

Peanut Sauce

SIDES

Scalloped Potatoes

Whole Grilled Onion

Benish Family Potato Salad

Tabouli

Frybread

Yorkshire Pudding

Green Papaya Salad

White Potato Salad

Orzo Pasta Salad

Johnny Y’s Coldslaw

Hawaiian Mac Salad

Another Potato Salad

Rebel Soul Applesauce

Potato Pancakes

Creamy Polenta

Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)

Spaghetti Pie

Crockpot Beans

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MAIN

Pasta Carbonara

Swedish Coho Salmon

Savory Salmon

Clams in White Wine

On the Bay Crab Cakes

Rebel Soul Chicken & Bacon Balls

Chicken Roll-Ups

Black Bean Burgers

Rebel Soul Manchiata

Stu-Fowl (Adobo)

Pasta Fazool

Capellini Della Mama

Beef Keleguan

Breakfast for Dinner

Breakfast Pizza

Meat & Potato Quiche

Gravlax

Bagel Melts (Doo)

Rebel Soul Bacon Bust

Rebel Soul Croque Madame

TRAILER

Chicken Chalupe

Chili Relleno Casserole

The 6-Decker

Cazuela Sabrosa (Tasty Casserole)

Chicken & Shrimp Enchiladas

Comfort Chops

Life of OZ – Crockpot Pork

Crockpot Chicken

No Peek Chicken

SUNDAY FUNDAY

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Gramma’s Ribs

Mouthwatering Meatloaf

Rebel Soul Pork Scallopini

Rebel Soul Chicken Scampi

Cider House Chicken

Paasties

Rebel Soul Rack of Pork

Rebel Soul Chunky Beef, Mushroom & Ale Pie

Pork Pozole

SWEETS

Homemade Kahlúa

Key Lime Pie

Peanut Butter Bites

Scotcharoo’s

Lolo’s

Fly Cemetery (Fruit Squares)

Diabetic Coma Cake

Beer Bread

Overnight Butterscotch Rolls

Kahlua Cake

Billy’s Famous Lemon Bars

Streusel Coffee Cake

Breakfast Bundt Cake

Andrew’s Rice Pudding

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Rebel Soul Amaretto Dip

Quesadilla Salvadoreña

Finnish pancake

Classic Carrot Cake

REBEL SOUL

Rebel Soul French Bread

Rebel Soul NY Hot Dog Sauce

Rebel Soul Steak & Sandwich Peppers

Gaslapus – The 10-hour Onion

Rebel Soul Aioli

Rebel Soul Chipotle Hot Sauce

Rebel Soul Sweet BBQ Sauce

Sully’s BBQ Sauce

ACCOUTREMENT

Red Chile Sauce

Easy Crème Fraiche

Classic Hollandaise

Classic Pesto

French Butter Crust

Rebel Soul 20 Clove Arrabbiata Sauce

Chimichurri

Finadene

Oyster Sauce Chimichurri

El Sobrante Dust

About The Author

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Anthology of Quotes

I have been collecting inspirational quotes from people I admire almost as long as I have been collecting recipes. They inspire me to do better, to be better and to live better! I hope they give you as much as they have given me.

Everything you’ve ever wanted lives on the other side of Fear.

- George Adair

Enthusiasm is common, Endurance is rare.

- Angela Duckworth

Perseverance is a GREAT substitute for talent.

- Steve Martin

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear.

- Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the US and Diplomat

Life is about becoming MORE of what you already are.

- Oprah Winfrey

I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored.

- David Attenborough

Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated

- Kid Rock

If you aint first, your last

- Ricky Bobby

"One must have 5 hobbies in this life:

1 to make money

1 to keep you in shape

1 to keep you creative

1 to build knowledge

1 to evolve your mind"

- Unknown

I aspire to be the person who wakes up and loves what I do for a living every day. Travels often, spiritually secure and financially stable.

- Jessica Pfeufer

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Introduction

What’s in Your Cupboard?

First and foremost, find your flavor pallet. This means you stock your cupboard and refrigerator with the foods you use most and love the taste of! I can give you a list of necessities but if you don’t like cilantro then having it fresh on hand does you no good. There are definitely some must haves that I will recommend keeping in your pantry. The list below is not set in stone, just a little help for you along your journey.

In your refrigerator

Assorted Cheeses: Blue cheese, aged Pecorino Romano, sharp cheddar, Swiss or Gruyere, cream cheese. Having cheese on hand and available for when the unexpected guest shows up is a must. That, and a good bottle of rose never hurts!

Mirepoix: Pronounced: MEERipwah, is an aromatic flavor base. Whether cooking, juicing, baking or just plain living, this mix of carrot, celery and onion is a necessity! Packed with vitamins and nutrients and oh so simple to keep in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. It will also add flavor and texture to any dish you can dream up.

Condiments: This list could get long, but I am only going to give some suggestions with this one. An absolute MUST on this list is Dijon mustard, hot sauce (your choice) and Greek yogurt or sour cream. With any of these on your shelves, the sky