Welcome to Tonja’s Table. I have been inspired by many friends and family to share my recipes and love for cooking.
Roasted butternut squash is a fall favorite. I prefer roasting to any other method because I love the crispy charred exterior. I used the sheet pan method and roasted bone-in chicken and walnuts on the sheet pan along with the squash. I then combined the pan-drippings with the dressing and finished the whole thing with…
This iconic recipe was made famous by Alice Waters, chef, author, and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in California. It’s been on many menus over the last decade and making it from home was easy yet still had that restaurant quality pizazz. The decadent pan-seared goat cheese is the star of the show and lends…
Edina Magazine BY MADELINE KOPIECKI FROM THE OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE Welcome to Tonja’s Table: Local Food Writer Founds a New Way to Entertain Tonja’s Table is the latest venture of local cookbook author and food blogger Tonja Engen. PHOTO BY: ADRIAN STEIN “My whole philosophy is still bringing people together around the table,” says Tonja Engen,…
Want to make your chicken fancy? Try this delicious Chicken Roulade–it’s a French term for meat and seafood rolled and stuffed. In this case, a chicken breast. I used shallots, Prosciutto, and Gruyere’ cheese but you can add mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes or any of your favorite fillings. It seems harder than it really is…you…
With the abundance of summer tomatoes left, and my herb garden overflowing, I’ve created an easy and tasty sheet pan pizza for any night of the week. Roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic, honey, and lots of chopped herbs are the base for this pizza and a fun delicious way to enjoy dinner together. Throw in…
I will make these again and again–Italian cheeses with fresh basil stuffed in shells and baked in a rich and flavorful sausage ragu. This sauce can be used with any kind of pasta if stuffing shells isn’t your thing. I found it relaxing and therapeutic. You can also stuff the shells and use a store…
This dish has all the components of a beautiful August dinner—in-season Sockeye Salmon roasted to perfection and served with a fresh crop of zucchini, summer squash, and cherry tomatoes. I toasted some pine nuts for good measure and made a flavorful honey mustard sauce to coat the salmon. Its a stunner for any dinner party…
This bruschetta is made with Calabrian chili peppers that originate from the Calabrian region of southern Italy. This region is famous for its spicy and robust cuisine and these peppers ooze with flavor. Although predominantly spicy, there is also salty, smoky and even fruity taste. Adding just a teaspoon to the bruschetta brings out all…
Fresh, delightful, briny clams in a glorious white wine, lemon and parsley sauce topped with homemade garlicky breadcrumbs is one of my favorite summer dinners. Don’t let cooking clams deter you. They are easy to clean and found at most grocery stores. Tip: To clean your clams, soak them for 20 minutes in a bowl…
