For years I made my own pesto, a favorite summer condiment. Basil is so full of flavor and has many uses in recipes. In the past I used a lot as I could grow as much as I wanted; I always started my plants from seed too. Make a batch, top with a little olive … Continue reading
Think about the countryside of France, fields of lavender and one of France’s famous blends, Herbes de Provence. This is also a favorite combination of herbs that I’ve been using for a long time – I think the lavender element pulled me in. I highly recommend this wonderful mixture of different herbs as it elevates … Continue reading
This is a Korean-Italian ragu with lots of great flavors. Loving both cuisines I knew this would be a good pairing of a rich, savory and slightly sweet meat sauce with ruffled pasta by Sfoglini. Mirepoix of veggies and even a fruit become part of the sauce which you can make ahead of time. Classic … Continue reading
If I ever pick up a sandwich at a local deli/grocery store I often look for a turkey sandwich. I especially liked this version with coleslaw (I added pure horseradish) and Russian dressing – no lettuce or tomato. Serve with pickles, coleslaw and/or chips and you have a nice lunch or a light dinner. This … Continue reading
Lamb use to be a small part of my diet but those days are long gone. As a matter of fact, my red meat consumption is minimal. I still love chicken/turkey, fish/seafood and many vegetarian dishes. So, making this lamb dish is a special treat! I was looking through an old cookbook, Common Grill published … Continue reading
Guadalupe Moreno who runs Mi Moreno, a tacos de guisado business in the Bay Area shared this recipe which appeared in New York Times cooking and sounds like a winner. It is perfect in tacos, in a burrito, on top of crisp tostados with lettuce and salsa, inside quesadillas or as a tamal filling. To … Continue reading
Chile crisp in a vinaigrette really defines this tomato salad. Fresh, ripe tomatoes touched with basil and garlic, pre-made dumplings and finishing with store-bought crispy dried shallots. This salad is hearty yet light and requires little cooking. Of course you can make your own dumplings and crispy shallots especially if you make them ahead of … Continue reading
I saw this author/chef on a Good Morning America show recently and liked this recipe he made. So, even though I could print out the recipe I ordered his cookbook – there’s no better way to find information about different cuisines, authors and their cooking methods. Arash is a self-taught cook, with Persian roots, who … Continue reading
A delightful dish from France using Provencal style food. This style is frequently used for preparing chicken or fish with staple ingredients found in the region. These ingredients include EVOO, sun-ripened tomatoes (I did use diced tomatoes), garlic, olives and Herbes de Provence (pollen) consisting of a blend of herbs; thyme, savory, oregano, rosemary, lavender … Continue reading
Bigoli is a new pasta for me which originated in the Veneto region of Italy; however this version is a Sfoglini pasta made in the New York area. It is about 4 times thicker than spaghetti giving it more of a rough surface area for holding sauce. It is crafted using a bronze die extrusion … Continue reading