Author Archives: I'm Not a Cook

Baked Chicken Legs with Carrots & Potatoes

Chicken is such a wonderfully versatile animal to cook.  I especially enjoy using the legs and thighs, not only because the dark meat tastes better, but it is also easier to cook.  It is not as lean as the breast

Baked Chicken Legs with Carrots & Potatoes

Chicken is such a wonderfully versatile animal to cook.  I especially enjoy using the legs and thighs, not only because the dark meat tastes better, but it is also easier to cook.  It is not as lean as the breast

Cranberry Sauce

This classic condiment to the Thanksgiving meal needs no introduction.  I will confess that more often than not, I prefer to pair the sweet tang of this sauce with my slices of turkey instead of drowning them in gravy… Is

Cranberry Sauce

This classic condiment to the Thanksgiving meal needs no introduction.  I will confess that more often than not, I prefer to pair the sweet tang of this sauce with my slices of turkey instead of drowning them in gravy… Is

Wood Cutting Board Care (aka Oiling)

I am a fan and advocate of wood cutting boards.  They have been in use for hundreds of years, and to this day still are used in the same way as by our predecessors.  With the introduction of plastic cutting

Wood Cutting Board Care (aka Oiling)

I am a fan and advocate of wood cutting boards.  They have been in use for hundreds of years, and to this day still are used in the same way as by our predecessors.  With the introduction of plastic cutting

Roast Turkey & Gravy

Turkey doesn’t have to be a traumatic ordeal. There are two crucial words to remember when making this holiday centerpiece: TIMING and BRINING. Timing: decide when you want to serve the bird and plan your time backward accordingly so you

Roast Turkey & Gravy

Turkey doesn’t have to be a traumatic ordeal. There are two crucial words to remember when making this holiday centerpiece: TIMING and BRINING. Timing: decide when you want to serve the bird and plan your time backward accordingly so you

Hot Cereal aka Farina

With the winter months coming, a nice bowl of hot cereal is a great morning meal to have.  I love farina because it is a nice alternative to oatmeal.  It has a smoother texture than cooked oats and just seems

Hot Cereal aka Farina

With the winter months coming, a nice bowl of hot cereal is a great morning meal to have.  I love farina because it is a nice alternative to oatmeal.  It has a smoother texture than cooked oats and just seems

Spaghetti with Onions, Jalapeño, and Garlic

Do not be discouraged by the title ingredients of this pasta dish.  I know it sounds intimidating – a trio of flavors that could leave you with a socially repelling aromatic aura.  When the bold ingredients that make up the

Spaghetti with Onions, Jalapeño, and Garlic

Do not be discouraged by the title ingredients of this pasta dish.  I know it sounds intimidating – a trio of flavors that could leave you with a socially repelling aromatic aura.  When the bold ingredients that make up the

Heirloom Tomato and Egg Burger

With the warm summer season coming to a close, it is time to take advantage of all the beautiful heirloom tomatoes that come with it.  They come in so many shapes, colors, and sizes, but each and every one has

Heirloom Tomato and Egg Burger

With the warm summer season coming to a close, it is time to take advantage of all the beautiful heirloom tomatoes that come with it.  They come in so many shapes, colors, and sizes, but each and every one has

Pear Galette

  The wonderful thing about simple and rustic cooking is that not only does is taste great, it never goes out of fashion.  In my opinion, a traditional recipe will always outlast the latest trend in culinary what-have-you-nots.  Some could

Pear Galette

  The wonderful thing about simple and rustic cooking is that not only does is taste great, it never goes out of fashion.  In my opinion, a traditional recipe will always outlast the latest trend in culinary what-have-you-nots.  Some could

Chicken Pot Pie

I love any meal that comes complete in one neat little package.  In this rustically quaint dish you will find chicken, carrots, peas, onions, and potatoes, all wonderfully enveloped in a buttery sauce with a crispy crust topping.  The best

Chicken Pot Pie

I love any meal that comes complete in one neat little package.  In this rustically quaint dish you will find chicken, carrots, peas, onions, and potatoes, all wonderfully enveloped in a buttery sauce with a crispy crust topping.  The best

Broiler-Roasted Mustard Chicken

The great thing about chicken is the plethora of ways it can be prepared.  Oven-roasting is usually one of the more flavorful, but slower ways of cooking this versatile bird.  But in this instance, by butterflying the chicken and then

Broiler-Roasted Mustard Chicken

The great thing about chicken is the plethora of ways it can be prepared.  Oven-roasting is usually one of the more flavorful, but slower ways of cooking this versatile bird.  But in this instance, by butterflying the chicken and then

Grapefruit Sorbet

It is the end of September, and if you live in San Francisco, you know what that means: Indian Summer!  I love the brief heatwave we get right before the season changes.  The days are warm, and the sunsets are

Grapefruit Sorbet

It is the end of September, and if you live in San Francisco, you know what that means: Indian Summer!  I love the brief heatwave we get right before the season changes.  The days are warm, and the sunsets are

Whipped Cream

When it comes to toppings and condiments, nothing beats a good dollop of this airy, dairy delight.  It is fresh and light, and sweet with a kiss of vanilla.  If only it paired well with savory dishes… I’d put whipped

Whipped Cream

When it comes to toppings and condiments, nothing beats a good dollop of this airy, dairy delight.  It is fresh and light, and sweet with a kiss of vanilla.  If only it paired well with savory dishes… I’d put whipped

Waffles

In my opinion, homemade waffles fall into the category of Ultimate-in-Lazy-Leisure-Breakfasting.  It is right up there with other breakfast delights such as French toast, Eggs Benedict, and the Frittata.  Sure, most people reserve the laborious task of waffle-making for the

Waffles

In my opinion, homemade waffles fall into the category of Ultimate-in-Lazy-Leisure-Breakfasting.  It is right up there with other breakfast delights such as French toast, Eggs Benedict, and the Frittata.  Sure, most people reserve the laborious task of waffle-making for the

Beef Stew

The great thing about living in San Francisco is that with our mild climate, we can eat just about anything year-round.  Take this beef stew for instance: such a hearty meal that is best enjoyed piping hot would not be

Beef Stew

The great thing about living in San Francisco is that with our mild climate, we can eat just about anything year-round.  Take this beef stew for instance: such a hearty meal that is best enjoyed piping hot would not be

Pesto Chicken Penne with Tomato

  This pasta is prepared with a ready-made pesto in a jar.  It might cost you some street cred in the slow-food cooking movement, but it’s well worth it for the time saved.  Besides, ready-made pestos are low on the

Pesto Chicken Penne with Tomato

  This pasta is prepared with a ready-made pesto in a jar.  It might cost you some street cred in the slow-food cooking movement, but it’s well worth it for the time saved.  Besides, ready-made pestos are low on the

Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Spinach

I eat pasta so often that if I were to have it with meat, cheese, and/or a deliciously rich sauce every time, I’d be a carbohydrate-ticking-time-bomb just waiting for a heart attack.  But for the purpose of a day-to-day meal,

Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Spinach

I eat pasta so often that if I were to have it with meat, cheese, and/or a deliciously rich sauce every time, I’d be a carbohydrate-ticking-time-bomb just waiting for a heart attack.  But for the purpose of a day-to-day meal,

Eggs Faux-Benedict

Have you ever had proper Eggs Benedict?  Delicious, yes.  Have you ever tried making proper Eggs Benedict?  Torture, yes!  Poaching an egg is tricky enough, but throwing in a Hollandaise sauce, plus timing the elements to bring it all together

Eggs Faux-Benedict

Have you ever had proper Eggs Benedict?  Delicious, yes.  Have you ever tried making proper Eggs Benedict?  Torture, yes!  Poaching an egg is tricky enough, but throwing in a Hollandaise sauce, plus timing the elements to bring it all together

Potato and Corn Chunky Soup

Simple and hearty, this chunky soup is easy to make and has a nostalgic element of home-goodness.  It is warm and filling, the potatoes give texture and thickness, while the creamed corn lends a light touch of sweetness.  It is

Potato and Corn Chunky Soup

Simple and hearty, this chunky soup is easy to make and has a nostalgic element of home-goodness.  It is warm and filling, the potatoes give texture and thickness, while the creamed corn lends a light touch of sweetness.  It is

Banana Bread

No matter how hard I try, my bananas always seem to ripen quicker than I can eat them.  But that’s perfectly okay because now I can make a wonderful loaf of banana bread.  Using really ripe bananas is the key:

Banana Bread

No matter how hard I try, my bananas always seem to ripen quicker than I can eat them.  But that’s perfectly okay because now I can make a wonderful loaf of banana bread.  Using really ripe bananas is the key:

Peach Cobbler

I’m not from the South, so by no means am I going to attempt to nostalgically reminisce about the delightful memories of coming home from school, with the scent of this peachy dessert wafting through the air as it cools

Peach Cobbler

I’m not from the South, so by no means am I going to attempt to nostalgically reminisce about the delightful memories of coming home from school, with the scent of this peachy dessert wafting through the air as it cools

Virgin Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of my favorite cakes, though sometimes its alcohol and raw egg content weirds me out.  So here I have devised a version of the beloved Italian dessert that can be enjoyed by all.  I actually came up

Virgin Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of my favorite cakes, though sometimes its alcohol and raw egg content weirds me out.  So here I have devised a version of the beloved Italian dessert that can be enjoyed by all.  I actually came up

DIY Brunch

Let’s face it, times are tough and most of us are just hoping to make it through on our shrinking budgets.  But don’t think for a second just because you are cutting out luxury that you cannot still enjoy the

DIY Brunch

Let’s face it, times are tough and most of us are just hoping to make it through on our shrinking budgets.  But don’t think for a second just because you are cutting out luxury that you cannot still enjoy the

Maple-Glazed Bacon with Thyme

The best way to make glazed bacon is to bake it in the oven, on a rack, over a baking sheet, with another sheet pressed on top (to keep them from curling), then take the sheet off, glaze the bacon,

Maple-Glazed Bacon with Thyme

The best way to make glazed bacon is to bake it in the oven, on a rack, over a baking sheet, with another sheet pressed on top (to keep them from curling), then take the sheet off, glaze the bacon,

Chewy Chocolate Walnut Cookies

The chocolate chip cookie is a classic and iconic cookie, one which we are usually introduced to first as children.  It is simple and appeals to just about everybody who has a sweet tooth.  In this recipe, cream of tartar

Chewy Chocolate Walnut Cookies

The chocolate chip cookie is a classic and iconic cookie, one which we are usually introduced to first as children.  It is simple and appeals to just about everybody who has a sweet tooth.  In this recipe, cream of tartar