Category Archives: Appetizer
Cauliflower Soup
Cold weather always calls for a bowl of soup. The great thing about a puréed soup is that it is fairly easy to make and much healthier than its creamed cousins. Cauliflower is a good vegetable to make into soup
Cauliflower Soup
Cold weather always calls for a bowl of soup. The great thing about a puréed soup is that it is fairly easy to make and much healthier than its creamed cousins. Cauliflower is a good vegetable to make into soup
Caprese Skewer Bites
I always like to serve a caprese salad whenever guests are over. Its fresh flavors are light and crisp, and won’t weigh guests down, which is ideal for long evenings of chatting and laughing. Folks suffering from food comas are
Caprese Skewer Bites
I always like to serve a caprese salad whenever guests are over. Its fresh flavors are light and crisp, and won’t weigh guests down, which is ideal for long evenings of chatting and laughing. Folks suffering from food comas are
Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Buttermilk Dressing
In the world of heavy and dense creamy dressings (you know the ones I’m referring to: ranch, thousand island, green goddess, etc…) a good blue cheese dressing is always at the top of my list. It is not the usual
Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Buttermilk Dressing
In the world of heavy and dense creamy dressings (you know the ones I’m referring to: ranch, thousand island, green goddess, etc…) a good blue cheese dressing is always at the top of my list. It is not the usual
Tomato Basil Spirals
This is a quick little sandwich wrap that does double duty: it can be a simple snack for one, but also works wonderfully as an appetizer when entertaining. lavash bread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 tomato fresh basil leaves salt pepper
Tomato Basil Spirals
This is a quick little sandwich wrap that does double duty: it can be a simple snack for one, but also works wonderfully as an appetizer when entertaining. lavash bread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 tomato fresh basil leaves salt pepper
Cremini Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, flavors, textures, and rarities. One of my favorite varieties is the commonly found cremini (which is actually a baby portobello) and is readily available at pretty much any local market. Normally, I enjoy my
Cremini Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, flavors, textures, and rarities. One of my favorite varieties is the commonly found cremini (which is actually a baby portobello) and is readily available at pretty much any local market. Normally, I enjoy my
Vegetable Japchae aka Korean Sweet Potato Noodles
One of the more popular of Korean foods, Japchae (commonly pronounced: jap-chay, job-chay, or chap-chay) is a sweet potato noodle dish traditionally made with stir-fried vegetables, beef, and topped with sesame seeds. Like most Asian foods, the idea of cooking
Vegetable Japchae aka Korean Sweet Potato Noodles
One of the more popular of Korean foods, Japchae (commonly pronounced: jap-chay, job-chay, or chap-chay) is a sweet potato noodle dish traditionally made with stir-fried vegetables, beef, and topped with sesame seeds. Like most Asian foods, the idea of cooking
Risotto Ai Funghi Porcini aka Porcini Mushroom Risotto
My friends Neal and Roberto came over from Rome for a visit and I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with them in the kitchen. We got together and spent an evening catching up and come dinnertime, Roberto
Risotto Ai Funghi Porcini aka Porcini Mushroom Risotto
My friends Neal and Roberto came over from Rome for a visit and I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with them in the kitchen. We got together and spent an evening catching up and come dinnertime, Roberto
Broccoli Soup
This is pretty much a variation on my Asparagus Soup recipe, which in essence is a variation on my philosophy on how to make a simple and healthy, yet satisfying soup. Once you get the basic formula down, no vegetable
Broccoli Soup
This is pretty much a variation on my Asparagus Soup recipe, which in essence is a variation on my philosophy on how to make a simple and healthy, yet satisfying soup. Once you get the basic formula down, no vegetable
Chicken and Potato Flautas
It is true what so many people say about food: it really does bring us together. What I love most is the sharing aspect of this social exercise. Most times, it’s me who is at the stove’s helm, but every
Chicken and Potato Flautas
It is true what so many people say about food: it really does bring us together. What I love most is the sharing aspect of this social exercise. Most times, it’s me who is at the stove’s helm, but every
Guacamole with Corn and Feta Cheese
You know, I was never really a fan of guacamole. I think it had something to do with going to dive taquerias (there are tons of them here in SF, both good and bad) and seeing the sheer amount of
Guacamole with Corn and Feta Cheese
You know, I was never really a fan of guacamole. I think it had something to do with going to dive taquerias (there are tons of them here in SF, both good and bad) and seeing the sheer amount of
Bacon-Wrapped Medjool Dates with Goat Cheese
I recently had company over and they brought over these delicious small bites for us to nosh on while dinner was being prepared. The mildly sweet Medjool dates paired so well with the savory bacon, while the goat cheese offered
Bacon-Wrapped Medjool Dates with Goat Cheese
I recently had company over and they brought over these delicious small bites for us to nosh on while dinner was being prepared. The mildly sweet Medjool dates paired so well with the savory bacon, while the goat cheese offered
Caramelized Onion Tart
Aside from the time needed to prepare the onions, this tart is actually incredibly easy to make, with stunning results. The star ingredient starts out so simple and humble, but with a bit of patience in its preparation and paired
Caramelized Onion Tart
Aside from the time needed to prepare the onions, this tart is actually incredibly easy to make, with stunning results. The star ingredient starts out so simple and humble, but with a bit of patience in its preparation and paired
Pico de Gallo (aka Salsa Fresca) & Homemade Tortilla Chips
Chips and salsa: it is a kitchen staple nowadays. Whether a quick snack, or part of a party table spread, this Mexican combo has become a standard in the American edible lexicon. I recently started making my own tortilla chips
Pico de Gallo (aka Salsa Fresca) & Homemade Tortilla Chips
Chips and salsa: it is a kitchen staple nowadays. Whether a quick snack, or part of a party table spread, this Mexican combo has become a standard in the American edible lexicon. I recently started making my own tortilla chips
Hummus Lavash Sandwich Wrap
This rolled sandwich is one of my go-to daily essentials. I used to make one daily for lunch when I used to work at a job that afforded little time to have a sit-down lunch. Even now, I am constantly
Hummus Lavash Sandwich Wrap
This rolled sandwich is one of my go-to daily essentials. I used to make one daily for lunch when I used to work at a job that afforded little time to have a sit-down lunch. Even now, I am constantly
Asparagus Soup
One of my favorite spring vegetables is the asparagus. They are quirkly little lookers and have such a great distinctive taste. Most times I prefer to slice them into salads, blanch them with shellfish, or sauté them as a side
Asparagus Soup
One of my favorite spring vegetables is the asparagus. They are quirkly little lookers and have such a great distinctive taste. Most times I prefer to slice them into salads, blanch them with shellfish, or sauté them as a side
Caprese (cah-prehy-zay) Salad
Ah, the great thing about living in California is that even though it isn’t summer yet, we always have a steady supply of tomatoes. Which means, I can enjoy this fresh salad pretty much any time of the year. Sure,
Caprese (cah-prehy-zay) Salad
Ah, the great thing about living in California is that even though it isn’t summer yet, we always have a steady supply of tomatoes. Which means, I can enjoy this fresh salad pretty much any time of the year. Sure,
Crispy Tortilla Snacker
I love this recipe. I can make it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is basically two toasted tortillas with cheese and whichever ingredients I have at the moment. What I like about this is that it can be made
Crispy Tortilla Snacker
I love this recipe. I can make it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is basically two toasted tortillas with cheese and whichever ingredients I have at the moment. What I like about this is that it can be made
Watercress and Tomato Salad with Broccoli Coins
In a previous post (found here), I talked about the marvel that is the broccoli stalk. It is a part of the tree-like vegetable that is crisp like an apple, and mildly sweet like a cucumber. It tastes great cooked,
Watercress and Tomato Salad with Broccoli Coins
In a previous post (found here), I talked about the marvel that is the broccoli stalk. It is a part of the tree-like vegetable that is crisp like an apple, and mildly sweet like a cucumber. It tastes great cooked,
Deviled Eggs
As a lover of eggs, having them in deviled form is an exceptionally wonderful treat. They not only look so darling and decadent, but also smell delicious and taste delightful from the subtle hint of added truffle oil. As the
Deviled Eggs
As a lover of eggs, having them in deviled form is an exceptionally wonderful treat. They not only look so darling and decadent, but also smell delicious and taste delightful from the subtle hint of added truffle oil. As the
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
Shoestring French Fries
Frying up a batch of shoe-string potatoes is so quick and easy (and tasty!), it’s no wonder that the french fry is a menu staple, all the way from a greasy spoon diner to a Michelin-rated steak house. There are
Shoestring French Fries
Frying up a batch of shoe-string potatoes is so quick and easy (and tasty!), it’s no wonder that the french fry is a menu staple, all the way from a greasy spoon diner to a Michelin-rated steak house. There are
Salty Crust Potatoes
This is a super easy preparation that can be made to eat on its own, or served as a side with dinner. Although the name of these potatoes may lead you to think they are little sodium-loaded-ticking-time-bombs, they are not.
Salty Crust Potatoes
This is a super easy preparation that can be made to eat on its own, or served as a side with dinner. Although the name of these potatoes may lead you to think they are little sodium-loaded-ticking-time-bombs, they are not.
Mini Quiche
So simple to prepare, these little egg pies are my go-to recipe whenever I entertain. The flaky crust offers a nice contrast to the denser filling. These are light enough to munch on while guests are mingling, yet substantial enough
Mini Quiche
So simple to prepare, these little egg pies are my go-to recipe whenever I entertain. The flaky crust offers a nice contrast to the denser filling. These are light enough to munch on while guests are mingling, yet substantial enough
I'm Not A Cook 