Category Archives: Brunch

Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is an American invention that came about in the 1950’s, a response to the advent of pre-packaged foods which heralded an easier job and lifestyle for all the Sally Homemakers and Domestic Debbies of the world. The formula

Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is an American invention that came about in the 1950’s, a response to the advent of pre-packaged foods which heralded an easier job and lifestyle for all the Sally Homemakers and Domestic Debbies of the world. The formula

Fourth of July (Independence Day) Cake
This is a festive and easy cake to make for any occasion, but since it’s red, white, and blue… sure why not go ahead and call it an Independence Day Cake! 1 pound strawberries 1 pint blueberries 2 cups heavy

Fourth of July (Independence Day) Cake
This is a festive and easy cake to make for any occasion, but since it’s red, white, and blue… sure why not go ahead and call it an Independence Day Cake! 1 pound strawberries 1 pint blueberries 2 cups heavy

Kale Ribbon Salad
A while ago I made a Brussels Sprout Slaw that went over pretty well with friends, family, and fans. And just to show you how easy it is to tweak recipes, this kale salad is pretty much a cousin to

Kale Ribbon Salad
A while ago I made a Brussels Sprout Slaw that went over pretty well with friends, family, and fans. And just to show you how easy it is to tweak recipes, this kale salad is pretty much a cousin to

Sencha Green Tea Panna Cotta
A while back, I made a simple Panna Cotta. It is one of my go-to desserts to make whenever the hankering for something light and creamy takes hold, especially when the days are warm. I recently had a couple dinners

Sencha Green Tea Panna Cotta
A while back, I made a simple Panna Cotta. It is one of my go-to desserts to make whenever the hankering for something light and creamy takes hold, especially when the days are warm. I recently had a couple dinners

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

Citrus Mint Water
This simple and refreshing water is perfect for any occasion during the warm weather seasons. It is perfect for BBQ grill sessions, brunches, as table water for a fancy dinner, or even to fill a sport bottle to take on

Citrus Mint Water
This simple and refreshing water is perfect for any occasion during the warm weather seasons. It is perfect for BBQ grill sessions, brunches, as table water for a fancy dinner, or even to fill a sport bottle to take on

Cheddar Cheese Buttermilk Scones
For the longest time, I did not know the difference between a scone and biscuit. I basically operated under the assumption that “scone” was merely a fancy British term for what we Americans know as biscuits. Finally, I decided to

Cheddar Cheese Buttermilk Scones
For the longest time, I did not know the difference between a scone and biscuit. I basically operated under the assumption that “scone” was merely a fancy British term for what we Americans know as biscuits. Finally, I decided to

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Blue Cheese
Mac and cheese, an American classic that even though having been re-invented many times over by pretty much every professional chef and home cook out there, somehow retains its iconic comfort food status. The great thing (and what I think

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Blue Cheese
Mac and cheese, an American classic that even though having been re-invented many times over by pretty much every professional chef and home cook out there, somehow retains its iconic comfort food status. The great thing (and what I think

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

Asparagus with Egg and Orange
This is a light and healthy dish I like to make when the spring rolls around. Asparagus is in season and with its abundance comes my joy in eating this vegetable. It may sound like an odd trio, but this

Asparagus with Egg and Orange
This is a light and healthy dish I like to make when the spring rolls around. Asparagus is in season and with its abundance comes my joy in eating this vegetable. It may sound like an odd trio, but this

Buttermilk Pancakes
What better way to start a morning than with pancakes? When they are fresh out of the pan and drizzled with maple syrup, it is like giving your belly and soul a warm hug. Now, who can say no to

Buttermilk Pancakes
What better way to start a morning than with pancakes? When they are fresh out of the pan and drizzled with maple syrup, it is like giving your belly and soul a warm hug. Now, who can say no to

Melon Mint Salad
There are many tricks of the trade when it comes to selecting a good melon. For me this is how I go about it for each one – WATERMELON: look for a large stem-end which indicates it was on the

Melon Mint Salad
There are many tricks of the trade when it comes to selecting a good melon. For me this is how I go about it for each one – WATERMELON: look for a large stem-end which indicates it was on the

Egg Avocado Tomato Trio Salad
So I’ve been a little more fitness-conscious lately. Recently, my mornings have included a lengthy jog with the dog, followed by an intense at-home cardio program called INSANITY. In an effort to be more aware of what to eat on

Egg Avocado Tomato Trio Salad
So I’ve been a little more fitness-conscious lately. Recently, my mornings have included a lengthy jog with the dog, followed by an intense at-home cardio program called INSANITY. In an effort to be more aware of what to eat on

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

Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
These muffins came about with a good friend of mine, who recently became a mother. Well, maybe not recently, seeing as how her daughter is a year and a half now. We got together to bake baby’s first cake, a

Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
These muffins came about with a good friend of mine, who recently became a mother. Well, maybe not recently, seeing as how her daughter is a year and a half now. We got together to bake baby’s first cake, a

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A twist on the classic lemonade, this pink variety has added summer sweetness from the strawberries, and a hint of spice from the basil. Makes about 4 cups 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4-5 lemons) 1/4 cup simple syrup

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A twist on the classic lemonade, this pink variety has added summer sweetness from the strawberries, and a hint of spice from the basil. Makes about 4 cups 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4-5 lemons) 1/4 cup simple syrup

Panna Cotta with Macerated Strawberries
This Italian dessert is one of my favorite things to eat. Of course, there is no coincidence that it is basically a culinary cousin to one of my other favorite foods: ice cream. The two share similar cooking methods: a

Panna Cotta with Macerated Strawberries
This Italian dessert is one of my favorite things to eat. Of course, there is no coincidence that it is basically a culinary cousin to one of my other favorite foods: ice cream. The two share similar cooking methods: a

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

Chop Salad
They say cooking is a creative sport, and I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to salads. More specifically, the Chop Salad. This salad is exactly as its name implies: it’s chopped! For me, and probably you too, making

Chop Salad
They say cooking is a creative sport, and I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to salads. More specifically, the Chop Salad. This salad is exactly as its name implies: it’s chopped! For me, and probably you too, making

Shaved Asparagus and Carrot Salad with Shrimp
An inventive way to make a salad is to not use any leafy greens at all. By shaving down asparagus and carrots, it makes these otherwise hard vegetables quite enjoyable to eat in their raw form. Coupled with blanched shrimp

Shaved Asparagus and Carrot Salad with Shrimp
An inventive way to make a salad is to not use any leafy greens at all. By shaving down asparagus and carrots, it makes these otherwise hard vegetables quite enjoyable to eat in their raw form. Coupled with blanched shrimp

Jeweled Eggs (An Easter Project)
With every new spring season comes new a fresh new beginning. The trees begin to wake up, flowers start to appear, and the daylight lingers a little bit longer each day. As Easter approaches, so does one of my favorite

Jeweled Eggs (An Easter Project)
With every new spring season comes new a fresh new beginning. The trees begin to wake up, flowers start to appear, and the daylight lingers a little bit longer each day. As Easter approaches, so does one of my favorite

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,