Category Archives: Entree

Penne in Vodka Sauce

According to Wikipedia, the exact origin of vodka sauce is still under debate. Some say it is a true Italian dish, while others believe it is an American invention from the 1970’s, while others still are convinced a vodka company

Penne in Vodka Sauce

According to Wikipedia, the exact origin of vodka sauce is still under debate. Some say it is a true Italian dish, while others believe it is an American invention from the 1970’s, while others still are convinced a vodka company

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

Spaghetti in Bacon Jalapeño Marinara

One of my favorite restaurants in my little hometown of San Francisco is Starbelly. It is a lively and casual place, with a well-edited menu and interior atmosphere to match. They are known for the delicious pizzas that come out

Spaghetti in Bacon Jalapeño Marinara

One of my favorite restaurants in my little hometown of San Francisco is Starbelly. It is a lively and casual place, with a well-edited menu and interior atmosphere to match. They are known for the delicious pizzas that come out

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

Linguine Pasta with Butter and Arugula

This pasta is a great and simple one to prepare since it does not require a cooked sauce. The linguine is dressed with butter, parmesan cheese, lemon, olive oil, and comes together with heat from the warm pasta. Add in

Linguine Pasta with Butter and Arugula

This pasta is a great and simple one to prepare since it does not require a cooked sauce. The linguine is dressed with butter, parmesan cheese, lemon, olive oil, and comes together with heat from the warm pasta. Add in

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

Orecchiette Pasta in Creamy Mushroom Sauce

From Italian, orecchiette translates to “little ear,” which is an appropriate name since this small, round pasta cooks up into little pockets (or ears!) that are perfect for holding onto cream sauces. Most times, a pasta sauce can be prepared

Orecchiette Pasta in Creamy Mushroom Sauce

From Italian, orecchiette translates to “little ear,” which is an appropriate name since this small, round pasta cooks up into little pockets (or ears!) that are perfect for holding onto cream sauces. Most times, a pasta sauce can be prepared

Sriracha BBQ Pork Ribs

Slow-cooking a rack of ribs smothered in sauce is a perfect introduction to grilling; consistently basting the meat as it cooks keeps it moist and flavorful, which means that even it happens to over-cook, no-one will be the wiser. This

Sriracha BBQ Pork Ribs

Slow-cooking a rack of ribs smothered in sauce is a perfect introduction to grilling; consistently basting the meat as it cooks keeps it moist and flavorful, which means that even it happens to over-cook, no-one will be the wiser. This

Dry Rubbed BBQ Pork Ribs

When it comes to grilling a rack of ribs, there are primarily two routes to take: wet or dry. Most times it is easier to take the wet route, since basting meat with a sauce usually allows more room for

Dry Rubbed BBQ Pork Ribs

When it comes to grilling a rack of ribs, there are primarily two routes to take: wet or dry. Most times it is easier to take the wet route, since basting meat with a sauce usually allows more room for

Braised Pork Spare Ribs with Root Vegetables

Whenever I go to the market for ribs, I like to get the whole portion in its entirety. It does require some extra work to clean and trim, but pays off in the end since it is more cost effective

Braised Pork Spare Ribs with Root Vegetables

Whenever I go to the market for ribs, I like to get the whole portion in its entirety. It does require some extra work to clean and trim, but pays off in the end since it is more cost effective

Roasted Pork Loin Stuffed With Shiitake Mushrooms and Sage

For me, pork and mushroom is such a good combination. Add to that sage and the comforting pairing becomes an earthy trifecta. I like to use shiitake mushrooms because they have such a distinctive taste that is enhanced by the

Roasted Pork Loin Stuffed With Shiitake Mushrooms and Sage

For me, pork and mushroom is such a good combination. Add to that sage and the comforting pairing becomes an earthy trifecta. I like to use shiitake mushrooms because they have such a distinctive taste that is enhanced by the

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

Simple Pork Chop

There is no reason why we can’t enjoy a good meal, even when short on time. By using a thinner cut of meat, this pork chop cooks up really fast. And while the pork rests, a simple pan sauce whips

Simple Pork Chop

There is no reason why we can’t enjoy a good meal, even when short on time. By using a thinner cut of meat, this pork chop cooks up really fast. And while the pork rests, a simple pan sauce whips

Fettuccine with Oyster Mushrooms and Sage

They may look alien, bizarre, and out of this world, but oyster mushrooms are quite the treat. With a tender bite and a silky texture, this elegant fungus more than lives up to its aphrodisiac namesake. Pairing with fresh sage

Fettuccine with Oyster Mushrooms and Sage

They may look alien, bizarre, and out of this world, but oyster mushrooms are quite the treat. With a tender bite and a silky texture, this elegant fungus more than lives up to its aphrodisiac namesake. Pairing with fresh sage

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

Root Beer Braised Pork Shoulder Roast

One of my favorite cuts of pork is the shoulder. The shoulder is divided into two parts: Shoulder Butt (the upper portion), and Picnic Shoulder (the lower portion). Most markets will tell you which part you are getting, but some

Root Beer Braised Pork Shoulder Roast

One of my favorite cuts of pork is the shoulder. The shoulder is divided into two parts: Shoulder Butt (the upper portion), and Picnic Shoulder (the lower portion). Most markets will tell you which part you are getting, but some

Penne Pasta in Ricotta Cheese Sauce with Spinach and Peas

I once had a great conversation with a personal trainer/diet nutritionist (who at the time was working on public school food reform), and I remember at one point we were on the subject of cheeses, and he told me that

Penne Pasta in Ricotta Cheese Sauce with Spinach and Peas

I once had a great conversation with a personal trainer/diet nutritionist (who at the time was working on public school food reform), and I remember at one point we were on the subject of cheeses, and he told me that

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

Skillet Braised Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

Skillet braising is a great method that allows you to quickly cook chicken with oven-roasted goodness, but without the long wait. By starting the chicken off in a skillet (versus roasting whole) and finishing in the oven, you end up

Skillet Braised Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

Skillet braising is a great method that allows you to quickly cook chicken with oven-roasted goodness, but without the long wait. By starting the chicken off in a skillet (versus roasting whole) and finishing in the oven, you end up

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza with Truffle Oil and Egg

A while back I mentioned how I actually prefer a tomato-sauce-less pizza, because sometimes the tang of the sauce can be too strong, or other times there is so much that it drowns the whole pie. So most times I

Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza with Truffle Oil and Egg

A while back I mentioned how I actually prefer a tomato-sauce-less pizza, because sometimes the tang of the sauce can be too strong, or other times there is so much that it drowns the whole pie. So most times I

Rice Stir Fry (A Healthy Alternative to Fried Rice)

Growing up in a Chinese family meant one thing at dinner: RICE! Every nightly meal was accompanied by a bowl (or two!) of this freshly cooked, steamy, staple grain. And as the week progressed, my mother would collect any leftover

Rice Stir Fry (A Healthy Alternative to Fried Rice)

Growing up in a Chinese family meant one thing at dinner: RICE! Every nightly meal was accompanied by a bowl (or two!) of this freshly cooked, steamy, staple grain. And as the week progressed, my mother would collect any leftover

Pasta All’Arrabiata aka Angry Pasta

So, my good friend Neal has been living in Rome for the last year and (thanks to the marvelous wonder that is modern technology) we are able to chat frequently. I love hearing about his adventures in the land of

Pasta All’Arrabiata aka Angry Pasta

So, my good friend Neal has been living in Rome for the last year and (thanks to the marvelous wonder that is modern technology) we are able to chat frequently. I love hearing about his adventures in the land of

Panko Chicken Paillard

I love making things that allow me to get physical. In this case, wielding a meat mallet! A paillard (pronounced: pey-yahr) is a French technique, and is essentially a piece of meat (traditionally chicken or veal) that has been pounded

Panko Chicken Paillard

I love making things that allow me to get physical. In this case, wielding a meat mallet! A paillard (pronounced: pey-yahr) is a French technique, and is essentially a piece of meat (traditionally chicken or veal) that has been pounded