Category Archives: Sides

Salad Mix

We live in a health conscious world these days, and especially here in San Francisco, sometimes it’s hard to not feel the pressure to stay on top of it when it comes to clean and healthy eating. We all know

Salad Mix

We live in a health conscious world these days, and especially here in San Francisco, sometimes it’s hard to not feel the pressure to stay on top of it when it comes to clean and healthy eating. We all know

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

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

Vegetable Gravy

In an effort to not deprive my vegetarian and vegan friends of the joy that is sopping wet gravy smothered all over your meal… This simple method of making a meat-less version came to me as I was boiling potatoes.

Vegetable Gravy

In an effort to not deprive my vegetarian and vegan friends of the joy that is sopping wet gravy smothered all over your meal… This simple method of making a meat-less version came to me as I was boiling potatoes.

Brussels Sprout Slaw

I love brussel sprouts. When people tell me they aren’t a fan, I always ask why and the most common answer is that the sprouts they usually eat are over cooked. Yes, over cooked brussel sprouts are not the most

Brussels Sprout Slaw

I love brussel sprouts. When people tell me they aren’t a fan, I always ask why and the most common answer is that the sprouts they usually eat are over cooked. Yes, over cooked brussel sprouts are not the most

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

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

Soy Kale Chips

When it comes to kale, I find people either love or loathe it. As for me, I will admit that I’m not much of a fan- its dense texture and lack of natural flavor is akin to eating cardboard. That

Soy Kale Chips

When it comes to kale, I find people either love or loathe it. As for me, I will admit that I’m not much of a fan- its dense texture and lack of natural flavor is akin to eating cardboard. That

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

Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic-Glazed Bacon

These little mini cabbages have always had a bad rap, mostly because they are generally cooked to death- being boiled or steamed until they become gray and mushy, with a sulphuric smell. Brussels sprouts do have a distinct taste, but

Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic-Glazed Bacon

These little mini cabbages have always had a bad rap, mostly because they are generally cooked to death- being boiled or steamed until they become gray and mushy, with a sulphuric smell. Brussels sprouts do have a distinct taste, but

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

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

Mashed Potatoes

I think mashed potatoes were one of the first things I learned to make as a child. It was probably equal parts ease of doing and desire of eating. To this day, I still love a big pile of this

Mashed Potatoes

I think mashed potatoes were one of the first things I learned to make as a child. It was probably equal parts ease of doing and desire of eating. To this day, I still love a big pile of this

Grilled Corn on the Cob

I love corn! It is the one vegetable I always look forward to enjoying as I wake my grill from its hibernation for the upcoming summer season. I usually like to marinate corn and grill them wrapped in foil, but

Grilled Corn on the Cob

I love corn! It is the one vegetable I always look forward to enjoying as I wake my grill from its hibernation for the upcoming summer season. I usually like to marinate corn and grill them wrapped in foil, but

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

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,

Romaine Wedge Salad

The thing I like about salads is the creative license that can be taken when building them. There are so many options of ingredients to choose from. Which greens? Just one type, or a mix of lettuces? What kind of

Romaine Wedge Salad

The thing I like about salads is the creative license that can be taken when building them. There are so many options of ingredients to choose from. Which greens? Just one type, or a mix of lettuces? What kind of

Bean and Bell Pepper Salad

In the mad rush of roasting, baking, searing, braising, and frying, sometimes we forget that there is another option: none of the above.  This is a quick and easy no-cook dish that can accompany any meal, or stand on its

Bean and Bell Pepper Salad

In the mad rush of roasting, baking, searing, braising, and frying, sometimes we forget that there is another option: none of the above.  This is a quick and easy no-cook dish that can accompany any meal, or stand on its

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

Roasted Portobello Mushroom

I love mushrooms, and the portobello is at the top of my list of favorite edible fungi.  It has such great complex flavors and a wonderfully meaty, yet silky texture when you bite into it.  And because it has a

Roasted Portobello Mushroom

I love mushrooms, and the portobello is at the top of my list of favorite edible fungi.  It has such great complex flavors and a wonderfully meaty, yet silky texture when you bite into it.  And because it has a