Category Archives: Spring/Summer

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

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

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Summer is at a close, and as usual I am clinging onto it like a young babe holds onto his mother. This juice is something I’ve been making all summer long; it is so simple and refreshing. I figured if

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Summer is at a close, and as usual I am clinging onto it like a young babe holds onto his mother. This juice is something I’ve been making all summer long; it is so simple and refreshing. I figured if

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

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

Pineapple Sorbet
I don’t know if it is just my taste buds, but for me, the pineapple is simultaneously contrasting in being sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, and even salty. The pineapple’s distinct flavor really packs a punch and can be sometimes overwhelming.

Pineapple Sorbet
I don’t know if it is just my taste buds, but for me, the pineapple is simultaneously contrasting in being sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, and even salty. The pineapple’s distinct flavor really packs a punch and can be sometimes overwhelming.

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

Plum Sorbet
Ah, plums… one of those refreshing fruits that can’t be beat. They are the perfect size to snack on, with that great combination of being simultaneously both tart and sweet. And as the season ends, while most people will start

Plum Sorbet
Ah, plums… one of those refreshing fruits that can’t be beat. They are the perfect size to snack on, with that great combination of being simultaneously both tart and sweet. And as the season ends, while most people will start

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

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

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

Boba Milk Tea
Also known as Bubble Tea and Pearl Tea, I used to get confused; why did this drink have so many different names? Well, after some sleuthing, I learned that originally this beverage was prepared without the tapioca balls. It was

Boba Milk Tea
Also known as Bubble Tea and Pearl Tea, I used to get confused; why did this drink have so many different names? Well, after some sleuthing, I learned that originally this beverage was prepared without the tapioca balls. It was

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

Strawberry Sorbet
While I do love the creamy tang of Strawberry Ice Cream, the pure and crisp bite of this berry shines even brighter as a sorbet. When in this icy form, it is beautifully bright red and is wonderfully sweet, with

Strawberry Sorbet
While I do love the creamy tang of Strawberry Ice Cream, the pure and crisp bite of this berry shines even brighter as a sorbet. When in this icy form, it is beautifully bright red and is wonderfully sweet, with

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

Strawberry Ice-Cream
Spring is in full swing, and summer is just around the corner. And that means one of my favorite fruits are coming into season: the strawberry. I love the crisp and sweet, with just a little tang, bite they have.

Strawberry Ice-Cream
Spring is in full swing, and summer is just around the corner. And that means one of my favorite fruits are coming into season: the strawberry. I love the crisp and sweet, with just a little tang, bite they have.

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

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,