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
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
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
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.
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
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
How to Make Vanilla Extract
If you like to bake, then you know vanilla extract is one of your best friends in the kitchen. It goes into just about everything because its subtle flavor and aroma enhances whatever it is paired with. Which brings me
How to Make Vanilla Extract
If you like to bake, then you know vanilla extract is one of your best friends in the kitchen. It goes into just about everything because its subtle flavor and aroma enhances whatever it is paired with. Which brings me
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
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Tacos
I am a big fan of breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day. I know many of us are busiest in the morning with work, school, and kids, that breakfast is often overlooked. Just because
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Tacos
I am a big fan of breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day. I know many of us are busiest in the morning with work, school, and kids, that breakfast is often overlooked. Just because
Quick + Easy Party Favors: Cookie Satchels
Whenever I have company over, I make it a point to always put my best foot forward, from the moment my guests arrive, up to the moment they leave to go home for the night. We get together for drinks,
Quick + Easy Party Favors: Cookie Satchels
Whenever I have company over, I make it a point to always put my best foot forward, from the moment my guests arrive, up to the moment they leave to go home for the night. We get together for drinks,
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
Homemade Potato Chips
I love potato chips. Love, love, love, love! Well, maybe I’m overreacting a little, seeing as how I also love, love, love French fries! I don’t know what it is, but there is something about crispy pieces of potato that
Homemade Potato Chips
I love potato chips. Love, love, love, love! Well, maybe I’m overreacting a little, seeing as how I also love, love, love French fries! I don’t know what it is, but there is something about crispy pieces of potato that
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
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
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,
Chocolate Mousse Coffee Cups
A while back I shared a recipe for making chocolate mousse. It was made using raw egg whites, which gave the mousse its light and airy structure. But for some, the idea of having raw eggs can be less than
Chocolate Mousse Coffee Cups
A while back I shared a recipe for making chocolate mousse. It was made using raw egg whites, which gave the mousse its light and airy structure. But for some, the idea of having raw eggs can be less than
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
French Vanilla Ice-Cream
I’ve said before (in a previous recipe post) that my favorite flavor is vanilla – so classic, but oh so subtle in its variations. While I generally gravitate toward the lighter, crisper taste of a vanilla bean ice-cream, there are
French Vanilla Ice-Cream
I’ve said before (in a previous recipe post) that my favorite flavor is vanilla – so classic, but oh so subtle in its variations. While I generally gravitate toward the lighter, crisper taste of a vanilla bean ice-cream, there are
How to Hold a Knife (Pinch Grip)
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting beautiful ingredients and trying new recipes that we forget that we should also spend time on the basics. Properly handling a knife is, in my opinion, one of the essential skills we
How to Hold a Knife (Pinch Grip)
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting beautiful ingredients and trying new recipes that we forget that we should also spend time on the basics. Properly handling a knife is, in my opinion, one of the essential skills we
Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream
Is it me, or has ice-cream seen a resurgence in popularity recently? For a while, it seemed all the rage was for fancy frozen yogurt shops, and their infinite number of topping combinations. I was never a fan of frozen
Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream
Is it me, or has ice-cream seen a resurgence in popularity recently? For a while, it seemed all the rage was for fancy frozen yogurt shops, and their infinite number of topping combinations. I was never a fan of frozen
I'm Not A Cook 