Greek lamb kebabs
Kebabs are a staple across the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Middle East diets and come in many forms.
Greek spinach, feta and lemon phyllo pie
Spinach pie is also known as spanakopita. It’s not too difficult to make though anything with phyllo dough sometimes feels a bit fiddly. This version makes it a bit easier
a bit about layering salt
The idea of thinking of salt in layers is something important to cooking. We often may just assume that adding salt to saucepan of boiling water for green beens, or...
Melissa Clarks’s Sole Meunière
This is a classic French dish that has few ingredients and requires the best of the best in fresh fish. You may see many choices...
Asparagus, Goat cheese Tart with Tarragon, chives, basil or mint
This recipe is from Melissa Clark, a recipe developer at the New York Times. It is s wonderfully pleasing and ideal when asparagus are newly sprouting in the early spring...
Zucchini with garlic & basil sauce
Caramelizing the zucchini in this recipe creates a different flavor which is deeper and richer. For a more summer version, you could lightly soften the zucchini and add a squirt...
Lebanese chicken meatball & halloumi salad with pomegranate dressing
You can make this is a salad or leave the greens out and have it alone.
Cauliflower fried rice
This recipe is ideal to whip up in a hurry, and also to use left over vegetable. I recommend carrots and peas as the base but you can add red,...
Pan Roasted Salmon with Broccolini
This one is with a refreshing lime flavor which bring a freshness, and some sunshine to the dish.
Mexico: Chicken Pozole soup
There are many variations of Pozole with different meats and ingredients that create red, white or green broths. It's the Mexican culture, and flag, in...
southeast asia: Laska soup
I’ve heard about this soup from friends of mine from India and living in Singapore. Both said it was the most amazing soup, ever!
Thailand: Thai Coconut Soup, Thai Kha Gai
Anything with coconut and some spice sounds delicious. Thai has to be one of my favorite cuisines. It's fresh but spicy, feels clean but satisfying.
korea: Kimchi Noodle Soup with Shrimp
Korean is know for its many soup options. One of the more popular ingredients, of late, is kimchi. A somewhat sour, almost funny concoction of...
Persia: Ash Reshteh (Persian Greens, Bean and Noodle Soup)
This is a popular Iranian soup that is rich, satisfying and easily creates an entire meal. Full of herbs, greens and chickpeas the flavors are delicious and quite different.
Cilantro lime chicken
Delicious, delicious, delicious! This is recipe is great on so many levels because it is really easy and the flavor is fantastic.
Liza’s fajita salad bowl with pico de gallo & guacamole
Food blogger and cook book author, Liza Cannata's recipe for us to enjoy. It's the perfect meal for a large group and can always included...
crunchy&crispy mustard chicken with potatoes
Who doesn’t love a meal cooked in one pan? This recipe has a wonderful flavor combination of mustard and white wine, yum! After many months, I pulled out a cookbook...
grilled zucchini ribbons
The simplicity of cooking seasonal, fresh zucchini is hard to beat. In the summer, you can grate or thinly slice for salad and they need nothing more. It’s pure perfection. ...
Summer salad of peaches, arugula, prosciutto and mozzarella
The bitterness of the greens with the sweetness of a perfectly ripe summer peach combines well with the salty flavor of a thinly sliced piece...
Pasta with summer zucchini, lemon and basil
I first made this pasta at a cooking class. We learned to make the pasta using a hand cranked pasta machine which was quite relaxing, and less time consuming than...
Chicken skewers with peanut sauce
These are great way to add a different style to a summer grill. The peanut sauce is a pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Fish en Papillote
The fish is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish.
Crunchy spring salad with peas & asparagus
What's not to love about this salad that features two of the early harvest vegetables that mark the start of spring.
One Pot Roast Chicken with vinaigrette
An easy and super versatile recipe that that is great as is or can be adapted to your own tastes.
ricotta cheese & spinach filling
A very easy ricotta cheese based filling that can be used to for eggplant rollatini or pasta shells. It’s super easy to make, and adds...
rolled eggplant with filling
This dish has a few moving parts but can be made in stages, prepared a few hours ahead, and you will be ready for any dinner. T
Pork and chive dumplings
Yum! Biting into a juicy dumpling with the pop of savory pork flavor scented with chives is so satisfying. Dumplings are a great thing to make together, with friends or...
Chinese longevity noodles with chicken, ginger & mushrooms
These noodles are part of a Chinese New Year celebration menu but also good anytime. Super fast to make and always delicious, you will no...
Classic Onion Soup
Nothing like a super satisfying bowl of this savory soup oozing with cheese on a cold winter’s night. Julia Child perfected the recipe in her cookbook, Mastering the Art of...
shredded Brussels sprouts salad
Brussel sprouts are a vegetable that can take some time to acquire the taste to enjoy, and usually are not a favorite of kids. I never liked them growing up...
Pork Wellington stuffed with apples & onions
Yum and yum! What is not to like about perfectly cooked pork wrapped in a delicious puffed pastry that gives you sweet and savory in...
roasted butternut squash soup
Nothing says winter like a warm bowl of butternut squash soup. Serve this to start to a winter meal, or as a full on meal maybe with a large hunk...
Lentils with pancetta, spinach & garlic olive oil
In Italy, lentils are served on New Year’s Eve in the belief that they will bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. In Roman times, each little round...
Pumpkin, chickpea and coconut curry
A delicious vegetarian and seasonal version of curry that is ideal for when butternut squash and pumpkins are loaded into the markets
Thai green curry
Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite foodie personalities, or should I say celebrity chefs. His approach to food is not fussy or complicated, and his recipes are fool proof. ...
Shrimp with orzo and spinach
This is a take on the classic recipe of shrimp scampi. I have never loved shrimp scampi and this recipe cuts through the richness of shrimp and butter with lots...
skillet chicken with couscous, halloumi & cucumber
A little bit of inspiration and flavors from Persian cuisine but with a twist. The cool flavors of the salsa add just the right sweetness...
Steak with orange peel and coriander spice
The combinations of orange flavor with steak is not something we would normally consider together. But Nik Sharma of A Brown Table calls this his “go to” spice mix for...
Eggplant Pilaf
This recipe is really a meal in itself. The spices make it flavorful and satisfying. It can be served alone, with any type of protein or a fresh green salad. ...
Everything spice salmon (or chicken) over tahini kale salad
Salads are often the choice for lunch but overlooked as an option for dinner. Or a salad becomes the “side dish” sitting next to the...
delicious Italian spaghetti & meatballs
There is almost nothing as comforting as a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Nothing sophisticated or too complicated but a plate of warm, satisfying pleasure that is almost a hug...
Summer salmon burgers
Anything on the grill for summer is always a great idea. You can feed a crowd and still be social while grilling away meats and vegetables.
Grilled shrimp tacos
You can stuff many things into a taco to make it delicious, and spicy grilled prawns are not an exception. I love them because the...
grilled rib eye steak with chive butter
Rib eye steak is one of the more tasty cuts of beef with either bone-in or out. For this recipe you can use either. The meat is also one of...
Herb scented Hassleback sweet potatoes
Something a bit fun to try that I’ve done before with white potatoes. But sweet potatoes are better for you nutritionally, and are often overlooked- at least in my saunter...
Lamb with herby breadcrumbs and mustard
A boneless leg of lamb has a milder flavor than that with the bone. The recipe here uses a mustard sauce that coats the meat...
Chicken, spinach & herbs in phyllo bundles
A dish with flavors of Greece and the classic Spanakopita. Here I have added the addition of chicken to the pungent flavors of herbs- chervil, parsley, and dill. Each piece...
charred broccoli with olive oil & lemon
You can keep this simple with lemon and olive oil, or add some red chili flakes, grated parmesan (or other type), pine nuts or sun dried tomatoes.
Stuffed Branzino Persian style
Making fish takes a bit of confidence. I say that for no other reason than because many people feel intimidated by it.
Risotto with mushrooms
Another flavor of risotto made with mushrooms. Select a variety of mushrooms that are fresh and will give the risotto a nice flavor. I think the best is a mixture...
A basic risotto with parmesan
Making risotto requires time. Time to allow the starch in the rice grains to slowly release creating the creamy consistency but firm bite of each grain.
US: potato leek & Jerusalem artichoke soup
A soup that is a creamy and a bit decadent but works perfectly for either lunch and dinner. You can use either Yukon or Russet...
Fish fillets with green beans & potatoes in pesto broth
This recipe creates a delicate broth that is then boldly flavored with pesto.
Classic Agnolotti dal Plin (meat filling for ravioli)
During the time of Italian Dukes, the large amounts of meat left over from celebrations were used to make Agnolotti al Plin. If you have any extra pieces of meat,...
Ricotta ravioli filling
Super easy and classic filling for any shape of ravioli. The creamy ricotta cheese is seasoned with just enough flavors to create a delicate filling. ...
ravioli dough
Ravioli dough is slightly different than a noodle pasta dough in that it has more egg yolks that create a greater amount of moisture, more fat and a brighter color.
Pasta with eggplant (alla Norma)
Pasta all Norma is a classic recipe containing only vegetables. The flavors of the eggplant, tomatoes and onions create a luscious sauce that coats the pasta in a delicious sauce.
fresh homemade pasta
Why not try making homemade pasta noodles? It is not difficult and adds an extra bit of pizzazz to any meal.
sesame crusted salmon rice bowls
Fabulous bowl food that samples some interesting flavors to complement the sesame crusted salmon. You can change the ingredients on top of the rice to include other favorites such as...
classic and delicious beef stroganoff
What is about beef stroganoff that makes it such a classic dish? Even if you have never eaten or prepared the rich, delicious dish, no doubt you’ve heard of it...
cod in tamarind, cilantro and fenugreek sauce
Fish or cod can often be served in delicate sauces or with very simple ingredients but here is a recipe that brings lots of spice...
the best ever tortilla soup
The spicy tomato-based broth with an entire rotisserie chicken is super filling...and satisfying. You can add 3-4 fresh strips of corn tortillas to soup with the onions, sautéing all together.
Italy: hearty lentil soup with spinach
This is a super simple soup that is backed with protein and iron. Lentils are common in many parts of the Mediterranean.
grilled sumac spiced chicken skewers with pomegranate glaze
Delicious! Juicy and tender chicken skewered with fennel and red onion finished with the bittersweet pomegranate glaze makes this recipe memorable. Cooking the skewers in...
garlic lamb cutlets with mustard mint sauce
The mint in the recipe cuts some of the stronger flavors often found in lamb while the mustard adds a bit of tartness. What is best of all, is the...
frittata with zucchini and mushrooms
Basically a frittata is an open faced Italian omelette or I often think of it as a type of quiche without the crust. The key difference between a frittata and...
grilled salmon on cedar boards
If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is...
grilled salmon on cedar boards
If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is rich, hearty and wonderful.
Roasted Tequila and Lime Chicken
The dish definitely "feels" Mexican but without overwhelming spices or heavy ingredients. The tang of the tequila and lime roast the chicken to create an unusual and clean flavor.
Chicken patties with pistachios, cumin, coriander and sumac
I enjoy experimenting with different types of meatballs or meat patties, not only changing the type of meat used but also the seasoning and the...
Pesto Salmon Papillote with green beans
The salmon is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish. You can also achieve delicious flavor using fresh herbs rather...
Lamb tagine with prunes & preserved lemons
The lamb version of tagine is richer than poultry or fish. The prunes give it a sweet, decadent taste.
Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives
The first Nomad inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, greatly influenced Moroccan cuisine creating the slow-cooked tagines and couscous. Tagines are wonderful, warm pots of comfort...
Chicken teriyaki bowls
Teriyaki sauce is actually as much of a cooking method, grilling, or “yaki” as it is in the sauce or glaze, “teri.” Believed to have been created in the 17th...
Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams)
One of the best memories of summers in Portugal is Linguine with clams. How unusual that an Italian dish ignites the tastes, sights and sounds of another country.
Indian butter chicken
If you have never made an Indian dish from scratch, here is the perfect one to try.
whole wheat pizza dough with mozzarella and tomatoes
My preference is whole wheat pizza crust. I like the texture better than regular white dough. It tends to be more chewy and satisfying.
Skewered Salmon Shawarma with lemons
The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.
Chicken Shawarma in the oven
The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.
Orange soy seared salmon
The mixture of honey, soy sauce and orange juice creates a fantastic glaze with a deep rich color and incredible flavor. And best of all the recipe is super simple...
Delicious miso salmon with ginger soy noodles
This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served for family dinner or could...
miso chicken with leeks, broccoli and noodles in broth
This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served...
roasted pork tenderloin with apples and onions
A pork tenderloin, cooked properly is the tenderest of meats, and the apples and onions add a savory sweet flavor that everyone will enjoy. I like to serve this dish...
Pork, apricot and tomato tagine
Morocco is one of my favorite places in the world, and of course tagines represent much of what there is to love in a beautiful part of the world.
Pumpkin Chili
A seasonal treat for the autumn season when pumpkin is on your mind! My niece, who is a nutritionist, posted a picture of the dish...
Pumpkin and ricotta filled ravioli (by hand) with butter and sage
Heavenly, creamy and seasonal homemade pumpkin ravioli that takes a bit of effort but results in an unforgettable dish. I recommend if you have never made your own pasta or...
Lime and Tumeric roast chicken
The recipe here is fool-proof and really delicious. The high cooking temperature of the oven cooks the chicken in 1 1/2 hours resulting in a beautiful crispy skin and very...
Not too spicy chili with red beans
A recipe staple that works well on a cold night when something warm, hearty and flavorful is called- I love to serve as a ‘help...
Juicy and tasty turkey burgers
Turkey burgers are a great alternative to beef burgers. In order to add lots of flavor, the fresh scallion, basil and capers create the perfect combination. I like to serve...
Spiced eggplant and peppers with bulgar wheat
I took this recipe from Julia Moskin in a New York Times article. Her recipe included pearl couscous but I made it with bulgar wheat since I had some in...
Prawns with fresh tomatoes
I first had this dish at my sister-in-law’s house. She is from Argentina, and grew up having the dish as a regular feature in many...
Florentine grilled steak (bistecca all fiorentina)
The simplicity of this recipe makes it ideal for any meal. The addition of a rub of fresh garlic after grilling adds such depth of flavor, you will never do...
Portuguese pork with clams
A classic Portuguese dish most often found on menus in the central area of Portugal called the Alentejo.
Cauliflower and Black Beans Enchiladas
A different, vegetarian take on traditional meat enchiladas that is delicious. When I first thought about this combination it seemed quite strange but the flavors,...
Best Beef Enchildadas
A friend of mine is a wonderful cook despite her protests to the contrary. I took this Enchilada recipe directly from her after enjoying the dish many times at her...
Grilled chicken with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes
Grilled chicken tastes great and is super fast and easy to prepare. I prefer it in the summer months but that being said, anytime really...
Curried mango and ginger chicken salad
I first made this recipe for a bridal shower with an English tea party theme. I wanted to keep the menu somewhat traditional with a few little twists, and thought...
Roast crispy chicken with fennel and onions
What I like about this recipe is the essence of the fennel and onion steam through the chicken while roasting, adding a deeper flavor.
Pasta Amatriciana
If you have ever been to Rome, Italy, you surely have seen Amatriciana pasta on the menu. It is a staple in Roman cuisine but...
