heart-y grilled cheese
A combination of hot creamy tomato soup and heart-shaped grilled cheese is not only good for Valentine’s Day but anytime you want to have some...
simple is beautiful, rose centerpiece
Creating a striking centerpiece does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. Every once in a while, I love the beauty and simplicity (and tradition) of red roses. In a...
veal with prosciutto and sage (saltimbocca alla romana)
Literally the name of this Roman recipe means “jump in the mouth” referring to how delicious the meal tastes. Some people feel uncomfortable serving veal, and a good substitute for...
my favorite rigatoni pasta with eggplant & ricotta sauce
In a perfect world, I would eat pasta at every meal…along with a crunchy, crispy salad…just pure happiness. And rigatoni pasta is one of the...
vietnamese chicken salad
Now this is a really good salad with its crunchy, salty, sweet and tart melange of flavors. The first time I made it was in a class with a cookbook...
deliciously good flank steak with cocoa-coffee rub
An easy seasoning made of cocoa, coffee and a bit of cayenne pepper for flank steak or any type of beef. Delicious!
minted lamb meatballs with fresh peas & asparagus
These lamb meatballs are light and delicious because of the blend of fresh mint and parsley. It is best made in spring when fresh peas...
spiced up lamb Koofteh
I have made a lot of meatballs with beef, turkey, pork, and veal but Persian cuisine introduced me to the lamb meatball. Each region has a different name for its...
turkey meatballs with pesto
I usually but spinach in meatballs but one day, I had no spinach and thought that pesto would be a good flavor to add to the mixture. The extra benefit...
herby chicken & spinach meatballs
Meatball, meatball, what's not to like about these mouthfuls of chicken, spinach and a few spices. The recipe has been taken from many different sources,...
super moist and juicy turkey meatballs
Turkey is not meat that is often thought about outside of a holiday or on the occasional sandwich. And when not cooked properly, it tends to be dry and tasteless....
slow cooked lamb with garlic and rosemary
Slow roasting lamb allows all the garlic and rosemary to work magic, plus the acidity of the malt vinegar and the sweetness of the brown sugar adds the perfect balance...
the classic grilled filet steak
Grilling steak may take a few tries to master but the key is not to overcook, if anything, undercook because you can always cook it...
roasted chicken with herbs, potatoes and fennel
Roast chicken always perplexes me because I find the cooking temperature of a juicy, well done interior compared to the crispy, golden skin on the exterior a bit difficult to...
fabulous fish cakes
Fish cakes are delicious for a light and flavorful lunch or a starter course. Slightly unexpected and always appreciated, it is hard to go wrong with this recipe. The only...
perfect balance of flavors
making it slowly – cooked carnitas
Mexican food is ideal meal for casual, fun get-togethers, especially if any kids are involved. Fresh Mexican food is a crowd pleaser and carnitas are delicious and super easy. The...
It’s pesto
Fresh basil has such a strong, wonderful fragrance. It fills a room with its aroma and just begs to be put into some amazing dish. Liguria is a region in...
rich and warm french onion soup
Having returned from a cooking class called ‘French Cooking at Home” at Sur La Table in San Francisco, I was reminded how delicious a hot,...
crispy pork in lettuce cups with lime chili dressing
A recipe with lots of flavor and one that can be made well in advance- the flavors of the pork actually get better if made the day before. Served as...
An easy Lasagne
Why is this lasagne easier? Because Bechamel sauce is eliminated and only a meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese is layered. I prefer no Bechamel because the density of the...
Marcella Hazan’s classic Bolognese sauce
Marcella Hazan is the author of the most popular Italian cookbook in the US, called Essentials of Italian cooking. Her bolognes sauce, or ragù, is...
the perfect meat sauce (for filling)
There are hundreds of different Bolognese sauces, also known as ragù. This one is my own recipe that has been adapted over the years. The use of two different type...
Pasta Bolognese sauce (Ragù)
There are hundreds of different Bolognese sauces, also known as ragù. This one is my own recipe that has been adapted over the years. The use of two different type...
fresh and easy tomato sauce
This sauce is quite simple and is made with fresh cherry or baby tomatoes. I like to mini San Marzano Plum tomatoes but buy what...
honey soy roasted salmon
I don’t remember when I first started making this dish and it has been changed and adapted over the years. Salmon is such a hearty, flavorful fish making it ideal...
