bountiful summer salad
Most of my meals are not complete unless there is a large bowl of salad.
Orzo with roasted eggplant
Orzo is one of those hybrids of pasta and rice that works well with so many meals. This recipe is great for lunch but most often I use it as...
Longing for asparagus
When asparagus is in season, the long, thin and delicious vegetable makes for the perfect companion to any grilled or roasted meat or fish or served on top of a...
grilled halloumi cheese
Halloumi is a delicious cheese to be served either as a starter course along with other classic mezze dishes, or as wonderful side dish, just...
roasted potatoes with garlic & rosemary
These potatoes are my go-to side dish because not only are they easy to prepare but they complement many different types of proteins – chicken, beef and fish. Many recipes...
Gyoza with dipping sauces
You do not have to makes these from scratch because there are so many good ones in the freezer section of grocery stores. I use frozen Gyoza from a local...
spinach with garlic and olive oil
Spinach, a vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals, and is now being usurped by its famous cousin, kale. But let’s not forget how wonderful fresh...
lovey potatoes
These potatoes are a little novelty to make whenever you want to send a little love. Yes, heart-shaped sliced potatoes…you are seeing correctly. You can easily create the shape with...
cucumber and mint yoghurt (mast-o-khiar)
There are many renditions of yoghurt and cucumber recipes including those with mint, dill and even pistachios. In Indian cuisine you have Raita, in Greek you will find Tzatziki, and...
lazy (s)mashed potatoes
Who likes peeling potatoes? I often make these potatoes when I do not want to bother to peel the skins of potatoes and want something...
roasted broccoli with sun dried tomatoes and pine nuts
How I love to use broccoli in lots of different ways. It is such a versatile vegetable, and you actually feel healthy eating it. Roasting broccoli in the oven brings...
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...
mexican black beans with garlic
Black beans. The staple of diets in most of the southern hemisphere and packed with protein and fiber. You can make this recipe from dried...
green beans… in a variety of ways
Green beans are my go-to vegetable – easy to cook, work with a large variety of main courses, most people enjoy them – and you can add lots of different...
horseradish sauce
A complement to so many dishes, I continually use this recipe for both meat and fish dishes. It is super simple to make and adds a kick of flavor to...
little gem with beets, red onion and feta dressing
Salads are a good start to any meal, especially if you are serving a main course that is heavier in texture and flavor, such as...
potato fritters with a touch of chives
Potatoes are the common side for many recipes. These potato fritters absorb all the lovely juices of your meat or fish, adding more flavor and a bit of crunch. They...
basic but beautiful rice
What more is there to say about a well-cooked bowl of rice? Simple, pure and such a perfect companion to a variety of dishes. I have a variety of different...
Orzo rice with or without fresh peas
Is it pasta or is it rice? Whatever you think it is, orzo is easy to make and results in a good complement to many...
simple green salad with fennel
This salad is extremely simple and full of flavor. The fennel is what makes it so good….well the fennel and really tossing the salad with seasoning. I think the key...
delicious leeks with white beans
Leeks are not something often served as a side dish vegetable but more often used as the base for seasoning sauces and other dishes. In England, serving leeks as a...
fresh and traditional guacamole
This recipe is from a cooking class, Flavors for Mexico, I took at La Cocina Cooking School in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Guacamole recipes...
luscious Burrata cheese with tomatoes or roasted peppers
Burrata or mozzarella cheese makes an easy, delicious first course or side dish for any type of meal- Italian or otherwise. The flavors of tomatoes can vary tremendously when not...
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...
roasted kale with chickpeas
Roasting kale, as in this recipe, makes a wonderful side dish, complement to fish or meat and even a tasty snack. You can complete all...
bold broccolini with garlic and ginger
The broccoli can be boiled the day before and stored in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator a least an hour before and then prepare with the sesame oil, garlic...
coconut rice
The coconut milk in this recipe adds just a hint of sweetness- not too overwhelming but nicely perfumed. This recipe adds just a light hint of coconut to the taste....
