American

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Shallots

Roasting or frying Brussels sprouts until they become crispy on the outside and tender on the inside provides a satisfying crunch that many people enjoy. This crispy texture contrasts beautifully...

Slow Cooked beef brisket

When cooking beef brisket, it’s important to give it plenty of time to break down the collagen and become tender. Slow, low-temperature cooking methods, such...

Winter Panzanella Salad

Salads are good all year long because greens can serve as the base for seasonal vegetables.  For more heartiness, you can add lots of seeds, nuts and cheeses and the...

Butternut squash and carrot soup

Nothing like a bowl of savory soup to warm the soul.  You can make this a vegan version by using coconut milk rather than whole milk, and vegetable broth or...

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Though grilling shrimp is a bit fiddley given there are so many little pieces, this recipe is easy to prepare.  You can also choose to...

Grilled summer squash with feta

Move over tomatoes because squash is coming through….and boy are they good in the summer.  This salad allows the flavors of the squash shine with fresh ingredients that create a...

Berry Skillet Cobbler

What’s summer without a dessert using the fresh berries that are so abundant.  If you don’t have a skillet for the recipe, you can use...

mini root beer floats

Sometimes you just want a little shot of sweetness at the end of the meal, and this recipe is a great solution.  You will bring smiles to everyone around the...

remoulade for everything

The ideal sauce for meat, fish, shrimp or chicken which just brings an extra tangy flavor to everything!  You can also adapt the recipe to...

Pickled red onion

Pickled onions go with everything but taste fantastic with a burger.  You can also add them to salads for an extra pop of flavor.

the perfect hamburger

When enjoying a hamburger, don’t skimp on taste for some idea that less calories are important.  The meat to fat ration of 80-20 applies and results in the juciest hamburger. ...

Crispy, crispy kale

Kale is great anytime of the year, and eating crispy kale makes it feel like an indulgent treat.  I like to serve on the side of many different grilled meats...

orange bundt cake

The cake is baked and then soaked with orange juice, and then gets another punch of flavor with an orange glaze.

Fish en Papillote

The fish is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish. 

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...

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...

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

October is all about pumpkins, and this recipe is great to take advantage of the seasonal harvest.  There is something about a warm cookie that just warms the heart.

sweet potato fries

A healthier alternative to regular potato fries, sweet potato fries contain Vitamin A, C and E.  Oven roasting at a high temperature allows them to...

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.

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...

Black pepper chocolate cake

It is almost like a blank canvas because though the recipe here is with black pepper, you can also substitute many different ingredients and spices.

garlic bread

Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Somehow it works just as well with a plate of spaghetti or a big bowl of soup.

molten chocolate cake

A molten cake feels intimidating but you'll be surprised how easy it is to make this "sophisticated" dessert.  Y

green, green salad

Salads are usually green and this one adapted from Samrin Nosrat for New York Times cooking is especially green- not a color in sight!  Given I am not a big...

superfoods chopped salad

Kale salad is very good with a dressing that is a little creamy given the tough leaves. I like to remove the “rib” or large...

Buttermilk marble cake

Can't decide between a vanilla or chocolate cake then this is the choice for you.  I adapted the recipe slightly from The New York Time's cooking website. 

strawberry cheesecake cupcakes

The "cheesecake" in the recipe is nothing more than cream cheese icing.  Rich and delicious icing that sits atop a fluffy vanilla cake containing fresh strawberries.

sweet and savory red cabbage

Ahhh red cabbage, beautiful in color and wonderful to serve with a roasted pork, lamb or chicken.  I like to serve as a side dish but you can top on...

Viennese crescent cookies

Another of my mother’s “famous” Christmas cookies.  These are melt-in-your mouth delicious because they are rather delicate.  I love the flavor of almonds with the dusting of confectioner’s sugar with...

Christmas tree pressed cookies

The Christmas season begins when my mother makes her “famous” Christmas cookies. As our family has grown, her quantities have increased and she freezes the cookies as they are prepared...

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 spice cocktail

The recipe for this drink was inspired by Autumn colors and the flavors of the squashes and apples you find in the market.

Apple crisp bars

Apples are good anytime of the year and this dessert is great anytime of the day- including as a morning treat.  Given the crumble topping, you can think of it...

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...

salmon with fresh pesto

Fresh pesto can be delicious on a variety of different fishes but works especially well with a luscious piece of salmon fillet.  The spicy, bright...

Lemon parmesan baked chicken

What can make a chicken breast more interesting? This recipe takes chicken to a new level with the sharp flavor of parmesan cheese offset by the freshness of lemon.

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...

Oh my lemon & basil sorbet

When lemons are ripe in California, my friends know I love using them and send me dozens straight from their gardens – my sister Joanna’s from Sonoma, my friend Bernadette’s...

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 whimsical fun. When we moved...

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...

perfect buttermilk pancakes

Ahh, the pancake…fluffy, scrumptiously decadent round cakes cooked in a pan and then stacked on a plate.  Pour over some maple syrup and all the flavors come alive. The New...

the best ever key lime pie

Ahhhh….key lime pie is creamy and tart and creamy and delicious, and the recipe is a real showstopper. Making the pie could not be more simple, and the cookie crust...

creamy tomato soup to love

What a delicious way to show your love.  Creamy tomato soup is surprisingly satisfying, and the heart-shaped croutons add a fun, loving way to make it...