American

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 as smoking, braising, or roasting,...

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,...

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 broil the shrimp for a...

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 a pie dish.

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 your liking, or find ways...

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. 

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...

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 shrimp and butter with lots...

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...

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 crisp up but the interiors...

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...

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 vein of the kale and...

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...

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...

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...

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 on her Instagram and I...

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 yourself” buffet along with bowls...

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 combination. I like to serve...

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 flavor of pesto complements the...

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...

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...

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...

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 easily create the shape with...

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...