Recipes

Insalata mista

The ingredients in most parts of Italy are so delicious and fresh that most of the salad and vegetable dishes are very simply prepared.  You...

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...

Lemon meringue pot de creme

Lemon is pure happiness.  It’s bright, colorful, and with a bit of sugar makes the ideal dessert.  When I saw this recipe, both from Nigella Lawson and New York Times...

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,...

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!

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 pico de gallo

Liza's recipe takes a bit of a twist on this classic, fresh salsa by using cherry tomatoes which add more sweetness and color. 

Liza’s guacamole

There are many different recipes for guacamole, and ingredients vary depending on the region of Mexico. This version by food blogger and cookbook author, Liza...

oaty peach cobbler

The oatmeal in this cobbler turns it into a less traditional version of a classic.  I recommend adding a bit of basil to the peaches to create a different flavor...

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...

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. ...

Plum and frangipane tart

Oh my goodness, this tart is full of good flavors, you just may want to eat the whole thing in one sitting. Frangipane sounds fancy but is so easy to...

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. 

An Apple Galette

There's almost no dessert more classic than a galette.  You can make this with berries, peaches, pears or apples, or even try a combination of different fruits. 

torta della nonna

How can you not love a tart named after a grandmother, “torta della nonna” or Grandmother’s tart?

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 great flavor to Italian style...

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...

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...

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...

Carrots with carrot top pesto

Carrots are often not a common vegetable to serve alone.  You usually find them snuggled next to a roasted potato or alongside a cucumber on...

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...

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...

roasted sumac cauliflower

A very simple side dish from Naz Deravian in the cookbook, Bottom of the Pot.  With just five ingredients you have a delicious side dish in 35 minutes. photo:  from...

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.

rainbow root riata

A simple different take on the more traditional riata that adds beets and carrots to the yogurt and cucumber mix. 

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. ...

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...

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...

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 different flavor and texture they...

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...

a Greek salad

The classic Greek salad has only fresh vegetables and no lettuces.  Here is a version that I like to make though often I remove the...

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.

basmati rice with dill

This super easy rice recipe with dill is just a nice change to plain.  There are many good recipes for dill rice that have more...

Mini arancini rice balls

If you have any leftover risotto, which tends to be more glutinous when cold, arancini balls are the ideal way to use up extra. 

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.

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