Chicken, spinach & herbs in phyllo bundles
A dish with flavors of Greece and the classic Spanakopita. Here I have added the addition of chicken to the pungent flavors of herbs- chervil,...
cinnamon & citrus almond cigars
A delicious dessert that is easier to make than it looks, and definitely a different type of flavors.
charred broccoli with olive oil & lemon
You can keep this simple with lemon and olive oil, or add some red chili flakes, grated parmesan (or other type), pine nuts or sun dried tomatoes.
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.
Stuffed Branzino Persian style
Making fish takes a bit of confidence. I say that for no other reason than because many people feel intimidated by it.
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 steps but this one seems...
arugula, asparagus, pinenuts and fresh basil salad
Anything with basil just tastes better, not to mention its bright, spicy flavor just makes you feel better.
bulgur wheat with tomatoes, eggplant & pomegranate molasses
Bulgur wheat is a wonderful grain that is common in parts of the Levant and Persia.
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...
chocolate almond and amaretti custards
I’ve never been big on pudding but for these little custard pots, I’ll make an exception.
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...
homemade ricotta with lemon & pepper
My nephew brought over some fresh ricotta one day when we were making ravioli. I was beyond impressed and told him it was too much for me to ever consider. ...
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.
US: potato leek & Jerusalem artichoke soup
A soup that is a creamy and a bit decadent but works perfectly for either lunch and dinner. You can use either Yukon or Russet...
molten chocolate cake
A molten cake feels intimidating but you'll be surprised how easy it is to make this "sophisticated" dessert. Y
shaved fennel, orange and almond salad
This salad is fantastic, especially if you are looking for another way to eat your greens.
roasted Jerusalem artichokes and baby potatoes
Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes look like fat, little knobs of something strange, and could easily be mistaken for a piece of ginger. But don’t let...
pan cooked butter garlic lamb with mint sauce
There is nothing like a well cooked and seasoned piece of lamb for a weekend lunch or dinner. Lamb works well with so many different herbs but butter and garlic...
Fish fillets with green beans & potatoes in pesto broth
This recipe creates a delicate broth that is then boldly flavored with pesto.
Classic Agnolotti dal Plin (meat filling for ravioli)
During the time of Italian Dukes, the large amounts of meat left over from celebrations were used to make Agnolotti al Plin. If you have...
Ricotta ravioli filling
Super easy and classic filling for any shape of ravioli. The creamy ricotta cheese is seasoned with just enough flavors to create a delicate filling. If you are feeling adventurous...
ravioli dough
Ravioli dough is slightly different than a noodle pasta dough in that it has more egg yolks that create a greater amount of moisture, more fat and a brighter color.
Pasta with eggplant (alla Norma)
Pasta all Norma is a classic recipe containing only vegetables. The flavors of the eggplant, tomatoes and onions create a luscious sauce that coats the...
fresh homemade pasta
Why not try making homemade pasta noodles? It is not difficult and adds an extra bit of pizzazz to any meal.
baked pears with mascarpone cream & granola
Baking pears is a super easy dessert that is best right when all the luscious variety of pears are in season
Yotam Ottolenghi’s no churn raspberry ice cream
An ice cream that does not need to be mixed in an ice cream maker-- and you can use frozen raspberries!
chickpeas and swiss chard with yogurt
A recipe adapted from Yotam Ottolenghi that can be made up to 6 hours in advance, minus yogurt finish, and served either warm or at room temperature. Now that is...
sesame crusted salmon rice bowls
Fabulous bowl food that samples some interesting flavors to complement the sesame crusted salmon. You can change the ingredients on top of the rice to include other favorites such as...
green salad with asian vinaigrette
Salads with different types of dressings always add a fresh addition to any meal. The crispy textures, variety of vegetables (hopefully in season), and blend...
lemon almond butter cake
This cake had me at lemon and almond but then add the word "butter" and you have a dream dessert.
brown sugar layer cake with cranberry buttercream
This recipe looks so delicious and it takes advantage of the fresh cranberries that are still in season. If you are feeling ambitious, try to make the sugared cranberry for...
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...
classic and delicious beef stroganoff
What is about beef stroganoff that makes it such a classic dish? Even if you have never eaten or prepared the rich, delicious dish, no doubt you’ve heard of it...
cod in tamarind, cilantro and fenugreek sauce
Fish or cod can often be served in delicate sauces or with very simple ingredients but here is a recipe that brings lots of spice to your plate.
the best ever tortilla soup
The spicy tomato-based broth with an entire rotisserie chicken is super filling...and satisfying. You can add 3-4 fresh strips of corn tortillas to soup with...
easy to make homemade granola- you’ll never buy it again
You’ll never make granola again after realizing how easy it is to create a delicious mix. You can even experiment with different spices, nuts or sweeteners. I make this every...
Italy: hearty lentil soup with spinach
This is a super simple soup that is backed with protein and iron. Lentils are common in many parts of the Mediterranean.
raspberry crostata
Do you like a slightly crispy crust that is not too rich and not too thick? Here you go, this recipe is just right for...
winter salad with persimmons, pears, grapes and nuts
A gorgeous fall or winter salad with the bounty of seasonal fruits that complement a warm roasted meat or chicken. Actually it can even be a stand alone meal for...
grilled sumac spiced chicken skewers with pomegranate glaze
Delicious! Juicy and tender chicken skewered with fennel and red onion finished with the bittersweet pomegranate glaze makes this recipe memorable. Cooking the skewers in the oven versus grilling, creates...
garlic lamb cutlets with mustard mint sauce
The mint in the recipe cuts some of the stronger flavors often found in lamb while the mustard adds a bit of tartness. What is...
Pumpkin cinnamon panna cotta
Pumpkin, oh pumpkin! Autumn is my favorite month and finding new ways to use pumpkin is always something to bring out the creativity.
frittata with zucchini and mushrooms
Basically a frittata is an open faced Italian omelette or I often think of it as a type of quiche without the crust. The key difference between a frittata and...
frozen mexican hot chocolate
This is not the most traditional of recipes but just an easy, fun way to end any dinner– whether a Mexican feast or otherwise. More...
orange lime olive oil cake
Any cake using olive oil rather than butter creates a dessert that feels more decadent.
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...
grilled salmon on cedar boards
If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is...
grilled salmon on cedar boards
If you have never made salmon on cedar planks you will find it hard to ever eat salmon in a different way. The flavor is rich, hearty and wonderful.
Roasted Tequila and Lime Chicken
The dish definitely "feels" Mexican but without overwhelming spices or heavy ingredients. The tang of the tequila and lime roast the chicken to create an unusual and clean flavor.
Chicken patties with pistachios, cumin, coriander and sumac
I enjoy experimenting with different types of meatballs or meat patties, not only changing the type of meat used but also the seasoning and the...
Pesto Salmon Papillote with green beans
The salmon is wrapped in parchment paper, in a cooking method known as “en papillote” which gently steams the fish. You can also achieve delicious flavor using fresh herbs rather...
Rosemary Lemon No Knead Bread
When I first was given this recipe I thought the bread would be terrible. No kneading seemed to go against the little I know about bread making. Normally working the...
plain couscous
In Morocco the most common couscous is plain, and it serves as the base for Tagines. It is usually steamed in a couscoussier, over the...
Lamb tagine with prunes & preserved lemons
The lamb version of tagine is richer than poultry or fish. The prunes give it a sweet, decadent taste.
Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives
The first Nomad inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, greatly influenced Moroccan cuisine creating the slow-cooked tagines and couscous. Tagines are wonderful, warm pots of comfort comprised of amazing spices with...
Julia Child’s Berry Clafoutis
Is it a pancake, a crepe, a cake? Clafoutis, pronounce klafuti, is delicious and a welcome change to other desserts.
Chicken teriyaki bowls
Teriyaki sauce is actually as much of a cooking method, grilling, or “yaki” as it is in the sauce or glaze, “teri.” Believed to have been created in the 17th...
Pinzimonio- fresh vegetable salad
Pinzimonio is fresh, seasonal vegetables or shaved vegetables, tossed together in a lemon-olive oil based dressing, no salad greens necessary.
Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams)
One of the best memories of summers in Portugal is Linguine with clams. How unusual that an Italian dish ignites the tastes, sights and sounds...
Indian butter chicken
If you have never made an Indian dish from scratch, here is the perfect one to try.
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.
Oven roasted shrimp with breadcrumbs and feta
The lush tomato-fennel based sauce is quite satisfying.. I am not one to normally enjoy seafood or fish with cheese but this works quite well.
Yorkshire puddings
A very easy recipe from New York Times Cooking which goes well with a Sunday roast. The most traditional way to serve is with roast beef and gravy.
Vanilla sheet cake with orange cream cheese frosting
Sheet cake is often thought of for a big party, birthday or otherwise. But why? It is really no different than a regular layer cake though maybe not as elegant...
whole wheat pizza dough with mozzarella and tomatoes
My preference is whole wheat pizza crust. I like the texture better than regular white dough. It tends to be more chewy and satisfying.
Thai salad with peanut dressing
The recipe from Jennifer Segal, Once Upon a Chef, is delicious. The dressing could be used on so many other vegetables, or even a grilled chicken breast.
Orange cream crêpe cake
Making a crêpe cake requires a bit of time and patience (and now I understand their high prices in retail). But if you break the process up into two days,...
Skewered Salmon Shawarma with lemons
The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.
Chicken Shawarma in the oven
The lemon, olive oil and garlic flavors are delicious, and the tumeric creates a bright, wonderful color that adds a subtle taste and visual appeal.
Orange soy seared salmon
The mixture of honey, soy sauce and orange juice creates a fantastic glaze with a deep rich color and incredible flavor. And best of all the recipe is super simple...
Lemon olive oil cake with blueberries and almonds
The bright beautiful fruit brings sunshine inside -whether you squeeze their juice into a cake, make a lemon sorbet or fill large bowls and vases...
focaccia with rosemary
Focaccia....most common in Liguria, Italy made popular by the city of Genoa. In other parts of Italy the name is schiacciata or crescentina.
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.
lemon tea loaf
I started making this cake many years ago for weekends in the English countryside. Making the cake using grams as the form of measure assures...
Delicious miso salmon with ginger soy noodles
This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served for family dinner or could...
miso chicken with leeks, broccoli and noodles in broth
This hearty soup with the addition of ramen and broccoli, and a base of chicken broth is deeply satisfying and filling enough to be served for family dinner or could...
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...
roasted pork tenderloin with apples and onions
A pork tenderloin, cooked properly is the tenderest of meats, and the apples and onions add a savory sweet flavor that everyone will enjoy. I like to serve this dish...
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...
Peppermint meringues
I love making meringues and these are ideal for the holiday season. The little mouthfuls of sugar, egg white and a hint of peppermint are delicious and perfect for after...
Delicious lamb curry
My friend Priya grew up in Mumbai and moved to the US about 20 years ago. Her family still lives in Mumbai and she spends much of her free time...
vanilla coconut panna cotta with persimmons, oranges and pomegranates
The topping of persimmons, oranges, and pomegranates is best in late autumn and early winter when persimmons are in season.
Pork, apricot and tomato tagine
Morocco is one of my favorite places in the world, and of course tagines represent much of what there is to love in a beautiful part of the world.
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...
Pumpkin and ricotta filled ravioli (by hand) with butter and sage
Heavenly, creamy and seasonal homemade pumpkin ravioli that takes a bit of effort but results in an unforgettable dish. I recommend if you have never made your own pasta or...
Pumpkin roulade with mascarpone and chocolate chip cream
I have been making this recipe for years, first finding the idea from Ina Garten's cookbook, Back to Basics. I have adapted slightly with the use of a bit of...
Saffron roast potatoes
An easy roast potato recipe that pleases the sight and the senses, and the ideal partner to any protein but especially with the Lime and...
Lime and Tumeric roast chicken
The recipe here is fool-proof and really delicious. The high cooking temperature of the oven cooks the chicken in 1 1/2 hours resulting in a beautiful crispy skin and very...
Pumpkin bread with cinnamon crumble topping
When the weather begins to cool down, and the leaves are changing color, I start to crave anything pumpkin. Pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin bread are all such wonderful...
Delicious eggplant with sun-dried tomatoes & pomegranate
I first served Eggplant with Pomegranate at dinner for friends, and to this day when I see one of the guests, she still mentions the...
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.
Kale and mushroom stir fry
A delicious stir fry that can be made with leftover rice, or I make rice the day before preparing recipe and keep refrigerated. You can...
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...
Spiced eggplant and peppers with bulgar wheat
I took this recipe from Julia Moskin in a New York Times article. Her recipe included pearl couscous but I made it with bulgar wheat...
