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...
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 since I had some in...
Prawns with fresh tomatoes
I first had this dish at my sister-in-law’s house. She is from Argentina, and grew up having the dish as a regular feature in many meals. What is great about...
Florentine grilled steak (bistecca all fiorentina)
The simplicity of this recipe makes it ideal for any meal. The addition of a rub of fresh garlic after grilling adds such depth of...
Portugal: Caldo verde
In Portugal, soup is often the means to consuming vegetables. Historically, the Portuguese diet did not contain a great deal of vegetables other than in a soup or as a...
Portuguese pork with clams
A classic Portuguese dish most often found on menus in the central area of Portugal called the Alentejo.
peach&basil jam
When summer comes to an end and those lovely peaches begin to disappear from the market, I like to capture the essence of summer fruit...
Portuguese Pastéis de Nata
These creamy little custard tarts can be eaten in two bites should you choose, but they are best slowly savored. A quintessential Portuguese sweet, I was determined to make them...
Cauliflower and Black Beans Enchiladas
A different, vegetarian take on traditional meat enchiladas that is delicious. When I first thought about this combination it seemed quite strange but the flavors, crunch, textures work really well...
Best Beef Enchildadas
A friend of mine is a wonderful cook despite her protests to the contrary. I took this Enchilada recipe directly from her after enjoying the dish many times at her...
Roasted corn and pepper salad with fresh chives
A super simple salad to be served when corn is at the height of the season. The recipe contains very few ingredients because the flawless flavors of the corn and...
Chocolate fudge brownies with white chocolate chips
Delicious fudge-y brownies with the just the right amount of white chocolate chips.
Grilled chicken with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes
Grilled chicken tastes great and is super fast and easy to prepare. I prefer it in the summer months but that being said, anytime really works
Curried mango and ginger chicken salad
I first made this recipe for a bridal shower with an English tea party theme. I wanted to keep the menu somewhat traditional with a few little twists, and thought...
A tomato and mozzarella salad
Fresh and wonderful tomatoes mixed with mozzarella, basil, olive oil- the perfect harmony of flavors. I cannot eat enough of this!
Watermelon agua fresca- viva la summer!
Watermelon is the most colorful of fruits. Just looking at one makes you think of summer near the pool or on the beach.
A Pavlova topped with Cream and Fresh Fruit
I was introduced to this recipe at a friend's house by her 11-year old son! He made the dessert and finished it off table side for the adult guest. How...
A tale of three summer fruits in pastry
Stone fruit is in its glory at the end of the summer….along with fresh figs. When I see these fruits in the market my mind...
Roast crispy chicken with fennel and onions
What I like about this recipe is the essence of the fennel and onion steam through the chicken while roasting, adding a deeper flavor.
Aperol Spritz
An Italian aperativo that is not too sweet and not too sour with a wonderful flavor that hints of orange. I love to serve an Aperol spritz before lunch or...
Quiche with zucchini (courgettes), leeks and cheddar
My beautiful friend, Laura, always makes the most amazing quiches. Last time she came to visit, I insisted we make a quiche together.
Pasta Amatriciana
If you have ever been to Rome, Italy, you surely have seen Amatriciana pasta on the menu. It is a staple in Roman cuisine but has many different versions- adding...
german potato salad
In the summer, we dig up fresh potatoes from my vegetable garden in England. It is one of the few vegetables that grow well year after year given we are...
An easy refresher to water
Add a bit of flavor and color to you water carafe or pitcher with fresh mint, basil or cucumber. Not only does it look lovely...
smoked salmon toasts with creme fraiche&chives
Salmon is such a healthy, hearty fish and thinly sliced smoked salmon makes a lovely companion to pre-dinner drinks- whether in the summer or the winter.
Pumpkins and sunflowers
Bring nature indoors with a massive display of wild flowers-whether you have access to some summer wild flowers in a garden or walk in the countryside, or find a variety...
bountiful salad anytime of the year
Most of my meals are not complete unless there is a large bowl of salad.
have to have a Hugo spritz
Move over Aperol spritz, here comes the Hugo. My Italian friends have moved onto this drink because it is just plain cool.
luscious lemon olive oil ice cream
Lemon ice cream...it does not curdle, and it does not disappoint.
super flavorful chicken, broccoli, bacon pie
Savory pies are popular in the UK but not so much in the US. What I love about this recipe is the interior is made...
Italian Cornetti (brioche)
Start flexing your pastry muscles and prepare to embark on your journey to Italy! The Italian cornetto is a cross over between a French croissant and brioche. It contains less...
Breakfast board-bread, ham, cheese & avocado
In Europe you will always find platters of various meats and cheeses for breakfast – especially in Germany. Who needs to rely on just eggs and bacon to be your...
Sliced oranges with cinnamon
I was first served this for dessert at a restaurant in Portugal. At the time to me it was pure genius. So simple and bringing...
bountiful Bircher muesli with yoghurt, cinnamon & fresh apples
A lovely addition to breakfast or a brunch is hearty, healthy and satisfying. Many recipes just contain yoghurt, but I like to add a bit of milk to lighten the...
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...
Lemon risotto with a dab of pesto
Incredibly delicate with the perfume of lemons, a beautifully balanced dish that brings forth the essence of each ingredient. This recipe is delicious and creates a dish that can be...
pasta with peas & fresh ricotta
Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and sweeter on the palate.
pasta with pesto & mascarpone
Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and...
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...
Lamb with cilantro, mint and honey
This is my go-to, and I never liked lamb until I had a version of this recipe at a dinner party. Wow!
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...
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,...
swordfish with tomatoes & olives
The key is to check the fish while in the oven, grill or pan, and remove just before you think it is done – looking for the fish to be...
Orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe & romanesco
Orecchiette pasta translates to pasta with “little ears” due to its round, squidgy shape. The pasta is one of my favorites and not often seen on restaurant menus – not...
Spaghetti with creamy lemon sauce
Ahhh lemons, how I love them in almost anything. This is a very simple sauce that truly is all about the lemon flavor.
Easy Cacio & Pepe Pasta
I have been making this pasta forever and am never disappointed. With just a few ingredients – pasta, cheese, butter, olive oil, salt and ground pepper – you have a...
Chinese hot pot table setting ideas
To make the Chinese Hot Pot menu even a bit more fun, I like to add a bit of easy decoration to the table. The items do not need to...
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...
Chinese Hot Pot (Da Bin Low)
After looking through a few Asian cookbooks, I created my own version of the “Da Bin Low” or the Chinese hot pot tradition of cooking meat and vegetables in a...
bright and striking centerpieces with lemons
Love, love lemons! And in California when the Meyer lemons come out in markets, I cannot resist buying lots of them. The bright, yellow and fragrant fruit brings color to...
one pan chicken with chorizo and potatoes
Anything I am able to put in the oven for a few hours and have a delicious meal without fuss is a winner. This recipe...
The perfect, classic chocolate layer cake
To end a meal with any type of chocolate creation – whether a cake, a mousse or some other treat – is heavenly. This chocolate cake recipe is just right...
thinly sliced beef with arugula, tomatoes and pine nuts
I have a friend, Alexandra, from the Tyrolean area of Italy – a wonderful part of the world that blends the best of Italy and Austria. She claims not to...
flavorful and fabulous brisket with lentils
Brisket is a cut of beef that requires long and slow cooking for its true wonders to be revealed. You can make this a day...
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 spinach can be for a...
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...
simple is beautiful, rose centerpiece
Creating a striking centerpiece does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. Every once in a while, I love the beauty and simplicity (and tradition)...
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 flavors come alive. The New...
place setting, Zen style
You can create an interesting table with a bit of thought, some creativity and not too much time. Here I set a table for a...
torta caprese – chocolate almond tart with orange whipped cream
What I love about a Torta Caprese, is that like so many Italian desserts, it is not too sweet, and the consistency of the cake is not overly dense or...
veal with prosciutto and sage (saltimbocca alla romana)
Literally the name of this Roman recipe means “jump in the mouth” referring to how delicious the meal tastes. Some people feel uncomfortable serving veal, and a good substitute for...
my favorite rigatoni pasta with eggplant & ricotta sauce
In a perfect world, I would eat pasta at every meal…along with a crunchy, crispy salad…just pure happiness. And rigatoni pasta is one of the...
a trio of mini desserts – ode to the sweet tooth
A super simple dessert that requires just a bit of imagination and some small size portions! I think of this dessert for all those cooks who hate to bake… and...
basic Indian cucumber raita
In Indian cuisine you have Raita, in Greek you will find Tzatziki, and in Persian it is Mast-o-Khiar.
cucumber and mint yoghurt (tzatziki/mast-o-khiar)
In Indian cuisine you have Raita, in Greek you will find Tzatziki, and in Persian it is Mast-o-Khiar.
vietnamese chicken salad
Now this is a really good salad with its crunchy, salty, sweet and tart melange of flavors. The first time I made it was in a class with a cookbook...
deliciously good flank steak with cocoa-coffee rub
An easy seasoning made of cocoa, coffee and a bit of cayenne pepper for flank steak or any type of beef. Delicious!
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...
apple of my pie – caramel apple pie
The first time I made this caramel apple pie was for an Easter lunch with my then boyfriend, and now husband, and his family. I was so nervous that when...
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 more special for any occasion....
tres leches cake
Three milk cake, or Pastel de Tres Leches, is one of the most common cakes in Latin American. Similar to mole, the cake recipe differs...
boiled baby potatoes with fresh mint and garlic
Did you ever think of the potato as one of nature's most perfect foods? But really when you think about all the wonderful ways to make this simple little root,...
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 slightly different (and lighter) than...
roasted cauliflower and broccoli
A super easy dish that I like to serve with the Indian butter chicken recipe, but works equally well with anything else. It does not...
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...
minted lamb meatballs with fresh peas & asparagus
These lamb meatballs are light and delicious because of the blend of fresh mint and parsley. It is best made in spring when fresh peas and asparagus are in full...
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...
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 beans, which some people say...
green beans with fennel
Green beans are my go-to vegetable – easy to cook, work with a large variety of main courses, most people enjoy them.
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...
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 a stew, beef or even...
rich vanilla bean ice cream with pistachios & honey
For this recipe you need an ice cream maker and must follow the directions for how to use the machine. I love making ice cream. ...
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.
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...
turkey meatballs with pesto
I usually but spinach in meatballs but one day, I had no spinach and thought that pesto would be a good flavor to add to the mixture. The extra benefit...
herby chicken & spinach meatballs
Meatball, meatball, what's not to like about these mouthfuls of chicken, spinach and a few spices. The recipe has been taken from many different sources, and my original version is...
super moist and juicy turkey meatballs
Turkey is not meat that is often thought about outside of a holiday or on the occasional sandwich. And when not cooked properly, it tends...
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...
slow cooked lamb with garlic and rosemary
Slow roasting lamb allows all the garlic and rosemary to work magic, plus the acidity of the malt vinegar and the sweetness of the brown sugar adds the perfect balance...
butterscotch pot de creme
I’ll admit this recipe sounds complicated and rather fancy but despite the French sounding name, these “puddings” are relatively simple to make and delightful to...
simply delicious mini frittatas
Super easy and perfect for a crowd or less during brunch, breakfast or lunch, and so much lighter than quiche. Mini or cupcake size, the frittatas can be partially prepared...
let it crumble crumb coffee cake
Who doesn’t love crumb cake? Maybe it is a little old fashioned but that’s what makes it even more wonderful and heartwarming. The crumbly sugar, butter and cinnamon crust baked...
hot or not avocado toasts
Avocado on toast is all the rage. It is funny how you can find it almost everywhere. I knew the world was mad for it...
