Gluten-Free
Chocolate Ice Cream
Even with all the amazing ice cream flavors out there, chocolate and vanilla remain two of the most popular flavors around. Not a huge surprise to me, but then again, I’ve always been a fan of the classics. Chocolate has always been a favorite of my boys. Straight-up, no toppings, the richer the better. While […]
Stracciatella Ice Cream
At my kid’s suggestion, I kicked off summer this year with a new Cuisinart ice cream machine. Seriously, best decision ever made. The motivation; is our family trip to Copenhagen last Spring. The food scene in this charming little city is truly amazing. From fine dining to street food, the Danes are absolutely killing it. […]
Spring Artichoke Soup
I’ve always loved artichokes. A simple steamed artichoke with a side of melted butter is a true indulgence. My mom made them for me like this as a kid, not all that often, but when she did, they were a real treat. Artichokes are themselves a very versatile vegetable and can be used to make […]
Tofu Buddha Bowl With Miso Dressing
Buddha bowls, as they are often called on social media, are everywhere. Typically presented in a Zen-like fashion, these brightly colored, artfully arranged bowls consist of a cornucopia of vegetables and/or proteins that are eye-catching at first glance. If you ask me, Buddha bowls are works of art that can make you feel healthier just […]
Homemade Chocolate Marshmallows
Who does not love marshmallows? My kids are huge fans for sure. Homemade artisanal marshmallows are now seen in gourmet stores everywhere, and they can often be rather pricy. Classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are often available, but more adventurous ones like malted milk, caramel, toasted coconut, lavender, Kahlua, Irish Cream, and Espresso […]
Chocolate Pecan Turtles
Chocolate pecan turtles are one of my favorite chocolate treats. My association with turtles goes way back. My dad loved them and used to get them when we went skiing in Colorado. As a young kid, I almost always opted for the larger sweet treat at the chocolate shop (a caramel apple), but my dad […]
Baked Truffle Polenta Fries
Everyone has their favorite comfort foods, truffle polenta fries are one of mine. Totally serious. I have always been a big fan of polenta; the simple addition of truffle oil is a game-changer. Polenta served in the form of “fries“, is a fantastic way to incorporate an earthy grain into your winter meal without much […]
Baked Zucchini “Noodle” Lasagna
This baked zucchini “noodle” is my low-carb “lasagna” alternative that my husband and I have come to prefer. Don’t get me wrong, I still love lasagna now and again as it reminds me of my childhood. But a reduced-carb option is always good to have. My mom, who is originally from the Midwest, made a […]
Christmas Jam
Apparently, Christmas jam is a thing. As a chef and a food blogger, I had no clue. This is a fine example of the food world today, chances are, the idea (recipe) is out there long before you came up with the recipe, and the only hope is you make it better. Jam is something […]
Roasted Winter Vegetable Salad With Apple Cider-Honey Vinaigrette
Winter is a wonderful time. Earthy, hearty, beautiful root vegetables are in abundance. But what to do with them? I say roast them. I love slightly browned roasted vegetables lightly toasted in olive oil. Straight-up, as a side dish, or here, mixed together in a hearty winter salad. This roasted winter vegetable salad hits the […]
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Thanksgiving is so close I can almost taste it. All those wonderful, familiar, harvest comfort foods together on one table. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far, centered around what I love to do most: cook and eat. Thanksgiving first began in 1621 with a shared meal between the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians. It […]
Din Tai Fung Style Chilled Cucumber Salad
My family and I are obsessed with Din Tai Fung, a famous Taiwanese restaurant in at Santa Clara outpost that we frequent. My husband is the only one of us who has been to Taiwan, which is partly how this obsession began. Once a restaurant opened in our area, we quickly became frequent visitors. For […]
Nobu Matsuhisa’s New Style Salmon Sashimi
For those who don’t know, Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa is a Japanese celebrity chef and restaurateur. Nobu is known for his unique fusion style of blending Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients. Nobu’s super-star status can in part be credited to his friendship with Robert De Niro, who was a frequent patron of Nobu’s much-loved Los Angeles […]
Changemaker Series: NYC School Lunch Guru, Chef Bobo And His Tomato-Basil Soup
My featured Changemaker this month is Robert Surles, more commonly referred to as Chef Bobo. Bobo is a New York City chef leading the charge in helping make and keep kids healthy. In 2002, The Calhoun School, my alma mater, hired Chef Bobo–previously the personal chef to NY Yankee legend Derek Jeter— from the French Culinary Institute […]
Smokey Millet Super Grain Bowl
Let’s discuss millet. Millet is an ancient seed originating from Africa and Northern China. Millet has been around for centuries and remains a “staple” in the diets of about 1/3 of the world’s population. With a milk-sweet corn-like flavor, this grain is naturally gluten-free–making it a go-to for Celiac sufferers. Millet is a whole grain, […]