Recipes

I don’t make bread pudding often, but it used to be part of my daily routine. When I worked as a chef, bread pudding was a very popular item on the menu, and I was tasked with preparing it.  There are endless variations of this classic dessert, and I have had some great ones over […]

I read about this drink a while ago and it left a lasting impression.  I used to be scared of tequila. Chalk it up to a bad experience at a young age. Older, I now find tequila fascinating. Its versatility amazes me. And if you haven’t had the good stuff yet, try it, it’s life-changing. […]

My family loves Japanese food. Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup based on a stock called dashi. It is believed miso was first introduced to Japan in the 7th century by Buddhist monks.  According to Japanese mythology, miso is a gift to mankind from the gods to assure health, longevity, and happiness. In Japan, […]

I think my little one is addicted to Nutella. Seriously, he would eat it every day if I allowed it. For the record, I don’t, it’s a treat.  I can’t blame him.  Who does not love this chocolatey hazelnut spread inside a warm crepe?  It’s my fault, I introduced him to this dessert spread years […]

If you liked my cucumber-tequila cooler, you may enjoy this refreshing spring cleanse cocktail. Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets. Spring is the season of rejuvenation and renewal. Plants, vegetables, and flowers begin to grow.  Spring comes around just as we are all reaching our wits’ end.  When we can’t take the long, cold days […]

Spaghetti with meatballs and marinara sauce, is considered an American family favorite.  Many think this well-known favorite is Italian, but it isn’t. Italy has its version of meatballs, but they are called “polpettes” but they are not served with pasta.  Unlike most American meatballs, polpettes are typically made from turkey or fish and are much […]

Rich brown butter bourbon blondies, seriously need I say more?!?!? I do a lot of things for my kids, probably too much, but I’m still in denial about that. If you have kids, you may agree, you do the same.  Parenting, as wonderful as it is, is also utterly exhausting.  Almost 15 years in, it has […]

I  have talked about wanting to be French. I also want to be Korean. This is not because of the Olympics, although I was incredibly impressed by the opening ceremony. This is about the food. I have always loved Korean food: flavorful, rich, vibrant, and loaded with vegetables. To me, it is a perfect cuisine. […]

If there is one culinary trend from the last year that I kept spotting, it is the popularity of power snacks. Easy, small, no-bake, healthful bites, balls, bars, and chunks of food for quick snacking.  My good friend from college introduced me to these tasty treats, and I’ve been gobbling them ever since.  I’ve developed […]

David Lebovitz is a genius.  A pastry chef by training, he is much more.  After years in the business and many at Chez Panisse under the watchful eye of Alice Waters, Lebovitz left the restaurant business and moved Paris to pursue writing. To date, he has written eight amazing books–and not just about cooking. He was […]

This is a favorite of mine, and not just for Passover. If you like almonds and chocolate, this will soon become a favorite of yours.  Made without flour, this is a great dessert option for those who are gluten-free.  It is also a great option for Passover, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the […]

Easter and chocolate just go together.  The chocolate egg in an Easter basket is often the first reach, at least it was for me growing up.  Chocolate eggs are a great invention.  Solid or filled, they are decadent little treats that most people only eat around Easter time.  And so I had to.  I had […]

Life is busy. Regardless of what you do, almost everyone complains that there is not enough time in a day to get everything done. Sometimes, getting dinner on the table feels like a true miracle.  Chances are, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Even as a trained chef, I feel that way–and most of […]

This is my new favorite tart.  I’m a sucker for anything with coconut.  This rich, decadent tart does not disappoint.  Plus, it’s gluten-free and can be made dairy-free as well!  I have already blogged about how fond I am of tarts: you may have seen the sweet potato tart recipe I shared around Thanksgiving and […]

Tomorrow is a special day.  Tomorrow marks my first anniversary of blogging.  I have published 177 posts, drafted an additional 144 that I may or may not publish, taken approximately 8,000 photographs, and have had about 36,000 visitors view my site.  I am humbled by the support my blog has received from friends, family, and […]