Quick Meals

There’s something profoundly comforting about a dish that marries simplicity with indulgence, and cheesy baked gnocchi perfectly encapsulates this sentiment. Gnocchi, those delightful Italian potato dumplings, have a knack for transforming even the most ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences. Originating from Northern Italy, gnocchi has been a staple in Italian cuisine for centuries, loved for […]

This beauty is a chickpea flatbread, known more traditionally as a “socca” (in France) or “farinata” (in Italy).  Translated to English, these are savory, tender, unleavened pancakes made from chickpea flour, water, and olive oil. Extremely popular in Mediterranean cuisine, these chickpea flatbreads are easy to whip up, and topping-wise, they are limitless allowing your culinary creativity […]

Embrace summer flavors with a rustic tomato tart, a classic French favorite that dates back to the early 20th century. Known for its simplicity and vibrant taste, this tart is a quintessential go-to for summer meal. The combination of flaky puff pastry, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic herbs makes it an irresistible dish, especially during peak […]

Savor the harmony of simplicity and robust flavors with furikake-seared tuna, an elegant yet easy-to-prepare dish that effortlessly marries Japanese flavors and tender, buttery tuna. Furikake, a Japanese seasoning blend of sesame seeds, seaweed, and dried fish, takes center stage, providing a savory umami kick. Coating sushi-grade ahi tuna in this magical seasoning mixture creates […]

Summer squash pasta is a delightful ode to the vibrant flavors of summer, making it a perfect quick meal that celebrates the abundance of zucchini and yellow summer squash. This dish embraces simplicity without compromising on taste and captures the light and refreshing essence of the season. The addition of fresh lemon juice at the […]

Golden-brown, crispy fried coconut shrimp served with a chili garlic sauce is a culinary masterpiece born from the inventive minds of coastal kitchens and delivers a symphony of flavors and textures with each bite. This delightful dish, with roots likely tracing back to the vibrant shores of Southeast Asia, boasts a perfect marriage of succulent […]

Scallops – those tender, succulent jewels of the sea – are a delicacy cherished by seafood enthusiasts worldwide. Here is a classic pan-seared scallop with lemon caper sauce that all scallop lovers should have in their repertoire. But before we delve into this recipe, what exactly are scallops, and why are they such a coveted […]

Indulge in the savory delight of crispy salmon cakes – an effortless dish that’s both versatile and pleasing, even to many who claim they are “non-fish eaters“.  Whether crafted from fresh or frozen Atlantic salmon, these cakes are a testament to convenience and flavor. Perfect for busy schedules, they can be prepared in advance and […]

When it comes to whipping up a delicious, hassle-free meal, shrimp cakes are the way to go. So if you’re hosting a casual summer gathering or simply looking for a quick and satisfying weekday dinner option, these flavorful shrimp cakes are sure to impress just about anyone. Shrimp cakes offer a stress-free culinary adventure for […]

One-pot vegetarian chili is the perfect comfort meal to make, eat, and repeat all winter long. This simple dish is hearty, flavorful, and wholesome, and it could not be easier to make. Perhaps the best part, this chili recipe is loaded with plant-based protein, from red kidney beans and black beans, so you won’t even […]

Easy dinner alert. This soy-glazed beef fillet is a lovely, Asian-inspired, dish that should be in your recipe arsenal if you’re a meat eater. A tender fillet of beef and flavorful shiitake mushrooms complement one another perfectly, with a prep-and-forget marinade I adore. A quick sear on high heat makes for a simple finish minutes before […]

This oven-braised snapper with Puttanesca is a wonderful dish for fish lovers. I have blogged about Puttanesca already, but this version is a little different and not served with pasta. I found this lovely recipe in Fine Cooking and adapted it slightly, but the original one can be seen here. As many know, Spaghetti alla puttanesca […]

Beef with broccoli reminds me of my childhood. My mom never made it from scratch, but we ordered it often when we ordered Chinese food and it remains, to this day, a favorite. And while this beloved Chinese-American dish graces the menu of almost every Chinese restaurant I’ve been to over the years, I never […]

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and I go way back; to culinary school, to be exact. Without getting into too many details, let me just say it involved cooking for the school’s restaurant, an all-nighter (to which I blame, my now husband), and the last-minute suggestion he made for me to run this flavorful classic as a lunch […]

The key to extra-juicy rib-eye steaks, according to chef Renee Erickson, of the restaurant formally known as, Boat Street Café in Seattle, is to “baste them with butter while they sear“. That is what I learned in culinary school and why this pan-seared rib eye recipe was a must-make recipe for me when I read […]