This simple recipe has a story to it. This seared tuna salad is a dish I ate almost nightly when I managed a restaurant in NYC years ago. It was my go-to meal of choice, not only because I’m a big tuna fan, but because it is incredibly easy (and fast) to make. Most importantly, […]

Fresh tomato salsa is a favorite condiment of mine and one I’ve been making a ton lately. This often overlooked side dip is easy, flavorful and incredibly adaptable. Salsa is a simple combination of chilies, tomatoes and other spices that has been around for centuries. Food historians can trace a form of salsa back to the […]

My husband loves harissa and I have to credit him for exposing me to it. Maybe you’ve had it and love it, maybe you had it and had no idea you had it, or maybe you’ve never heard of it till now. Harissa is, in a nutshell, a spicy, flavorful condiment and can be a […]

They say pesto sauce originated in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, Italy.  But this simple sauce can actually be traced  to the ancient Romans. Romans made a very similar dish called “moretum,” a spread made of garlic, cheese, herbs, olive oil, vinegar and salt. Another influential sauce was “agliata“, a garlic sauce, common during the […]

This was a request from my husband. My husband is notorious at coming home from a business trip suggesting recipes for me to develop, based on something he’s had. This was a simple one, but not all are. I’m already a huge salad person, so a homemade dressing did not take too much convincing. I […]

Oh my, do I love apples and apple sauce!  Homemade apple sauce, I should add. Making your own apple sauce for the upcoming Hanukkah holiday is to me as important as making your own cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving–it’s critical. It also does not take much time or effort. Apples in season do the hard work […]

Sweet, tangy, sticky goodness: that is what BBQ sauce is to me. BBQ sauce is synonymous with summertime, back yard barbecues and easy cooking.  Seriously, who does not love this American favorite slathered on ribs, chicken, or brisket?  My older son has never really been a BBQ sauce fan, but then I made him taste […]

Who does not love ranch dressing? Ok, there are some out there who don’t, I’m sure; but it can’t be many. Ranch is one of the most popular salad dressings out there. It is also a popular dip for vegetables, and even for mozzarella sticks if you are my thirteen years old son. Where did […]

Thanksgiving is nothing without the cranberry sauce. This slightly sweet, slightly tart compote is essential at a Thanksgiving table, if you ask me. And for the record, I am not talking about the canned stuff.  I believe in short cuts at times, especially around the holidays when the sheer volume of tasks associated with hosting […]

This is the only dressing, besides blue cheese, that makes iceberg lettuce taste awesome.  This Japanese salad dressing recipe is made with miso, ginger and carrots and super easy to whip up.  For those who do not do so already, making your own homemade salad dressing can be a life-changer. Store bought dressings are loaded with […]

I credit Mario Batali for the inspiration behind this simple tomato sauce.  Batali, one of the most respected and recognized chefs worldwide, gained recognition early on for his focus on simplicity and using quality, fresh local ingredients.  I had the pleasure of meeting Batali many years ago when I was in culinary school.  He was […]