I honestly have no idea when I first had couscous, but I love the stuff.  I think my boys were eating couscous before they had rice.  Pearl (or Israeli) couscous is similar to regular couscous in that is it also a whole-grain food made from semolina or wheat flour.  Known as “ptitim“, Israel, pearl couscous, […]

Not surprisingly, I know a few chefs.  Most are in NYC.  One I met almost 20 years ago when we began working together as culinary instructors.  We became instant friends and despite the distance between us, we have remained close.  Rian has a lovable Southern background with a great New York attitude. He is quick, […]

There are many occasions when a Bloody Mary is the perfect beverage: Sunday brunch, family gatherings, a long cross-country flight, and during lunch while skiing on a cold winter day.  Truthfully, I have always loved a good Bloody Mary, I think mainly because they are salty–and I do love salt.  In Wisconsin, where I went […]

I have not been shy about my love of salads. Like this salad, my arugula and golden beet salad, are both examples that salads don’t need to be overly complicated to be delicious. My mom had me eating salads when I was a kid and I’m incredibly thankful for that.  Because of that early exposure, I’ve […]

Erik Burmeister is my featured Changemaker this month. Most in my local community already know this dynamic community leader: Erik is the Menlo Park City School District’s young and progressive Superintendent.  His vision for our schools is creative and thoughtful.  I had the pleasure of meeting Erik a few years ago when he was still […]

Not everyone drinks alcohol.  I know many people who won’t touch the stuff, because of personal preferences or health reasons (including allergies).  Whatever the reason, there are now an increasing number of flavorful “mocktails,” as cocktails without alcohol have been cleverly named.  Mocktails are one of the hottest food trends from the past few years […]

Fudge reminds me of a few things: Judy Bloom, my grandmother, and Valentine’s Day.  But not necessarily in that order.  Fudge is a delicious old-school confection, one that sometimes gets overlooked if you ask me. But all fudge is not created equal.  Fudge is a true decadent treat and a perfect match for Valentine’s Day.  […]

Pho, pronounced “Fuh,”  is everywhere these days.  Pho is a popular Vietnamese street food and is now considered the national dish there.  Truthfully, Pho is a relatively simple noodle soup, that has captivated many by its overall simplicity but rich, memorable flavors.  Pho consists of broth, rice noodles called “banh pho,” herbs, and meat, typically […]

Oven s’mores are my new thing. S’mores make me happy in the summer; toasting marshmallows on long skewers brings me joy (all except the part when my boys start sparring with the utensils). National S’mores Day is not till August 10th, but who can wait that long?  Having a skillet version any time of year […]

A true American classic, synonymous with potato chips and Sunday afternoon football games. French onion dip, also known as “California Dip” or “Lipton California Dip” is a well-known, extremely basic dip made primarily with sour cream and minced onions (what’s not to love).  Typically served with chips (the less fancy, the better), this is all […]

This beauty is a jalapeño gimlet and it’s got just the right amount of kick.  A gimlet is a classic cocktail and is known as a martini’s sweeter cousin. A classic gimlet is made with gin and fresh lime juice.  As with many other cocktails (e.g. the Tom Collins), replace gin with vodka and you have a […]

These yummy little homemade soft pretzel bites were something I created for my older son.  He LOVES pretzels, soft pretzels in particular.  I can’t blame him really, I do as well and I have since I was a kid.  A salted pretzel from a NYC hotdog cart in the city is still a special thing. […]

I recently learned that chai tea, which has been having its moment in the West and elsewhere, has been the most popular beverage in India for some time, and has played an important part in many other cultures.  Chai, which means “tea” in Hindi, is derived from tea leaves believed to have originated in the […]

There’s no hiding it, I love French food.  I’ve taken three trips to Paris in my life.  And I can tell you I ate my way through the city, always leaving wanting more.  The last two trips came after I studied at the French Culinary Institute, now known as The International Culinary Center, which left me […]

Jacques Pépin is my featured Changemaker this month. Chef Pépin is also a living legend, an icon, and a hero of mine and thus I am posting about him on my first blogging anniversary. For the few who don’t know, he is one of the most celebrated and well-respected French chefs of all time. Pépin […]