Simple, easy, hearty overnight quinoa is a great, slightly less heavy, alternative to overnight oats.  Also a make-ahead breakfast, overnight quinoa is appealing to anyone who likes to plan for a busy day. Quinoa is vastly popular, personally, I love the stuff, but I needed to do a little bit of research to understand exactly […]

Sadly, summer has passed, but wonderful memories remain.  What I love about summer is the simplicity: relaxed schedules, easy meals, and later bedtimes.  There is no rush and with that, at least in my house, there is no fuss (well, there is less of it…).  This is a simple skillet cookie recipe that I created […]

Moscow Mules have taught me I love ginger beer.  Now for something new.  The combination of fresh seasonal apple juice, lemon, and ginger beer is fantastic and one I had never tried before.  This drink is light, crisp, and refreshing, with a touch of apple essence.  Barb Kiebel, a fellow blogger, first brought this fun […]

Although it feels odd to say it, my history with rice pudding is a complicated one. My mom ate it often when I was a kid. Not the homemade kind, but the kind that came in a small individual package with a pullback foil top. I had no major objections to it.  But this was […]

This simple, crunchy cabbage salad goes well with just about anything, and even the kids will eat it!  I like it so much, I make it year-round, as it is easy to make, especially when I’m in a hurry.  I was first introduced to this type of cabbage salad at a good friend’s house who […]

Have you ever heard of a Madras?  This beauty is my new favorite cocktail.  Technically speaking, a Madras is similar to a Sea Breeze.  Some call them cousins.  Both are made with vodka and cranberry juice.  But where a Sea Breeze includes grapefruit juice, a Madras substitutes orange juice. As I dabble with mixology and […]

A lot of people say how lucky my kids are to have a mom who’s a chef. The truth is, not everything I cook is well received in my house. (I am mainly referring to my children.)  Most often, they like the things I make.  Other times, things don’t go so smoothly and they actively […]

I recently traveled to Alaska, a first for me and my family.  The sometimes-overlooked 49th state, or the last frontier, proved to be as remarkable as my late uncle always said it was.  Spectacularly beautiful with towering mountain ridges that disappear into the clouds.  Glassy water, towering glaciers, lush rolling landscapes that appear to be […]

[Updated Recipe] Dessert bars, or simply “bars” and “squares,” are an American creation.  Bars are sweet snacks with a cake or a cookie-like texture, made in one pan, and enjoyed any time of the day.  Staples of neighborhood bake sales, class parties, and picnics, bars are great any time of the year. I make my […]

Tofu lettuce cups have become a favorite of mine.  To be honest, I have always loved the lettuce wrap concept, beginning years ago with In-and-Out’s bunless, lettuce wrap “protein style” burger, which I discovered long before I even moved to California.  Tofu has also been a staple in my house.  My boys started eating tofu […]

Chicago-style hot dogs are not fancy, they are not French, and they don’t have any gourmet ingredients in them.  But they are darn perfect for Labor Day.  The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reported in 2016, that American consumers spent more than 2.4 billion on hot dogs in supermarkets.  Los Angeles was listed as […]

This strawberry-balsamic tequila sour is a refreshing, sweet cocktail with just the right amount of sour to keep you sipping.  Summer may be slowly coming to an end, but warm nights may linger for just a bit longer.  So, whether you are holding onto those carefree vacation days or just in need of a great […]

This is the Bishop’s cake from the Silver Palate Cookbook and it’s a killer. The Silver Palate Cookbook by Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso is a classic and essential cookbook for any home chef.  Seriously, if you don’t own it, buy it; you won’t regret it.  First published in 1982, The Silver Palate Cookbook was […]

This mango-pineapple protein smoothie is a must-try for kids and adults.  Mangos, the “the king of fruits,” is a member of the drupe family, a type of plant food in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell (or pit) with a seed inside.  Olives and dates are also drupes.  Mangos can range in color, […]

Herb-crusted flank steak with tomato-olive relish should be in your recipe repertoire no matter what.  Seriously, if you are a beef eater, it’s a keeper.  A simple fresh herb coating brings a great earthy flavor to this dish. The sweetness of ripe seasonal tomatoes paired with briny olives complements the texture and flavors of the […]