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 […]

School has started this week for my boys (thankfully, I was very ready for that…) but sadly, those long warm summer days are beginning to fade.  A fresh peach mint julep may be just what you need this weekend.  My peach julep is a fun, refreshing drink that is perfect for sipping on as the […]

Coconut chocolate chip granola bars are perfect for school lunches.  Cheaper and somewhat healthier than store-bought versions, these are soft, chewy, not-too-sweet, and rather easy to make.  Oats, coconut, and almonds create the perfect texture balance for me: not too firm (so kids, like my son with braces, can eat them) and they hold together […]

A chocolate truffle is a simple but incredibly delicious treat.  A truffle is something everyone should learn how to make, at some point, if you love chocolate.  Surprisingly easy, if you stick with a basic four-ingredient truffle recipe like this one, and completely worth it. Technically speaking, a chocolate truffle is a confectionary, traditionally made […]

A crudité is a traditional French appetizer and an important part of entertainment if you ask me.  If they are made right, they can be a great focal point, adding vibrant colors as well as offering a healthy food choice option for guests of all ages.  I am a big vegetable eater generally, but I […]

A special post-shout-out to The Almanac, a local Silicon Valley newspaper, for the awesome piece they just published on me and my blog this week titled “Chef In The House“.  I am super excited.  In honor of my very first press coverage, I developed this delicious, refreshing cucumber-tequila cooler as a “thank you” to The […]

Cauliflower quinoa vegetable rice is an easy, flavorful, and delicious side dish that you can serve with just about anything.  Cauliflower rice, or riced cauliflower as it’s also called, has become incredibly popular in recent years as a low-carb alternative to rice.  Don’t get me wrong: I love rice and I always have.  But I […]

A pineapple mint martini is a twist on a classic and is worth a try if you love gin and are looking for a light refreshing, slightly tropical cocktail.  H.L. Mencken, an American journalist, satirist, and cultural critic once called a martini “the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet.”  E.B. White, an American […]

I call this my California vegetarian burrito bowl: it’s nothing fancy, but it’s a favorite of mine.  It’s rather easy to make, adaptable, and healthy.  This one-bowl meal is a great, reliable option for busy nights when you need something fast that’s not from the freezer. This is also a great meal option for my […]

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 is super easy to whip up.  For those who have not done so already, making your homemade salad dressing can be a life-changer. Store-bought dressings are loaded with […]

I may not be a huge pie fan, but I love a good fruit crisp served warm, with homemade whipped cream.  A crisp is a simple yet hearty dessert that can be made for casual meals (served in free form) or made for more formal dinners (served in individual ramekins).  This is a versatile dessert […]

This chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, sans egg, finally allows you to eat that “raw” cookie dough you always wanted to.  Who does not love cookie dough?  This was a special request from my older son, who begs me for a taste of raw dough every time I make any kind of cookies.  I get […]