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 […]

Chavela, also referred to as Cerveza Preparada, or Mexican Bloody Mary, is a drink from Mexico that dates back to the 1940s. Although there are many variations on how to make this beer-based beverage, the one I make is a traditional version made with light beer (preferably Mexican), tomato juice (although many prefer Clamato), fresh lemon […]

I can’t remember when I first tried soft-shell crabs, but I know I was rather young and I know I loved them instantly.  My husband and younger son thankfully share my love for this delicacy and as a result, we eat them whenever we can during the window when they are available.  Soft-shell crab is […]

This is a blueberry-cherry powerhouse antioxidant smoothie and it is delicious. It’s summer and everyone should eat more blueberries and cherries, but not just because they are fresh and plentiful.  Often referred to as a “superfood,” blueberries are low in calories and incredibly good for you, more than people truly realize.  They are considered to […]

A beautiful summer salad is something we could all afford to eat more regularly.  Most people go to farmer’s markets and are excited to buy a collection of beautiful seasonal fruits and vegetables; but later at home, it is not always clear what to make with the cornucopia of items purchased.  When in doubt, I […]