These tacos might be my favorite new thing because they’re really a marriage of two of my favorite Mexican foods — tacos and quesadillas. I thought about calling them taco-dillas but griddled tacos seemed way more sophisticated especially when you think how that results in toasty tortillas, melty cheese, and all around goodness.
Continue Reading: Confessions of A Food Floozy →
The classic spinach and ricotta shell pasta recipe amped up with the addition of spicy chorizo.
Continue Reading: Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Spicy Chorizo →
Because the holidays begin earlier and earlier every year, here’s a load of simple, quick small bite ideas so you’re ready no matter when company calls.
Continue Reading: Twelve Easy Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres →
Apparently I’m emotionally attached to my grey scarf. I say apparently because this was totally unbeknownst to me until I couldn’t find it the other day. If you’ve ever been around me when the weather’s chilly, you’ve likely seen that scarf around my neck. I wear it so much that it makes an appearance in nearly every other photo of me during cold weather.
Well, I didn’t realize how much it meant to me until it went missing last week, which I guess is the reality of life. We don’t appreciate things until they’re gone. Lucky for me, I left the scarf in a sleepy cafe at one of the ferry stop towns on Puget Sound, so it was easy to retrieve. That might be a bit of an understatement, since I forced my younger brother to drive an hour out of the way just to pick it up. I then arrived at the cafe and they were convinced I was retrieveing a credit card because, in their defense, who would really be crazy enough to drive that far for a boring grey scarf, right?
Continue Reading: Smoked Paprika and Oregano Roast Chicken Recipe →
A recipe for Mediterranean-spiced lamb burgers served with arugula, feta, red onions, cucumbers, and an olive mayonnaise.
Continue Reading: Mediterranean-Spiced Lamb Burger Recipe →
Not every meal needs something totally off-the-charts different; sometimes a simple riff on a classic will do.
This time of year, when I’m in San Francisco and the rain is slanted sideways and the fog so thick I feel alone in a city of nearly 1 million people, that’s when I crave easy recipes that are simple riffs. That’s when I crave brunch dishes that are a bit heartier, like, say, steak and eggs. And a cup of coffee — French press served black, thank you very much.
But the steak and eggs? I want them only so simple. I want them low maintenance enough that I don’t need to put in too much effort, hearty enough to soak up the remains of last night’s libations, yet interesting enough that I don’t feel like I’m just eating another plate of steak and eggs. So, usually, I throw on my sunglasses, tug on a large hat, and stay out of the glare of the sun — not too much of a problem in a place like SF — and head over to my go-to brunch joint for spot-on steak and eggs.
But, when I’m not in San Fran and I can’t roll myself to the brunch joint for this classic dish? That’s when I throw it together myself, but, as I tend to do, I add my own twist — this time with some Thai flavor. The base is a seriously versatile Thai-inspired marinade that would work just as well coating shrimp, pork, or chicken as it does this steak. And, after a brief marinade and some quick stove time, breakfast is as simple as that. Or brunch, or lunch, or dinner, because, let’s be real, this type of dish has a place at the table any time of day. Usually, I serve it over just-steamed rice (so it can soak up the marinade) though it would be even more satisfying served with a simple hash, like these beets or sweet potatoes.
Continue Reading: Spicy Thai-Style Steak and Eggs →
Though I’ve never been to Taiwan, there’s one thing I know for sure: I’m a huge fan of night market-style fried chicken. It’s one of a variety of xiaochi (aka “finger foods) found in Taiwanese night markets and is more or less popcorn chicken seasoned with garlic, soy, and a good amount of Chinese Five-Spice powder. I first tried it on last month’s Six Taste Taiwanese Food Tour and it has quickly become a staple in my house, earning the nickname, A.F.C. (aka Asian Fried Chicken).
Continue Reading: Night Market Five-Spice Chicken →
A recipe for Spicy White Bean and Chicken Chili that’s perfect when you have house guests during the colder months.
Continue Reading: White Bean, Poblano, and Chicken Chili →
Recently I stopped by The Nate Berkus Show to cook up some of my favorite holiday recipes and the episode is airing today!
When they asked what I’d like to cook, a standing rib roast immediately came to mind because it’s a staple at our Christmas table. I’ve been making variations on rib roast for years, even wrapping it in prosciutto when I’m feeling extra indulgent. This year I wanted to make something that was easy to make yet elegant and impressive, and this fig-port glaze perfectly fit the bill.
The key to this roast is that it’s layered with flavor — first with an herb rub and then with the glaze — ensuring that every bite has tons of taste. It’s a behemoth piece of meat but don’t be intimidated because this simple roasting method results in a meltingly tender roast with sweet, earthy flavor that’s sure to steal the holiday spotlight.
Continue Reading: Standing Rib Roast With Fig-Port Glaze →
There are a handful dishes that are absolutely timeless — the standards you’ll come back to time and time again regardless of season or occasion — one such dish is the Argentinian classic chimichurri and steak. That mix of charred steak topped with vinegary sauce is pure sensory satisfaction. At best guesstimate, I’d say I get a craving for chimichurri and steak at least once a month, which works fine because the dish works anytime of year so long as you swap the herbs with the seasons.
