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I am fortunate to have really great authentic Thai restaurants in Los Angeles. I verified the authenticity several years ago when I was in Bangkok, Thailand. Everything I ordered tasted just like home. One of my favorite appetizers are the Thai Lettuce Wraps. These are wraps made with thin sheets of rice paper wrapped around […]
I wanted something crunchy and refreshing as a side salad to compliment the Fish Sliders and Pulled Lamb Sandwiches. I found a recipe from an out-of-print Turkish cookbook and was intrigued. The combination of apples and zucchini with a yoghurt hazelnut dressing was something I had never eaten. The original recipe called for raw garlic […]
This menu has so many assertive flavors that I wanted a salad that was equally assertive and also fresh and delicious. This salad is really all about the dressing. My tasters were asking if they could just eat it right out of the bowl on crackers. The flavors are a bit exotic and seductive. Maybe […]
This is a composed salad. It looks like a work of art, Dutch Old Masters, when you present it; but then when the guests dive in, it morphs into a Jackson Pollock: a mess of colors and shapes. A composed salad can include anything. I choose seasonal ingredients, keeping in mind what I know my […]
If you’ve been following my blog, you already know that I serve a lot of vegetables. I never get tired of cauliflower and prepare it many different ways. I’ve been known to serve it Indian style, with potatoes and mustard seeds, which is spicy and delectable. But for this menu I wanted something simple. The […]
Meatloaf is a standard in many home kitchens. For many people meatloaf is immediately associated with mashed potatoes and gravy, and it evokes childhood memories. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes is comfort food to be eaten when it’s cold outside and we need to feel the warmth of hearth and home. I would never take away […]
This is another composed salad that is simple to make and refreshing and delightful. The key to this salad is blanching the asparagus and plunging them in ice water (shocking them). This preserves the vibrant green color and fresh flavor. The orange zest surprises the palate and makes this a unique taste experience. This dish will […]
If you follow my blog, you know that I make cookies for every party. Maybe it’s the child within us that smiles when we reach for a cookie. At this party, at Krista’s request, we ordered a glorious cake from her favorite bakery. I know the pastry chef who created this confection and it’s stellar […]
Quinoa is a super food. I could give you all the latest nutritional facts or just tell you it is a staple in my kitchen because I can use it multiple ways. It’s loaded with nutrients and it’s gluten free. If you’re trying to get your friends and family to eat it, don’t tell them […]
Baked pastas are always great as part of a lunch buffet. This one is both vegetarian and gluten free. I wanted to come up with a way to use brown rice pasta (for my gluten free guests) that tasted as good as regular pasta. You can use spinach or chard or kale. I love to buy […]
