I think that a chef “hears” the notes of herbs in the same way that a musician hears the notes of music. And just as a musician creates either a simple etude or a complex symphony, a chef can create a simple one-note dish or a crescendo of flavors. Certain herbs and spices overlap cuisines, [...]
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Penne
I used to make all-in-one pasta dishes with chicken and lots of veggies and cheese. Everyone loves that sort of dish. There usually isn’t a recipe, just sauté a bunch of whatever veggies I have on hand with a bit of cooked protein and a light sauce. I was still in my comfort food mode [...]
Soup Cures Almost Anything
I’ve been absent. This is the longest I’ve gone, since I started my blog nearly 2 years ago, without posting. Those who follow me on Facebook, know that just 2 weeks ago I lost a student of mine in a tragic accident. He was hit by a car while crossing the street with his father. [...]
Chicken Tacos with Pickled Onion and Cilantro Slaw
Maybe it’s the Californian in me, but I love Mexican food. Sophie could live on tacos, quesadillas and burritos, so we always have corn tortillas and salsa in the fridge and beans in the pantry for quick meals. Tacos in Mexico, or at a taco truck here in L.A., tend to be much more simple [...]
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
For many years, we’ve been spending Easter Sunday with our friends, the Haights, and for just as long, I’ve been baking this carrot cake recipe. I want to say carrot cake is my favorite cake, but I think it’s because of the frosting. I usually scrape off the frosting from cupcakes or cake, ’cause I’m [...]
Classic Leg Of Lamb
Spring and lamb go together perfectly. Lamb is my favorite red meat, and if it weren’t so expensive, I’d probably serve it more than a few times a year. But with Easter coming, I couldn’t resist. I generally buy the leg, bone in, but couldn’t find one that hadn’t been boned and tied already. When [...]
