Chicken pot pie is my ultimate comfort food. It is one of those foods I have eaten my entire life and never seem to get sick of or grow out of. When I was younger I used to love chicken pot pie that was topped with big fluffy biscuits – not homemade biscuits but the kind that comes in a tube – you know the Pillsbury Grand biscuits? Amazing. This chicken pot pie is slightly more elevated but just as good, I promise.
Read MoreDo you have food memories? Like vivid memories where you can still remember the taste of the food and how you felt at that exact moment? Well pickled green tomatoes is a serious food memory for me.
Read MoreSorry for my absence around these parts the past couple weeks. This past summer was busy! Great busy but still busy. We just got back from an amazing trip to Italy - more on that trip in a future post once I round-up all my photos. But first the important things, like pasta. I have been dreaming of pasta these days. I proved to myself in Italy I could eat pasta everyday and all day – I can’t help myself. Instead of hearty pasta with meat sauce I have been craving easy one-dish pastas that take advantage of the simple summer season and all of its fresh flavors. And yes I still consider it summertime, especially with the 90 degree heat that is hitting the Bay Area. So until the weather changes, it is still summer! In celebration of summer and all of the produce that is at its peak right now, this summertime pasta is just that – a bowl of pasta goodness that is filled with garlic, tomatoes, basil and of course, Parmesan cheese.
Read MoreI love a good cheese board. A perfect meal to me is a simple as a nice glass of wine and a bunch of different cheeses. A gorgeous cheeseboard is also a great centerpiece for entertaining because it allows guests to customize their own appetizer. People often ask me how to build a cheese board so I thought I will share my go to tips on how to build the perfect cheese board.
Read MoreThe title of this recipe is a little misleading. When I think of a salad I think of lots of leafy greens and vegetables, right? Well this salad doesn’t have either of those ingredients but I promise it is the most delicious salad you will ever eat. Seriously. How could it not be with crispy breadcrumbs, fresh fruit and burrata cheese?
Read Morepring has officially sprung and I can’t help myself from eating all of the vegetables I missed during the colder months, especially fava beans. Fava beans or broad beans are super seasonal vegetables that arrive in April and are usually gone by May. Because favas are a little time intensive to shuck the easiest way to eat them is to roast them in the oven (or on the grill) whole with a little olive oil for about 5 – 7 minutes until soft. But if you have the time, they are delicious and gorgeous in a light and fresh spring salad.
Read MoreI have a serious love of Mexican food. I could eat it morning, noon and night and never get sick of it. Especially tacos – I love a good taco. For me, a taco is all about well-seasoned filling and lots of garnishes. Traditionally the meat in tacos has been braised or can take a while to cook, but my shrimp tacos can be ready in under 10 minutes, which might make it the world’s perfect taco.
Read MoreI love entertaining; having people over to my house to eat is one of my favorite pastimes. I think that is why I became a cook, because I love feeding people. Over the years I have figured out tips and tricks to make it easier on me and more delicious for my guests. One of the best tips is to have people over for brunch rather than dinner. Brunch is always a little more laid back and relaxed and I love serving recipes that can be done the day before. Enter the Dutch baby.
Read MoreIf you have ever picked up a vintage cookbook there will undoubtedly be a recipe for deviled eggs. Deviled eggs have been around for years, even decades, and I don’t see them going anywhere. They are a classic appetizer that is perfect for entertaining or just plan snacking. They also are the perfect finger food. Although the classic recipe is delicious, I have updated my deviled eggs by adding some sriracha, curry powder and bacon. All three flavors come together to create a smooth, spicy and hearty deviled egg.
Read MoreI am not a huge chocolate dessert person. Given the option I will always choose a berry or lemon dessert over a chocolate bomb. It is just too heavy. But do you know what I love - chocolate bars. I will take any kind of chocolate bar I can find. These days I am loving Seatles Chocolate and Chocolove. I can't leave the grocery store without at least a couple in my cart. But don't give me any of that dark chocolate stuff, I want milk chocolate. With lots of crunchy bits like rice krispies, toffee and nuts in it. Totally bad for you but so freaking delicious. I thought I would create a dessert that pays homage to my love of milk chocolate bars. This milk chocolate carmel pretzel tart is just like eating a chocolate bar, but may be even better.
Read MoreOne of my favorite days in cooking school was the day we learned how to make fresh pasta. I love the process of getting your hands dirty with flour, water and egg. I also love that you can create such amazing dishes that all start with these simple everyday ingredients.
Read MoreWe just got back from a quick but cold trip to Chicago for a friend's wedding. It was a whirlwind weekend of fun and needless to say, I think I need another weekend to recover. Especially from the cold. I have truly become a softy when it comes to weather. I lived in Boston and NY but forgot how to deal with cold weather. I also forgot that when the weather is cold you are inside all day, eating and drinking. All of this is to say I need a serious detox this week. This kale salad with butternut squash, quinoa and hazelnuts is the perfect recipe to get me back on track.
Read MoreI was recently reading the latest edition of Bon Appétit, (otherwise known as a food lovers Bible). I flip through their magazine each month looking for recipe inspiration as well as different ways to photograph food and style food. I stumbled upon their idea of back pocket pasta, this idea that pasta can be paired with so much more than your typical tomato sauce. You can pair it with just about any cheese, vegetable and/or meat. Most importantly it is a great way to eat through what it is in your fridge. This lemon and kale spaghetti is the perfect example of back pocket pasta and I bet you have most of the ingredients in your refrigerator right now.
Read MoreI have a serious case of wanderlust these days. All I want to do is dream of places to travel. Even though we just took a trip to Florida for the holidays and we have a couple of weekend trips coming up(like NYC this weekend), I still have this itch to travel. I will take just about any kind of travel - day trips, weekend trips or even better, international trips. I have my heart set on Morocco for some reason. It has been high on my list of places to visit for a while, I think it is all the colors and patterns of Morocco as well as (and most importantly) the food. I am in love with the flavors of Moroccan food - a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern - it is completely the flavor profile I always turn to when I am cooking. So inspired by my serious case of wanderlust, here is my version of a Moroccan citrus salad with feta, pistachios and mint. If I can't get to Morocco anytime soon, maybe I can pretend I am there by cooking food influenced by that part of the world.
Read MoreBreakfast is one of those things that’s really good for you but no one seems to have time for it. Or at least I don’t. For a while my breakfast was two cups of coffee and nothing else. I quickly learned that by 11 am I was so hungry that I would eat anything that was in sight. Hangry doesn’t even begin to describe it. Also, it is not the best tactic if you are ever trying to watch what you eat.
Read MoreDo you have any New Year's resolutions or intentions?I had the best of intentions to eat really clean the month of January. In theory I wanted to avoid gluten, dairy and alcohol. Sadly I couldn't even make it a week! My lack of willpower is seriously lame. I have already had a couple delicious cocktails as well as a delicious pizza from a local pizza shop. I am ok with it partly because it was worth it and also in general I try to eat pretty healthy all year-long. (but still I could have gone longer than a week!). Since I am surrounded by food all day, I think I am hyper aware about what I eat, because if I didn't I would be eating brownies and cupcakes all day (although that would be tasty, the end result would be bad).
Read MoreThanksgiving is by far my most favorite holiday. What could be better than getting together with friends and family and eating all day? Since I am hosting Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving this year, I have started planning my menus and these pumpkin cheesecake bars with toasted marshmallow topping are front and center at both. I have been making pumpkin cheesecake for the past 5 Thanksgivings and without fail, it is always a crowd favorite.
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