Chinese New Year 2015 begins on Thursday, February 19th and preparations for the two-week celebration are in full swing in Hong Kong and Shanghai where I was with my husband last week. Spring Festival, aka the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year as it’s most commonly referred to in the West (and now the […]
Sides
Fast, Fresh + Easy: Mexican Christmas Eve Salad
A lively, colorful crisp green salad is all you need to round out the groaning sideboard of deliciously rich holiday dishes and desserts, don’t you agree? I met and fell in love with Mexican Christmas Eve salad, or Ensalada De Noche Buena, the Mexican Christmas Eve Salad at Melissa’s Produce last week at a book […]
Oh Sweet Cherry Salsa
This cherrylicious salsa was a huge hit at last night’s Cherry Fest at Whole Foods Market in Tustin and I guarantee it will be at your house, too. “Oh Sweet Cherry Salsa” highlights the essence of the fruit, is a breeze to make and requires NO cooking! The natural sweetness of the cherries pops with […]
Baby Bok Choy Risotto
Inspired by Lidia Bastianich’s “Waste Not, Want Not” Lettuce Risotto where she uses the outer leaves of salad greens that would normally be thrown out (or composted) to make a beautiful creamy risotto, today’s recipe is yet another way to enjoy tender baby bok choy. Like Lidia, I hate wasting food and feel a great […]
Japanese Potato Salad
At your next barbecue, picnic, or pool party, change up the requisite potato salad with a fluffy Japanese Potato Salad recipe dotted with colorful, diced fresh vegetables mixed with sweet, tangy Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise. Mom’s Japanese Potato Salad Nearly all Americans of European descent grew up eating cured ham at the family Easter celebration. We […]
Spicy Middle Eastern Roasted Potatoes {Batata Harra}
If you like heat, Batata Harra are spicy Middle Eastern roasted potatoes that are guaranteed to become your favorite way with potatoes! Harissa spices up roasted potatoes with a Middle Eastern twist for an exotic addition to breakfast, brunch, or meze spread. Not for the meek of palate, this dish is meant to be spicy […]
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Muffins {Low Carb, Gluten Free}
Finally, a macaroni and cheese recipe that is not only gluten free, but lower in carbs, calories, and fat – yet, still satisfies your inner craving with all its cheesy goodness and crunchy crumblies. The low carb secret is in the cauliflower – half gluten free pasta and half roasted cauliflower, which adds nutritional value […]
National Pistachio Day Recipes
The power of the pistachio is mine, but it can be yours too. One of my favorite nuts, I’m drawn to its bright green gorgeousness in a sea of brown nuts, but also to its attractive nutritional cred and the sheer fun of cracking and discarding the shell – kind of like peanuts at a […]
Chinese New Year – Snow Pea and Radish Stir Fry
Festivities for the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, or Tet if you’re Vietnamese, begin two weeks prior to the official day. As you can imagine, there are many traditions involved in a centuries old celebration. Many old school traditions are still observed, but “thanks to a nearly 50-year Communist-mandated freeze, […]
Blueberry Quinoa Salad – Is It A Winner?
The availability of blueberries year round is fast becoming another fantastic benefit of the global economy – and one that contributes to our health and well being considering the nutritional powerhouse that blueberries are. It’s because of the demand for this antioxidant-rich super food that North American highbush blueberry acreage has increased by +55% in […]