I'm a big believer in doing something special on every birthday. Last year, I threw a dinner party for 18 friends at Total Wine and spent two days cooking seven courses to pair with exceptional Italian wines. This year, I'm exploring some areas of Florida's Gulf Coast that have been on my bucket ...
The problem with being a produce bargain hunter – when you’re about to go on vacation
One of the problems with having wonderful access to inexpensive produce is that there is a definite tendency to over-buy . . . at least in my household. I know I’m bad about this – when I see something good (and cheap) in the farmers market, I buy it because it may inspire me to do something new ...
Spanish Cooking . . . with a Vegetarian Twist!
I was glad that my four students unanimously asked for Spanish cuisine for our cooking class last Sunday. While I can cook Italian dishes in my sleep, it was definitely a challenge to create some new recipes, research Spanish wines, olives, and cheeses, and learn how to make a delectable flan – ...
The Best Spicy Meatless Sausage – Here’s the Winner!
At my Spanish cooking class yesterday, we tasted two meatless sausage products to decide which was best to top my Spanish Garbanzo Stew. We tasted Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo against Field Roast Mexican Chipotle Sausage, and Field Roast won hands down. Everyone loved its meaty texture and thought ...
Butternut Vegan “Mac ‘n Cheese”
One of the things I love about cooking is that inspiration can come from almost anywhere. Recently, I saw a recipe in PureWow that touted a grown up Mac 'n Cheese made with minimal dairy adapted from a version served by super-chef Jason Neroni, at his LA hotspot, Superba Snack Bar. Neroni used ...
Mediterranean Diet Cuts Heart Disease Risks
The well-known pyramid of the Mediterranean diet is one that I often use in my cooking classes and talks. Even if some people shy away from the idea of meatless meals, most have heard that the elements of a Mediterranean diet are much healthier for your heart. Finally, on February 25, 2013, a ...
Mardis Gras – Vegan Style!
When I reminded my sweet husband two days ago that today would be Mardi Gras, and that I planned to make a Cajun dish and we would celebrate wearing beads – he looked at me like I was nuts! He told me that our son was in college and that he assumed I only created these celebratory dinners in the ...
Fresh Ginger – Made Easy
OK - I may be the last person on the planet to realize this, but I had a revelation tonight while preparing the ingredients for a stir fry for my sweet husband who was on the way back from a Venture Crew event in Gatlinburg. (BTW, a stir fry is a great dish to prepare when you have no idea when ...
