Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Excuse me while I go into total Oprah-voice-mode: IIIIT’S SOOOUUUUUP SEEEAAAAASSSOOOONNNNN!!! I know I’ve expressed my soup love before, but guess what: can’t stop, won’t stop. I mean, come on! It’s everything you need in one bowl! So let’s put on some funky socks, then some slippers, and get to stirring a pot full of hearty […]

End of Summer Empanadas

End of Summer Empanadas

There are mere hours left of summer – according to the calendar, that is. But I’m going to keep eating tomatoes and corn until I explode or they disappear entirely from the produce section. Only time will tell. If you need one last summer veggie hurrah, I suggest you run out and grab some now (just […]

Apricot Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Apricot Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Oh, the things you can cook in 30 minutes. Life-savers, right? Well, I’m guessing that pork tenderloin doesn’t immediately come to mind for a quick dinner. It totally should! Just think of it. In less time than you would spend waiting for pizza delivery, you can make a beautifully glazed, dinner-party-worthy pork tenderloin. Thats pretty […]

Sausage & Goat Cheese Meatball Sandwiches

Sausage & Goat Cheese Meatball Sandwiches

I recently had a “meatball sandwich” from an establishment that shall remain nameless. My friend got one too, and we were both a little confused when our sandwiches came out with lettuce, tomato, and onion on them. What?? Is this a Bay Area thing? This has happened to me here before, and I don’t get […]

Baked Potato with Sautéed Arugula

Baked Potato with Sautéed Arugula

You know that point when you’re about to go out of town and trying to whittle down the produce in the house? And then you end up with a potato and a handful of arugula and think, well I guess I’ll try to make a meal out of this… It could just be me. Other […]

Roasted Pepper Turkey Burger

Roasted Pepper Turkey Burger

Ah, the humble burger. Sometimes I get so caught up in kitchen experiments that I forget to just cook a damn burger once in a while. We have a red-meat-intolerant hubby in the house though, so burgers here are generally made from alternative meat sources. And since a plain chicken, pork or turkey patty can’t […]

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup

It’s no coincidence that the header on this page features lemon zest. My addiction to lemons is real, recognized and wholeheartedly accepted. This latest episode in lemon mania comes from way back in the good ol’ days (A.K.A. the ’90s). If you’re new to this particular recipe, let me introduce you to the lightest, fluffiest, […]

Beer Battered Fish Tacos with Cilantro Crema

beer battered fish tacos with cilantro crema

I really feel that if I keep making fish tacos, summer will never end. This would be a welcome phenomenon because I also feel that I didn’t get to do nearly enough summery activities this year. You know, the lounging beach/poolside, BBQing, and general carefree frolicking that comes with the summer months. So if you’re […]

Mussels in White Wine

mussels in white wine

On Wednesday we celebrated what would’ve been the 100th birthday of one of my biggest inspirations in both food and life: Julia Child! As a kid, I’d watch her shows less for the cooking instruction – as I was still in the Easy Bake Oven stage – but just because I found her fascinating and […]

Open-Faced Egg & Goat Cheese Sandwich

open-faced egg & goat cheese sandwich

When I get breakfast at a restaurant, I want EVERYTHING. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, french toast/pancakes. All of it. This probably stems from my lack of motivation most mornings to make elaborate breakfasts at home. On Saturday OR Sunday (almost never both), I’ll make the whole shibang, sure. Otherwise… there’s always oatmeal or something. Allow me […]