Old San Juan Food Tour
It was the perfect day in Old San Juan, spent with good friends, great food and a wonderful tour guide. On a recent Caribbean cruise, I made another interesting food discovery in the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico. A group of friends joined me on a tour of Old San Juan that featured food…
Roasted Tomatillo Tomato Salsa
This salsa combines two of my favorite recipes, Roasted Salsa Verde and Roasted Tomato Salsa, into one that is tangy, sweet, smoky and has a little bit of heat. I think it’s a perfect combination. The first time I had this salsa was in a Mexican restaurant in Napa, California called Ceilito Lindo. I loved the unique…
French Style Potato Salad
I think this French-style potato salad is becoming my favorite. It is much lighter then the mayonnaise-based one most of us are used to. This salad is made with a light mustard vinaigrette. I got the idea recently at a cafe where I was served a similar style potato salad. I really enjoyed the way…
Hello Dolly Bars
“Hello Dolly” Bars are one of my all time favorite dessert bars. As early as I can remember, we would always have them at our house at Christmas time. My Mom occasionally made them at other times of the year, but I have always associated them with the Christmas season. To this day we still…
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower has become one of the most popular side dishes that I serve. It was the first vegetable I tried using the roasting method of cooking and it remains to this day my favorite. Cauliflower, when boiled or steamed, has a pretty bland taste, but when roasted it takes on a somewhat nutty flavor…
Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus is just one more vegetable I love to cook by roasting. Most people serve asparagus either boiled or steamed, but I think it takes on a whole new fresh flavor when roasted or grilled. When you’re buying asparagus in a store or farmers market, make sure it is firm and the tops are tight….
Roasted Carrots
One of my favorite foods as a kid was the sweet carrots both my Grandma and my Mom used to make for us. They would boil sliced carrots until tender and then toss them with butter, sugar, salt and pepper. I remember them being so good I ate them like candy. It was kind of…
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts: most people either love them or hate them. I can remember as a kid just hearing those words “brussels sprouts” that would send me running away from the dinner table. But this formerly ordinary vegetable side dish has certainly come a long way. I read an article in the January 2014 issue of Food…
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Broccoli cheese soup is one of my all time favorite soups. I have been making it for a long time and feel I finally perfected it. This broccoli cheese soup is rich, creamy and full of flavor. I usually eat this soup as a meal in itself, along with a warm baguette….a great combination. I…
Split Pea Soup
My Mom’s recipe for split pea soup is incredible. I remember when I was growing up that if we had baked ham with a bone there was going to be split pea soup in my future. It was one of my favorite soups, but it did not start out that way. The first time I had…
