Like most food we eat today, Moroccan cuisine is influenced by a fusion of neighboring culture and nations. The distinct flavors of Moroccan food can be recognized by a combination of spices like cinnamon, cumin, turmeric ginger, saffron, cloves, anise, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. This particular genre of food uses an extensive variety of herbs and spices, bringing flavor and …
Arugula Salad with Zesty Marinated Mushrooms
I don’t know the history of salad or where this brilliant “dish” (if you will) got its start but I’m really glad it became a thing. There are so many wonderful ways to make a good salad with endless ingredients and methods that come together to create a salad that pleases just about every palate on the planet. One of …
It Begins at the Table Cookbook Sneak Peak: Arugula with Garlic, Ginger, and Tamari Mushrooms
This is a sneak peek recipe from my cookbook, It Begins at the Table! The earthy combination of garlic, ginger, and tamari-soaked mushrooms create a beautiful balance of autumn flavors next to a bed of peppery arugula and gritty Parmigiano-Reggiano. The pungent taste of these mushrooms is incredibly versatile and pair nicely with grilled steak or fish, in a stir …
Shrimp Potstickers with Egg
Who doesn’t love pot stickers? The first time I posted the photo below of my newly assembled pot stickers, my social media feed blew up with likes. There is just something enticing about biting into a hot tender potsticker (or dumpling as some like to call it) filled with all kinds of flavorful ingredients. From shrimp and eggs to chicken, …
Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Hey, have you ever tried jerk chicken? I took a trip all the way to Jamaica before I finally discovered this poultry wonder. I was sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun when my fellow sunbathers abandoned their chairs and rushed towards the hotel pool area. That’s when the afternoon jerk cart came on the scene and served up …
Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp and Andouille Sausage
I visited Montego Bay, Jamaica, with a few of my girlfriends. We stayed at the breathtaking Secrets Resort St. James, which had eight incredible restaurants to choose from during our stay. The only problem is our stay was just four nights and five days, hardly enough time to sink our teeth into the massive selection of delectable foods available at …
Melt in Your Mouth Lemon Butter Chicken
Manny’s Steakhouse in Minneapolis is famous for serving steaks so tender you can cut them with a spoon. That’s tender! I recently took a trip to Florida to visit my friends Laurie for a three-day recipe writing get away. During my stay, Laurie taught me to make a lemon and garlic roasted chicken so tender, just like one of Manny’s …
Schloof – Suryani Eggplant Dish
Last year I visited my friend Laurie in Florida for a long weekend of recipe testing her collection of recipes for my book. That is when I was introduced to Schloof, a traditional Suryani recipe served as an appetizer or side dish. To be honest, I didn’t think the usual combination of basic ingredients found in the many Mediterranean dishes …
Tlavhe Red Lentil Soup from Assyria
Now that the cold weather season is here, it’s time to start thinking soup. Call me biased but my mom made one of the best chicken noodle recipes I have ever tasted. It’s a big hit around my house pretty much any time of the year. Unfortunately, one cannot live on Chicken Noodle Soup alone. That’s when I reach for …
Red Pepper Paste Recipe
One of my favorite things about learning to make food from around the world are the bonus lessons that accompany good, wholesome, authentic dishes. Part of the magic that happens when you create a recipe from scratch is the specific flavors that come through during the cooking process. I have found that keeping a dish as authentic as possible, including …