Chestnut Wild Mushroom Bisque with Cashew Cream

Chestnut Wild Mushroom Bisque with Cashew CreamCelebrate the New Year with a Bowl of Auspicious Soup

Elegant, rich and velvety Chestnut Wild Mushroom Bisque is most auspicious. Prepared with such treasured ingredients as chestnuts, wild mushrooms and cashews, each bowl symbolizes longevity, prosperity, mastery and success in hard times. Truly a most perfect holiday soup for celebrating the New Year 2013. Continue reading Chestnut Wild Mushroom Bisque with Cashew Cream

Roasted Garbanzos w/ Greens, Tomatoes & Garlic

Roasted Garbanzos w/ Greens, Tomatoes & Garlic

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

There are two ways to go with holiday meals. Go all out with something new that you’ve been waiting for the perfect occasion to serve. Or, serve family favorites that bring comfort and joy to all. This year it’s all about comfort and joy. Continue reading Roasted Garbanzos w/ Greens, Tomatoes & Garlic

Linzer Thumbprint Cookies – Sweetened w/ Honey

Linzer Thumbprint CookiesTasty & Healthier Linzer Thumbprint Cookies for Holiday Giving

Cookies top my list of homemade holiday gifts for family and friends. Over the last few days I’ve created a gluten-free Linzer Thumbprint Cookie from the dough of one of the world’s great desserts, the Linzertorte. That their crisp, nutty texture, buttery and lightly-spiced flavor gets even better after a couple of days Continue reading Linzer Thumbprint Cookies – Sweetened w/ Honey

Roasted Tomato and Pesto Puff Pastry Tart

Roasted Tomato Pesto Puff Pastry TartAn Easily Prepared & Healthier Holiday Hors d’Oeuvre

Fast, easy to work with and versatile. Puff pastry’s delicious buttery taste and flaky-crisp texture goes with most everything savory or sweet. Wanting to include a savory item in a recent class I taught on Pies & Tarts, I remembered a puff pastry hors d’oeuvre from my catering days in Los Angeles. Continue reading Roasted Tomato and Pesto Puff Pastry Tart

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams – Thank You, Yotam Ottolenghi

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Yams w/ Scallions, Chile & Balsamic ReductionRoasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams Dressed Up for Dinner with Scallions, Chili & Balsamic Reduction

These are the most vibrant and complex-flavored roasted sweet potatoes and yams that I’ve ever tasted. Each bite of soft and crispy sweet potato laced with a balsamic reduction and savory green onions Continue reading Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams – Thank You, Yotam Ottolenghi

Wrinkled Green Beans – Gingery, Garlicky Good

Wrinkled Green Beans – Gingery, Garlicky GoodWrinkled Green Beans – “Dry-fried” in the Oven without the Mess

On the menu of many Chinese restaurants, classic wrinkled green beans from the Szechuan region of southwestern China remain one of my favorite dishes. “Dry frying” the beans in a wok at home makes quite the mess Continue reading Wrinkled Green Beans – Gingery, Garlicky Good

Delicata Squash w/ Maple Balsamic Pomegranate Glaze

Delicata Squash w/ Maple Balsamic Pomegranate GlazeDelicata Squash – A No-Fuss Winter Squash

Delicata squash, a great sweet-tasting, no-fuss winter squash gets star treatment in today’s recipe. Dressed in a beautifully caramelized gown of maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses, these dainty rounds are bejeweled Continue reading Delicata Squash w/ Maple Balsamic Pomegranate Glaze