It’s usually the simple dishes that give me the most pleasure. And this is one of those dishes. Stuffed mushrooms are the perfect party appetizer or even a small meal for two. They’re pretty delicious no matter what you stuff them with and super easy to whip up.
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Creamy Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Herbs
Did you ever have one of those moments when you’re cooking without a recipe and it just works? This is one of those recipes. Well it’s a simple one, a mashed potato recipe, but it’s a bit different than the classic mixture that everyone knows and loves. It’s made without milk and butter…gasp! So if you run out of those ingredients or want to try a healthy twist on a classic dish, give this recipe a shot. Even traditionalists will appreciate this handy tip!
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Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil and Burrata Cheese
We’ve been in prime heirloom tomato season here in New York and you can find them all over farmers markets and grocery stores. They can be pricey but man are they worth it! I love to add them to homemade pizza, pasta or tartines but especially in fresh dishes like this simple salad with Burrata, a kind of mozzarella cheese with a soft creamy center. If you can’t find Burrata, then any kind of fresh mozzarella will do.
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Baked Tomato Slices with Parmesan and Basil
I hate to waste food, so when I saw a bag of tomatoes I bought from my local farmer’s market I just had to use them up. I typically make a pot of tomato sauce and freeze it for later. Instead I decided to make it even easier on myself and bake them. This method is a great way to use the tomatoes that are a bit bruised or a little over-ripe. I thought a simple dish like this would be a nice change.
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Homemade Kimchi with Ramps, Cabbage and Bok Choy
To be honest, I couldn’t stand kimchi the very first time I tried it. I thought it was way too sour to enjoy and I wasn’t really digging fermented stuff. A few years later, however, I found a super tasty version at a Korean BBQ place in Philly. Now with this recipe I’m taking it one step further. Making your own kimchi is great, it gives you the ability to adjust the sour and spice levels, plus you can pretty much add your favorite vegetables.
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Roasted Mushrooms with Moroccan Spices
When I was a kid, I wasn’t a fan of mushrooms and just the thought of them disgusted me! If my mom added mushrooms to a dish I remember picking each piece out pushing it to the side of my plate. But now that I’m older, I absolutely love mushrooms and cook with them all the time. I usually add some to omelettes, stews or pasta dishes but roasting a big amount in the oven is a favorite of mine. Roasting vegetables is an easy and flavorful shortcut to finishing off any meal. This delicious roasted mushroom dish is seasoned with Moroccan spices with a hint of cinnamon.
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Garlic Peanuts (Pritong Mani) and Pictures from our Trip to the Philippines
“It’s more fun in the Philippines!”. That’s the official tagline for the Philippines and I must say, it really IS true! Our trip was filled with amazing food, great company, sunshine, laughter, and yes, fun…I miss it already. Like in most countries, food plays an integral part of the culture, and the Philippines is no exception. Filipino cuisine has its differences from region to region with a strong emphasis on seafood, pork and local tropical fruits and vegetables like coconuts, mangoes and leafy greens. The cuisine is always evolving from its own origins along with influences in Asian, Spanish and American dishes.
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