Because my life is normally pretty fast-paced, I enjoy the days where I can come home to something slow-cooked. The flavor profile of meats (particularly beef and pork) that have been cooked this way always seem to have better flavor and texture. Beef brisket is a leaner cut of beef so it needs to braise … Beef Brisket Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Right now we’re having our annual citrus sale at work and I just had to take advantage. The variety of fresh citrus fruits were so abundant today, I wasn’t sure where to start! I settled on making a recipe using tangelos. These super juicy fruits are a hybrid of tangerines and pumelos (which taste like … Sweet and Spicy Citrus Salmon
Raw sauces (such as pesto) are super simple and bring huge flavor to dishes. A few years ago, I developed a recipe using Romesco sauce and it became one of my absolute favorites. This classic Spanish sauce consists of garlic, roasted red pepper, bread, vinegar and roasted almonds. Note that it doesn’t contain any dairy, … Rigatoni with Romesco Sauce & Garlic Shrimp
I definitely did not grow up eating Thai food, but I’m so happy to have discovered it when I moved to Chicago. The components of Thai cooking, such as lemongrass, curry, coconut and fish sauce, are so versatile! For example, add red curry paste to your breakfast frittata and top with toasted coconut (trust me, … Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
I’ve always been a huge fan of Mediterranean food. It’s good-for-you comfort food that leaves you satisfied without feeling weighed down. Garlic and lemon are prominent ingredients in my version of Chicken Shawarma. The soft pita paired with the creamy tahini and cucumber dressing and warm chicken was the perfect meal after a long day. … Chicken Shawarma with Lemony Tahini Yogurt Sauce
This time of year, you may find yourself wandering around the produce department and noticing that there is a lot of citrus fruit. Shopping for seasonal produce is not only cheaper, but you’re guaranteed a fresher, more flavorful product. For example, I am normally not a huge fan of grapefruit, but the ones I bought … Fish Tacos with Spicy Grapefruit & Avocado Salsa
Today, all I could think about is WARMTH. I stuck close to the space heater in my office for even the slightest bit of comfort. These negative temperatures are rough on an outdoors person like myself. When we head to the Rose Bowl on Wednesday (woo!) I will be soaking up the sun as much … (Veggie Loaded) Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Risotto is one of my favorite side dishes. This one is particularly satisfying because it contains sweet and salty components. I first tried a version of this when I met Giada DeLaurentis at a special event. Ever since then I’ve been wanting to try making it myself and seeing if I could get the flavor … Sweet Corn Risotto with Smoky Bacon
I never really got into the crockpot trend but now I’m hooked! Being able to put an entire meal together before I leave for work and then come home to a house full of awesome smells is the best. Josh and I love Indian food but never really take the time to make it ourselves. … Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
After living in Chicago for several years, one of my favorite condiments is giardiniera. Available hot or mild, these pickled vegetables add a delicious “bite” to sandwiches and pastas. It especially pairs well with green vegetables like kale and spinach (my two favorite veggies!). This sandwich is quick and easy and extremely comforting without being … Sweet Italian Sausage and Kale Sub with Giardiniera
