Need a dish for a New Year’s Party? Let’s think about what makes a dish perfect for a party . . . How about one that’s easy to make and transport? Simple to serve and eat? Warm and satisfying? Mild enough to satisfy a crowd, but still interesting and flavorful? Yes, please! These Mediterranean-Spiced Meatballs […]
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12 Easy Recipes to Make in Your Food Processor
I teach cooking classes several times a month in Austin at Patricia’s Table. (My next class is coming up on June 28, if you’re interested! Sign up with a friend and BYOB; great food and lots of fun guaranteed!) We use a food processor in nearly every class. And invariably, as I’m introducing my sous chef […]
Why I Always Buy Frozen Shrimp, PLUS a Recipe for Super-Fast Sautéed Garlic Shrimp
I made this Easy Summer Gazpacho the other day, and after the first bite I was totally craving seafood! There’s something about that cold tomato soup with cilantro, avocado and lime that makes me want a big pile of shrimp. (And crab cakes. And a cold glass of wine. And a sunset and an ocean breeze. And, okay […]
Easy Summer Gazpacho
Ahhh, summer. Three months of feeling like I need a shower. When we were kids, the heat never seemed as bad. We loved the summers, and especially the beach. In June or July or sometimes both, our family would pile into the Oldsmobile (emphasis on “old”), and head down to the Texas coast. Then for three […]
Easy Lemon Tarragon Sauce
This lemon-tarragon sauce is my mom‘s favorite. I remember the first time we made it: we all sat down at the dinner table and passed the sauce. A few minutes later, my dad glanced over at my mom’s plate and said with a smile, “Sure you got enough sauce there, dear?” So I looked over, too. Half her plate was […]
Seven Secrets for Killer Kale Chips
So I’m slightly obsessed with kale. No, not THIS obsessed. But I am definitely on the kale bandwagon of late. Almost overnight, I went from a maybe-Kale eater to a daily-Kale eater after watching this truly fascinating TED Talk about the health benefits of kale and other fibrous, sulfurous vegetables. (Go on … I’ll be quiet here for 17 […]
How to Make Chimichurri
Chimichurri. It is my favorite condiment of late for so many reasons: It’s easy to make. It’s light and fresh. It goes with anything. It adds a vibrant green color to your plate. It’s gluten, grain and dairy free, as well as paleo, vegan, sugar free, and raw! What’s more, the main ingredient — parsley — […]
The Easiest Way to Make Pickled Onions
I love pickled onions. I put them on everything … … Barbacoa … Pork verde … Pulled pork … Thai Lettuce Wraps … As well as almost any burger, dog, sandwich, taco or salad. Often, I make them from scratch, which basically just involves soaking sliced onions in a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and […]
Recipe Round-up: 25 Naturally Gluten-Free Recipes
Nothing quite makes my day like meeting a new friend! Like my new friend Laila, who I met on Instagram yesterday. She recently made my Crock-Pot Pork Verde, and even her kids enjoyed it! Laila said that she has recently started following a gluten-free diet. So for her, I’m doing this gluten-free recipe round-up. All of these […]
Lebanese Rolled Grape Leaves (Dolmas)
Do you remember the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula tells her Aunt that her new man doesn’t eat meat? The Aunt replies: “What do you mean he don’t eat no meat?” [The whole room becomes silent.] Then the Aunt says: “Oh, that’s okay. I make lamb.” That scene reminds me so much of John’s […]
Olive-Oil Poached Shrimp and Other Happy Accidents
I listened to an interview with OMD on NPR over the weekend. When they played a sample of “If You Leave” (“If you leave, don’t leave now / Please don’t take my heart away . . .”), a flood of memories came back to me. Big bangs and a perm. Puff-painted sweatshirts and jean shorts. […]
Recipe Roundup: Food Ideas for the Fourth
You know why I love the Fourth of July? Because I get to break out these bad boys. And these bad boys. And then hang out at a picnic all day. Really though. I do love the Fourth. And not just because it’s like a 24-hour tailgate. I love it because — for just one […]
On the Mediterranean Diet: Tabbouleh Salad
John’s grandparents are originally from Lebanon, so we eat a lot of Mediterranean food at our house. (For a funny little post about learning recipes from his family, click here.) I love to make a big spread of Lebanese food with the usual suspects (hummus, baba ganoush, rolled grape leaves) and this tabbouleh salad. Tabbouleh is very […]
Salt, Lime and Happiness: A Recipe for Ceviche
Well, we made it through another SXSW. That’s South-By-Southwest. Or “South-By” as we locals call it. John’s good friend Charlie (they’re basically brothers) came to stay with us during the main music weekend. Charlie lives in the midwest, so I wanted to serve him something very “Austin, Texas” for dinner on Friday night. To me, […]
The BEST Recipe for Crab Cakes
I made crab cakes last night for dinner. Jack ate two and John ate SEVEN. That’s why John and I are such a good match. As his dad likes to say: “Well isn’t funny that a guy who loves to EAT finds a girl who loves to COOK!” Here’s what you need to know about […]
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