From the category archives:

Sauces

Chinese Black Bean Butter Sauce

Thumbnail image for Chinese Black Bean Butter Sauce April 7, 2016

The other day I was looking around my pantry and fridge for something to make for dinner that didn’t take hours and would use up what I had on hand. I started with a bunch of celery from which I had taken one stalk for another dish. I had no plans for the rest of […]

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Nectarine & Corn Salad with Lime Ginger Cilantro Vinaigrette

Thumbnail image for Nectarine & Corn Salad with Lime Ginger Cilantro Vinaigrette August 30, 2015

Stone fruit and corn on the cob are piled high at the market now, celebrating the last soft days of summer. I wanted to create a salad using these wonderful foods with a zippy vinaigrette to complement their sweet flavors. According to my family members, I succeeded, in spades.

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Corn Pancakes with Almond Red Pepper Romesco

Thumbnail image for Corn Pancakes with Almond Red Pepper Romesco July 13, 2015

Romesco, Romesco. Wherefore art thou, Romesco? Ooops, I was getting a little silly there. I’m over it now. Continuing on…. Romesco sauce originated in Tarragona, Catalonia, in northeastern Spain. Fishermen made this sauce to eat with fish, but once made, it can be used in salads, with grilled veggies, meat, chicken, stirred into fish stews, […]

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Panuchos ~ Tortillas filled with Black Beans topped with Achiote Chicken, Avocado & Habanero Salsa

Thumbnail image for Panuchos ~ Tortillas filled with Black Beans topped with Achiote Chicken, Avocado & Habanero Salsa June 9, 2015

These Panuchos have been on my bucket list of recipes for over three years. They were on the cover of the March 2012 issue of Sunset Magazine, and the minute I saw those beautiful colors, I was hooked. The Yucatan-style tostadas are the specialty of Chef Gilberto Cetina at his L.A. restaurant Chichen Itza and […]

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Pecorino Potato Pops with Smokey Chipotle Sauce

Thumbnail image for Pecorino Potato Pops with Smokey Chipotle Sauce April 19, 2015

This recipe has been a total inspiration for me. It’s little Duchesse potato bites with the spicy smokey dipping sauce would make a yummy hors d’oeuvre, but the flavor notes of Pecorino Romano cheese and smoky paprika would suggest a French or Italian menu to follow. So then I started imagining the dinner party these […]

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Arañitas con Mojo de Ajo ~ Shredded Green Plantain Fritters with Garlic Onion Sauce

Thumbnail image for Arañitas con Mojo de Ajo ~ Shredded Green Plantain Fritters with Garlic Onion Sauce January 10, 2015

When green plantains started showing up at my grocery store about 10 years ago, I was totally fascinated. I had no idea what they were, except they looked a lot like green bananas. Then I happened to eat dinner in my local Cuban restaurant, and fried plantains were part of the accompaniment for the pork […]

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Chile Verde with Pork & Ancho Chile Sauce

Thumbnail image for Chile Verde with Pork & Ancho Chile Sauce June 4, 2014

If you have been following along with my story, you know I moved into an apartment last January. I looked at several in the area I wanted to live, but fell in love with mine immediately. It’s interesting how you just know when it is a match. You walk from room to room and it […]

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Pork Pot-Stickers with Lemon Soy Ginger Sauce

Thumbnail image for Pork Pot-Stickers with Lemon Soy Ginger Sauce April 30, 2014

About a month ago I showed you how to make your own gyoza wrappers, and then I left you hanging. You were probably thinking to yourself… but, but, but…what about filling and cooking them? Well, truly, I wouldn’t leave you in the lurch like that, but after I made them it was dark outside, so […]

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Rib-Eye Carpaccio with Salmoriglio Oregano Sauce

Thumbnail image for Rib-Eye Carpaccio with Salmoriglio Oregano Sauce April 23, 2014

In my experience, there are two kinds of beef people. On one side of the spectrum are the rare or medium rare guys, who want theirs soft and red, possibly still kicking. And waaay on the other side, the well-done guys, who for some unfathomable reason, want theirs gray throughout with the texture of leather. […]

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“Croque-Madame” Brunch Gratin with Asparagus & Prosciutto from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen

Thumbnail image for “Croque-Madame” Brunch Gratin with Asparagus & Prosciutto from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen April 15, 2014

“Croque-Madame” Brunch Gratin was the entrée recipe for the Easter Family Brunch class at Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms in Manhattan Beach last week. I have to say, this Gratin was one of the best things I have eaten recently, with buttery crusted bread topped with Swiss cheese, prosciutto, asparagus, béchamel and a beautiful egg […]

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Tofu & Soba Salad with Peanut Sauce

Thumbnail image for Tofu & Soba Salad with Peanut Sauce February 6, 2014

I moved. I divested. I am about a ton lighter in possessions and I feel great. Lean and mean. Moving is such a bitch, but when it’s over, such sublime relief. *Big sigh*

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Baked Chicken with Sauce Soubise

Thumbnail image for Baked Chicken with Sauce Soubise October 23, 2013

Ok, let’s get this out of the way first. Sauce Soubise (pronounced soo-beez) is a variation of béchamel sauce, one of the five mother sauces of French classical cuisine. Originally soubise was made of béchamel, onion puree and cream. It is named after Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise (a town in France), who was […]

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Hawaiian Custard Cake with Pineapple Caramel Sauce from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms

Thumbnail image for Hawaiian Custard Cake with Pineapple Caramel Sauce from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms September 2, 2013

I was looking at the schedule for which class I would visit next at Grace-Marie’s Kitchen and Wicky-Wacky Luau just jumped off the page. I knew there would be really interesting recipes and as I have never been to Hawaii, undoubtedly dishes I had never tasted before. Grace-Marie always has intriguing and new ingredients for […]

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Fried Tomatillo Wedges with Apple Ham Vinaigrette & Cilantro Lime Aioli

Thumbnail image for Fried Tomatillo Wedges with Apple Ham Vinaigrette & Cilantro Lime Aioli August 25, 2013

Sunday. I am all alone in my house for the whole day. This doesn’t happen very often. When my eyes popped open this morning all I could think about was what I was going to cook. All by myself in the kitchen. Nobody interrupting me. No loud music blaring. No UFC match yelling and cheering. […]

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Huevos Rancheros

Thumbnail image for Huevos Rancheros August 21, 2013

Ok, let’s face it, I’m culturally deprived. Here I am, I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 1972, where there are more Mexican restaurants per capita second only to Mexico itself and I have never eaten Huevos Rancheros. Can you believe it? Everyone I know has eaten it, if not made it themselves and every blogger […]

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