World Cup of Yum

Gone Fishin’ – Mexico

Following my enthusiasm after my initial foray into ocean fishing, my friend Nelson invited me on a deep sea fishing excursion to Mexico. I was graduating to the big leagues! Ok, more like advancing from little league to the minors, but for me… super exciting! This time, he declared a high likelihood that we would…

Broccoli in Creamy Garlic Sauce

My grandma taught me this Chinese method for making a creamy garlicky sauce using cornstarch and egg. I love it on broccoli that has been parboiled so it’s bright green and still crunchy. It’s a quick and easy dish that tastes rich and full of flavor. Guessipe 1/2 lb broccoli florets 3 cloves garlic, minced…

Lemon Mousse

Cookbook Club – BraveTart In July, our Cookbook Club actually had two events, because Anthony organized a bonus dessert pool party (I love that people are so excited about the club that they’re now organizing additional gatherings!). We used BraveTart by Stella Parks, which celebrates classic American desserts. Go to my Cookbook Club site to…

Sweet Cream Biscuits

Cookbook Club – Eat Mexico In July, we used Lesley Tellez’s Eat Mexico for our Cookbook Club. I was really happy we were trying a type of cuisine our club hadn’t cooked yet. The book highlights dishes from Mexico City’s street stands, markets, and casual restaurants. You can see our full Mexico City food journey…

Ginger Scallion Steamed Fish

Growing up, one of my absolute favorite things was Chinese steamed fish with ginger and scallions. We would get a whole steamed fish at restaurants, or have a steamed filet at home. This recipe works for either – it just depends how comfortable you are pulling the meat from the skin and bones. While I…

Bok Choy Salad

Most people think of Bok Choy as a vegetable that you eat stir-fried, but did you know that it’s got crunch and sweetness that makes it great for eating raw? This is a Bok Choy salad that I whipped up for a pizza party that needed a fresh and bright side as a counterpoint to…

Pizza Marinara

Cookbook Club – The Elements of Pizza In June, we did a special event in partnership with the LA Bread Bakers, using their outdoor wood-fired pizza oven! We used The Elements of Pizza by Ken Forkish for dough and sauce recipes and topping combos, and also came up with our own pizza creations. Go to…

Cucumber Dill Blueberry Salad

The base of this recipe was inspired by a cucumber dill salad that my mom used to make when I was growing up. I freshened it up with the addition of red onion for a bit of bite and blueberries for a sweet pop. So good on a summer day! Guessipe 4 Persian cucumbers, sliced…

Le Comptoir Restaurant Review

Gold Dig #69 Le Comptoir is one of the most intimate experiences on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list. There are only two seatings per night, in which 10 lucky people get to sit at the counter watching Chef Gary Menes prepare and plate the 8-course set menu. He starts with an introduction describing that…

Green Bean Salad

It’s summertime, when I like a cool veggie side, but want something more substantial than a leafy salad. This green bean salad fits the bill, with lots of crunch from the beans, the nuttiness of toasted almonds, and egg for more substance. The dressing completes this simple tangy dish. Great for bringing to a summer…

Broken Spanish Restaurant Review

Gold Dig #68 Broken Spanish is one of the Mexican restaurants on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants list. The wide rectangular space has a glass front wall and large bar in the center. It feels mostly modern, but has some rustic touches like a side wall hung with family photos and shelves full of clay…

Spaghetti with Garlic, Lemon, Kale, and Parmesan

Cookbook Club – What’s For Dinner? For May’s Cookbook Club, we used What’s For Dinner? by Curtis Stone. I chose the Spaghetti with Garlic, Lemon, Kale, and Parmesan. Go to my Cookbook Club site to see everything we had for dinner. For now – my dish! When I saw this recipe, I could immediately imagine…