It’s October and here in the South Bay that means cool breezes and chilly temperatures. I’ve even started wearing long pants and pulled out the occasional sweater. When that happens, it’s time to start rethinking dinner options; and some of my favorites are hearty stews and rich pastas. One of my favorite pasta dinners is… Continue reading Carrot Orzotto
Tag: dinner
Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Figs
We’re right in the middle of fig season and if there’s one thing I love it’s fresh figs. I’ll eat them straight or roasted or even cooked down into a thick relish. I’ve even made a few desserts with them. But one thing I’ve never done is cooked them with a protein. Well, I changed that a few weeks ago and I’m so happy I did. These pork chops are delicious and perfect for this time of year.
Grilled Orange Chicken
I hate being inside when the weather’s warm. All I want to do is hang by the pool or play on the beach or just lay in the backyard and read a book or magazine. The last thing I want to do is be stuck inside and cook over a hot stove, especially when my… Continue reading Grilled Orange Chicken
Grilled Chicken and Strawberries with Balsamic Syrup
It’s so funny the way summer works here in the South Bay. One day it’ll be cold and foggy and in the low 60’s, or what we call June Gloom. Then the next day, usually right around the official start of summer, it’ll be sunny and hot, like in the 90’s hot. When it gets… Continue reading Grilled Chicken and Strawberries with Balsamic Syrup
Plantain Tacos
I love Mexican food. Tacos, Spanish rice, tamales, quesadillas… you get the picture. While Tuesdays are usually saved for tacos, we tend to enjoy our Mexican food on Fridays. Actually, we don’t specify a night for Mexican. We have it whenever we want… except when it comes to Cinco de Mayo. On Cinco de Mayo… Continue reading Plantain Tacos
Mapo Pork with Bok Choy
I have a confession to make: I’m an addict. A food magazine addict. It’s true… I have tons and tons of food magazines. They’re mostly Fine Cooking, but there are also a few Better Homes and Gardens, some Food and Wine‘s as well as two or three America’s Test Kitchens. I’ve used them all and… Continue reading Mapo Pork with Bok Choy
Herb-Crusted Chicken with Strawberry Relish
I love this time of year because all the fresh berries and stone fruits are coming back in season. The first fruit that lets you know summer is coming are strawberries. There are so many different things you can do with strawberries: from eating them right off the vine as a snack to mixing them… Continue reading Herb-Crusted Chicken with Strawberry Relish
Marbella Chicken
Every year Passover comes around I’m always struggling to figure out what to make for the seder. I mean, we can’t have pork. No, I don’t keep kosher, but I always try to follow the rules during the holidays; no pork means no ham. Beef is is a possibility but that usually takes more time… Continue reading Marbella Chicken
Green Vegetable Risotto
Comfort food. It’s one of my favorite things, especially when the days get cold. I mean, there’s just nothing better on a chilly, rainy evening than a hot bowl of stew or a big pot of macaroni and cheese. One of my favorite entreés during these winter months is risotto. It’s rich and creamy and… Continue reading Green Vegetable Risotto
Baked Risotto with Sausage
Now that the holidays are over, we’re all focused on eating healthier, less fattening foods. It’s actually the number one new year’s resolution. Well, the number one new year’s resolution is to lose weight, but that usually involves eating healthier so it all kind of goes together. Unfortunately that means no cakes or cookies or… Continue reading Baked Risotto with Sausage
Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
It was 102° here yesterday. 102. I’ve been living in Redondo Beach for over ten years, and I don’t think it’s ever been that hot here. I mean, I live 10 blocks from the ocean. It’s supposed to be cooler on the coast, not stale and sweltering. But I unfortunately can’t control the weather, and… Continue reading Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potatoes