Posts by The Katz Tales
CHEESY MASHED POTATOES
This recipe had me at “cheesy.” I’ve never been a big mashed potatoes fan until I had them with cheese. Although decadent, it’s worth the splurge once in awhile. I love to serve these as a side for steak or roast dishes. It’s also great to use the leftovers—if there are any—on top of a…
Read MoreMUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP
We’re deep into soup season now, so I’m always looking for variations on a theme. Every week I make a big batch of bone broth and I’m always trying different ways to use it. My husband is a big barley and mushroom fan, so this one is for him. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS (serves 6-8) 1 cup…
Read MoreGARLIC BREAD
Whenever I need a quick side dish that everyone loves, I default to garlic bread. It’s great with steak or pasta dishes. I’ve also used it as the base for a really decadent sandwich. Rather than melting butter, I like to infuse olive oil with minced garlic. I strain the oil before using to avoid…
Read MoreDRAGON FRUITINI
The dragon fruit is an odd, yet fascinating fruit. At first glance, it’s a bit scary looking with its spikes jutting out of it’s skin as if it’s a holdout from prehistoric times. Once cut open, its beautiful white flesh dotted with tiny black seeds is a surprising juxtaposition against its redish-pink exterior. It’s a…
Read MoreCHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE
I had the most delicious chocolate walnut cake in of all places, Penang Malaysia. I’m not a huge chocolate cake fan, but this one was fudgy, chocolatey and very moist. I’ve tried a million recipes to try to recreate it and finally found one that comes very close. I can’t take any credit for it…
Read MoreG’s POTATO CHIP FISH KEBABS
Here’s an oldie, but a goodie—circa 1968. My childhood and dear friend Janis had the most beloved father on the block. He was a man way ahead of his time. I remember spending countless hours at their house as he introduced us to everything from Fred and Ginger dancing in Top Hat to Mahler’s Symphony…
Read MoreCHOCOLATE ORANGE RASPBERRY CAKE
As many of you know, I’m not the baker in the family. My husband is the one that toils away with the flour and sugar…and chocolate, of course. This is his latest triumph. The cake is moist and the orange and raspberry give it a great zesty flavor. I’m not a huge chocolate cake fan,…
Read MoreI LONG TO LIVE IN A NANCY MEYERS MOVIE
Heading toward the jagged coastline, a mourning dove flies over the terracotta roof tiles that cover the elegant Spanish Colonial homes of Santa Barbara. To the east, the Santa Ynez Mountains rise dramatically from the town, offering majestic vistas of a crisp clear blue sky kissing the aquamarine waters of the Pacific Ocean. Seductive Brazilian…
Read MoreCHAR SIU SLICED PORK CHOP
I have been known to walk miles in search of good Char Siu (Chinese Roast Pork). Its sweet and sticky sauce is about as naughty as any food should be, but of course, that’s what makes it so irresistible. My friend Grace introduced me to a great place down in NY’s Chinatown (Big Wong) where…
Read MoreTHE GREAT BARBECUE CRAWL
I’m on a mission to visit all 50 states and I’m getting fairly close. So when a family wedding brought us out of the comfort of our Brooklyn home into the backcountry of Arkansas, I saw an opportunity to scratch off a few states on my list. I convinced my husband that a road trip…
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