DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME

A close-up of sushi rolls garnished with roe and quail eggs, with soy sauce, wasabi, a sake bottle, and a sake decanter blurred in the background.

I know we’ve all felt the pinch of inflation over the last few years. When eating out, I find myself ordering half as much, yet everything costs twice as much as it used to. Sadly one of my favorite dishes at our local sushi restaurant has gone over the top. $18 for one piece of…

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ORANGE CHOCOLATE RICOTTA CAKE

Freshly baked cake on a plate with a slice cut out, sprinkled with powdered sugar and chocolate shavings, under warm lighting.

I love a good sale, and when I found a 32 oz. tub of ricotta cheese in the market for $2.99, I couldn’t just pass it by. So after making a lasagna, I still had tons of the ricotta left. So although I’m not much of a baker, I thought maybe a dessert would be…

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LAMB STEW GREEK STYLE

Four plates of pasta with beef and feta cheese, served on a wooden table with a salad bowl and a glass of red wine in the background.

Looking for a new idea for your Easter lamb? Here’s a hearty dish that got a thumbs up from my neighbors. I often use this cut of lamb for a cassoulet, but I wanted to try a different flavor profile. By simply changing some of the spices to a more Mediterranean leaning and subbing out…

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GRILLED SALMON OVER FRIED RICE

Grilled salmon fillet on a bed of rice with spinach and chopped green onions, served in a red bowl.

I hate wasting food, so when I found some leftover rice, a half package of spinach and some other bits and pieces in the fridge, I knew I had the makings of a quick fried rice. I topped it with some grilled salmon and I had dinner on the table in less than thirty minutes.…

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CHEESY MASHED POTATOES

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes garnished with herbs, served on a wooden table with garlic and parsley nearby.

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…

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MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP

A bowl of mushroom soup garnished with herbs, surrounded by slices of brown bread and fresh mushrooms on a textured surface.

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…

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GARLIC BREAD

Slices of garlic bread with herbs, butter, garlic cloves, and hazelnuts on a textured surface.

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…

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DRAGON FRUITINI

A dragon fruit cocktail garnished with a dragon fruit slice, surrounded by dragon fruits and alcohol bottles on a marble counter.

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…

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CHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE

A piece of chocolate cake on a plate.

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…

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G’s POTATO CHIP FISH KEBABS

Bacon skewers with rice and peppers on a plate.

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…

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