I’m sharing my minimalist approach to Rhode Island clam chowder using very few ingredients. My goal is to NOT make enough chowder to feed an army. Here’s how you can whip up approximately four cup-sized servings rather quickly. And if you want to make more, feel free to double the recipe… or quadruple it if…
Maple Cornbread Dressing with Clams
Cornbread dressing is a classic American Southern dish made by tons of African-American home cooks on holidays and celebratory occasions. It’s a fantastic way of repurposing leftover cornbread by re-mixing day-old cornbread with some type of stock, meats, veggies, herbs and spices, then bake it all up. So essentially, cornbread dressing is a type of…
Roasted Jalapeño Guacamole
If you like spicy food, my flame-roasted Jalapeño approach to guacamole is what you need in your life. Texture plays and important role in my recipe by way of with finely chopped white onion, while the absence of tomatoes eliminates the “slime” factor. But most importantly, using a pastry cutter to mash everything allows you…
Spicy Lime Chicken Wings
This is a super simple recipe using some ordinary store-bought ingredients, resulting in extraordinary results. As the title would suggest … limes are the featured ingredient in these easy lime chicken wings. That’s a no-brainer. But varying the type of hot sauce and chile powder is where there is room for creativity. The lime has…
Sicilian Tomato Eggplant Soup (Alla Norma)
Pasta Alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish consisting of pasta tossed in a tomato sauce with fried eggplant. Then Ricotta cheese is frequently added with a garnish of red pepper flakes. But if you’re looking to cut down on carbs, then this tomato eggplant soup is a fantastic way to experience this traditional Sicilian…
Pasilla Lentil and Pumpkin Soup
If you’re not into the classic “American” pumpkin, consider switching to a Calabaza pumpkin that is super popular in Caribbean Latin cuisine. It’s not as watery and it tastes more like a butternut squash, which makes it a perfect candidate for a pumpkin soup. This soup is the result of merging two concepts I had…
Pasilla Tomatillo Salsa from Chef Rick Bayless
I recently received an education in Oaxacan Tomatillo Salsa with Pasilla chilies, and minimalist cooking from watching Chef Rick Bayless on YouTube. He hooked up this awesome salsa with just 3 ingredients (tomatillos, Pasilla chiles, and garlic) and this will certainly be added to my list of regular things to make going forward. If you…
Skordalia Frittata with Calabrian Pepper Sauce
Skordalia is a Greek, potato-based garlic spread that I came across in Titan Foods, one of many Greek grocery stores in Astoria. Other than using it as a spread, my first instinct was to use it with broccoli and cheese and a Skordalia omelette. Just randomly drop in a few spoonfulls here and there after…
Green Tomato Brown Rice
So many videos exist about how cooking brown rice correctly and I’m here to show you how simple it can be. And you happen to be growing tomatoes, here’s something you can do with any unripe gems you might have left in your autumn garden. Or if you can find green tomatoes elsewhere, by all…
Air Fryer Potatoes with Thai Curry Paste
This “easy idea” recipe has quickness in mind for when you want some crispy home fries. And for lovers of Thai curry and/or anything spicy, you’re in for a treat because these are laced with spicy, aromatic Asian flavors. If you don’t have an air fryer, go get one! I use a Ninja. Or, you…
Thai Curry Eggplant with Lentils
When you order Thai food as much as I do and you’re craving that Thai curry flavor at home, using canned curry paste is your best friend. Sure, it’s not made from scratch but it’s pretty darn good. You can come close to replicating any simmered coconut milk-based curry dish from a Thai restaurant without…
Summer Salmon Burger
When you want a leaner burger experience other than classic beef, a salmon burger is an often-overlooked choice when it comes to alternative burgers. For these patties the clean flavors of garlic, ginger, chives and coriander mixed in with some honey mustard leave your mouth with a satisfying “umami” flavor. Like all burgers, all it…
Blackeyed Pea Tabouli Salad
People familiar with my food know that I really love serving up bold and spicy flavors. So it’s a good idea to have this mild and refreshing Blackeyed Pea Salad to serve alongside some spicy jerk chicken or some Vegan Jollof Rice as a palette cleanser. This delivers the fresh, lemon-dressed, and parsley-packed experience of…
Pineapple Honey Limeade
Sure, lemonade is a great classic choice for a refreshing summer drink, but limeade is another fantastic option. The tartness of fresh lime juice is quite intense, which means you don’t need to use very much. Lime juice needs lots of sweetener, so why not go the natural route and make some freshly made pineapple…
Red Pepper Tahini Dressing
When you love red bell peppers and find yourself frequently buy jars of them, you’re already on your way to making a fantastic 4-ingredient red pepper dressing. Simply grab a clove of garlic, kosher salt, and tahini. Mash the red pepper and garlic into a paste. Stir in the tahini, then thin it out with…
Maple Cornbread with Berry Preserves
This recipe for maple cornbread is inspired by my obsession with heritage cooking lately. Simply because, as a genealogy enthusiast I constantly wonder what my ancestors were eating. Or, if I was there in that time and place, I like to imagine what I would have cooked with the ingredients that were available. If you…
Curry Sweet Potato Dip with Candied Ginger
This recipe comes close to being a hummus, if it were not for the absence of chickpeas or any other type of bean. Whether you consider this a sweet potato dip, spread, hummus, or mash … it’s still something that showcases a Jamaican-inspired way to prepare this ever-so-versatile root vegetable. I’m not Jamaican but I…
Oven-Dried Tomato Slices
Drying food is great for campers and hikers, but home cooks have good reason to use this cooking technique to make oven-dried tomato slices. Why? Simply because they’re awesome in vegetarian sandwiches. Let’s not forget that tomatoes are technically a fruit and their sugar content is quite high. Without moisture, flavors become super concentrated in…
Mexican Quinoa, Quick and Easy
Of course, salsa from a jar is great for nachos. But cooking with it as a starter for some red rice or red quinoa is an easy idea to serve as a side to any plant-based meal. Red quinoa is also great substitute in meatless tacos, yielding a clumpy, slightly caramelized, meat-like filling. This was…
Lean Collard Greens with Smoked Pork Chops
Traditional preparation of collard greens involves slowly cooking down a ham hock. The meat breaks down and the greens are infused with the pork fat that renders off. Nowadays, many people substitute the ham hock with smoked turkey for a healthier version without pork. To take the health factor one step further, I even have…
Artichoke Aioli, Quick and Easy
Cooking an artichoke might not be hugely popular and it may not seem easy, but its refreshing flavor is something very rewarding. Instead of eating it the classic way … painstakingly scraping the leaves with your teeth … use the flesh to make artichoke aioli. This easy recipe happened because I wanted to revisit this…
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Few things are as rewarding – and as easy – as roasting potatoes. Insert fresh herbs, minced garlic, and cracked black pepper into the equation, and you’re set up for herb roasted potatoes. It’s a heavenly, home-cooked side dish. When it comes to potatoes, I usually make my spicy home fries laced with chili powder…
Andouille Vegan Red Beans
If you have a love/hate relationship with meat like I do, this Vegan Red Beans recipe is something you need in your life. Even if you love meat, this is an extremely satisfying copycat concept for Andouille sausage. It’s spicy, smoky, and oh so hearty. And … it’s plant-based! So, after much Andouille research and…
Fried Green Tomato Bites
What to do when you’re faced with too many unripe tomatoes? Most people would say, “Fry ‘em up!” A couple months ago I pickled a batch of them when I swore I was done with the growing season. However, seeing so many unripe cherry tomatoes still in my container garden convinced me to hang on…
Pickled Green Tomatoes, the Quick Method
Here’s something super easy to do with unripe tomatoes. The classic pickling process involves preserving in a jar. However, quick pickling can achieve similar results in a skillet with some oil, salt, and vinegar. It’s super easy. This is something I usually do with slices of Jalapeño peppers, or banana peppers. But with an abundance…
Quick Taco Meat – Classic “American” Style
Taco Tuesday is a breeze once you have the right meat locked down. The meat I’m talking about here is what goes on the classic “Americanized” tacos that many people ate growing up. You know … the super basic tacos with the pouch of meat seasonings, Ortega hard shells with layers of diced tomato, shredded…
Green Enchilada Sauce
When you love green enchiladas, making your own green enchilada sauce at home is a must. Green enchilada sauce always wins in my book for a key reason. It’s super easy! But also, the flavor profile of this tomatillo-based sauce packed with citrusy cilantro, aromatic onions and spicy peppers is a personal favorite. If you’re…
Vegan Baked Beans with Smoked Tomatoes
My vegan baked beans are a cookout crowd-pleaser for their bold smoky flavor while delivering a healthy-ish, meatless experience. Also, it’s quite an easy recipe. Smoked tomatoes are used as a base for a hearty and onion-packed homemade barbecue sauce and the beans pretty much cook low and slow. Upon completion of testing this recipe…
How to Make Awesome Vegetarian Sandwiches
Really good vegetarian sandwiches go beyond the basics of just some lettuce, cheese and tomato. With two key pieces of equipment you can turn almost anything into a sandwich fixing. Layer them in between two pieces of your favorite bread with some condiments, and you’re all set! My love for decadent vegetarian sandwiches began just…
Broiled Buffalo Cauliflower
Buffalo cauliflower is an easy idea that combines the two concepts of buffalo wings and meatless cooking. If you love spicy food, this should be added to your repertoire. You get the vinegary cayenne-infused flavor delivered to your sinuses by way of this nutritious crunchy vegetable. Also, it’s also super easy. If you want a…
Sriracha Kale Slaw
My recipe for kale slaw is extremely simple. It’s jam packed with fresh cruciferous vegetables, turned spicy, and lifted with citrus flavors of lemon juice and cilantro. Like most slaw and salad recipes, the amounts are completely flexible and open for interpretation. So, feel free to use this as a guide and put your own…
Mexican Shepherd’s Pie with Braised Beef
For St. Patrick’s Day I wanted to revamp shepherd’s pie using Mexican seasonings and braised beef. I’m a little Irish but never felt a connection to Irish food. Shepherd’s pie was the extent of what I knew growing up. So now that I know how to cook, my version utilizes the flavors I know so…
Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili with Cashew Lime “Crema”
If you love chili, this recipe will convince you that meat has little to do with it. The thick, spicy, and tomatoey sauce with all kinds of textures coming together in one bowl is what seals the deal. Sweet potato chili is quite common among vegan cooking. But for my vegan chili recipe, mashed sweet…
Baked Kale Chips, Here are Some Tips
If you’re skeptical about the concept of turning fresh kale into crispy, oven-baked kale chips, I completely understand. I was doubtful as well. This trendy snack is huge among health food enthusiasts and countless recipes exist on the internet … each has its own signature. Seasonings may vary, but the cooking process is all the…
10 Chocolate Chip Cookie Tips
Through much trial and error from the age of 8, I have developed my own set of chocolate chip cookie tips. In about 1984, my oldest sister burned a batch of Nestle Tollhouse cookies and I whined so much that I was actually crying. Even after that traumatic incident, she made them countless times and…
Sofrito of the American South
If you’re new to the concept of sofrito, it’s basically the blending a bunch of fresh vegetables, aromatics and herbs to use as a sauté base. You can use it in soups, stews, rice, or anything you sauté or boil. Many cultures have their own version, and seeing how I enjoy learning about American Southern…
Buffalo Roasted Chickpeas
In a recent effort to eat less meat, this easy idea came about when I was seriously craving some buffalo wings. Roasted chickpeas have been trendy for a while, but infusing them in buffalo sauce will make you not miss chicken in the least bit. The crunchy exterior actually reminds me of chicken skin. The…
Garden Salad with Thai Basil Lime Vinaigrette
Growing my own food was something I had no idea I would be good at. My first attempt at gardening in pots was last year. Much trial and error occurs in gardening and thanks to YouTube we can pretty much learn how to do anything. I have learned quite a bit from the Roots and…
Jamaican Curry Lentils with Coconut Milk
For curry lovers, this Jamaican version of curry lentils offers a quick and easy vegan side dish. It can also be transformed into a main course meal if treated as such. Simply serve it over rice and add an endless combination of toppings as you would do with a bowl of chili. Even better –…
Sweet Potato “Cold Cuts”
Sweet potato recipes have historically been very time-intensive procedures. However, all it takes is a mandolin slicer to turn this classic American-Southern Soul Food ingredient into a fixing for a sandwich or wrap. Even better … it only requires 20 to 30 minutes of cooking. It’s as easy as cooking bacon but not as messy…
Red Enchilada Sauce
Making a really good red enchilada sauce is an extremely rewarding and messy procedure. Because that I order enchiladas at least once a week, I couldn’t go on any longer without paying proper tribute to this amazing Mexican comfort food. It was time to actually MAKE it. Upon ordering enchiladas, I almost always choose green…
Cucumber Salad with Chili-and-Garlic-Oil
The marinade from this cucumber salad can be applied to any vegetable you prefer, but I’ve found that it works most amazingly with cucumbers due to their absorbent nature. A tangy edge is introduced from fresh lemon juice and if you’re not familiar with freshly ground coriander – which I hear is actually seeds of…
Jollof Rice, Vegan Style
Countless Jollof Rice recipes from African cooks exist on YouTube, and I wanted to get in on the action. However I really didn’t want to add meat, so this vegan jollof rice is the result! And meat aside, this recipe which follows more of a Ghanian method. There is an ongoing culinary debate about how…
Skinny Coleslaw with Sriracha
If you’re in the mood for coleslaw without mayonnaise and enjoy a spicy edge, then consider this vegan alternative featuring Sriracha sauce and grated ginger. You could call it a skinny coleslaw. I uses the term “vinaigrette” loosely because lemon juice is the acidic stand-in for vinegar this coleslaw recipe. And like most vegetable marinades…
Black-Eyed Pea Dip with Roasted Garlic
Put down the hummus and consider this faster-cooking black-eyed pea dip to impress any vegan and/or Southern/Soul food aficionados you may be cooking for. Roasting garlic is a crucial step you certainly don’t want to skip, as it takes only 20 minutes and ideal to be done in a toaster oven. Once the peas are…
Homefries Two Ways
These crispy, well-seasoned, oven-made homefries can enhance any meal if you just follow just a few simple concepts. Be sure to briefly boil them (for just a few minutes) prior to seasoning, don’t be shy with the seasonings, and use extreme temperatures. You can achieve similar results using one of two methods — frying in…
Shoestring Fried Sweet Potatoes
Naturally sweet and oh-so-crispy bits of fried sweet potatoes in the form of shoestrings are an exciting addition to any sandwich, wrap, or taco. Plus, after they’re fried, they can also be seasoned and turned into a stand-alone snack. No matter if you are vegan, vegetarian, or meat-loving, these fixings are loved by all. Be…
Easy Jerk Chicken from the Jar
While researching recipes for jerk chicken, I was struck by how many home cooks try to add their own “other” ingredients. Non-traditional items including parsley, nutmeg, 5-spice powder, or even soy sauce are in some recipes. To experience the traditional version of this amazing Jamaican comfort food so I turned to YouTube, where it’s easy…
Vegan Gumbo with Mashed Yams
Traditional gumbo achieves its thick texture from making a roux at the start of the recipe. But for my interpretation of vegan gumbo, I achieve a similar consistency from mixing some mashed yams into your bowl at the very end. Keep in mind that this is a very loose interpretation of the classic definition of…
Sautéed Collard Greens
This recipe for sautéed collard greens does not involve the classic method of preparation. Traditionally the greens endure hours of simmering with a ham hock or smoked turkey wing. Instead, you can try this vegan option in only 20 minutes of cooking time. These cook much quicker, retain a lot more nutrients and have a…
Smoky Sofrito Pulled Chicken Breast
When faced with the challenge of finding new ways to cook chicken breast, consider this easy, flavorful method of stewing for 3 hours and delicately pulling it apart with a fork. Use this recipe for making pulled chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, empanada filling, over salad, or just eating it over simple white rice with a…
Salsa Verde with Roasted Poblano Pepper
When indulging in Mexican food, the most difficult decision for me ends up being the decision of choosing salsa verde or salsa roja — red sauce or green sauce. If you like a little kick of heat, the addition of poblano peppers will convince you that green is the way to go. This relatively easy…
7 Tips for Fluffy White Rice
Everyone has varying techniques for cooking a batch of plain white rice and other rice-based recipes. Because of its wishy washy nature rice deserves its own blog post to yield an irresistibly light and fluffy batch regardless of which technique you use. After much trial and tragic error, I arrived at these tips that I…
Easy Plain Tomato Sauce
Countless comfort food recipes – especially many rice and beans – call for a small 8 ounce can of plain tomato sauce. However, upon reading the labels on the cans, pretty much all brands seem to have some trace of “spices”, herbs, or even red coloring. Making your own plain tomato sauce takes only 20…
Rice with Pigeon Peas (Arroz con Gandules)
Pigeon peas (gandules) are quite global but I first encountered these nutritious legumes in a Puerto Rican context from watching chef Daisy Martinez. This was basically her recipe, until I started doing a couple things a little differently. The global concept of cooking rice and beans in the same pot seems quite simple … seasoning…
Jalapeño Poppers Stuffed with Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder is perfectly suited for jalapeño poppers due to its succulent fibrous texture. This meat allows you to break it apart into long whole chunks that conform easily to the pepper and still remain intact when handled. Also, the fat rendered from pork shoulder can be brushed on before roasting for added love. If…
Adobo Roasted Pork Shoulder
Chef Daisy Martinez introduced this recipe for Puerto Rican style roasted pork shoulder to my life 10 years ago. It’s traditionally called “perníl”. Cooking for large amounts of people (who have no hang-ups about eating pork) has never been the same again. A wet rub, called Adobo, consisting of garlic paste and other basic ingredients…
Coquito with Homemade Caramel
Coquito is a egg nog-like, coconut based cocktail that is often shared around any festive time in many Caribbean Latin households. It’s common and exciting to receive a bottle of homemade coquito because the recipes can get quite creative from kitchen to kitchen. With the absence of raw egg and realizing that other kitchens incorporate…
Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Torte
Since the emergence of the gluten-free trend, countless flourless cake recipes are based on the concept of trying to mimic the volume and texture of an actual “with-flour” cake, largely by adding lots of eggs. However my first recollection of flourless dessert dates back to the late 1990s when flourless “cakes” took on a more…
Skillet Baked Mac and Cheese
Recipes for a nice, comforting batch of mac and cheese can quickly go from inspirationally gooey to a tragic cheese casserole of mush if not handled with care. Overcooking the pasta is often a huge problem. To achieve a nice, creamy and smooth cheese sauce you only need a low temperature, the right blend of…
Cranberry Apple Crisp
Every time the temperature drops outside the idea of apple pie seems to always creep into my mind. Making a really good pie crust certainly has some complicated obstacles, so an apple crisp is an equally exciting easier option. And even better … both the filling and crumb topping can pre-made and stored in the…
Puerto Rican Sofrito, Freshly Made
Chef Daisy Martinez first opened my eyes to the process of making Puerto Rican sofrito, which is a staple in Caribbean Latin cuisine. Basically the concept of is to act as a sautéed seasoning for any oil or fat which contributes to any base flavor in a recipe. Instead of sautéing each vegetable individually, sofrito is a…
Vodka Watermelon Cocktail with Mint
As seedless watermelons begin to arrive in stores, you should also be on the lookout for some fresh mint leaves to enjoy this refreshing watermelon cocktail. Carving out a watermelon and infusing melon balls in vodka is so easy. It’s also a fun, crowd-pleasing presentation that makes everyone want to party. Guests love it. The…
Piña Colada with Guava Nectar
There are two types of people in this world … those who love piña colada and those who don’t. A common complaint among the haters is that its too sweet and they don’t like the coconut milk/cream. So, my spin on a piña colada tackles both of those issues. With the introduction of guava nectar,…
Spicy Lime Baked Chicken Wings
If you like spicy as well as tangy flavors together, welcome to the easiest baked chicken wings recipe in the world. Red Devil hot sauce and fresh lime juice are combined with some really standard powdered seasonings to yield a succulent chicken wings that fall off the bone … provided you have some patience! This…
Bittersweet Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I have been perfecting this recipe for chocolate chunk cookies since I was a kid. It originated from following directions on the back of a bag of Nestle Toll House chocolate chips when I was about 8 years old. My sister burnt a batch of cookies and I was determined to learn how to make…