Good tomatoes don’t need much to become a bright and fresh summer salad. Tomato salad may be one of those salads that actually gets better over time, as the juices release from the tomatoes and all the flavors meld. The liquid that is leftover after you’ve eaten all the tomato is so good that I’ll…
Tag: Pepper
Quinoa Tabbouleh
This was inspired by the tabbouleh I’ve had at Middle Eastern restaurants, but with quinoa instead of bulgur. It’s got a clean, fresh feel with lots of crunch from the cucumbers and just a touch of sweetness coming through the acidity of the lemon juice and tomatoes, but it also feels hearty. Since it has…
Parmesan Fried Eggs
Ever buy a nice chunk of Parmesan to grate over a pasta dish, and then wonder what you could do with the remainder? Use it to make this awesome Parmesan fried eggs breakfast, which will feel and sound fancy if you’re making brunch for someone, but is actually so easy to make that you could…
Jicama Lime Slaw
I love the crunch of jicama. It is great for make-ahead salad, because it stays crisp in the dressing. The sweetness of the apples brings out the sweetness of the jicama, and contrasts nicely with the bite of the lime and vinegar. This jicama slaw is so refreshing I find myself popping into the fridge…
Creamy Feta Red Pepper Vodka Pasta
Did you know there’s such a thing as creamy feta? I didn’t. But I bought it accidentally once, and have been a fan ever since. I happened to have some creamy feta when I got in the mood for vodka pasta, and decided to see if I could use it instead of cream, which I…
Atchara
Atchara is a Filipino side dish of pickled green papaya. The crunchy acidity of atchara makes it a great accompaniment to cut through the grease of fried or grilled meats. I remember going camping with one of my best childhood friends, and happily sitting by the fire eating a big bowl of rice, meat, and…
Greek Salad
I like a Greek Salad because it’s got great crunch and body, but also feels hearty, probably because of the feta. It’s easy to throw together, and keeps well as it’s another one of those salads with no lettuce to get soggy in the dressing. You can use whatever kinds of cucumbers and tomatoes you…
Avocado Pasta
Did you know that Compton used to be a giant avocado grove? I didn’t. My friend lives there, and she has one of the remaining avocado trees. It is the most epic avocado tree I have ever seen. Huge, with giant incredibly delicious avocados to match. Every year around avocado season, I try to make…
Creamy Broccoli Salad
I love this Creamy Broccoli Salad for a picnic or a day at the beach. It doesn’t have any lettuce to get soggy, and actually gets better with some time soaking in the sweet creamy dressing. It’s got so many layers of flavor and texture, and lots of good for you veggies! Guessipe 1 lb…
Coffee Braised Pork
When you slow-cook pork in a delicious braising liquid, two awesome things happen – the pork becomes so tender it literally falls apart, and the meat absorbs all the juiciness and flavor of the liquid. When that liquid is coffee… it’s magical. If you dry rub pork with coffee grounds then braise it, you’re basically…
Spicy Sausage & Mushroom Tomato Sauce Pasta
I adored this spicy sausage and mushroom tomato sauce pasta when I was a kid. My mom always made it with spaghetti noodles, and half the fun was watching my brother eat it. He would suck each individual noodle through his lips, and then eat the sausage and mushrooms later. By the end of the…
Lettuce-less Salad
Sometimes salad kinda bums me out, because even a big bowl of it seems like it’s mostly air. Plus it doesn’t keep well as leftovers once you’ve put the dressing on – nobody likes soggy, wilting lettuce leaves. So this lettuce-less salad is awesome, because it’s a hearty salad you can really dig into. I…