Episodes

Chicken Pot Pie: A Modern Twist on a Classic Favorite Chicken pot pie is a beloved dish that has graced dinner tables for generations. But sometimes even the classics need a little refresh. Imagine the hearty goodness of of the classic dish you’ve always enjoyed – but served in an unexpected, elegant way. The Modern Twist: Puff Pastry and Vol-au-Vents Here’s the elegant twist on this classic dish: Instead of sealing everything inside a heavy crust, you’ll serve this scrumptious dish in a vol...

Turkey is a tale of two meats, dark and white. And when you’re cooking a whole bird, ending up with both equally as juicy and tasty is a challenge. But one that you can handle like a pro in the kitchen with a turkey brine. Why a Brine is Beneficial The challenge is this. Meat is muscle and the color of the meat reflects how those muscles are used. More active muscles use more myoglobin, an oxygen-binding protein. Large, flightless birds, like turkeys, are constantly moving their legs and thighs...

Eggplant Parmigiana: A Classic Italian Comfort Dish If you’ve ever fallen head over heels for the rich, cheesy layers of lasagna, then get ready to swoon over eggplant parmigiana. This Italian classic swaps pasta for tender slices of eggplant turning this simple vegetable into a star. Eggplant parmigiana packs flavor, comfort, and joy into every bite. Let’s talk about why this dish deserves a spot on your dinner table tonight. Why Eggplant Is the Perfect Veggie Hero Going plant-based or ju...

Your New Favorite Breakfast Comfort Food: Poblano Sausage Gravy Which breakfast dish is is creamy, savory, and utterly irresistible especially slathered on top of homemade biscuits? This downright delicious gravy has a magical way of turning an ordinary morning into a cozy, comfort-filled experience. And here’s the best part: it’s incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re looking to impress your family and friends at brunch or just craving a tasty breakfast, poblano sausage gravy is your go-to...

Roll Into Sushi Success: Crafting the Perfect California Roll in Your Own Kitchen Have you ever wondered if you could make restaurant-quality sushi at home without breaking the bank? Sushi might seem like a dish best left to the pros, but It’s not! With a little bit of knowledge, you can easily roll sushi right in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost. Let’s dive into the intriguing history of sushi followed by my five essential tips for making the perfect California roll. From Ancien...

Taco night just got a major upgrade. If you’re a fan of tacos, crunchy textures, and just the right amount of heat, you’re going to love my grilled shrimp tacos. They’re topped with a zesty jicama lime slaw and a drizzled with a smoky chipotle lime crema sauce. It’s a fiesta in every bite. And easily doable on a weeknight. Let’s Talk Jicama If you haven’t cooked with jicama before it’s time to get acquainted. This root vegetable, often called the “Mexican potato,” has a crisp texture simi...

Grilled Branzino: A Dance of Mediterranean Flavors Imagine a balmy evening with the gentle roll of sea waves in the background and the air is filled with the enticing aroma of fresh fish grilling over a hot flame. You may not live seaside but you’ll feel like you’re there with this recipe – Grilled Branzino. What’s branzino you ask? It’s a Mediterranean seabass that’s about to take your taste buds on a vibrant journey. It’s a recipe so delightful that you’ll want to cook and share it with eve...

What’s the green, herbaceous sauce that hails from Argentina and Uruguay that will elevate your meals from mundane to magnificent? It’s chimichurri sauce. Traditionally made with fresh parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, this sauce is the perfect blend of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy. It is indeed the perfect blend of flavors that will elevate your meals from mundane to magnificent. A Dash of Chimichurri History No one knows for sure who can rightly cla...

Discover the Delicious World of Kofta: A Flavorful Journey Have you ever wondered what makes a simple dish of meatballs explode with flavor? While you may be thinking that we are going to take a turn here to Italy. We’re not. Instead our journey will take us across the Mediterranean Sea and through the aromatic streets of the Middle East with a beloved dish. Kofta. Sometimes spelled kafta or kufta, this delicious dish has a lineage that stretches back to ancient Persia where the term “kūfta...

Tabbouleh: A Fresh Salad Feast Which ancient salad, whose primary ingredient is parsley, has captured the taste buds of people around the world? It’s tabbouleh. This zesty, herb-packed dish is a celebration of fresh flavors, vibrant colors, and healthy eating. It’s a superstar standout in the Middle Eastern culinary lineup. And it’s time to add this ancient salad to your weekly rotation as well. A Salad With History Tabbouleh is a simple salad with a long history. Its roots stretch back ...

Spice Up Your Life: Nashville Hot Chicken Do you love fiery flavors that make your taste buds dance? Buckle up. Because I’ve got a tantalizing food adventure for you. It’s a Southern celebration of heat, history, and happiness. It’s Nashville Hot Chicken. A Fiery Beginning: The Birth of Nashville Hot Chicken The legend of Nashville hot chicken begins with a story as spicy as the dish itself. At the center of this story is Thornton Prince, a charming and somewhat mischievous Nashville nativ...

Dive Into Flavor with the Vibrant Tuna Niçoise Salad What salad from the sun-kissed city of Nice, France, should you add to your evening meal repertoire? It’s Tuna Niçoise Salad. It is a celebration of simplicity and flavors. The original version of Niçoise salad was even more simple: salted tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, anchovies, and olive oil. It was considered a much beloved poor man’s meal. Then August Escoffier, a French chef who is known as the king of chefs and the chefs to kings and w...

Discover the Delight of Orzo Salad with Basil Vinaigrette and Poached Shrimp Which quick-cooking pasta is shaped like a rice grain and means “barley” in Italian? It’s orzo. And you need to get to know this delicious, quick-cooking pasta. You’re going to love orzo’s versatility. It’s used in soups, stews, salads, and can be used as a substitute for a grain in all kinds of dishes, like paella and risotto. My favorite way to use this beloved pasta is in a salad: Orzo Salad with Basil Vinaigret...

It’s time to ditch store-bought hummus and make your own. Making this super simple dish at home means experiencing vibrant flavor unmatched by store-bought versions. Honestly, what dish doesn’t taste better when it’s homemade? A Rich History: Hummus Through the Ages Hummus is a simple dish with a rich history. Hummus, which means “chickpea” in Arabic, originated in the Middle East, and has been a dietary staple in countries like Lebanon, Israel, and Syria for generations. The first recorde...

Dive Into The World of Shrimp al Ajillo Would you like to add the power of the Mediterranean diet to your cooking repertoire that is quick and easy? Of course you do. And I have the perfect recipe. Shrimp al Ajillo. It’s a dish that has charmed palates around the world with its simplicity and robust flavor. This classic Spanish tapa, one of my favorites, features succulent shrimp cooked in olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers. Did I mention garlic, my favorite allium vegetable? Oh yes, I d...

Fiji Chicken Curry: Fresh Ingredients and Rich Spices Are you ready to spice up meal time with something new? Try my Fiji Chicken Curry. This dish is rich in aromatic spices and coconut milk with a vibrant flavor that is a celebration on a plate of Fijian culture. Indians migrated to Fiji in the 19th century primarily orchestrated by the British colonial government’s need for laborers on sugarcane plantations. The Indians brought with them their languages, religions, cultural practices, and...

A Mediterranean Delight: Lentil Salad with Ladolemono Lentils have a long and delicious history with the human race. Esau was so enticed by this legume that he traded his birthright to his brother Jacob in exchange for a bowl of red lentil stew. Maybe you don’t love them that much, but you’re going to love my Lentil Salad with Ladolemono, a tangy, lemony Greek dressing. The Magic of Lentils in this Lentil Salad with Ladolemono Lentils are a tiny but mighty legume that pack a nutritional pun...

Slide Into Flavor Town: Smash Burger Sliders with Bacon and Avocado Are you ready to turn your next meal-time gathering into a smashing success? Imagine biting into a mini burger that packs the punch of a heavyweight champ. We’re talking about a juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patty paired with the irresistible crispiness of bacon, the creamy, rich texture of avocado, and a zesty twist of a spicy mango sauce. It’s a winning trio and a burst of flavor in every bite. A Little Slider History O...

Discover the Magic of Broccolini: Your New Favorite Super-Veggie! Are you ready to meet your new favorite green vegetable? Say hello to broccolini. This delightful, nutritious, and versatile veggie is sure to light up your tastebuds and banish the boredom of eating the same ‘ole veggies at every meal. Roasted broccolini is especially tasty with its companions of fresh garlic, blistered grape tomatoes, and a Sherry vinaigrette in this dish. A Peek Into Broccolini’s History Despite often bei...

Salsa Fresca: A Fresh Dive Into Its Vibrant History and Ingredients Did you know that one of the beloved condiments in both Mexican and Tex Mex cuisine traces its origins all the way back to the ancient Aztecs? It’s salsa fresca. You may also know this lovely salsa as “pico de gallo”. Salsa fresca combines fresh, simple ingredients for a punch of flavor that has captivated taste buds for hundreds of years. Yes, salsa fresca has journeyed from ancient gardens to our modern tables. The word “...

Brownies: A Beloved American Dessert Why do you love brownies? Notice I didn’t ask IF you loved brownies. I assume you love them like most other people planet. Ask anyone for their Top 10 list of favorite desserts. More often than not brownies will be listed in this prestigious list. And why not? Brownies are a classic dessert. They are versatile, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make from scratch. A Brief History of Brownies Several legends abound about the origins of this chocolaty ...

Why Spinach? Oh, Let Me Count the Ways! What do you think when you hear the words “spinach salad”? Wait, wait. Don’t tune out. This spinach salad is bursting with flavor and is the perfect recipe to fill you with a sense of renewal and freshness. Forget about bland and dreary salads that make meal time fee like a chore rather than a treat. My spinach salad is here to change all that. Say goodbye to boring salads. Spinach Salad is Filled With Flavor with a Fennel Dressing Say hello to fla...

Making Magic with a Crustless Quiche How often do you make quiche? If the answer is not often, let me assure you have an egg-citing future with quiche once you meet my crustless quiche recipe. Yes, that’s right. Imagine all the creamy, eggy goodness of traditional quiche but without the crust. Don’t get me wrong. I love crust – on pizza, bread, and even quiche. But making crust can be intimidating and a bit time consuming when you’re hungry. Even if you buy a ready-made crust (which I don’t ...

In Praise of Leftovers: The Unsung Heroes of Meal Time Let’s be honest, leftovers have been getting a bad rap for far too long. If you’ve ever refused to carry home the remains of your meal or turned up your nose up at the sight of those lonely leftovers the next day, it’s time to rethink your relationship with leftovers. Often relegated to the back of the fridge waiting for their moment in the spotlight, leftovers are often passed over and forgotten until way past their prime. Then they’re n...