The winter season is coming upon us. Maybe in Southern California not so much. But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying soups and stews which taste especially great right now. Since one of my favorite dishes is chili, let’s be a little non-traditional and make some Pumpkin-Butternut Squash Chili. Pumpkin-Butternut […]
I definitely was interested when I heard about the Temecula chefs that were putting on a pop-up dinner at the Akash Winery in Temecula Wine Country. Dylan Soros, from Soro’s Mediterranean Grill, and Daniel Johnson, from the Naughty Pig Butchery, were showcasing their cuisine. So when two of the premier […]
Why stop for takeout, when you can make better than takeout fried rice at home! I try to stay away from too many carbs. But every once in a while you have to take care of your cravings. The great thing about this dish is that it’s easy to make […]
Have you learned the secret of velveting your chicken? Have you ever had a memorable broccoli beef dish or even have a memory of the pork strips in your favorite Hot and Sour Soup where the protein basically melted in your mouth? You can bet that a method called velveting […]
Today’s recipe is just the perfect pairing of Pork Belly and a Fig Balsamic Vinegar Agrodolce! What is an Agrodolce? I am a sauce guy and enjoy everything from the perfect demi-glace to an Alabama White Sauce. Agrodolce is an Italian sweet and sour sauce that can enhance any roasted […]
Is Chicken Tortilla Soup the answer? Coming home from work all you can think about is what can you make to satisfy your desire for something healthy that can be flavorful, satisfying, and not make you feel bloated from overeating. My recipe for a quick and easy chicken tortilla soup […]
I recently got back from a trip to Paso Robles which included some wine tastings and great food. The food was amazing and definitely inspired me once I got home. At Parrish Family Vineyards we enjoyed some fine wine and some perfect food pairings. One of those dishes I especially […]
What is Italian Wedding Soup? Italian Wedding Soup is simply a marriage of great ingredients. Some people think that the origins of this soup relate to a dish served for weddings. Actually, minestra maritata (‘married soup’), is a reference to the flavor produced by the combination of the “marriage” of […]
How about a cheesy rosemary pull-apart bread? Your plan for tonight is to make your special Italian dish. Why not make some bread with garlic, cheese, and spices to go along with it. Use this bread to dip into your sauce, or combine a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar […]
I am heading to New Orleans today. Well…not really…just figuratively. What I am talking about is Jambalaya, an incredibly flavorful rice dish. Add Andouille sausage and chicken and you have a one-pot wonder. It is a very simple dish that your family will love. The Big Decision…Cajun or Creole Jambalaya? […]
Tonight let’s make the best cioppino ever! You can’t decide what seafood to make…Cioppino is the perfect dish to make. Cioppino is basically a fish stew made up of any fresh seafood you can find at your market.
It was the perfect time to have a night out on the town in Temecula. Nancy had an old friend who lives in Orange County in town for a conference. And so off we went. We started off having a couple of drinks at the Pechanga Resort where Nancy’s friend […]
If you are looking for the Perfect Chili Recipe for the Perfect Hot Dog, you have come to the right place! If I am in the mood for a chili dog or burger, my thoughts first wander to past memories like my first chili dog at the Original Tommy’s off […]
Last night Nancy and I had the opportunity to visit Akash Vineyard, one of our local Temecula wineries for a dinner/event. The weather was perfect. You just can’t beat a beautiful night out in the vineyards. Kaci Goff was our chef for the night. She is the owner/chef of Wolf […]
I love lobster rolls. But today, I’m thinking about a New England Style Shrimp Roll using shrimp instead of lobster. On the spur of the moment, it’s much easier for me to find shrimp than to track down some lobster. And since it’s a perfect day to enjoy a light […]
As you may know by now, I am a big fan of Asian Cuisine. I do love Asian-inspired soups. Lion’s Head Soup is a perfect meal when looking for something warm and satisfying. When talking about soup, there are many great examples of Asian soups that can fulfill my cravings. […]
Why heat up the house when it’s perfect grilling weather outside. Friends are coming over so let’s grill up some burgers! Specifically, let’s make some Smash Burgers topped off with an Animal-Style Sauce! What’s a Smash Burger? It is just what it sounds like. I am using a 3 oz […]
You have an extra day this weekend before you have to go back to work and you have family and friends who have nothing to do. Add some BBQ like a BBQ Rib Sandwich to the mix and you have the perfect combination! I love any opportunity I can get […]
There are certain moments in time as a parent that will always stand out as a benchmark in their child’s life. For me, one was the day Conor started college. The other is the day he graduated. I was lucky the other day to experience my son’s graduation from USC […]
Who is looking for the best lasagna with a bechamel? That would be me! After researching many traditional recipes for lasagna, I came up with a recipe that definitely provides all the flavors that I wanted. It has always been one of my tests when checking out a new Italian […]