Kale Basil Hazelnut Pesto is a healthy and delicious condiment that doubles as a way to get extra leafy green vegetables into everyday meals. Growing up in a Chinese American family, I did not get my first taste of pesto until I was an adult. But, once I tasted it, I was hooked. Although traditional…
Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make, healthy and perfect for barbecues and picnics. I love casual entertaining, especially when fresh local produce is in season. Our local farmer’s market has expanded over the years, and fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are readily available. There’s also a stand that sells excellent fresh…
Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad
This Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad can be enjoyed as a dip or salad. It’s perfect for entertaining during warmer months. We’re hosting a celebration in a few weeks, and this salad is going to be on the menu. It’s great for a crowd, and fits right in during grilling season. This post is…
Oven Braised Chicken Cacciatore with Rosemary Recipe
This Oven Braised Chicken Cacciatore is scented with rosemary and braised in a rich tomato sauce flavored with red wine, mushrooms and mixed bell peppers. Serve this over simple Lemon Poppy Seed Noodles alongside sauteed green beans for a simple but elegant meal. Our church has a wonderful community service program where volunteers sign up to…
Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto Recipe
Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto is a delicious way to dress up fresh asparagus. The pesto is bright and vibrant from the mint, and salty and tangy from the feta and Parmesan cheese. I’m a lover of condiments. If you could only see all the little jars of sauces and bottles of hot sauces…
Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
The chicken filling in these Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos is so juicy and tender. Delicious as a taco filling, in burrito bowls and more. Don’t you just love that name ~ Chicken Tinga? Recently, I visited a local farmer’s market where a stand was selling tacos, including one filled with Chicken Tinga. I was…
Pan Roasted Cod Fish Tacos
Pan Roasted Cod Fish Tacos are healthy, delicious and quick to cook. I love fish tacos, but often the fish is coated in a batter and deep fried. Although fried fish tacos are delicious, they’re a lot higher in calories and fat than roasted or grilled fish. Recently, we invited some guests over for a…
Bacon Cauliflower Garlic Fried Rice Recipe {Low Carb}
Bacon Cauliflower Garlic Fried Rice is delicious served with a tangy Asian tomato ginger salad and fried egg for a healthy, low-carb breakfast. One of my best friends growing up was Filipino and I fondly remember the garlic fried rice her mom made for breakfast. I prefer savory breakfasts over sweet, so this bacon cauliflower garlic fried…
Grilled Salmon with Herb Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Grilled Salmon with Herb Yogurt Sauce is a deliciously light and healthy dinner idea for warmer weather. I’ve been craving grilled fish now that the weather’s getting warmer. We have several good fish markets in our area so it’s easy to find good quality fresh fish. Although it’s usually more expensive than the supermarket, I trust the…
Spanish Chicken Pintxo Recipe
Chicken Pintxo is a Spanish tapas that’s full of flavor and great party food. My family loves tapas because it’s a fun and delicious way to try a variety of dishes in small bites. This past weekend, I threw my husband a tapas party for his birthday. Chicken Pintxo was one of the nine tapas…
Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe
Red Chimichurri Sauce is smoky and slightly spicy compared to the more common green chimichurri sauce. It’s delicious served with grilled proteins (chicken, fish, beef, tofu) or grilled vegetables. I love Latin American food and recently discovered red chimichurri sauce as I was planning the menu for my husband’s birthday dinner. I’ve been making green…
Poblano Ranch Sauce Recipe
Poblano Ranch Sauce gets a little heat from roasted poblano pepper. Fresh parsley, chives and dill add fresh flavor to this sauce which can be used as a spread, dip or dressing. I’ve been obsessed with tacos lately, including all the different sauces that Torchy’s Tacos in Texas serves with its tacos. Tacos are one…
Oven Fried Avocado Tacos Recipe
Oven Fried Avocado Tacos are a healthy and delicious, vegetarian meal that are full of texture and flavor. Last weekend, our family visited San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and had some of the best tacos we’ve ever eaten at Torchy’s Tacos. The original Torchy’s Tacos is in Austin, but we enjoyed breakfast tacos at the…
Roasted Broccoli Red Bell Pepper Pancetta Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Roasted Broccoli Red Bell Pepper Pancetta Breakfast Casserole is easy to prepare for breakfast or brunch. Breakfast casseroles are wonderful for holidays or entertaining, or simply when you’re looking for a one-dish breakfast or brunch idea. They are similar to quiche except there is no crust. This past weekend, our church had a farewell party…
Baked Zucchini Tomato Summer Squash Goat Cheese Gratin Recipe
This Baked Zucchini Tomato Summer Squash Goat Cheese Gratin is so elegant, it’s perfect for potlucks and entertaining. I’ve always wanted to travel to Paris, but haven’t made it there yet. It’s definitely on my bucket list, but in the meanwhile, I will resort to cooking French inspired food in my kitchen. This beautiful Zucchini Tomato…
Pasta with Asparagus Pancetta and Pine Nuts (Gluten-Free, Low Carb)
This light, gluten-free, low carb Pasta with Asparagus Pancetta and Pine Nuts comes together in just 15 minutes. Asparagus is one of the first signs of Spring that I look forward to. This recipe uses shirataki pasta so you can get your pasta fix even if you’re on a gluten-free or low carb diet. I…
Chinese Smoked Chicken Recipe (Instant Pot)
Chinese Smoked Chicken is tender, delicious and fragrant. One of my Dad’s specialities used to be his smoked chicken. He grew up in Beijing and recently, I learned that smoked meats were quite popular in that region when he was growing up. I found a recipe for Chinese smoked chicken in my late aunt’s Florence…
Chicken Curry Fried Rice Recipe
Chicken Curry Fried Rice is a healthy and delicious one pan meal that turns leftover chicken and leftover steamed brown rice into a deliciously healthy meal. If you like curry, you will enjoy this easy curry fried rice dish. Almost everyone has had fried rice at a Chinese restaurant, but have you ever had Curry…
Homemade Ricotta Cheese Recipe
Homemade Ricotta Cheese is one of the easiest cheeses to make. It takes less than an hour, and requires just two ingredients: milk and vinegar or lemon juice. Recently, I was inspired by a friend to start making my own cheese. As a beginner, ricotta cheese was the first cheese I tried. Making your own…
Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce cooks in just 20 minutes. My husband loves bolognese sauce, so I make it often. This Instant Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce is a lighter, healthier version of traditional bolognese. I make this sauce when I’m short on time and want to make a meal I know my entire family will…
Instant Pot Homemade Chicken Soup
Instant Pot Homemade Chicken Soup takes just 15 minutes to cook. There’s nothing better than homemade chicken soup, and using pressure cooking, you can have a pot of delicious chicken soup ready in less than 30 minutes. The key is to use chicken on the bone with the skin on for best flavor. A little…