Tag Archives: recipes

Holiday Worthy Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce !

Ahhhh, bourbon and brioche. Two of my favorite things!  You’ll Need: 1/4 cup bourbon  1/2 cup currants   1-1/2 pound loaf of Brioche, torn into 1-2 inch chunks, or cut into cubes – allowed to stale overnight   1 1/2 cups whole milk or substitute  1/2 cup heavy cream or substitute 4 large eggs orContinue reading “Holiday Worthy Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce !”

The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing I’ve Ever Made! 

Grand Mariner Apricot and Sausage Stuffing.  This recipe is adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook. One of the first cookbooks I ever purchased. Co-Authors, Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso Miller were hot on the gourmet carry-out scene in 1980’s. They really kicked off the “Artisan” food trend! From that birthed, The Silver Palate Cookbook inContinue reading “The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing I’ve Ever Made! “

Hassleback Potato Casserole

Acclaimed food science writer, J. Kenji López-Alt has developed this sort of “mash-up ” ( if you will ) of a classic French gratin, and a beautiful Hassleback potato recipe. The idea is to stand the slices of potato vertically, rather than laying them flat. This ensures each serving receives both a creamy potato serving and a crispy edge in each bite. This is myContinue reading “Hassleback Potato Casserole”

Make-Ahead Feast Worthy Cranberry Pear Compote! 

This recipe has been in my culinary repertoire for over two decades. It’s my absolute favorite! Loose the canned cranberry sauce- trust me on this one. Just like everything Thanksgiving– it’s better the next day; especially smothered all over your leftover turkey sammy! There is quite a bit of sugar in the recipe because theContinue reading “Make-Ahead Feast Worthy Cranberry Pear Compote! “

Chef Gigi’s Kabocha Spiced Rum Cake ! 

Looking for that perfect dessert this Winter? Kobocha is the Japanese word for squash. This  squash has a nutty, earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness. So delicious and versatile ! Kobocha squash can be used in sweet and savory applications. This Spiced Rum Cake will be the perfect addition to your holiday!  Kabocha SpicedContinue reading “Chef Gigi’s Kabocha Spiced Rum Cake ! “

Drunken Squash with Forbidden Black Rice and Dried Fruit! 

Once Reserved Only for the Noble.  The health benefits of black rice are so powerful, this ingredient earned its name. Highly prized by noblemen and once forbidden amongst the common in ancient China.  Black rice, was first introduced to the United States just recently, in 1995. Today it’s gaining popularity. Forbidden black rice is delicious,Continue reading “Drunken Squash with Forbidden Black Rice and Dried Fruit! “

Spring has Sprung in California! Try my Recipe for Oven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic Lemon & Crunchy Toasted Almonds

LOVE.. LOVE… LOVE…. Asparagus. Spring time is right around the corner, and asparagus season is closer than we think. Best measure is to always source  young fresh stalks of asparagus but if  you are using very thick stalks of asparagus, peel away the tough outer layers. The easiest way is to grasp the base of the asparagusContinue reading “Spring has Sprung in California! Try my Recipe for Oven Roasted Asparagus with Garlic Lemon & Crunchy Toasted Almonds”

Toasted Banana Bread Sammie

Ingredients: 2 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 cup cold butter cut into chunks 2 cups sugar 2 cups ripe mashed bananas (about 6 bananas) 3 eggs, slightly beaten 2 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional) Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 8 xContinue reading “Toasted Banana Bread Sammie”

Skinny Garlic Pommes Frites

In the production of a really good ‘French Fry” the type of fat used to fry with can make all the difference. Not to mention the type of potato and the potatoes sugar content will make a difference as well. Seriously, this subject for scholarly debate! Many establishments that place “Pommes Frites” on the menu are doingContinue reading “Skinny Garlic Pommes Frites”