Simple Roasted Okra Whether you’re a lover or a hater of the South’s favorite slimy vegetable, I think you should give this a shot. Roasted za’atar okra is crunchy from a high heat oven and flavorful with the elements of one of my favorite spice blends. Za’atar is a middle Eastern staple made with sumac,…
Summer
Gluten-Free Berry Crisp
An Epic Gluten-Free Berry Crisp Sixteen years and a lifetime ago, when I finished cooking school in San Francisco, I did an externship at Greens restaurant. I was a pastry assistant (which meant hanging with the sweet pastry chef in a still and quiet 5am kitchen). Working “the line” during dinner service did not appeal,…
Spinach Salad with Pesto and Peas
Spinach Salad with Pesto and Peas, Please! If you’re hosting friends for a backyard BBQ this weekend — or heading to a lake house, the beach or the mountains — make this easy spinach salad. It’s my go-to summer salad, full of flavor, easy to put together and always a crowd pleaser. I found this…
Burrata and Stone Fruit Crostini
Quick! Enjoy all the stone fruit while you can. And while you’re at it, add some toasted crusty bread rubbed with garlic, creamy burrata, summer basil and flaky sea salt. Burrata and stone fruit crostini is full of sweet summer flavor and super simple to put together. Nectarines are my fruit of choice for this…
Indian-Spiced Marinated Tomatoes
The first time I made these Indian-spiced tomatoes I was a student in the professional program at Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco. When this recipe for Indian-spiced tomatoes landed in my hands, it sounded like an abomination. Why cover delicious, in-season tomatoes with strong spices, chilies, ginger and onions? Not to mention brown…
Rustic Strawberry Galette
I’m a lazy cook at heart. Sign me up for anything that’s unfussy, uncomplicated and if there’s a shortcut involved, all the better. That’s why I opt for recipes like this rustic strawberry galette. The pastry dough is forgiving — and I wouldn’t judge if you bought frozen pie dough — and the filling is…
Green Bean, Red Pepper and Carrot Slaw
Last week I taught a class to a few women in Los Angeles who are no novices in the kitchen. But I stuck with my usual fare. Simple, good food that tends to be healthy but doesn’t follow any particular diet. This is one of our favorites from the class, a colorful green bean slaw that fills the “eat the…
Spatchcocked Chicken
Spatchcocked Chicken to the Rescue Spring is here, which feels like riding a bike downhill with no handlebars. We’ve been running in circles at our house, getting to Little League games, dance recital rehearsals, planning two April birthday parties and trying to figure out what everyone will be doing this summer before all the decent day camps are…