Archive for August, 2009

CAPONATA

While caponata might not win any beauty contests with its brownish-red, slimy looking, chunky texture, I can assure you that there are few condiments in the Italian repertoire that are as rich, gutsy, and satisfying as this star of the Sicilian antipasti platter. Eggplant takes center stage in this marvelous dish, lending its unique texture as the backdrop [ READ MORE ]

SPINACH PIE

My mother stopped by the other day with a slice of spinach pie that was both too delicious and beautiful not to share. Growing up, my first exposure to greek spanikopita came from my sister when she prepared the bite-size appetizers for a Mediterranean potluck spread. Despite being a huge fan of the cartoon Popeye, [ READ MORE ]

RESTORATIVE ASIAN SOUP

I don’t quite know how it happened, but somehow I got a cold in the middle of August. While San Francisco isn’t exactly known for it’s sweltering summers, I found myself craving something that would warm me to the core and nourish me at the same time. Recalling the virtues of chicken noodle soup, I figured I [ READ MORE ]

FRENCH ONION DIP

Growing up, my mother would only let me eat Kraft’s french onion dip from a tub on vacation. Later in life, while away at college, I would find that people didn’t just eat the stuff out of tubs, but mixed their own using sour cream and onion soup mix from a packet. Don’t get me [ READ MORE ]

MOROCCAN STYLE ROASTED CHICKEN

I can’t say I blame most chefs when they say that they would choose a perfectly roasted chicken as their last meal on earth. There is something intoxicating about the aroma of well roasted bird with crackling crisp skin and juicy, tender meat. Maybe that’s why there’s a half mile long line at the farmer’s [ READ MORE ]