Big Eye Tuna, Watermelon, and Cucumber Tartare

Our hostess had a fabulous kitchen complete with Mesquite butcher block countertops and a Viking range with a wok burner that would make the entire county of China envious. All of this with maestro Michael Cerza on the Steinway belting out some incredible tunes. ...continue reading about Big Eye Tuna, Watermelon, and Cucumber Tartare...

Butternut Squash Chips

It’s 9:30 p.m. and I want some junk food. Good, healthy, vegan junk food. I searched through every nook in the kitchen and other than tofu and some brussel sprouts that have started to compost in my crisper drawer, the only thing giving me the eye like that stupid stack of money with googly eyes in the Geico commercial is a butternut squash. Not what I was hoping for. ...continue reading about Butternut Squash Chips...

Mushroom Pot Stickers

Here is another quick recipe (yes, it’s vegetarian) I made the other night. Pot stickers are a misnomer because they don’t stick, at least not for me. I thwarted that attack by using a non-stick pan. So, in theory at least, these aren’t pot stickers. I’m not sure what I’d call them. I guess this is how the jumbo shrimp and military intelligence discussions got started and Scott Adams comes up with Dilbert content with ease. Without a doubt, the process is still the same and can use fresh ingredients or leftovers with ease. ...continue reading about Mushroom Pot Stickers...

Quick Summer Appetizers

Some dear friends had a 60′s themed birthday party this weekend and we had a blast. There was music, good wine, good friends, and good food. The only problem with a 60′s themed party is that most food in the 60′s consisted of devils on horseback (prunes wrapped in bacon and then broiled until crisp), rumaki (water chestnut and chicken liver wrapped in bacon, marinated in soy and then broiled until crisp), cocktail wieners, either plain or wrapped in puff pastry (pigs in blankets), pimento cheese spread with Ritz crackers, and your favorite and mine…jello salad. The sixties was a culinary expedition that ended up shipwrecked on a desert island. ...continue reading about Quick Summer Appetizers...

Mexican Tofu Casserole

It’s been averaging over 100 degrees every day here in Austin and the last thing I want to do is fire up the stove and start cooking. Yesterday driving home the thermometer in my truck read between 108 and 110 the entire way to the house. I’m certain this month that my electric bill will rival the amount spent on the federal bailout. My goals for dinner tonight were healthy, fast, and something that didn’t require a trip outside, especially to the grocery store. Luckily, the tomatoes in my garden are doing especially well I this heat and my herbs seem to be the most tolerant of the plants. However, if the heat outside didn’t kill them, I was certainly going to. ...continue reading about Mexican Tofu Casserole...

Spaghetti Squash “Pasta” Dish

I wanted to create another Italian dish that was super-quick to make yet one that used a lot of fresh ingredients and was healthier than one with enriched white pasta. I decided to do a makeover of a pasta dish my mom made and substitute spaghetti squash for the pasta. This recipe is one the kids almost might eat and is worthy of letting them give it a try. ...continue reading about Spaghetti Squash "Pasta" Dish...

Mock Chicken Tortilla Soup with Tofu

This mock chicken tortilla soup with tofu is mock because it doesn’t contain chicken meat and doesn’t contain any tortilla chips. That’s kind of a stretch for a tortilla soup, I know. This is a very hearty dish with the potato and to make a more authentic soup, the potato can be omitted. Living in Texas, we have a strong Mexican influence and many restaurants that serve “the best” tortilla soup. ...continue reading about Mock Chicken Tortilla Soup with Tofu...

Sauteed Cod in a Fennel White Wine Saffron Sauce

A restaurant looking dish easily and quickly prepared at home. It brings a great taste of fennel, wine, saffron, and a hint of yogurt to a great fish dish. ...continue reading about Sauteed Cod in a Fennel White Wine Saffron Sauce...

Mango Fruit Salad

This mango fruit salad is quick, refreshing, and has the right amount of sweetness for warming temperatures. ...continue reading about Mango Fruit Salad...