A few days ago I posted a recipe for “Individual Mini Peach Pies” and promised I would soon post a recipe for “Peach Dump Cake” – which you can use any leftover fruit and juice/syrup (from the can) to make.  Dump cake tastes kind of like a hybrid of cake, cobbler, and pudding.  Texture wise, [...]

Last week, I was reading my latest issue of Food Network Magazine, and came across a wonderful idea for individual peach pies: use half of a peach to stuff a pastry lined cupcake pan!  This reminded me of the “Mini Apple Pie” recipe that I posted a few years ago… and I thought why not [...]

Chicken Cacciatore, or “hunter’s style chicken,” is an Italian meal of meat (such as chicken) braised in a stew of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and red wine.  It often contains other ingredients, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives.  In my version, I prefer to use mushrooms – but if you don’t like mushrooms, you [...]

Do you need to make ice cream for someone lactose intolerant or someone who is avoiding dairy?  This is a good base recipe for lactose-free vanilla ice cream – just use mocha mix non-dairy creamer instead of cream and milk.  Texture-wise, it isn’t quite as creamy as real dairy vanilla ice cream – it’s a [...]

Chicken Adobo is a wonderful dish indigenous to the Philippines.  It has a complex flavor that comes from a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, spices, and vinegar!  Originally, the vinegar was added to the dish (along with all the salt from the soy sauce) to help preserve the meat… something that was necessary in a [...]

There is a small restaurant chain here in San Diego called “Swami’s Cafe.”  We’ve been going there a lot lately, as I’ve become addicted to their “Forked Avocado & Herbs on Toast” and their “Acai Smoothie Bowl“.  Their food is so unique – fresh and healthy – but really tasty and flavorful.  If you ever [...]

While I love to make Western-style desserts to feed my sweet tooth… every now and then I like to mix it up and make an Asian-style dessert.  This is a quick and easy Asian-style rice pudding that is lactose/dairy free, and also gluten free.  It makes a great dessert for people who are lactose intolerant [...]

This past week, most of San Diego county has been on fire.  I think at one point, there were 9 separate fires burning all over the county… and one of the biggest fires was in my city.  Our entire community had to evacuate, with very little notice.  On day 1 of the evacuation, I ran [...]

Last month, I posted a recipe for Carrot Ginger Walnut Sweet Rolls - a wonderful variation on the cinnamon roll.  I also wanted to post the technique and recipe for turning this dough into a loaf of bread that can be sliced and toasted, made into french toast, used for sandwiches, or eaten plain.  If you [...]

Sangria is an alcoholic beverage originating  from Spain or Portugal, made by mixing wine with fruits, sweeteners, and a dash of brandy.  It is often served like a “punch” at social gatherings, and most often in the summer time over ice – when fruits are ripe, and people feel like drinking something sweet and cold. [...]