doughnuts
Justin Gellatly is the genius behind those doughnuts from St John’s bakery. I was lucky enough to take part in one of his baking classes at the bread ahead bakery…
Makdous
If like me, you’re a bit of a pickle fanatic, you will adore makdous. Baby aubergines stuffed with a mixture of walnuts, chilli, pepper and garlic, pickled in vinegar until…
scallops, curried celeriac remoulade and cauliflower crisps
I have to be honest, nibbles and canapes weren’t really much of a feature on my list of Christmas things-to-do this year. This is because I don’t really have time…
Butternut dhal and chicken curry chapati wraps
Like many people I spent several years upon graduating in a variety of tedious jobs for various companies where I was frequently told that if I worked hard enough I…
venison kofta curry
It’s venison season, don’t you know (I even spotted some in my local Sainsbury’s). I can think of no finer recipe than this rich,comforting curry. If you haven’t previously tried…
gochujang meatballs
I hope you haven’t succumbed to one of the many many vile lurgies that seem to be doing the rounds at the moment. Speaking as someone who rarely gets so…
lobster and chard coconut curry with lemon-cumin grains
Without going into too much horrific detail, I’ve been sleep training our 7 month old on my own, my husband has been away a LOT and in short it’s been…
a sandwich for racists
“The problem with YOU PEOPLE is you never look where you’re going”. The old woman before me is slowly turning a rather visceral shade of scarlet. A vein pulses steadily…
Gỏi Cuốn Chay (Almond Butter Tofu and Vegetables Summer Rolls)
click the picture for better image quality There was a time that I cooked 30-days of vegan meals for my family. My husband accepted a vegan challenge and he made…
Canh Khổ Qua Nhồi Tôm Cua – Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup
click the picture for better image quality Khổ Qua (kohl-wa) in English is called bitter melon, bitter gourd, or bitter squash. It has long been used in Vietnamese recipes, often…
Mực Nộm Dưa Leo (Octopus Cucumber Salad)
click the picture for better image quality The sun’s harsh rays and hot summer heat here in Sacramento has been making me lazy and losing the will to cook and…
Xôi Lá Cẩm (Magenta Sticky Rice)
click the picture for better image quality I am excited that our magenta plants (cây lá cẩm) are growing brilliantly. We just harvested our first bunch of the magenta leaves…
Rau Quả Nướng (Grilled Vegetable Salad)
click the picture for better image quality It’s mid August and my girls just started their fourth day of a new school year in sun dresses, and shorts as there…
Hến Xào Sả Ớt Nước Cốt Dừa (Clams in Spicy Lemongrass Coconut Sauce)
click the picture for better quality image Since clams are one of my husband’s favorite seafood and they’re fast and easy to prepare, I cook clams quite often when we…
Xôi Bắp (Sticky Rice with Corn and Mung Bean)
click the picture for better quality image I brought home a banana plant from my local nursery last late summer. When the winter came around, it didn’t look good, even…
Chè Hạt Sen Nhãn Nhục Đười Ươi Hạt É (Summer Sweet Dessert Drink)
The cold mercilessly penetrated through my skin and bone as I walked my girls to school this morning. The change in weather was so sudden. Some students with short sleeves,…
Mì Quảng (Quang Style Noodle with Pork and Shrimps)
Growing up in Pleiku, Vietnam, I was fortunate enough to experience wonderful food from many regions in Vietnam. Being the youngest of six children, I was usually spoiled by my…
Bánh Ít Kẹp Bánh Ram (Steamed and Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings)
One of my favorite parts of putting a recipe together is photographing the food through the lens of my iPhone camera. I have to admit I go crazy when comes…