Truffle pasta may sound like a lot of work, but I promise it's actually quite easy. And no - you don't need a stand mixer, or a food processor, or even a pasta machine to make it! You can use those things, of course, but not required. The thing I love about homemade...
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Peruvian Chicken Skewers and Basil Chimichurri
These Peruvian chicken skewers have a bit of a back story. In October I'm cooking for some amazing clients. They booked me for their wedding weekend to prepare and serve food at their home for three different days: a wedding kick-off evening, breakfast and lunch for...
White Chicken Chili
Chicken chili can sometimes take the back seat to the classic beef chili, but I'd like to propose a recipe to counter even the best beef chilis out there (sorry, mom!). Not that it will replace them - after all, there's a time for chicken chili and a time for beef...
Steak Au Poivre: Steak & Sherry Cream Sauce
Steak Au Poivre is a black pepper-crusted steak that comes with a sherry cream pan sauce. You cook the sauce in the same pan that has the "fond" (those black bits stuck on the bottom from pan-searing the steaks) which adds so much incredible flavor! I've added in a...
Dairy Free Cilantro Lime Crema
My Cilantro Lime Crema first appeared on my post about my favorite recipe for Fish Tacos. That one does include sour cream, but you can definitely omit it and use the key ingredient I've switched it for in this recipe instead. My husband, Ian, and I try to stay away...
Spicy Crab Spaghetti with Lemon & Asparagus
Let me first say that this recipe is inspired by one of my family’s favorite restaurants, Ciao Bella in Minnesota. This recipe is also coming from a place of nostalgia…
Ravioli and Bacon Beurre Blanc
Bacon Beurre Blanc takes this pasta to the next level, especially when you consider that pasta is as much about the sauce as it is the pasta. I already have a recipe that talks about Beurre Blanc and how it can be tricky or time consuming to make. But here's the gist...
Chicken Satays with Peanut Sauce
Great for a crowd or simple meal for two, chicken satays are an awesome dinner or appetizer option! If serving for dinner, I like to pair these with a coconut rice, sautéd bok choy with shredded carrots, and crumbled peanuts with extra sauce on top. (simply cook the...
Easy Baked Pork Ribs
These easy baked pork ribs are a breeze to make! The spice rub is a piece of cake to put together, and it makes enough for the rub and the BBQ sauce that you'll also top the ribs with right before serving. Tips for Cooking Ribs Sometimes when I'm craving ribs, I want...
Pan Seared Halibut in Carrot Ginger Broth
Pan Seared Halibut in Carrot Ginger Broth is a summer meal must! It's light but still satisfying and it's loaded with healthy antioxidants and vitamins. This recipe is inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks called "The Herbal Kitchen" by Jerry Traunfeld. I have...
Basil Granita with Heirloom Tomato Salad
This Basil Granita is a showstopper for sure. It's fun to see the wonder in people's faces as you serve this dish - the first look they get. Like "Wow! This is cool." Then, when they taste it, it's fun to see their reactions, "no way. This is the craziest flavor and...
Homemade Hot Fudge – with Espresso
Hot fudge is one of those things you can buy at the store, yes. However, I've found that making it from scratch (while working in restaurants and for private events alike) adds so much more flavor and elevates any dessert. Sure, to your guests it adds extra care and...
Homemade Ricotta
Have you ever made your own ricotta? You'll be amazed at how easy making ricotta is! In fact - you may never want to buy ricotta again. I make this from scratch whenever I do a pasta dinner for clients. I'll come to your house and make three different types of doughs...
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Summer is all about Fish Tacos! I really love all things food, but tacos are amongst the top top favorite. The beer batter is SUPER EASY to make and it's flavorful and with the easy citrus slaw on top and the cilantro avocado crema... mmmmm. It's perfect. It's just...
Rosé Berry Betty
↓ Jump To Recipe I present to you the Rosé Berry Betty. A dessert that's like a crumble, but has the streusel topping in the middle as well as on top. Mind. Blown. It's the prefect blend of fruit, rosé, and streusel. What's not to love about this dessert? I really...
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Classic Beef Chili
Sometimes you just need some classic beef chili. This is a no-frills, flavor-packed, delicious, old-school chili. Most importantly, this is the chili my mom taught me to make. I've adapted slightly and moved some of the steps around, but for the most part, it's the...

Healthy Seed & Nut Bars
I am obsessed with these healthy seed and nut bars! They are packed with tons of nutrients, protein, good fats, and just the right amount of sweetness. I like to cut these up into smaller cubes and keep them in the freezer to keep on hand. You can be flexible with the...

Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins
I came up with these paleo pumpkin spice muffins, that are also nut free, for some very special clients of mine. In a previous post (on Peruvian chicken skewers), I mentioned that I have been hired to cook for some clients in October with a lot of different dietary...

Grillo: Sicilian White Wine
This Grillo from L'arca was the first bottle of wine I tried from Martha Stewart Wine Co. Sicilian White Wines You Need to Know: Grillo We’ve already done a post about an intro to Sicilian reds, covering Frappato, a native red grape. Later this month I will also be...

Pound Cake Bites – The Best Accident
These accidental pound cake bites came about because it's The Somm Chef's birthday month, my birthday month, and the anniversary of Ian and I moving down to FL (and sort of the anniversary of The Somm Chef inception). In short - September of last year was quite the...

Intro to Napa Chardonnay: Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena may not be a name you're too familiar with. However, you may have heard of the movie "Bottle Shock" with all-star cast Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, and Bill Pullman. This film is (loosely) based around the blind tasting in 1976 called the Judgement of...

Carbonara with Pancetta: Go To Weeknight Meal
Carbonara is an awesome meal for those nights when you don't feel like cooking and when you're out of groceries. Bon Appétit says that it's the perfect "no food in the house" dinner, and I completely agree. So what is Carbonara? Carbonara is an egg-based sauce that...

Truffle Pasta Dough
Truffle pasta may sound like a lot of work, but I promise it's actually quite easy. And no - you don't need a stand mixer, or a food processor, or even a pasta machine to make it! You can use those things, of course, but not required. The thing I love about homemade...

Alexander Valley Cabernet : Jordan 2008 Wine Review
Alexander Valley may not be the first place you think of when you hear "California Cabernet Sauvignon." Typically, one's mind most naturally thinks of Napa Valley. However, today we are going to take a look at an exceptional winery in Alexander Valley, in Sonoma...

Peruvian Chicken Skewers and Basil Chimichurri
These Peruvian chicken skewers have a bit of a back story. In October I'm cooking for some amazing clients. They booked me for their wedding weekend to prepare and serve food at their home for three different days: a wedding kick-off evening, breakfast and lunch for...