Tomato -Parmesan toast

Growing up in the heart of the Mediterrean was just so remarkable. Every afternoon the farmers would drive around their produce for the day and sell fresh fruits and vegetables right out of their trucks. The tomatoes are just so juicy and sweet,you are reminded they are a fruit,but I digress. This “toast” really bruchetta [...]

Fresh fruit Kababs with creamy Grand Marnier Sauce

I love to entertain . A special rule for me is mingling and enjoying myself with my guests,so I prepare as much as possible ahead of time. I also love serving fresh fruit,in season, along with other desserts. I found this recipeĀ  by Le Ann Dreier and have used it since. Unlike Zabalione,it can be [...]

Coco Pazzo Panna Cotta with Caramel Sauce

Coco Pazzo is an elegant Italian restaurant in NYC and Chicago(ones I have visited). I was fortunate to be able to find a recipe for their sublime Panna Cotta with caramel sauce. I love it for entertaining as it is simple to make and can be made ahead of time in individual servings.
Serves 6
CARAMEL SAUCE
1 [...]

Buckingham Palace Shortbread

Shortbread is a simple pleasure I cannot resist,it’s delicious with tea,great as a gift and the aromas wafting from the kitchen while baking make everything feel warm,fuzzy and comfortable. I discovered this recipe in a book by Sara Perry,where she claims this very recipe is prepared for the Queen’s afternoon tea.
2 cups cake flour
3/4 cup [...]

Mum’s best Cherry Honey buns

The fonest memory I have of my mum is of her in the kitchen. She was an accomplished cook and singer. But,most of all she was a loving,practical woman. She used to prepare these unbelievably easy, simple cupcakes for my sweet sister,Sonya,who simply adored them. She would sit in a chair close to mum ,while [...]

Hot and Spicy Hawker noodles

Noodles are a staple food in China, anytime, breakfast,lunch or dinner. This spicy version,often sold by strret hawkers originated in Sichuan.
Courtsey The food of China
1 lb fresh wheat-flour noodles or 3/4 lb narrow flat dried noodles
1 teaspoon cooking oil
8 oz lean pork,very finely minced
1/2 cup preserved salted radish,finely chopped
2 cups chicken stock
4 tablespoons black soy [...]

Brutti ma Buoni,ugly but good hazelnut cookies

Years ago I was on a tour of Italy with friends and my very best friend Fiona. we were in the Val d’aosta in Italy. On our last evening there we stopped by a bakery and picked up cookies. Back in our hotel Fiona proceeded to eat her cookies,Brutti ma Buoni,and went on and on [...]

The best chocolate chip recipe

This recipe was recently sent to me by a cooking group member called Donna. This is her mother’s old recipe and she calls it the best,with good reason. With the holidays around the corner I am always seeking to satisfy the sweet tooth of both children and aldults and,I believe ,this is the perfect medium…who [...]

No bake Hazelnut chocolate cake.(baci cake)

For years I have made this delicious,no bake cake. I only remember a time in Malta ,when I had to prepare a birthday cake for my sister and had forgotten to order a cylinder of gas…no gas ,no oven (no town gas then ).So I decided to make this super cake,minus the liquor,of course and [...]

Crispy Fish with chile sauce

Thailand has more Fresh Fish markets and seafood restaurants than one can possibly imagine. This super recipe comes from Chef Sayun Sugkaw of Tong Kao restaurant,courtsey of Martin Yan.A suggest fish is whole Sea bass or red snapper but any whole fish of your choice will work too.
SPICE PASTE
2 walnut -size shallots,finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced [...]