Tortilla Española

  Tortilla Española or Tortilla de Patatas is one of the most common dishes served all over Spain as well as in many of the former Spanish Colonies in America.  The basic Tortilla Española, an open faced omelette similar to a quiche without a crust, includes eggs, potatoes and onions, but there are many variations….

Arroz con Gandules Apastelado

I am always looking for ways to bring my basic recipes to another level.  Definitely, this time I consider I have accomplished it by taking a great recipe and turning it into, simply put… an AMAZING recipe.  The twist?  Adding shredded green plantain to my Arroz con Gandules. The first time I heard about Arroz…

Red Velvet Cake

There is something about Red Velvet Cake that appeals to the inner child in everyone.  The combination of a moist cake with a hint of cocoa and velvety cream cheese frosting is awesome!  The color contrast is also striking and appealing. It is a popular dessert in the South of the United States as well…

Salsa Fresca

Serendipity:  the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. I have experienced this event or feeling many times in my life, but none as defining as with my first encounter with my husband of almost 15 years at the end of summer 1997.  I am sure he will agree……

Pot Stickers Dipping Sauce

  Pot stickers (how they are called when pan fried) and Chinese dumplings (when they are steamed) are huge crowd pleasers. Bottles, a local restaurant, serves dumplings by the truck load, for they are a favorite among regulars. Usually, they serve them with a side of peanut sauce similar to my recipe for Chicken Satay, bean sprouts…

Brown Butter and Sage Cream Sauce

SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO DISCONNECT TO CONNECT… It has been over a month since I’ve posted a new recipe, but I took a little vacation from the blogosphere, first because my camera broke and then because I was enjoying the company of my children during school break and they adamantly scold me if I’m at…

Brown Rice with Vegetables

There are certain things we can only learn through our own experiences. Countless times I told my children as toddlers not to touch the stove top because it was hot and they both disregarded my commands and burned the tips of their fingers at least once. I’m an innate caretaker and am always sharing advice…

Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have never been a big enthusiast of salad dressings.  I am more of a olive oil and vinegar kind of girl.  There are a few commercial brands I like, like the Brianna Salad Dressings.  The Blush Wine Dressing, with the strawberry on its label is very good.  Also, I use the Honey Mustard, with…

Ratatouille

Over the past few years, I’ve made it a habit to have Meatless Mondays.  It started with just me and now the whole family has joined in.  My husband, an enthusiastic carnivore, complained at first, but now has hopped on the wagon. As I have mentioned before in other posts, this was a gradual change…

Imitating Joe’s Creamed Spinach

My husband Emilio is a super-mega-huge fan of Joe’s Stone Crabs Restaurant and the kids and I must agree with him, for everything there is fresh and really delicious. He lived in Miami for several years as a college student and every time his parent visited he would take them there (of course, so they…