Atchara (Filipino Pickled Green Papaya) Atchara is sweet, tart (and sometimes spicy) all at once--the perfect accompaniment to grilled and/fried meats. This is my father's recipe. This blog is eleven years old today and in preparing for this post I had originally planned to share a recipe ... Read More
What’s in my Pantry: Fish Sauce
What's in my Pantry: Fish Sauce Have you ever been tempted to peek into your friends' cupboards to see what foods or ingredients they like to stock up on? This new series is my way of opening my pantry doors to you, one favorite item at at time. I feel like this series has been a long time ... Read More
Kumquat Marmalade
Kumquat Marmalade Kumquats are bountiful in my garden this time of year and next to popping them into my mouth right off the tree this ultra simple, small-batch kumquat marmalade is the next best way to enjoy them. It took a few years but my kumquat tree has hit her stride. Maybe it was ... Read More
Vietnamese Lemongrass Grilled Chicken Salad
I always say I won't talk about the weather on this blog but it's hard to avoid when you live in California. We've had such an extended dry season that, finally, the arrival of some rain has the entire state breathing a sigh of relief. Unless you're my husband. The discussions have gone ... Read More
Chinese Chili Sauce
It is an ongoing joke in my family how out of control my father can be when it comes to picking up unusual items at the Asian market (oddly-flavored drinks, chips, crackers, condiments). Where my mother will come home bearing only the items she put on her list when shopping alone, excursions ... Read More
Pickled Onions
It's a race against the clock. Despite giving away a good amount of the 20 pounds of Walla Walla onions I received recently, I'm still left with more than I know what to do with. I've caramelized several onions and used them in this pizza, I've sautéed them, tossed them in salads and I ... Read More