As an experienced professional, people always ask me what makes a good chef. There is no simple answer as a good chef possesses numerous skills. This is the second in my series of articles addressing those skills. Part 1 covered knives. Other skills include palate,...
It’s that time again where we look at the national food holidays. It’s February, so not quite spring, but there is some freshness coming at you. First let’s look at the month-long celebrations. Berry Fresh Month, what smoothie loving vegan...
I’ve obviously taken a little vacation. No, I did not have anything ready to cover the two weeks I decided to disengage. It seems that my capacity for smooth content is about two months. Running a blog isn’t easy; coming up with ideas, writing and editing...
Jackfruit only came onto my radar last year. It’s been touted as the darling of the vegan world because it has the consistency and texture of shredded meat. For someone who has recently converted to a plant based diet, this can be more comforting, then say...
Knives are personal. The way they feel, the way they balance in the hand. How the blade cuts through the food. Personally, I like a lighter knife, one that is easy to grip and that is very, very sharp. Cat Cora of Iron Chef fame uses a 13" chef’s knife, and...
Next weekend you can find me cooking “Breakfast in the Afternoon” at the first annual Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival. Cooking in front of crowds is a favorite thing of mine. Although I don’t favor open kitchens (where cooks have to produce...
We are deep in the throes of winter in the northern hemisphere. I’m bundling up in sweaters and long pants to help ward off the chilly 40 degree weather that hits southern Arizona. My friends in the colder places like to laugh at my attempts at staying warm....
There’s that jar of cloves that sits on the back shelf of the pantry until winter comes, and baking cookies and cakes and mulling cider begins. Then, suddenly, there’s cloves; the star of the winter season bringing heat and warmth to our food, and our...
It's that time of year when crazy holiday baking ensues. I have friends all over the country posting photos on how they set up to wage the battle of flour and sugar. As a chef who has converted to vegan and gluten free cooking I have managed to perfect one or two...
Sometimes as a chef I am challenged to write down recipes. The birth of this blog and website were because my spouse said, “Did you write that down? Go write it down.” I had bits and scraps of paper floating around the house with scribbles of ingredients...
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