There’s just something about a basket overflowing with golden, crispy onion rings that instantly brings a smile to my face. The crunch could be the reason—the very first bite is so satisfying!—or the way the sweet, soft onion inside goes so well with the salty, seasoned coating, which is somehow nothing but perfect. I’ve cooked…
Mashed potatoes are a dish that most people consider plain and unappealing. However, when they are enriched with butter, cream, and cheese, it gets better. Personally, I think that the process of cleaning potatoes and then mashing them is similar to wrapping a warm, soft blanket around an already nice dish. It’s the same as…
If there’s one lesson I’ve taken away from my kitchen, it’s that zucchini can be made exciting. I used to see it as the side vegetable of summer—always there but never taking the lead. That was until I tried this Air Fryer Zucchini Parmesan. The first time I prepared it, I recall taking those golden,…
I have always maintained that the simplest things in the kitchen usually provide the greatest flavor. For instance, the case of zucchini is very illustrative. It is not necessary to use fancy dressings or elaborate seasonings to make it attractive, just oil, salt, and heat. I have done this so many times that it has…
Fresh melon and prosciutto together create a mood of summer. Every time I prepare this dish, it just reinforces that simple food—well cooked—can be nothing less than unforgettable. The fresh fruit’s chill, the ham’s saltiness, the first contact of the tongues—the trio of the three distinctions first met—it is so classy and so easy, yet…
The Killed Lettuce Salad is, at the very least, nostalgic and comforting. I can still recall, very vividly, the first time my grandmother prepared the dish in front of me — she would put the sizzling bacon drippings on top of a bowl of fresh garden lettuce and it would wilt right away. There was…
I have always been a fan of the California roll, considering it light, fresh, and flavorful but not at all fussy. Nevertheless, despite my love for sushi, there are times when I don’t want to go through the whole process of making sushi by using a bamboo roller and, thus, rolling seaweed sheets. Consequently, the…
Cauliflower has always been one of my favorite vegetables, but I can honestly say that it impresses me the most when it comes to salads. The first time I ever tasted Sicilian Cauliflower Salad was in the summer during a trip to the Mediterranean coast, where the most basic of ingredients were made with sunshine….
This particular salad has a summer-like vibe. It seems as if it is a summer salad. Whenever I make it, I get an instant flashback to the times of backyard barbecues, warm nights, and laughter that was heard from far away. And then, what I appreciate the most is its being so easy and simple—just…
It feels like a dream when the first cool autumn day comes in and you are able to use your crockpot again. In my opinion, this Fall Harvest Stew made with Crockpot is the best representation of autumn in a bowl—hot, filling, and nicely blended between the two opposite tastes—the savory and the sweet. Besides,…