Chef’s Corner

Croque Monsieur / Croque Madame – Desiree Brassert Leave it to the French to make a ham and cheese sandwich so sinfully rich. These bistro classics have funny names that literally mean “crunch mister” and “crunch Mrs.” Just remember that the mister has no egg and both are meant to be

If you are a fan of mushrooms, dried shiitakes should be a staple in your pantry. Fresh ones are always a delightful treat when available, but you can still unlock that earthy and meaty magic by reconstituting a handful of dried shiitakes in water overnight. Fry thick slices in 1 tablespoon of

This is a perfect no-brainer for holiday entertaining. This scoopable creamy, cheesy, and much easier to eat version will be your next party’s favorite. Provide plenty of fun and crunchy dippers such as raw veggies, chips, pretzels, or pita wedges. Let the slow cooker do all of the work, or

This tasty meatball dish was featured in Anthony Bourdain’s 2016 episode with president Obama in Hanoi. For very good reason—super delicious when paired with cold beer. Ingredients for 4 to 6 generous servings Meatballs 1 kilo of ground pork  1 stalk of lemongrass 4 cloves of garlic 1 small red

With these few details, you will have a complex layering of flavors and the ultimate bowl of comfort worthy of any French chef. Ingredients for 4 servings 1 liter of stock, traditionally beef but a rich vegetable stock is great too 6 medium yellow onions thinly sliced ¼ cup olive

The sweet-tangy fish sauce dressing is key to this refreshing chicken salad that can be served either as a starter or a light meal. Ingredients for 4 to 6 servings Dressing 3 tablespoons of white sugar 3 tablespoons of Asian fish sauce (Nam Pla) 1 ½ tablespoons of lime juice

From the aloha state of Hawaii, this sweet-savory combo of sushi and processed meat is the ultimate quick bite lunch on-the-go. Ingredients 1 can of spam (can substitute with firm tofu) ¼ cup of thick teriyaki sauce (or mirin, sugar, and soy sauce) 2 cups of Japanese short grain rice

Grilled sweet corn slathered with cream, then dusted with cheese and chili powder (tajin) is a perfect side dish for your next fiesta. Can be served on or off the cob. Ingredients 3 ears of shucked sweet corn ½ cup of sour cream or natilla 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise ½

Quite often, a good hot sauce will brighten up any meal in a pinch. Colombian Aji Salsa  Process these simple ingredients for a fresh and spicy boost to empanadas, rice, fish, chicken, veggies, guacamole. Ingredients One ripe tomato cut into cubes One small to medium yellow onion One stalk of

This is my spin on a Portuguese salad and a refreshing way to enjoy this underrated protein. Ingredients (For 6 to 8 servings) 1 kilo of raw octopus 1 medium, yellow onion chopped into small squares 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped 6 sun dried tomatoes (optional) 3 tablespoons of

Let’s welcome our hot season with a light and crunchy salad whose dressing is pure umami, also great for repurposing leftover steaks or other proteins. Here is a simple and interesting steak marinade if you’re not using leftovers. Steak 400 grams or 1 lb of tender beef (tenderloin or sirloin)

This is the easiest carrot cake recipe ever! The only equipment needed is a food processor, a Bundt pan, and of course, a hot oven. Ingredients 1 large carrot, peeled and then cut into chunks 3 eggs 2 cups of sugar ½ cup oil 2 cups of flour 1 tablespoon

This is arguably the best and the easiest stuffing that will draw you compliments into the next year!  Day-old homemade cornbread is optimal, but the box mix is also fine. Toasting and drying the bread cubes is a main step towards that perfect texture. Ingredients 1 stick of unsalted butter,

Here’s a twist in the Thai noodle category. If you’re a fan of these flavors, try to source the Kaffir lime (fruit and leaves) which is a fascinating ingredient. Our local “limon mandarina” makes an adequate substitute. The crunchy-chewy texture of the fried vermicelli pairs up superbly with those sweet,

Indian spices and coconut milk jazz up these little legumes superbly. In less than 15 minutes you can make a flavorful plant-based bowl of comfort packed with protein and nutrients. Any lentils can be used for this recipe, although the red ones become naturally creamy, nutty, and quick to cook.