We pulled up to the quaint Ramekins Cooking School and Inn in Sonoma, and knew I’d like this place as soon as I laid eyes on the spork and spoon handles on the front door.
I was invited by Ramekins to check out one of their many cooking classes and stay at their 6-room bed and [...]

It all started with a G-chat…
Ali: Do you make punch ever?
Me: My punch knowledge is pretty limited. It’s either from middle school (sherbet and ginger ale with random floating fruit) or college (a.k.a. Jungle Juice – Kool Aide, grain alcohol, batches made in trash bags)…neither of which are particularly appealing.
Ali: Hahahahhaha. I have [...]

The 15 day celebration of Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year, as many Asian cultures refer to it) comes to a close this weekend, and with it, so does my dumpling stash. Resembling little purses stuffed with riches, it is tradition to eat plenty of dumplings during this time because they symbolize prosperity. [...]

One of my favorite things about Chinese home cooking is that it is often incredibly simplistic. Just a few ingredients, clean, vibrant flavors, and no fussiness.
This recipe for poached chicken with ginger-scallion oil is one of my staple dishes when I feel the need to recharge. Served over a bowl of [...]

February 14, 2010. Doily valentines, conversation hearts, and sugar-coated smooches, step aside. This year, you’ll have to share the spotlight with the Tiger. Rawrrr. {Cue firecrackers and those darned little Pop Pops the kids are still playing with.}
It’s the Year of the Tiger and on February 14th, the first day of the [...]

As featured in SF Weekly’s SFoodie, January 27, 2010.

2 pounds of bacon, 4 pounds of sausage, 6 pounds of ground beef…and that’s only the beginning.
This recipe may seem excessive, but by the time this massive pot of chili is done cooking, and certainly by the time you’ve gone through the last of it, you always [...]

Did you know that January 20th was National Cheese Lover’s Day? Isn’t that lovely?
To commemorate this happy holiday, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board launched a Macaroni & Cheese Blog which will feature a new macaroni & cheese recipe every day for thirty days. There goes that New Year’s resolution (unless your resolution was [...]

Now, I realize that my timing may be off on this. Christmas has come and gone, and if you’re like me, you are in detox mode from indulging over the holidays. But, if I may…I’d like to offer up some residual Christmas cheer.
I made these festive cookie jars this holiday season after seeing [...]

I’m a late bloomer when it comes to Brussels sprouts love. It’s not that I hated the stuff (as I was always told I should), I just never had it before. Then I moved to SF two years ago and with the coming of my first Thanksgiving here, was flooded with recipes by [...]

These fancy little walnut date cups are the perfect savory-sweet treat for a special holiday brunch or cocktail party. It’s a prettier take on one of my favorite easy appetizers, a nut and blue cheese-stuffed date wrapped in bacon and broiled until crispy and caramelized.
For this dressed up version, the walnut and dates [...]