Main Course Recipes

Green Curry Broth
Green Curry Broth - August 24, 2010

A beautiful, thin green curry broth, fragrant with garlic, lemongrass, and ginger. It gets heat from serrano chiles, and zings of tanginess from fresh lime juice. Cumin and coriander seeds keep things grounded, and a flurry of freshly chopped herbs make the sky open up.

Tofu Burgers
Tofu Burgers - July 22, 2010

Seasoned with a good amount of cumin, cayenne and mustard, these are hearty, filling, easy to make, dump-everything-in-the-food processor tofu burgers.

Grilled Tofu & Soba Noodles
Grilled Tofu & Soba Noodles - June 17, 2010

Soba noodles and grilled tofu tossed with a garlic-cilantro dressing. I prepped all the components for this ahead of a camping trip, but you could take the same approach for a quick, mid-week lunch if camping isn't your thing.

Soup au Pistou
Soup au Pistou - June 12, 2010

A soup I made for a camping trip to the Sonoma coast - lots of beans, vegetables, and stellette pasta. Tiny stars under the stars, with a good dollop of pistou for each bowl.

Farro & Herbs
Farro & Herbs - June 6, 2010

Because I can't seem to get enough farro lately- a lunch made from farro, bocconcini, a bit of homemade creme fraiche, and herbs from last weeks farmers' market. And a couple pics from Golden Gate Park.



 



Pappardelle with Spiced Butter
Pappardelle with Spiced Butter - May 18, 2010

A recap of my Sunday, including a few portraits I shot, plus a top-notch pasta with spiced butter and asparagus inspired by a recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi's new book.

Turnip Green Tart
Turnip Green Tart - May 9, 2010

I'm back from Portland. This recipe was inspired by a bag of chervil, turnip greens, and beautiful heirloom red celery given to me by June Taylor just before leaving. The tart is made with a buttery cornmeal crust, and a mustard-kissed, garlicky, turnip green filling.

Miso Vegetables & Tofu
Miso Vegetables & Tofu - April 19, 2010

A one-dish meal, inspired by a recipe in Harumi Kurihara's Everday Harumi - asparagus, broccoli, and tofu tossed with a salty-sweet miso dressing.

Tabasco & Asparagus Quinoa
Tabasco & Asparagus Quinoa - April 4, 2010

Some San Francisco photos along with a recipe for asparagus & quinoa, tossed in a bit of Tabasco butter, with toasted pine nuts and a touch of crème fraîche.

Saffron Pasta Salad
Saffron Pasta Salad - March 20, 2010

A spring pasta salad made with a vibrant red-wine and saffron vinaigrette, asparagus, and toasted whole wheat orecchiette pasta from Puglia.

Coconut Red Lentil Soup
Coconut Red Lentil Soup - March 15, 2010

Inspired by an Ayurvedic dal recipe in the Esalen Cookbook, this is a light-bodied, curry-spiced coconut broth thickened with cooked red lentils and structured with yellow split peas. The back notes of ginger, slivered green onions sauteed in butter, and curry-plumped raisins make this a new favorite of mine.

Pan-fried Corona Beans & Kale
Pan-fried Corona Beans & Kale - February 28, 2010

Love these - white beans pan-fried until they're golden, with kale, Parmesan, lemon, walnuts, and nutmeg.

Simple Farro & Bean Stew
Simple Farro & Bean Stew - February 23, 2010

I made a big pot of farro & bean stew for my mom and dad the other night - simple, hearty, and straightforward. The stew has farro, beans, lots of vegetables, and a generous dusting of cheese to top each bowl.

Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
Roasted Delicata Squash Salad - February 18, 2010

I used my friend Molly Watson's recipe as a jumping off point here, and ended up with a roasted squash salad of sorts. It uses the pretty, scalloped-edged cross-cuts of the delicata squash, a few small potatoes, chopped kale, radishes, Marcona almonds - and a bold miso harissa dressing.

Palak Daal
Palak Daal - January 30, 2010

A palak daal recipe from Kasa's Anamika Khanna - a hearty pot of spinach, lentils, and spices. Kasa is a favorite Indian restaurant of mine here in San Francisco.

Feisty Green Beans
Feisty Green Beans - January 25, 2010

A riff on a recipe from Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic - green beans, creme fraiche, garlic, golden raisins, almonds, a range of spices. They caught my attention when Anna said...the ingredient list is long, but these are the best green beans you'll ever make.

Ribollita
Ribollita - January 10, 2010

An impromptu freezer cleaning inspired this huge pot of ribollita. It's a thick Tuscan stew - dark greens, lots of beans, vegetables, olive oil, thickened with day-old bread.

Red Posole
Red Posole - December 24, 2009

A big pot of red posole made on a stormy day. A brick-red brothy sauce surrounds the posole, and individual bowls are topped with thin wisps of pan-fried tortillas, a pinch of toasted Mexican oregano, and a bit of crumbled feta.

Pounded Walnut Strozzapreti
Pounded Walnut Strozzapreti - December 20, 2009

Inspired by Mona Talbott's recipe in the new Coco cookbook, a pounded walnut pesto with marjoram and parsley, tossedwith farro pasta and Pecorino cheese.

Heirloom Beans & Seitan
Heirloom Beans & Seitan - November 30, 2009

This is simply heirloom beans and roasted broccoli with shallots and pan-fried seitan. Something I threw together one night after getting home from the airport. It's filling and hearty, and quick to make - particularly if you have cooked beans stashed in the freezer...but canned beans will work too.

Tempeh Curry
Tempeh Curry - November 20, 2009

A vibrant tempeh curry recipe loosely inspired by a recipe from Lora Zarubin's cookbook, I am Almost Always Hungry.

Red Lentil Soup
Red Lentil Soup - October 15, 2009

A single-pot lentil soup with brown rice. Made by browning some onions, adding the rest of the ingredients, and simmering until the whole lot until its done.

Pineapple Rice
Pineapple Rice - September 15, 2009

A nice platter of greens and brown rice doused in a spicy-salty-sweet pineapple dressing flecked with seitan. It's good hot or at room temperature.

Double Broccoli Quinoa
Double Broccoli Quinoa - September 1, 2009

This is another favorite - I cook up lots of broccoli, then puree half of it into a pesto. The other half is cut into little florets. Toss the broccoli with some quinoa, sliced avocado and a drizzle of feisty chile pepper oil, and you've got a nice meal on your hands.

Arugula Pesto Wheat Berries
Arugula Pesto Wheat Berries - August 3, 2009

A peppery arugula pesto tossed with a bowl of plump, chewy wheat berries. The bite of the arugula is tamed by the creaminess of the pine nuts in the pesto, and the saltiness of the grated Parmesan and chopped Kalamata olive offsets the wheat berries nicely.

Red Pesto Ravioli
Red Pesto Ravioli - July 20, 2009

For the sun-dried tomato lovers out there. Goat-cheese raviolis tossed in a sun-dried tomato red pesto sauce, served over baby spinach.

Lasagna Tart
Lasagna Tart - June 28, 2009

My mom's friends hosted a shower for my sister and served something similar to this. A noodle-free lasagna baked in a pie crust - layers of zucchini, ricotta, and tomato sauce.

Lemon Cucumber Tofu Salad
Lemon Cucumber Tofu Salad - June 22, 2009

A simple tofu salad recipe made by marinating cucumbers and chopped dill in lemon juice and olive oil, then tossing with tofu, pine nuts, and avocado.

Summer Squash Gratin
Summer Squash Gratin - June 11, 2009

A decadent, crunchy-topped summer squash gratin made from thinly sliced summer squash, potatoes, oregano pesto, and brown-buttered breadcrumbs- all baked at high-temperature until the squash is tender and the top is crunchy.

Ginger-Poached Noodles
Ginger-Poached Noodles - April 19, 2009

Poached spinach noodles, tofu, and baby broccoli in ginger broth. Finished with a splash of soy sauce, mint, basil, lime juice and red pepper flakes. Quick, simple, and invigorating.

Asparagus Stir-Fry
Asparagus Stir-Fry - April 15, 2009

A favorite stir-fry recipe. Asparagus and tofu form the base, but it has quite a lot going on beyond that. You get a bite of tang from the lime, heat from the red chiles and fresh ginger, mint and basil cool things down, and a touch hoisin sauce gives you just enough sweetness to balance it all out.

Walnut Miso Noodles
Walnut Miso Noodles - April 1, 2009

A hearty noodle bowl recipe - whole wheat noodles, plenty of sliced asparagus and other seasonal produce are tossed with a creamy, walnut-miso dressing.

Japanese Pizza
Japanese Pizza - March 21, 2009

Known in some circles as Japanese pizza, this is my take on okonomiyaki. Plenty of egg-battered cabbage is pressed into a skillet and cooked until deeply golden on both sides. It is served cut into wedges and sprinkled with toasted almonds and chives.

Jamaican Veggie Patties
Jamaican Veggie Patties - March 17, 2009

A favorite recipe from chef Bryant Terry's newest book, Vegan Soul Kitchen. A richly spiced potato, pea, corn, carrot, and cabbage filling is wrapped with a turmeric-hued pastry crust made with coconut oil.

Pan-fried Chickpea Salad
Pan-fried Chickpea Salad - March 11, 2009

A salad made by pan-frying chickpeas with leeks and a bit of garlic. The creamy dressing is made with plain yogurt and curry powder, and the salad is finished off with plenty of chopped cilantro and chopped red onion.

Almost Cheeseless Pasta Casserole
Almost Cheeseless Pasta Casserole - February 18, 2009

Trying to keep this pasta casserole recipe on the lighter side, I tossed a rustic farro pasta in yogurt that had been beaten with a bit of egg along with garlic, toasted almonds, chard, butternut squash, and olives. Baked until golden.

Adzuki Butternut Squash Soup
Adzuki Butternut Squash Soup - February 11, 2009

A hearty adzuki and butternut squash soup recipe adapted from Jae Steele's Get It Ripe cookbook. The soup has a bit of chipotle flavor and is made even better with a drizzle of cilantro olive oil prior to serving.

Cashew Curry
Cashew Curry - January 29, 2009

A simple, last-minute curry recipe - curry powder in coconut milk, deeply toasted cashew nuts, a handful of green beans, two handfuls of tiny cauliflower florets, and a bit of tofu for good measure.

Seaweed Risotto
Seaweed Risotto - January 28, 2009

A seaweed risotto recipe inspired by a trip to Chile. This version calls for dried nori seaweed, pearled barley, lots of finely chopped spinach, and a blend of cheeses.

Miso Soup
Miso Soup - January 25, 2009

A simple, everyday approach to miso soup - it yields me a bowl of soup in five or ten minutes. You can keep it simple if you like, but in this version I add soba noodles and tofu, and a few garnishes.

Orange Pan-glazed Tempeh
Orange Pan-glazed Tempeh - January 21, 2009

The best tempeh recipe I've highlighted to date - it features a simple ginger and garlic-spiked orange glaze that plays of the nutty earthiness of the pan-fried tempeh beautifully.

Giant Chipotle White Beans
Giant Chipotle White Beans - January 7, 2009

A riff on Laurence Jossel's fantastic NOPA beans - plump, creamy beans baked in a bright, chunky chipotle tomato sauce, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs, plenty of oozy queso fresco, and an emerald drizzle of cilantro pesto.

Lentil Almond Stir-Fry
Lentil Almond Stir-Fry - January 3, 2009

A good cold-weather stir-fry recipe. Tiny potatoes, brussels sprout wedges, toasted almonds and lentils are served with a drizzle of mint and a bit of thinned-out, salted plain yogurt, and a sprinkling of chopped dates.

Wild Seaweed Salad
Wild Seaweed Salad - December 28, 2008

Toasted wild nori alongside cilantro, tofu, and plenty of wild rice. The dressing for this salad isn't shy - assertive notes of sesame, ginger, cayenne pepper and soy sauce work their way into the wild rice and tofu. Lots of flavor.

Mushroom Casserole
Mushroom Casserole - November 30, 2008

A remix of the mushroom casserole I loved as a kid. Brown rice, mushrooms, garlic, onions along side a bit of cottage cheese and sour cream and Parmesan for texture and creaminess.

Matchstick Pasta
Matchstick Pasta - November 11, 2008

A great pasta dish using just six ingredients. Whole grain linguine matchsticks and barely cooked red kale are tossed with golden pistachio dressing. Pomegranate seeds provide ruby-colored accents and little pops of sweetness.

Vegetarian Gumbo
Vegetarian Gumbo - November 2, 2008

A vegetarian gumbo recipe taught to me by my friend and neighbor Kim. A rich and delicious gumbo served over rice, and just before serving, eggs are poached in the simmering gravy.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Apples
Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Apples - October 29, 2008

Shredded brussels sprout ribbons, apples, garlic, pine nuts, and tofu in a skillet with a hint of maple syrup.

Borlotti Bean Mole with Roast Winter Squash
Borlotti Bean Mole with Roast Winter Squash - October 11, 2008

A rich, hearty vegetarian mole recipe from Denis Cotter's new book. Seasonal beans, squash, and kale are baked in a rich, hearty chocolate and paprika-spiked mole.

Slurp-tastic Herb Noodles
Slurp-tastic Herb Noodles - September 30, 2008

A big, slurpy bowl of whisper-thin spinach noodles draped in a spicy curry and herb broth - inspired by a beautiful box of noodles I picked up in Mill Valley, Ca.

Peach Gnocchi
Peach Gnocchi - September 19, 2008

A savory peach gnocchi in a champagne shallot sauce inspired by a trip to Valparaiso, Chile.

Chopped Miso Salad
Chopped Miso Salad - September 10, 2008

A favorite chopped salad recipe - fresh and crunchy with toasted, plenty of pan-fried shallots, chives, cabbage, red onions, and tossed with a simple miso dressing.

Lemony Chickpea Stir-fry
Lemony Chickpea Stir-fry - September 4, 2008

A tasty, quick, and easy stir-fry recipe featuring golden crusted, pan-fried chickpeas, chopped kale, summer squash, tofu, and a bit of lemon zest.

Harissa Spaghettini
Harissa Spaghettini - August 3, 2008

A unique and flavor-packed pasta recipe. Whole wheat pasta noodles, olives, kale, pine nuts tossed in a pan for a tangle with a garlic-charged harissa and olive oil sauce.

Cracker Lasagna
Cracker Lasagna - June 9, 2008

Not a traditional lasagna recipe by any account - a healthier version that is still quite decadent. Imagine a lasagna, but instead of using pasta noodles, I used crispy, whole-grain crackers. Most people use pound after pound of beef and/or sausage, and then more beef. Instead, I pureed cottage cheese (which gets silky smooth), and thinned it out with a bit of milk and a couple eggs - some chopped mushrooms and spinach are included as well.

Sushi Bowl
Sushi Bowl - June 5, 2008

This sushi bowl recipe is simply a de-constructed sushi roll - brown rice, tofu, avocado, toasted nori and green onions served with a citrus-soy dressing. Simple and delicious.

In a Hurry Green Curry
In a Hurry Green Curry - May 15, 2008

A quick and delicious green curry recipe - peas, asparagus, and tofu swimming in a fragrant, not-overly-rich Thai green chile broth.

Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad
Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad - March 30, 2008

A peanut noodle salad recipe featuring soba noodles punctuated with spring onions, tofu, peanuts, and asparagus. Serve it up family-style on a platter at a potluck, party, or buffet - it holds up perfectly at room temp.

Baked Pasta Casserole
Baked Pasta Casserole - March 13, 2008

This baked pasta recipe features vibrant flecks of chopped spinach and lemon zest, toasted almond slices and oozy, bubbly cheese all enveloping sturdy little pasta shells.

Garlic Soba Noodles
Garlic Soba Noodles - March 3, 2008

Delicious garlic soba noodle recipe made with soba noodles, Parmesan, greens, and garlic powder topped with golden Parmesan-crusted tofu.

Garam Masala Tofu Scramble
Garam Masala Tofu Scramble - February 11, 2008

A favorite (and quick) tofu scramble recipe using shaved fennel, caramelized onions spices and dried fruit, and then counter-balancing those flavors with cilantro and chopped nuts.

Caramelized Tofu
Caramelized Tofu - January 28, 2008

One of my favorite tofu recipes, caramelized strips of tofu served over sauteed shredded brussels sprouts. It come together quickly and uses just one pan.

Poached Eggs Over Rice
Poached Eggs Over Rice - January 7, 2008

An unassuming yet satisfying little rice bowl recipe - simply a reasonable serving of chard-flecked whole grain rice topped with a poached egg.

Hazelnut & Chard Ravioli Salad
Hazelnut & Chard Ravioli Salad - November 25, 2007

Plump raviolis tossed with toasted hazelnuts, sauteed ribbons of chard, and caramelized onions are at the heart of this ravioli salad recipe. The colorful platter is finished off with a dusting of cheese, snipped chives, and lemon zest. You can prepare most of the components ahead of time.

Porcini Mushroom Fettuccine
Porcini Mushroom Fettuccine - October 4, 2007

This fettuccine recipe was inspired one of the many trips I made to the Testaccio Market while in Rome. Fresh ribbons of pasta with olive oil, porcini mushrooms, garlic, black pepper, and pecorino cheese.

My Favorite Grilled Kabob
My Favorite Grilled Kabob - June 27, 2007

A kabob recipe featuring grilled mushrooms, lemons, tofu red onions and a delicious red pepper walnut slather.

How to Make Gnocchi like an Italian Grandmother
How to Make Gnocchi like an Italian Grandmother - June 18, 2007

A platter of petite, potato pillows coated with glistening flecks of basil pesto. The gnocchi recipe taught to me by Francesca's mother.

A Beautiful Bulgar and Spinach Pilaf
A Beautiful Bulgar and Spinach Pilaf - June 3, 2007

A bejeweled platter of bulgur wheat,chili roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, spinach, and yogurt cheese. A perfect companion for grilled kabobs.

Thousand Layer Lasagna
Thousand Layer Lasagna - May 10, 2007

My favorite lasagna recipe. Dozens and dozens of whisper-thin sheets of fresh pasta brushed with the most vibrant red tomato sauce imaginable all intersecting layer after layer of warm, oozy, fresh mozzarella.

Savory Asparagus Bread Pudding
Savory Asparagus Bread Pudding - March 30, 2007

This bread pudding recipe highlights spring ingredients - asparagus, mushrooms, dill, Gruyere cheese, and shallots. Nearly all the prep can be done the day or night before.

Ultimate Veggie Burger
Ultimate Veggie Burger - March 14, 2007

One of my favorite recipes from Super Natural Cooking - this hearty veggie burger recipe is made with garbanzo beans, cilantro, onions, lemon zest, eggs, bread crumbs, and sprouts.

Golden, Crispy Gnocchi
Golden, Crispy Gnocchi - August 28, 2006

My favorite new way to make gnocchi in a flash - no boil. Cook them in a skillet until they are golden and crusted, and in this case serve with summer shell beans and shredded cheese.

Thousand Layer Lasagna
Thousand Layer Lasagna - April 5, 2006

I'll never make lasagna any other way. Impossibly thin layers of feathery-light pasta with just enough sauce and cheese between each layer to keep it moist and flavorful.

Dylan Pad Thai
Dylan Pad Thai - February 25, 2006

Elaborate Pad Thai Recipe from the beautiful Dylan Amsterdam cookbook.

Best Pizza Dough Ever
Best Pizza Dough Ever - January 30, 2006

Peter Reinhart's Napoletana pizza dough recipe. It makes my all-time favorite pizza dough using a delayed-fermentation method.

Baked Spelt Macaroni with Cashew Cheddar Cheese
Baked Spelt Macaroni with Cashew Cheddar Cheese - October 28, 2005

A vegan macaroni and cheese recipe from Real Food Daily restaurant - cashew cheddar cheese, and spelt pasta.

Truffled Chanterelle, Celery Root and Potato Gratin
Truffled Chanterelle, Celery Root and Potato Gratin - October 19, 2005

Sean Baker, the sous chef at Millennium restaurant, teaches a hearty, vegan mushroom, celery root, potato gratin recipe at the farmers' market. Cozy food for cold weather.

Corn Quiche in a Tef Crust
Corn Quiche in a Tef Crust - July 14, 2005

Rebecca Wood's perfect summertime quiche - creamy corn flavor hits your tongue first, the summer tomatoes burst next, and then you are hit with accents of slivered basil and scallions. Made in a tef flour crust.

Fresh Shelling Peas: Four Ways
Fresh Shelling Peas: Four Ways - April 25, 2005

I went to the market and came back with fresh peas - here's how I cooked them. Pea recipes, time four.

Best School Lunch: Sicilian Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta
Best School Lunch: Sicilian Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta - February 21, 2005

This healthy, colorful Sicilian broccoli and cauliflower pasta recipe comes from chef Tracy Bates at The Oxbow School in Napa - the students there love it.

Sweet Potato Pot Pies
Sweet Potato Pot Pies - November 15, 2004

A recipe from my first book that was featured in the Washington post - sweet potatoes, chipotle, corn, onions, and puff pastry.

A Luxurious and Deeply Aromatic Noodle Dish
A Luxurious and Deeply Aromatic Noodle Dish - December 21, 2003

A delicious noodle bowl recipe - you use a fragrant spice paste with stock, coconut milk, lime juice, and a sprinkling of mint.



Your Shots

Many of you have been taking amazing photos inspired by your 101 Cookbooks cooking adventures I set up a a page to highlight your shots here.

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Cookbook Lists

Some friends have been nice enough to share the cookbooks that have inspired them as well:

Travel

Although I love California, I jump at nearly every chance to visit new places. Often times I'll mention a new destination here and you'll generously offer insights and suggestions. Telling me the places I should seek out. It's great. Here's a list of travel-related posts.

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