where the image is meant to titillate and inspire the cook
This is a beautifully balanced and refreshing dish! Smoked ahi carpaccio has a rich, savory flavor, and the combination of tamari, lime juice, sesame oil, and chili oil contribute layers of umami, acidity, nuttiness, and heat.
Thinly sliced raw vegetables provide a crisp contrast to the silky ahi, bringing layers of color and crunch, while a few leaves of arugula add a fresh peppery bite.
The combination of chewy noodles, fresh toppings, and savory sockeye salmon makes Salmon Noodle Soup extra satisfying and flavorful. Adding tofu enhances the dish by boosting protein while keeping it light and silky.
The miso-based dashi broth creates a soup that is both dynamic and complex. Butter in the broth gives the soup a rich, luxurious texture while sansho pepper adds a unique citrusy, tingly heat that pairs beautifully with the umami-rich broth, salmon, and tofu.
Steamed Sea Bass, Lemony Veggie Coins, Sushi RiceThis dish is a breath of fresh air. The steamed Chilean sea bass here offers a unique, delicate texture and flavor compared to my pan-seared versions. When steamed, the fish remains incredibly moist and tender, as the gentle cooking method preserves its subtle clean flavors and soft flakes.
Paired with a lovely medley of thinly sliced radish, yellow squash, and cucumber in a light lemony dressing, this dish is a bright refreshing springtime star, and it will continue to shine all the way through summer. ☀️
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A bowl of Caldo Verde is more than just food—it’s a taste of Portugal’s soul and tradition. This beloved soup, meaning “green broth,” originates from the northern Minho region but has become a cherished staple across the country.
Tender collard greens and kale swirl in a silky, potato-based broth, giving the dish its earthy green color. Garlic and onion deepen the flavor, while coins of sausage bring just the right balance of rich savory, smoky, and slightly spicy notes.
The finishing touch? A drizzle of golden olive oil for richness and aroma, with smoked sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and a squeeze of lemon to round it all out.
Traditionally, caldo verde is made with Galician or Portuguese cabbage (couve galega), which is similar to collard greens. However, since this specific cabbage is harder to find outside of Portugal, collard greens are often used as a substitute. That said, many modern versions use kale because it is more familiar, widely available, and has a reputation as a “superfood.”
So, while collards are closer to tradition, kale is a common alternative. This recipe features both, adding collard’s nutty-earthy flavors and silky texture while kale brings fresh peppery notes and a more chewy al-dente texture.
Additionally, the traditional sausage used in caldo verde is chouriço or linguiça, both of which are Portuguese smoked sausages with a garlicky, slightly spicy, and paprika-rich flavor. Here, Andouille sausage is a bit spicier but works very well as a substitute for the harder-to-find authentic Portuguese sausages.
In celebration of Pi Day, I’m sharing one interesting and tasty pie! My Kimchi Bacon Cheddar Quiche with a Quinoa Crust!
Napa cabbage kimchi and sharp cheddar cheese is one of my favorite combinations – kimchi’s zingy fermented flavors and rich full-bodied cheddar, together create an amazing food synergy.
Besides being gluten-free and high in protein and fiber, the quinoa crust has a delightful crunchy-chewy texture, counterbalancing the creamy cheesy custardy filling. In addition to kimchi and cheddar, I add bacon and scallions too. So there is no shortage of flavor in this savory pie!
Larry Shaw worked at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and he is credited with founding Pi Day in 1988. Shaw and his colleagues at the Exploratorium celebrated the mathematical constant π (pi) on March 14th (3/14) because the date matches the first three digits of π (3.14).
But why pie? 🥧
The connection is a pun—the word “pie” is pronounced the same as “pi,” making it the perfect food for a math celebration.
Plus, a pie is round, just like the circle that pi helps define. Pi represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, so eating pie on Pi Day is a fun, edible homage to this mathematical constant.
