Shown above: Enzymatically tenderized Carne Asada from Marc’s blog, NoRecipes. Read on to learn about enzymatic tenderization.

Whether it’s a tender juicy steak or a fall-off-the-bone tender rib, tenderness is often equated with the quality of the meat. But the texture of meat has a lot less to do with quality, and a lot more to do with how the meat is treated both before and after hitting the grill. To better understand this, let’s look at the three main methods of tenderizing meat: mechanical, thermal, and enzymatic.

Continue reading “Learn Three Techniques for Tenderizing Meat”

When I saw fellow food blogger Alice Currah’s blog post last year announcing that she was writing a cookbook, I couldn’t have been more thrilled! I have read Alice’s blog for years and just love her mouth-watering photos and delicious recipes. On top of all that, she’s an amazing writer! Although we’ve never actually met in person, I feel like we’re friends in real life.

Continue reading “Refresh Yourself with Watermelon Feta Salad”

I’m not a big fan of traditional coleslaw. Call me crazy, but I really don’t get the appeal of raw cabbage swimming in mayonnaise soup. That’s why I make my coleslaw without mayonnaise.

Continue reading “Stay Healthy with No-Mayo Coleslaw”

If you don’t already have your Memorial Day barbecue menu all planned out (even if you do!), I beg you to add this salad to the list. Quite simply, it is just plain delicious….and healthy, too!

Roasting corn brings out all the natural sweetness and gives it that nice smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with avocado and lime for a great Southwestern flair.

Continue reading “Add Grilled Corn Salad to Your Cookout Menu”

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the mercury rising, people all over the country are pulling tarps off their grills and preparing the backyard for a summer barbecue. Sadly, I’m not one of them.

Living in a high-rise apartment, has some advantages (like not having to shovel snow in the winter), but a ban of grills is perhaps the biggest downside. At one point, I contemplated converting a window planter into a makeshift hibachi out of desperation. But after some thought, prudence reigned in my fiery desires.

Continue reading “Relax on Memorial Day with Blueberry Lemonade”

Summer means eggplants…and lots of them! I know we’re still a little early (official eggplant season starts in July), but I’ve spotted a few of these purple beauties at my weekly farmer’s market and just couldn’t resist making my favorite spread with them — baba ghanoush.

Continue reading “Make Baba Ghanoush with Sea Salt at Home”

Spring is in full swing and shopping for produce has become fun again. The aisles of my local grocer are lined with brightly colored fruits and vegetables and every trip holds the promise of finding something completely new and unexplored.

Continue reading “Serve Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms as Appetizers”

I love seasonal quiches, and this one is perfect for Mother’s Day brunch this weekend!

Unfortunately, I don’t get to spend this Mother’s Day with my mom—that’s what living two thousand miles apart gets you! I’ve been having fun imagining what I would serve for brunch if we were closer though, and this quiche is definitely on the list.

Continue reading “Treat Your Mom with Asparagus Quiche for Brunch”