The Olympics are taking place in Beijing, so I plan on serving a dim sum-inspired Chinese menu. Dim sum are small dishes usually consumed at brunch. Since my viewing is in the evening, the recipes aren't necessarily über-traditional; they are, however, divinely delicious. Shrimp shau mai are bite-sized pillows packed with delicate flavors. Chinese spareribs with teriyaki glaze will satiate the hunger of carnivore guests, while sweet and spicy fried cauliflower will tantalize the vegetarian tastebuds. When served in individual take out containers, spicy sesame noodles make an excellent hors d'oeuvre.
If you have a large crowd coming over, supplement this homemade menu with store bought Spring or Summer rolls and pork buns. To check out the recipes, read more
This recipe gives the classic steak sandwich a healthy makeover. Broiled steak is tossed with a crunchy cucumber-romaine salad before being stuffed into a whole wheat pita. A simple dressing made with mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil adds a fresh moistness to the sandwich. For a vegetarian variation, substitute mushroom caps for the steak. A great on-the-go meal, these pitas are perfect for those nights when there isn't time to sit at the table. To learn how to make it, read more
Lately, I've heard an increasing amount of hype around how much wine in a box has improved over the years. Like screw-cap wines, boxed wine has become more widely accepted. Because of their unique dispensing system, the wines can last up to six weeks — much longer than the average bottle of wine, which can only survive a couple of days. I haven't tried a boxed wine in years, but I get a hangover just thinking about the boxed wine my friends and I used to buy in college. Perhaps I should seriously consider giving it another chance. What about you: Do you appreciate boxed wine?
A slice of watermelon may be the standard for a hot Summer day, but this vegetable (which is actually related to the cucumber) can be enjoyed in a multitude of unconventional ways. If you aren't ready to go all out with a watermelon recipe, add salt to a slice, as it brings out the sweetness of the fruit! But if you are ready to experiment with watermelon, here we introduce to you seven watermelon ideas that are far from ordinary.
Overcome by a cookie craving, I baked up something light and summery to suit the season. These cookies are perfect for hot months when chocolate-laden desserts are too heavy. Flavored with lots of lime, these scrumptious cookies are sweet yet sour with a light, crumbly texture. The bite-sized treats are the ideal finish to a picnic or BBQ. The recipe is simple, but be sure to bake the cookies to a light golden perfection, otherwise, the zesty lime flavor is lost to the buttery shortbread. To learn how to make these shortbread cookies with a refreshing lime twist read more
Peaches are my favorite stone fruit. I love everything about them: their floral aroma, fuzzy skin, and juicy flesh. To take full advantage of the fact that right now is the apex of their season, I stopped by San Jose's J&P Orchards — quite possibly the last fruit orchard in Silicon Valley. After taking a stroll through his orchard, I spoke with owner Phil Cosentino about peach season. Find out what to look for in peaches when you read more
The Olympics are taking place in Beijing, so I plan on serving a dim sum-inspired Chinese menu. Dim sum are small dishes usually consumed at brunch. Since my viewing is in the evening, the recipes aren't necessarily über-traditional; they are, however, divinely delicious. Shrimp shau mai are bite-sized pillows packed with delicate flavors. Chinese spareribs with teriyaki glaze will satiate the hunger of carnivore guests, while sweet and spicy fried cauliflower will tantalize the vegetarian tastebuds. When served in individual take out containers, spicy sesame noodles make an excellent hors d'oeuvre. 
S***r
Sloggi
RED Valentino