Hot Apple Cider with Rum

To accompany all the delicacies on our “Gourmet Game Day“, I wanted to serve a beverage slightly more exciting than beer. Pimm’s Cup came to mind, but it’s more of a summer drink. So after a little brainstorming, I realized that we had just imbibed on some delectable Apple Ciders at the Fairmont in Banff … Continue reading

Mushroom Duxelles Sliders

When preparing the menu for our “Gourmet Game Day,” I was psyched to make sliders.  It should be noted that I had never made sliders before — I had never cooked regular-sized burgers for that matter.  Also, I am not any kind of burger connoisseur as many of my male friends are, but I do appreciate … Continue reading

Layered Chicken Enchilada Casserole

For our “Gourmet Game Day,” my friend Hans made a Layered Chicken Enchilada Casserole.  It was quick and easy to prepare, and even shredding chicken was surprisingly simple.  Detailed instructions are below, but essentially all you need to do is boil chicken and then shred!  The dish was extremely flavorful with a perfect amount of … Continue reading

Mango Pomegranate Guacamole

Natalya and I are obsessed with guacamole.  Pretty much anytime we are craving a snack, we will make guacamole.  Whenever we have people over, we make guacamole.  When we go to a friend’s house and we ask if we should bring anything, a typical response is: guacamole.  For a long time we have always made … Continue reading

Stuffed Baby Bellas

Woohoo! A new cookbook! I recieved Rachel Ray’s Look + Cook book on Christmas and I was super excited to try some of her mouthwatering recipes.  I decided to take on the Stuffed Baby Bellas, which is a lighter version of the traditional stuffed mushrooms. My first attempt at making stuffed mushrooms seemed to go … Continue reading

Tomato and Feta Baked Eggs

This recipe is from one of my favorite cooking blogs, Kevin’s Closet Cooking, and it has quickly become my favorite breakfast dishes to make.  I was first introduced to the delicious world of baked eggs by Five Points, one of my top NYC brunch spots..  No matter how many times I go, I have to … Continue reading

Garlic Soy Chicken Wings

In honor of the BCS Championship (I was rooting for Oregon, if anyone cares), I decided to make some chicken wings to accompany beer and legitimize the game watching. I researched various recipes, trying to minimize the unhealthiness of the dish. I came across this one, which was essentially just baking with spices, and decided … Continue reading

Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas, CA

Gochi Japanese Fusion Tapas Cuisine: Japanese Fusion, Tapas/Small Plates Price: $15-30 per person Phone: 408-725-0542 Address: 19980 E Homestead Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014 Gochi is a really nice place to take your friends or family, just be sure to make a reservation beforehand or be prepared to wait a while for a table because this place is very … Continue reading

Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)

Ever since tasting my first gougères , I have been addicted to these delightful, savory cheese puffs.  A gougère is a classic French choux pastry made with cheese that originated from the Burgundy region.  Traditionally, gougères are made with Gruyère cheese, but any other hard, sharp cheese can be used (Comté, Emmental, Parmigiano-Reggiano).  These savory … Continue reading

Sangria with Pineapple and Guava

Thirsty for some sangria? This light and delicious drink is a big hit when hosting parties. Original recipe calls for rosé wine, but I found that an inexpensive bottle of Carlo Rossi Sangria works just fine. This is not a strong drink, so if you prefer something with a little more kick try adding some … Continue reading