Salad Rolls with Dipping Sauce

I posted about salad rolls when my sister and I first started writing this blog.  But it’s a recipe that bears repeating.  For one thing, I didn’t own a good camera when I wrote the first post and instructional photos are kind of helpful for the rolling technique.  Also,  I recently made salad rolls with the young…

Watermelon Pickles with Star Anise and Sichuan Peppercorns

I know,  I’m late with this recipe.  Whatever.   I got behind on posting recipes because I was having an awesome summer that did not involve sitting in front of a computer. During the heat wave in August, I taught a week long cooking camp for a small group of boys (average age 8).  I teach…

Watermelon Gazpacho (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

I’ve written about this soup before, but I feel that the praises I sing bear repeating.  When I am called upon to make a summertime dinner for a crowd of people, this watermelon gazpacho is usually involved.  For example, I made it last August when I was the chef for The Freight.  The Freight is a…

Tangy Cold Pea Soup (vegan and not vegan)

Last weekend, a friend had a bunch of women over to her backyard to make preserved lemons and dolmades, and infuse bottles and bottles of alcohol with herbs, spices, fruits and flowers.  It was a glorious event and I’ll be posting about it soon. For a week previous to the gathering, I had been trying…

Cardamom Cashew Cream and Rhubarb Rose Parfait (vegan)

This is a blog post about food.  It is definitely not an excuse to post pictures of the stray (available) kitten who lives on the back porch of a friend who had my husband and I over for brunch last weekend.Even if there had been no kitty it would have been a glorious springtime Brooklyn brunch….

Charred Broccolini with Black Forbidden Rice and Sweet, Spicy Lime Sauce

This dish was created for the  Decadent Eight Course Vegan Tasting Menu for The Illuminati Ball (see above photo), but it’s also morphed into a simple and excellent every day lunch salad (see photo below)!  I wanted to replace the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Sweet Sriracha Lime Sauce on the menu for the with a vegetable that was a…

A Decadent Eight Course Vegan Tasting Menu for The Illuminati Ball

For the last few months three years, I have been creating and perfecting the menu for the immersive excursion “The Illuminati Ball”  created by artist, protectress of animals and all around bad ass Cynthia Von Buhler. The Illuminati Ball is a surrealist soirée that includes intricate cocktails, mouth-watering delicacies, inspiring music, devilish dances and esoteric rituals. The guests…

Sautéed and Salted Medjool Dates with Whiskey

At The Illuminati Ball, we serve Medjool Dates sautéed in very good olive oil and sprinkled with Maldone salt as an amuse bouche.  Pairing sweet dates with salt, usually bacon or goat cheese is pretty classic.  I didn’t invent the idea of simply using flakey salt rather than meat or dairy.  I ate this delicious…