Nathaniel Lee 
As summer fades and fall and winter settle in, I get really excited because it’s a sign that squash season is beginning! When it comes to the holiday season, the most popular dish in my family has to be this roasted butternut squash recipe (or BNS as I call it at home). Squash is so …
For the longest time, precision cooking had only been available to the top professionals at the fanciest restaurants. Within the past few years, there has been an explosion of precision cooking or “sous vide” technology that has emerged. Why does this matter? Now, you can replicate the most perfectly cooked dishes with minimal effort and …
A delectably sweet and rich White Russian cocktail makes one of the best nightcaps, especially when served ice cold. What is a White Russian? A White Russian is a cocktail made up of vodka, coffee liqueur (most often Kahlua), and cream served over ice. As with many cocktails, the origin and exact make-up of the …
“Smash” style cocktails include some of the most popular drinks today, like Mojitos and Juleps. Smashes can also be done with other cocktails, which is what I’m going to do! Today I’m doing my take on a maple bourbon smash with the added twist of smoking it. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have a …
Sweet and tangy flavors are a common pairing, especially on meats. When it comes to making chicken, one of my go-to methods for flavoring it is with a pineapple teriyaki sauce. It’s simple to make, adds moisture to the chicken, and allows me to pair quite a few side dishes with it. What is Pineapple …
Some call them chickpeas some call them garbanzo beans. Either way you reference them, they are a staple of European and near east cuisines. One of the most ubiquitous forms of chickpeas is hummus (also called hommus or houmous). What is Hummus? Hummus is a Levantine (near east) dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, …
Sometimes you just want something clean, healthy, fast, easy, and refreshing. This green smoothie recipe is just that. Spinach makes it green and citrus and pineapple make it deliciously tropical. Add in some ice and you have a quick healthy pick-me-up perfect for a meal replacement or after-workout treat. What is a Green Smoothie? A …
What makes food “California style”? If you said avocado, you’re right! California produces about 90% of my nation’s avocados, about 35% of which come right out of San Diego county (my home!). With all that green tasty goodness right in my backyard, I want to celebrate the avocado in its most iconic dish with this …
Late summer to early fall is one of my favorite times of the year because it is the peak season for stone fruits. What are stone fruits, you might ask? They are fruits like peaches, nectarines, or plums – basically, most of the delicious fruit from trees with a big seed in the middle. Even …
Today I’m going to take a look at the well-known green sauce pesto. My basic basil spinach pesto recipe is a no-cook one, as I want to focus in on the freshness of the ingredients. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, a great pesto can uplift any pasta or pizza dish with …
When it comes to pasta sauce, Bolognese is the king of sauces. The rich, meaty, tomato-y goodness used to top pasta and fill lasagnas has become a keystone part of Italian food here in America. What is a Bolognese? You may know it as ragu alla Bolognese, you may know it as ragu, or you …
Grilled pineapple has to be one of my favorite desserts of all time. I classify it as a dessert rather than a snack because of the added sugar you coat the pineapple with. If you have ever been to Brazillian Barbeque you should know what I am talking about. Beautifully tangy, sweet, spicy, and juicy …