Nathaniel Lee 
Chopped steak, hamburg steak, Salisbury steak, or whatever else you may call this German-inspired dish has a well-earned a spot in the annals of American comfort food. What is a Chopped Steak? The name chopped steak comes from its origins in using hand-chopped beef for the meat. Nowadays, it is far more common to use …
I have always thought the taste of honey and ginger would pair well with the flavors of gold reposado or Anejo style tequila. This smoked tequila cocktail recipe has been the perfect chance to try out my theory and try making honey-ginger simple syrup. To add some additional, aged characteristics to my drink I’ll also …
When I was younger, I used to hate coleslaw. It was a dish that I’d put a tiny scoop of onto my plate just to please my parents or not offend friends or co-workers. It wasn’t until I got older and started cooking more when I really started to understand why I disliked it so …
While probably only the 3rd or 4th most popular taco meat after carne, pollo, and picadillo (ground beef), carnitas is perhaps one of my all-time favorites. To me, carnitas is the first of the rarer and higher-brow taco meats, like the spit-roasted al pastor (adobaba), braised and slow-cooked birria, and breakfast favorite, chorizo sausage. These …
What do you get when you take french bread and fresh flavorful Italian ingredients? Bruschetta, while far from the traditional version, this quick and easy bruschetta recipe can be made with easy-to-obtain ingredients and will keep your family coming back for more. What is a Bruschetta? Bruschetta (pronounced like broo-sketta) is a toasted or roasted …
When it comes to chips, I’m all about the tortilla chips and a side of fresh pico de gallo or a spicy homemade guacamole. I never really thought I’d get on board with the vegetable chip craze that was happening, but my mind was instantly changed once I tried this eggplant chips recipe. I had …
Here in San Diego, I have the luxury of having delicious Mexican food available at my fingertips. Whether you are chowing down on tacos at 2 in the morning or grabbing a burrito on your lunch break, Mexican food is an integral part of the San Diego experience. Key to that experience is Pico De …
Did you know pinto beans are the number one bean in the U.S. and Mexico? This was news to me, as they typically have a bad rap for being known to only be good for refried beans and chili. I’m a fan of pinto beans, so I was glad to hear this fun fact about …
When it comes to my pantry, staple items you’ll find are flour, sugar, dried pasta, rice, beans, and tomatoes. What do these things all have in common? They are cheap and last for years. The challenge with these items is how to turn them into something more appetizing than their humble beginnings in a box, …
Have you ever bought a clamshell of cherry or grape tomatoes only to find you never use them all? This happens to me all the time, so rather than constantly throwing them into salads for the next 5 days, I prefer to turn them into a fresh, spicy pasta sauce. What Makes a Good Spicy …
This oven baked chicken breast recipe, while one of the simplest on my site, is one of the most important ones to me. When it comes to learning how to cook and how to understand food, there is so much I can learn from something as simple as a piece of oven cooked chicken. My …
If you had to name a deliciously cool and refreshing rum cocktail, you’d probably be thinking of the mojito. Today I’ll be breaking down the mojito into its classic components and then adding in a little twist to enhance the flavor in this lavender mojito recipe. What is a Mojito? The classic mojito is made …