Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what to cook, so I’ve pulled together a short list of my favorite recipes.
Additionally, if you have a particular ingredient you want to use, the Recipe Index is very handy. Just type in chicken, beef, seafood and the Recipe Index will pull up all recipes with those ingredients.
Also, if you have a particular cuisine you want to try, then just type in Italian, Chinese, Thai and the index will pull up these recipes, it saves a lot of time and make choosing dinner vastly easier.
Recipes I Come Back to Again and Again:
I got this marinara recipe from a friend’s grandmother. She had emigrated from Sicily in the early 1920’s and settled in the North End of Boston. She wrote the recipe down in a piece of scrap paper with a stubby little pencil.
Sicilian Marinara Sauce-Workhorse of Nonna’s Kitchen
Vietnamese Shaking Beef inspired by The Slanted Door. I’ve had so many wonderful meals at the Slanted Door in SF. This Shaking Beef was one I always ordered. I’d say it was their signature dish and for good reason.
Vietnamese Shaking Beef inspired by The Slanted Door
This classic Beef Stroganoff is a dish that has fallen off of many European restaurant menus, but has remained as a house specialty in a few. The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa is just such a place.
Classic Beef Stroganoff Recipe from Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
These Vietnamese garlic noodles are addictive and are perfect with any kind of grilled fish or meat or if I’m in the mood, sometimes I eat them on their own. I had a similar dish at Thanh Long, a restaurant in San Francisco, so when I came home, I tried to re-create it, and this is my best effort.
Vietnamese Garlic Noodles: A San Francisco Classic
This is such a good recipe and so simple to make. The story behind this recipe is interesting. When I was a young boy, we used to go to a seafood restaurant in Washington DC called O’Donnell’s. The historic O’Donnell’s Sea Grill opened in 1922 on E Street NW in Washington, D.C. It was a legendary destination for seafood, nautical decor, and its signature rum buns. They had wonderful food, and most importantly, they had Buck.
Simple Norfolk Seafood Recipe Inspired by O’Donnell’s
I’ve always enjoyed a good Japanese curry. While totally different than a traditional Indian curry, which I also enjoy, it’s real comfort food. It’s often referred to as the national dish of Japan. Even the Emperor is said to enjoy it.
Homemade Japanese Chicken Curry Recipe: Easy Comfort Food
I stumbled across this in Fuschia Dunlop’s book, “Land of Fish and Rice”. It looked excellent and she raved about eating it a few times a week.
Easy Shrimp Stir-Fry Recipe with Flavorful Spring Onion Oil
This was a speciality of Florence’s in Boston’s North End. Florence Romano Foti opened her restaurant in 1974. This was the dish I ordered evert time I went.
Pasta all’Amatriciana- North End Version
Thais’ love fresh basil, and use many different types. Most of us are familiar with Sweet Basil, and this is easy to find in any market. However, it’s the “Holy Basil”, known as Bai Grapao, which is the most flavorful and authentic.
Thai Chicken with Basil/ Gai Pad Prik Grapao- Top Thai Dish
If I’m being honest, I’ve never been a big fan of zucchini. So when I saw this dish, Zucchini all Nerano on Stanley Tucci‘s special, Searching for Italy, I wasn’t initially that interested. But when he said, it was his favorite pasta of all time and that he made it at least once a week, I thought to myself I have to give this a try.
Stanley Tucci’s Favorite Zucchini Pasta
This is such an easy pasta to throw together and so rich and satisfying. Sometimes less is more and the basic ingredients can really sing when left to their own devices.
Rigatoni with Tomato Sauce and Sausage
Kung Pao Chicken has always been a favorite dish of mine. After looking at so many recipes, I finally settled on this version which is inspired by Fuchsia Dunlop.
Kung Pao Chicken- Authentic Sichuan Recipe
This is the most wonderful marinated grilled chicken dish. Gai Yang is a staple in Thailand on most any street corner and it is delicious. Usually it’s served on skewers which are grilled over charcoal fires. It is super easy to prepare and goes great with a salad and steamed rice.
Authentic Thai Street Food: Marinated Grilled Chicken
Sunday is a special day when the family comes together for a big meal and while each family has their own traditions of which dishes are served. In the US, the tradition of the Sunday Sauce is essential. I was given this recipe by a coworker and she said it was her grandmother’s pride and joy. They lived in the North End in Boston and their family had been there for generations.
Authentic Sunday Sauce: A Step by Step To Create A Family Tradition
Ma Po Tofu is one of the classic dishes of Sichuan cuisine and is traditionally made with ground pork, tofu, chili bean paste, fermented black beans, and Sichuan peppercorns.
MaPo Tofu: Stir-Fry Tofu with Szechuan Flavors
This is a fantastic salad to start off a special meal. It is hearty in flavor, so make sure to follow it with something dramatic, or include it as part of a grilled meal.
Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese, Figs and Pecans
Yes, you can make your own mac and cheese and it’s vastly better than store bought. Be creative with your choices of cheese. I’ve used smoked Gouda, Gruyere and even Blue Cheese. There are no solid rules here.
Homemade Mac and Cheese: A Guide to Creative Cheesy Goodness
Here’s a really easy Chicken Jambalaya to throw together when you come home late. It’s really good and great for lunch the next day. It’s worth searching for the medium grain rice, as it does give it a more creamy texture.
Smoky Chicken Jambalaya-Taste of Louisiana
This is a perfect light salad or mezze to compliment any sort of kebab, or even on it’s own. The freshness is just stunning and carries the prawns to an entirely different place.
Refreshing Prawn Salad with Blood Oranges
I cooked this Ginger Chicken at least once a week for years. It’s excellent and has all the balance of flavors that Thai food is known for.
Thai Ginger Chicken- Gai Pad King
Tandoori Chicken. I always thought that this tandoori dish was made with a brightly colored reddish orange paste that stained the fingers and I was surprised to be told by my Indian friends from Delhi said that they do not use any artificial coloring in their food.
Traditional Tandoori Chicken Recipe