Marinara with Charred Red Bell Peppers and Onions
The eggplant brings a creaminess and body and the charred peppers and onions creates a depth of flavor that gives this marinara a flavor pop.
Quinoa and Cheese Pudding
I think of this dish is a Peruvian version of macaroni and cheese. This pudding is delicious. It is nutty, earthy, and creamy with a nice texture to break up the richness.
Tacacho con Setas y Beterraga Plantain, Wild Mushrooms & Beetroot
These little guys are such a treat to eat. Each component is delicious: crispy plantains, soft yet firm mushrooms, smooth beets, and a salty cheese sauce. When the flavors and textures become one, magic happens.
Tomato and Caramelized Onion topped Socca
Socca is an unleavened chick pea pancake which makes it the perfect base to be topped with caramelized onions offset by acidic tomatoes.
15 Bean Soup
This isn’t your average 15 bean soup. Lemon juice and cilantro added right before serving will brighten the otherwise earthy soup.
Strawberry Pecan Kale Salad with Cane Syrup Vinaigrette
This salad and dressing is simple to make yet it’s special and rejoices spring. Check the notes for seasonal variations.
Beef and Corn Meatballs with Roasted Pepper Sauce
These meatballs are special because they include charred corn and roasted red pepper sauce. They’re beautiful and look fancier than the amount of work it takes to make.
Sauteed Shrimp
Shrimp is one of God’s gifts to man. They are delicious, versatile, and quick to cook.
Mushroom and Cheese Empanadas
There’s nothing quite like a satisfying empanada. They’re little, but packed with flavor.
Pistachio Soup
Saffron brings depth to the pistachios but it’s the citrus that creates magic.
Roasted Beets with Rosemary Oil
There’s nothing quite like the deep red of beets on a winter plate. Roasted beets pair well with citrus which brightens their sweetness and rosemary brings an earthiness to the fruitiness.
Arugula, Grape, Parmesan and Pecan Salad with Grape Vinaigrette
If you’re thinking you don’t want to eat another salad, you’re doing it wrong. Arugula has bite, grapes are sweet, Parmesan is sultry and pecans are deep.
Roasted Cabbage
Y’all eat your cabbage for New Year’s. We all need wealth, prosperity and health in 2021. While we’re at it, eat your black eye peas for good luck. This is not the time to tell me you aren’t superstitious … if I’m wrong here, a little cabbage hasn’t hurt anyone.
Green Pancakes with Lime Butter
These pancakes work as an appetizer or as a starchy side to your beef steak, chicken or fish. You can even put a dollop of the lime butter on the protein.
Charred Greens (Turnip)
Charred greens are fast, fun and comforting. Embrace the green and your options are limitless.
Fennel, Satsuma and Pomegranate Salad
Fennel and satsuma bring unchartered brightness to the table and pomegranates add a pop of color to make this fall salad a must.
Chicken Shawarma Wrap
This wrap was inspired by the chicken tarna wrap and approved by my Armo. If you make everything from scratch the day you want to eat it, plan to spend about 5 hours in the kitchen plus a little bit of prep on the previous day.
Braised and Glazed Butternut Squash Soup
My mom makes some of the best butternut squash. She uses the braised and glazed method from Mark Bittman in How to Cook Everything. This soup uses that method to make the squash burst with flavor.
Red Beans and Rice
We used to eat red beans and rice with smoked sausage browned in a frying pan. For an extra special treat, pour a little cane syrup on the sausage after it’s on your plate.
Tasso Lentil Soup
I used the cooking water from the chicken enchiladas last week as a broth for this soup. If you don’t have that cooking water, fear not! Use chicken stock and add red pepper flakes.