The original recipe is from The New Orleans Cookbook, by Rima Collin, featuring crawfish – but shrimp is also popular and more readily available in California. Étoufée is a highly spiced stew and a one-dish meal. If you can find a copy of this cookbook, it’s worth every penny for authentic New Orleans-style cooking. INGREDIENTS:...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup minced parsley 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 large garlic cloves, minced 2 whole bay leaves, crushed fine 1 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon Worcestershire...Read More

Here is a classic preparation for abalone — the key to preparation is to not overcook the abalone. Prepare the buerre blanc sauce first, and then quickly sauté the abalone. INGREDIENTS: Buerre Blanc 2 large shallots, finely chopped 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 3 tablespoons dry white wine 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 cup butter,...Read More

Abalone is a large mollusk that is as delicious as it is tough. If you’re not buying pre-tenderized abalone, you’ll have to do the “tenderizing” yourself. Start by trimming away the dark, curly edges, which tend to stay tough. Then, slice it into thin 1/4-inch slices. Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper...Read More

This recipe was featured in the annual “Taste of the Valley” event in Salinas, California. INGREDIENTS: Noodles: 8 ounces rice noodles (cover in boiling water and let stand covered for 45 minutes. Drain noodles and set aside). 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon ginger, fresh and finely grated...Read More

This is a basic recipe for gravlax or cured salmon. Easy to do, less expensive, and tastes better than store-bought. Once you have this recipe down, you can start playing with other flavorings, like adding dill or mint. The fattier the salmon, the better for gravlax.Read More