Inspiring Tomorrow's Home Cooks

Years ago I volunteered as a cooking instructor at Olivewood Gardens in National City, teaching young kids how to cook. So, when I decided to write a story for the San Diego Union-Tribune's food section recently on teaching cooking to children, I turned to Olivewood Gardens for resources and the reasons why parents should encourage their kids to participate in preparing family meals. I got a lot of great tips--and recipes--which I've shared in this new piece, which was published on March 13, 2018. 

A World of Curry Published in San Diego Union-Tribune

This week my story on preparing curries from around the world was published by the San Diego Union-Tribune's food section. I got a chance to share the story of Bruce Jackson and Momoko Jackson of Pacific Beach's World Curry--and share three of Bruce's recipes: Bali Beef, Tikka Masala, and Mussaman. He also offered some insightful tips for getting the most flavor from the ingredients. All of this was captured by Eduardo Contreras' magnificent photos.

Tuning Up Your Carbs: New Story Published in UT-San Diego

The second installment of my four-part series on eating well with diabetes was published this week in UT-San Diego. This piece addresses the complex and often confounding issue of carbohydrates. Carbs play a significant role in our body's well being, but the key is to eat the right kinds in the right portion--especially if you're living with Type 2 diabetes.

I've done my best to carefully explain how this all works, and included a couple of recipes that feature some especially delicious whole grains--wheat berries and freekah. Try these and you'll be surprised at how easy it is to transition away from boring white rice and pasta.

Close to the Source, My New Edible San Diego Blog, Is Up and Running

I've been writing for Edible San Diego for as long as it's existed. They're getting ready to launch a new web design but in the meantime they invited me to start in with their first blog, Close to the Source. Sponsored by Specialty Produce, the bi-weekly blog appears on the first and third Mondays of each month and delves into what's happening with our local markets, farms, and producers of artisan foods--with a hint or two here and there for how to enjoy their products.

My first post focused on fisherman Phil Harris' delicious black gill rockfish, sold at the new Fishermen's Farmers Market in Pt. Loma. I got Catalina Offshore Products' Tommy Gomes to teach me--and the gathering crowd--how to break it down and cook all the various parts so we enjoy it from tail to gill (except we don't eat the gill).

Take a look at How to Break Down a Whole Fish in Five Easy Steps.

Check Out My L.A. Koreatown Piece in Sept. 2012 Sunset Magazine

I'm so tickled to announce that I have a big feature in this month's Sunset Magazine. The editors asked me to go up to Los Angeles and experience Koreatown's food with Chef Debbie Lee of Food Network Star. The result is a 10-page spread that includes a Korean food 101 and lots of gorgeous photos. Debbie was a superb guide through the complexities and joy of Korean food and I thoroughly enjoyed her very modern take on Korean food at her place, Ahn-Joo in Glendale. If you're in L.A., check it out -- and try some of the places we went in Koreatown!

Debbie in front of Elephant Snack Corner

"Green Gold" Appears in August/September Issue of Saveur Magazine

I'm happy to say that my first story for Saveur Magazine has just been published. "Green Gold" is the featured "Source" piece and highlights the magnificent avocado oil produced in San Diego County by Cid da Silva under the name Bella Vado Avocado Oil. This has been a very long time coming and it's so gratifying to finally see it in print.