I like to say that one can never have enough kitchen gadgets. Not surprisingly, I acquired a new one this week: a mini waffle maker. It costs about $11 and takes up minimal space. The one I purchased has 5 star reviews and is really cute. I highly recommend it for making mini waffles, crispy rice, mini-pizzas and other creative foods. This recipe for crispy rice has been trending on TikTok and I really needed to make it. I made it vegan by using avocado instead of sushi grade salmon. I also skipped the mayo to keep it light. Crispy rice is usually deep fried and really delicious. I first tri ..read more

Summer in the San Francisco Bay area usually starts out chilly and foggy but the sun is finally shining! It’s a heat wave this weekend and I needed a refreshing summer cocktail to cool me down. Margaritas are my go to summer drink along with still or sparkling rose. I would have to argue that watermelon epitomizes peak summer in America more than any other fruit. I’ve been swimming laps and running this summer so staying hydrated has been a priority. I love fresh watermelon because it’s hydrating and light.  If you have an herb garden, try adding fresh basil or fresh mint. For a spicy twi ..read more

It’s been a busy year at work and a long time since I‘ve posted! I’ve been trying a lot of meal delivery subscriptions lately to save time. I always go back to a few of my staple recipes – Channa masala is one of them! This is an updated version of my previous recipe and can be whipped up in 30 minutes (see video below). In Indian cooking, cilantro is often used as a garnish in lieu of parsley. After all, it is from the same plant that produces coriander seeds. The cumin and coriander are what make the “masala” in Channa masala. They pair together beautifully and give this classic dish it’s d ..read more

There’s something really comforting about apple desserts this time of year. Apples are in season and this is a great recipe for honeycrisp apples. I love pies, but galettes are easier to assemble, and are just so pretty to look at. The shape is not meant to be perfect, making it rustic yet sophisticated. The fruit can be arranged in any way you prefer, and the galette allows the fruit to be more visible compared to a traditional pie. This recipe makes enough dough for one galette, unlike typical pie dough recipes, which make 2 pie crusts. The texture of the dough is flaky, buttery, and just m ..read more

It’s been a few months since my last blog post and quite a bit has changed… I moved to the San Francisco Bay area and started a new job! Me and my dog Roscoe are slowly settling into life in the Peninsula. Although I miss a lot of things about LA, I’m getting used to the slower pace and enjoying endless trees and grass, the beautiful pond nearby, and our amazing Sunday Farmer’s Market. My current work, which focuses on food allergies, inspired me to make this healthy vegan recipe which is free of the top eight allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, and wheat. It too ..read more

Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or “Galentine’s” Day with friends, crème brûlée is the perfect dessert. The crunchy, caramelized sugar coating is always impressive when you make it at home. All you need is a culinary blowtorch. You don’t need to be a serious cook to own one, I promise! Mine is available on Amazon.com and I love it. The torch is by Joe Chef and it’s super easy to use right out of the box. It’s top rated by several other well known cooking bloggers and really versatile. I used it to make vegan s’mores at home. It’s also great for toasting bread crumbs and blistering ..read more

Los Angeles is on full lock down this month so I’ve been cooking at home and ordering in. This is a great pantry recipe for when you don’t want to clean pots and pans or have an elaborate cooking session. I always have extra firm tofu in my fridge. It lasts a long time and it’s so versatile. Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with. I use tofu regularly to make breakfast scrambles and stir fries. But don’t forget, baking is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to cook tofu. Always make sure to remove the excess moisture from your tofu by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel a ..read more

There are so many delicious fall recipes to choose from right now. I love recipes that use apple, sweet potato, butternut squash, and pumpkin this time of year. I think pumpkin spice lattes can be over-hyped but they’re still a fall favorite of mine. Seasonal food is comfort food. It’s also a little bit addicting since it’s only available at certain times of the year. If you crave pumpkin treats for breakfast that aren’t lattes, then this is the recipe for you! It’s an easy recipe that’s totally plant based and delicious. It’s not too heavy or sweet but still tastes moist and rich. Quick bre ..read more

1. Skincare: Night cream “A luxuriously rich all-in-one supercream that significantly improves firmness, elasticity, glow, and the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and brightness after just four weeks” I use this almost every night. It helps to heal my skin after wearing a surgical mask all day long. Smoothes out dry, tight skin. It feels really good on your skin and has a light, pleasant scent. It’s not greasy and doesn’t clog my pores. A little goes a long way. Here’s the link: http://liketk.it/2YZp9 2. Nails: Nail polish strips for a super easy and long lasting DIY home manicure. http ..read more

Do you have tons of zucchini at home right now? You’re not the only one! I love zucchini because it’s so versatile. It’s the ultimate summer garden vegetable. I mostly use it for zucchini noodles and I also love grilled zucchini. Zucchini bread and muffins are another great way to use up your summer zucchini. Roasting zucchini is a great option in summer on those days (like now!) when it’s too hot to even grill. We’re having a heat wave in Los Angeles which is not very conducive to standing in front of a hot grill. Roasting is quick and easy and there’s very little clean up. The nice part is t ..read more