June 10th, 2024

These are my very favorite recipes! They're originals unless I've given credit to the creators, and they're all super easy with instructions simple enough for even the novice chef. So when you're feeling adventurous in your kitchen and want a bit of fun, give 'em a try!

Breakfast

French Toast Casserole — If I had to pick my very favorite recipe, this would be it. I don't know if there's really a heaven but if there is, this is what it tastes like.

Appetizers

Coconut Shrimp — From my friend Leon Dienes, the realtor who sold my dad's house for me in San Diego. He sends recipe cards to his clients as a way of keeping in touch. These coconut shrimp were an instant hit the first time I made them and this is the first recipe that I've ever added to my website after having made it only once.

Stuffed Mushrooms — Everyone makes stuffed mushrooms and these take a little time but oh my gosh, they're worth the effort. Don't be alone when you make them or there won't be any left when you're done.

Tomato Crostini — From my girlfriend Sallie who changed my life with this recipe. It's by far my favorite appetizer. With all of its flavors and textures, and colors that make the most eye-catching presentation, it's simply the best. In fact, it's so good and so satisfying that we often eat this as a meal all by itself.

Entrees

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas — from my daughter-in-law, Sharon. The best recipe for green chicken enchiladas I've ever come across. A great recipe for a block party or a large group of people.

Julia's First Prize Trophy-Winning Firehouse Chili — From my sister-in-law Julia who won first prize for this chili when she lived in Pennsylvania. It's killer good and when you get a craving for chili, this will be the one you'll want.

Side Dishes

Barbequed Beans to Die For — From my cousin Deb in St. Paul, Minnesota. These beans are perfect with hot dogs and hamburgers and barbequed chicken and ribs. This is my most requested dish to bring to a block party or get together. There are rarely any leftovers.

Mushroom Tomato Basil Rosemary Risotto — This risotto is to die for! It's super easy, super colorful, and never fails to impress guests.

Spanish Rice — A super yummy recipe from my sister Carol who's an excellent cook and like me, grew up with our mom in the kitchen. This recipe for Spanish rice is my favorite recipe of hers. It's not your typical white rice cooked in tomato juice Spanish Rice that you get in a restaurant. Serve it immediately or it won't make it to the table.

Tomato Pie — Sounds like a dessert but it's not, it's really a side dish, but if you like tomatoes, this will taste like dessert to you.

Desserts

Chocolate Bread Pudding — I experimented with my mom's bread pudding recipe and this was the final outcome. Mom liked bread pudding for breakfast but this one's definitely a dessert. Decadent!

Lemon Cream Pie — My very favorite dessert is lemon meringue pie. Unfortunately it takes hours to make. So I found this super easy, super fast recipe for lemon cream pie and it's light and delicious and it requires no baking! I tweaked the recipe a little, adding lemon zest to the filling and using crushed Oreos and pretzels for the crust, and this makes this pie even better.

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert — From Margie who used to be my manicurist when I lived in Thousand Oaks. She loved food as much as I do and we often talked about food while she was doing my nails. This is an intensely flavorful dessert everyone will love.

If you have a minute and want to warm your heart, and read how I got my start in the kitchen, cooking with my mom.