The best Indian food on the Central Coast is in Santa Barbara at Bibi Ji. Indian-American sommelier Rajat Parr teamed up with Alejandro Medina to offer the taste of Parr mom’s and grandma’s cooking right on State Street. They have a hyper-local focus on ingredients. Their aim of blending traditional Indian flavors as the foundation, …
A cozy spot that feels like home is exactly what Bell’s owners, Daisy and Greg Ryan, wanted in their first restaurant. And for Chef Daisy, who is from the Santa Ynez Valley, it was also about family, community, and coming home. It was great timing, as the building that used to house Bell Street Farm …
If you’re cutting down on sugar and carbs, this ricotta almond cake made with almond flour (and a little coconut flour to keep it light) is delicious. Helpful for diabetics, keto and just children-near-bedtime, it’s also a classic Italian cake that’s great for mornings with coffee as well as after dinner. Or maybe even lunch …
Sometimes you just need to give back. So we headed to Los Angeles’ Downtown Women’s Center to buy the ingredients, prepare, cook and serve lunch to over 100 ladies visiting or living at the center. On the menu: oven-baked chicken with crunchy Parmesan coating and lemon zest, white beans, collard greens and baked sweet potato fries …
Summer on the Central Coast means grilling in your own backyard! If you’re keeping it healthy, here are 2 main dishes for the grill that keep it lighter. So invite some friends over, fire up the grill and chill some drinks…it’s going to be a great weekend! First up, burgers. I love burgers, but eating …
What’s the one ingredient that can make every one of your backyard BBQ dishes shine? That will kick up the flavors and make everyone come back for more?? Bacon, that’s what. 1. Figs wrapped in bacon with balsamic glaze. For an amazing starter, take some fresh figs and wrap them with bacon. Bake in the oven …
I know the first the day of Autumn has officially come and gone, but the weather around here hasn’t gotten the message. It’s still unseasonably hot and sticky, and the garden is still producing summer vegetables like crazy. I’ve been craving a fresh and simple breakfast lately, and dreaming of fruit tarts. Berries have one …
I had just spent some time in Spain, Basque country to be exact, where I’d eaten so much amazing seafood. Octopus charcoal-grilled or swimming in fragrant broth, fish caught that day then wood-oven fired with wine and garlic and zesty, salty sardines to start every meal. When I returned, I decided to make this Grilled …
Valentine’s Day is coming, and I love Valentine’s Day—even when I have no Valentine. This year, I have a houseful of friends who deserve some love-in-a-baked-form from me. This raspberry tart with gluten free pie crust fits the occasion perfectly! I’ve been researching and cooking healthier foods for a long time, and lately have been …
