bok choy coleslaw

the beginning of the grilling season has pulled us outdoors and commanded we try to grill anything we can.  but to go along with the charbroiled treats, i’ve been quite a fiend for coleslaws and tasty raw salads which clear the palate nicely.  i usually skip the mayo, using oil, lemon juice and honey for flavor instead. because i sometimes find it tough to find the standard cabbage in the spring and summer, i have found myself searching for... Read More

toasted sesame sticks

my latest vice is oriental snack mixes.  i could eat a whole bag in one sitting, what with the crispy rice crackers, wasabi peas and – my favorite – the toasty tasting sesame sticks.  i love the stuff so much i decided to try my hand at making them myself. and it’s easier then i thought.  a simple combination of flour, spices, sesame seeds, oil and water, toasted for a few minutes in the oven and enjoyed in copious amounts.  great... Read More

sesame-fried shishito peppers

like the daikon radish or momotaro tomatoes, shishito peppers are special japanese treats that – lucky for us – are easily grown in california.  and lucky for me, the local japanese family farm i work for carries them. most of these miniature peppers are very mild, almost like a bell pepper with just the tiniest bite of spice that is not at all hot.  one in every 20 or so might be spicier, but cooking helps reduce the heat of the... Read More