Even if you’re not vegan, this pesto is bursting with summer freshness. Rich, yet light, this savory condiment is perfect for everything from pasta to meat and vegetables. When one of my friends conjured up a version of this pesto to get rid of some ripe avocado, I was curious how it was going to…
Category: Fusion
Healthy Diplomat: Vegetarian Quinoto-stuffed peppers
Tired of boring old quinoa? Need new ideas for healthy entrees – vegetarian or not, or just an impressive side dish for guests? Try this Peruvian inspired delicious bell pepper stuffed with a goat cheese quinoa risotto, also known as quinoto. It is rich, yet light – typically under 300 calories per serving and a…
The Healthy Diplomat’s Mediterranean-inspired turkey burgers
The all-American hamburger gets the CD international treatment with infusion of flavors that span the northern and eastern Mediterranean. An oh so easy classic you might just turn into a weeknight menu staple! America has a love affair with the poorly named hamburger. Though the name refers to its attributed origin – immigrants to…
Willi’s Wine Bar: Sonoma’s little secret
Considering a visit to Sonoma’s Russian River Valley wineries? Make sure to stop into Willi’s Wine Bar for pretentious food -without the pretentious ambiance or price. Willi’s Wine Bar of Santa Rosa, California, embodies every quality that makes Sonoma County an attractive wine destination. It appears more laid back and relaxed, less pretentious and showy…
San Francisco’s Greens: A fine dining experience to excite vegetarians and surprise carnivores
Vegetarians are accustomed to limited options at fine restaurants. Yet San Francisco’s Greens has given generations of vegetarians (and their carnivorous friends!) living or visiting the Bay Area meatless, international farm to table experiences since 1979. If you are a vegetarian in the Americas or Europe, your restaurant dining options typically force you to choose…
My friends’ Big Fat (Posh) Indian Wedding
Like a fantasy ending of a twisting, turning Bollywood movie, the spectacular wedding of an amazing couple and my dear friends, D & K., was truly worthy of a CD homage. Cheers to the start of the next phase of your Grihasthashram! It’s been a long time coming, but I finally experienced one of India’s…
Unorthodox Moroccan spiced Sweet Potato Chicken Chili
Slow-cooked chicken, bright sweet potatoes, and jalapeños get a kiss of Near East spices. Moroccan tagine meets American chili. Whether you are thawing out from a snow-in, rain-in, or simply are looking for a great winter (or Super Bowl) recipe, this unorthodox chili is a great alternative to a standard chili con carne or white…
Italian-Californian fusion: A hearty sauce Romanesca over roasted spaghetti squash
This classic, hearty Italian sauce adds some masculinity and depth to roasted spaghetti squash for a nutritious and satisfying low-carb, comfort meal. Customize by going meatless or pair it with your favorite pasta for a taste of Roman home cooking in your own kitchen. I believe that Italian food is the world’s comfort food….
Blackwood: Trendy Thai fusion in San Francisco
San Francisco is well known for its food culture. Its history of Asian immigration has made Asian cuisine -both traditional and fusion particularly strong. While the city’s Marina/Cow Hollow neighborhood is not exactly the place to go for authentic international dishes, its trendy cafes and enthusiastic crowds are the perfect atmosphere to play with modern…
Sweet and spicy Thai-inspired chicken sausage and arugula salad
Sweet and spicy. That might describe my own personality a bit, but it definitely fits this salad. An easy, healthy meal for a hot summer day, or if you’re like me, year round! Another salad? Isn’t this kind of cheating? Perhaps. The cook-from-scratch purist in me is embarrassed to pass off my go-to salad as…
The Culinary Diplomat 