Japanese Sesame Dip
Recipe: Japanese Creamy Sesame Dip/Dressing -
Evan Kleiman

I had a yen for a little something something Valentine's Day afternoon.  While the rest of you were focused on chocolate or something pink I was jonesing for the tastes of Japan. One of the most common is sesame in the form of a creamy dressing that appears often on broccoli ...read more

Fresh Strawberry Pie
Pie for Valentine’s Day -
Evan Kleiman

It seems that global warming has given Southern California the gift of fresh strawberries earlier than usual.  So why not take the gift and throw together a Fresh Strawberry Pie. It's fast, easy and very pretty and red!  Perfect for the holiday, even if your best valentine is yourself.  I ...read more

Brigit's Ginger Gold Rush Cocktail
Recipe: Brigit’s Ginger Gold Rush Cocktail -
Evan Kleiman

To cap off a great day of teaching and my last night in Paso Robles, host Brigit Binns made me this perfect cocktail.  Bright with lemon juice, just enough spice from the ginger, strong warmth from the Makers Mark and not too sweet, it was my introduction to Domaine de Canton ...read more

My friend Joe's personal cocktail
Recipe: “The Joey” a Remembrance -
Evan Kleiman

I recently lost a friend.  Joe Attanasio was 89 and led an exceptional life until the end.  The hundreds who attended his funeral mass were the richer for having known him.  Joe was a a lifeforce, a mensch, a legendary kibitzer. That's yiddish for someone who loves to chat and be social.  His ...read more

Lentil Salad, a template for whole grain salads
Recipe: Lentil Salad – a Template -
Evan Kleiman

I start the year with a plateful of lentils for good luck.  It's an Italian tradition that usually involves cooking the lentils with a hunk of pork in the form of a cotechino, a large pork sausage made with the cotiche or pig skin and shaped like a pig's foot.  I ...read more