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“If you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, it’s not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others. It’s the same with music ...will.i.am
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Homemade Healthy Dog Food
For a long time, I've felt bad about giving my dog Alaska kibble. The problem is Alaska is a large-breed dog, a Cane Corso, German Shepherd mix who weighs in at 110 lbs. So feeding her commercial fresh food wasn't an option; I'd go broke. Unlike all the other recipes I've posted, I couldn't just find a recipe and make it because my goal is to switch Alaska over to fresh natural food full time. My journey started with research; luckily, as a college professor, I have mad resea
Mike Kalustian
Jul 273 min read
Goldee's BBQ Creamy Potato Salad
Goldee's regularly appears in Texas Monthly's list of the best Texas BBQ, and to achieve such recognition, it's not enough to have excellent meat; you also need great sides. This potato salad is both creamy and spicy. I believe it would pair wonderfully with the Banana pudding recipe I shared, and together, they'd truly enhance your cookout. Annotated Cooking Notes: Keep the skin on the potatoes as it adds to the texture. Dressing 1 large egg 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Mike Kalustian
Jul 252 min read
Gazpacho
I loved cold soups in the Summer time and I love Gazpacho. This recipe was posted on the NY Times Cooking page and hails from Seville, Spain. Unlike American gazpachos, this is smooth and creamy, not chunky like most gazpachos here in the U.S. It's more a drink than a soup; in fact, I can't help but think this would make for an excellent Bloody Mary. Annotated Cooking Notes: Chill your glasses or bowls in the fridge before you serve this soup and it will create a wonderful
Mike Kalustian
Jul 162 min read
Lasagna Soup
This recipe comes from the content creator Old School Kevin. I love his recipes; they are easy and accessible for home cooks. I love lasagna, but it's a heavy dish best suited for winter. This soup is bright and light and still delivers all the lasagna flavors without the heft. 1 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Yellow Onion 1 tsp Kosher Salt 1/2 tspBlack Pepper 1 lb Ground Beef 1 lb Italian Sausage, a mix of hot and mild (casings removed) 4 cloves Garlic 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste 1 14.5 oz can
Mike Kalustian
Jul 92 min read
Matthew McConaughey's Tuna Salad
I saw this Matthew McConaughey interview where he was explaining this tuna salad, and then low and behold a few weeks later the videos start showing up on the socials. So, for you, my friends, I had to give it a try, and damn if Mr. McConaughey don't know Tuna; this recipe is delicious. My wife loves tuna salad, and this recipe gets her seal of approval. Annotated Cooking Notes: This is good as a sandwich, but fire as a Tuna Melt. There is some debate online as to what kind
Mike Kalustian
Jul 21 min read
Bourbon Peach Dump Cake
I've seen this recipe going around on social media, and it just seemed like an easy dessert, and it was. Plus, I love dump cakes; they are the no-fuss cousin to a cobbler. This recipe was accurate and good to go; I didn't need to alter anything from the social media posts. Annotated Cooking Notes: This recipe is versatile and can be made with any fruit. You can substitute canned pears, apples, or even pineapple, and they would all turn out delicious. 2 cans of peaches (1 can
Mike Kalustian
Jun 201 min read
Banana Pudding
Consider this: Banana Pudding might just be the ultimate summer dessert. No grill or BBQ gathering feels complete without it. After discovering and testing this recipe from MeatChurch.com, I was surprised by how little banana is actually used in the pudding, yet how much flavor is derived from that minimal amount. Annotated Cooking Notes: Yes, I put these in jars like Meat Church, but when I make this again, and I will, I will probably put it in a big bowl to serve family st
Mike Kalustian
Jun 102 min read
Paella
Paella, this dish came about because Costco had a paella pan for under $30. Well, challenge accepted! However, the idea of cooking paella was daunting. Although this recipe isn't directly from a chef or content creator, I learned the basics of making paella from the YouTube channel Spain on a Fork. Annotated Cooking Notes: The type of rice is important; avoid Rice-a-Roni Spanish rice. Use Bomba or Calasparra rice, which can be found at World Markets or online. If those aren't
Mike Kalustian
Jun 62 min read
Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is a great meal for a lazy day. It’s also easy on the debit card. This version adapted from Chris’ Red Hotw is ready in about 30 minutes compared to the longer more traditional version that would take a few hours. I often just eat the beans alone and skip the rice entirely. W Annotated Cooking Note: leave the beans in the can it’s was less mess just drain the beans add water to the can and drain again. Also use a large forge to mash up one of cans of bea
Mike Kalustian
May 242 min read
Italian Sashimi
This recipe is a mash-up of two separate recipes. Italian Style Sashimi from Swann's Oyster Depot in San Francisco and the Tuna Carpaccio recipe going around on social media. I just combined two great ideas. Annotated Cooking Notes: If the Tuna comes out of the tortilla press unevenly or not round, just move the excess around and re-smash it. Ingredients 6 oz Sushi-grade tuna 4 oz sushi-grade salmon 4 oz sushi-grade yellowtail ( hamachi) 1 avocado diced 1/2 shallot, finely
Mike Kalustian
May 111 min read
LAUSD Coffee Cake
When I first made this recipe, the wording was so vauge that I that I messed it up. So I tried to label everything as clearly as possible in the instructions Annotated Cooking Notes: Mix the first six ingredients, then set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture for the topping. Then add the final 4 ingredients and mix with the first six. Lastly, top with the 1/2 cup set aside and cinnamon mixture. Dry-ish Ingredients. Bakers’ (Bread) flour - 2 ½ cups Brown sugar, packed - 1 cup Gran
Mike Kalustian
May 81 min read
Easy Chicken Soup
I hate chicken breast; they are just so bland, but when I have breast to use up, there is no better use than chicken soup. This pot comes together quickly. This isn't a whole-day-sitting-on-the-stove kind of soup. It's quick, it's easy, and it's adjustable. Don't like onions? Don't use them. Have some shallots leftover? Add them in. Annoted Cooking Notes: If you're short on time, you don't have to stick to just one pot. I cooked the chicken in half of the broth and simult
Mike Kalustian
May 72 min read
Smokehouse Cheese Bread
This recipe is incredibly easy and straightforward, and it tastes just like the authentic cheese bread from the renowned Smokehouse restaurant in Toluca Lake, CA. Annotated Cooking Notes: Allowing the garlic to rest overnight is crucial, but if that's not possible, let it rest as long as you can. The soaking process truly infuses the garlic flavor into the butter. Ingredients 1 loaf of sourdough bread sliced in half 1 stick of butter 2 teaspoons freshly chopped garlic 1 pkg.
Mike Kalustian
May 11 min read
Guinness Stew
This is a rich, delicious stew, and the Guinness truly enhances it with a touch of malted goodness. With some cold nights still in store, this would be perfect, though it's also great any time of year. Annotated Cooking Notes: The secret to a great stew lies in the broth, so don't make substitutions here. A lager or IPA won't do; it must be a dark stout, and in my opinion, it has to be Guinness. Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil (more if needed) 2½ lb beef chuck (cut into 1½ - 2
Mike Kalustian
Apr 262 min read
Potaje de Garbanzos de Baza: Garbanzo Bean Stew
This simple stew is bursting with flavor. I discovered this recipe on Spainonafork.com. It was straightforward to prepare, and even those in my home who aren't fans of garbanzos finished their bowls. The key to this recipe is the thickener, which consists of garlic, a few slices of baguette, and a fried egg. All three ingredients are fried in olive oil and then mashed into a paste. Ensure the egg is fully cooked, including the yolk, when frying. Annotated Cooking Notes : Can
Mike Kalustian
Apr 203 min read
Chocolate Guinness Cake
This is another recipe from the Guinness cookbook. Although I'm not a baker, this recipe is so straightforward that even I can't mess it up. It was incredibly quick and easy, resulting in a creamy, moist, and rich chocolate cake. Annotated Cooking Notes. Always opt for dark Dutch cocoa powder; it makes a significant difference. I've tried it with regular cocoa powder, and the flavor isn't as intense. Ingredients For the Cake 250 millilitres Guinness 250 grams unsalted butter
Mike Kalustian
Apr 152 min read
Poached Salmon
This simple dish can be prepared in a single pan in just a few minutes. If you have a large sauté pan, doubling the recipe is straightforward. However, if you choose to double it, I recommend adjusting the liquid quantities by eye. Cooking Tips: The secret is to place the salmon on top of the vegetables, which will enhance the flavor of the veggies and prevent the fish from overcooking. Ingredients: 3 green onions sliced thin from whites to green half of a Leek, cleaned and c
Mike Kalustian
Apr 121 min read
Andalusian Potato Stew
Often referred to as "carnerete de patatas," this is one of Spain's lesser-known recipes. It's flavorful, simple to prepare, and sure to warm your heart. You can serve it as an appetizer or as a side dish alongside some pan-grilled fish. Annotated Cooking Notes: A key tip for this dish is to avoid overfilling the pot with broth; just cover the ingredients. Additionally, the garlic bread mixture is where all the flavor comes from. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (120 ml) 2 sli
Mike Kalustian
Apr 22 min read
Julia Child's Garlic Soup
Julia Child's knew how to rock garlic. This soup is a restorative broth that will make anyone who is under the weather feel better. A bowl of this can't help but bring a smile to anyone's face. Annotated Cooking Notes: I really mean it, this is a goto soup to give anyone who is sick. Garlic has so many healing properties. 2 quarts of water 16 cloves of garlic, Unpeeled 2 teaspoons Salt ½ teaspoons Pepper 2 Cloves 2 leaves Sage 2 sprigs of thyme 1 Bay Leaf 4 sprigs Parsl
Mike Kalustian
Mar 211 min read
Pineapple Cake
This recipe comes from the home-cooked magazine and was created by Great-Grandma Esther Deleske of Fruitridge, Michigan. This incredibly delicious cake is sweet from the pineapple and divinely soaked in the evaporated milk. When a recipe is passed down from generation to generation, you know it's fire. Annotated Notes : There isn't much I can add to Great Grandma Deleske's recipe, but I will stress ya gotta pour the topping over it when the cake is hot, so that it soaks al
Mike Kalustian
Mar 182 min read
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