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“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with them… The people who give you their food give you their heart.” – Cesar Chavez

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The Original Pantry's Coleslaw
For nearly a century, the Original Pantry was a beloved restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. During my time working for the Metro, it became my regular late-night spot for buckwheat pancakes before heading home. Every meal at the Pantry included two reliable staples: sourdough bread and their coleslaw. This straightforward recipe makes an excellent side for any beef dish, offering a sweet and acidic flavor that pairs perfectly with steak. This recipe from food.com may have th
Mike Kalustian
3 days ago1 min read


Hamburger Gravy, AKA S.O.S
Anyone who has served in the military knows this recipe, often referred to as Shit on a Shingle. There are numerous variations depending on the choice of protein. Using pork breakfast sausage results in biscuits and gravy, the Army used chipped beef, while in the Marines, we used hamburger. This recipe is an excellent way to make ingredients go further and offers a warm, satisfying meal. Annotated Cooking Notes: Traditionally served on toast, I enhanced the dish by baking bis
Mike Kalustian
Feb 222 min read


Garlic Steak Fries
These garlic fries, accompanied by garlic steak, boast an ideal cheese sauce and a pepper-onion relish. If you're a fan of any type of cheese fries, cheese steak, garlic fries, or garlic steak, you're definitely going to adore this. Annotated Cooking Notes: This recipe is delicious; the only drawback right now is the current price of beef. Even cheaper cuts like skirt or flank steak are expensive. 1 1/4 pound skirt steak 6 cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced 1 teaspoon
Mike Kalustian
Feb 163 min read


Shrimp and Cod in Creamy Garlic Sauce
Although this recipe is straightforward, it exudes opulent luxury. The dish's origins are a tribute to coastal France. My family quickly finished the entire pot. Annotated Cook's Notes : This recipe becomes even quicker if you purchase shrimp that are already shelled and deveined. The original recipe specified fresh shrimp, but I opted for frozen ones and simply soaked them in cool water for 5 minutes to defrost. Ingredients hrimp (peeled and deveined): 300 g (about 10 oz) Co
Mike Kalustian
Feb 92 min read


Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
I have been making these cookies for well over 14 years. I found this recipe from Claire Robinson on the Food Network webpage. These cookies are so delicious, the perfect post-meal snack: sweet, savory, and fragrant. They are a staple in my house. Annotated Cooking Notes: Truth be told, I have made these for years and still struggle to roll the dough up into a perfect log. Nonetheless, they taste delicious, even if more often than not, mine are not perfectly round. Ingredie
Mike Kalustian
Feb 11 min read


Caramelized Onion Jam
This sweet, savory caramelized onion jam recipe is a great way to spice up meat dishes and is a fantastic condiment that goes with almost anything, and will immediately make your dish insanely savory!! This is a jam that will elevate an ordinary dish into something spectacular. This delightful caramelized onion jam recipe adds a sweet and savory touch to meat dishes and serves as a versatile condiment that complements nearly any meal, instantly enhancing its savory flavor.
Mike Kalustian
Jan 251 min read


Chicken Piccata
This Chicken Piccata is a simple yet elegant dish that comes together fast for a satisfying weeknight meal. Annotated Cooking Notes: Don't have time to pound the chicken, use chicken cutlets. Ingredients For the Chicken Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (2 Large) All-Purpose Flour (1/2 Cup) Salt(1/2 tsp) Black Pepper(1/2 tsp) Olive Oil(3 Tbsp) For the Piccata Sauce Unsalted Butter, divided (4 Tbsp) Garlic, minced (2 Cloves) Dry White Wine (like Chardonnay) (1/2 Cup) Brined C
Mike Kalustian
Jan 232 min read


Viral Million Dollar Crack Dip
This viral dip is making the rounds I have seen several variations, but I like this version of the recipe because it's clean and simple ( two words I live for in the kitchen.) Again, this is another great party dish. I have rushed out several recipes for New Year's. This is the last one. I hope some of these will help up your snack table. Enjoy! Ingredients 1 block of softened Cream Cheese 1/2 cup of Mayonnaise 3/4 sliced green onions 1/3 cup of Bacon Crumbles 1/4 cup slivere
Mike Kalustian
Dec 30, 20251 min read


Delicious Sour Cream and Onion Dip Recipe Inspired by Clinton Kelly from The Chew
I'm always a fan of natural ingredients over processed chemical ingredients. Could you make an Onion Dip by using a packet of stuff? Yes, will it taste as good as a Dip made from Onions? No. This recipe is easy and straightforward to make; it just takes a little time to caramelize the onions. Ingredients 2 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 large Yellow Onion (cut into even 1/4-inch thick rings) 1 clove Garlic (minced) 1 1/2 cup Sour Cream 3/4 cup Mayonnaise Kosher Salt Pepper Directions
Mike Kalustian
Dec 30, 20251 min read


Spicy Whipped Feta Dip
This recipe was posted on IG by chef Catie Randazzo, formerly of All Day Baby, and now at Bub and Grandma's. This quick, easy dip is a great way to spice up veggies and is great for a party. Annotated Cooking Notes: FYI, wanna adjust the heat increase or decrease the amount of Cayenne and Crushed Red Pepper. Ingredients 32 oz feta cheese 1/2 cup Water 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 tsp caraway seeds 2 tsp cayenne 2 tbsp. crushed red pepper various sliced veggies 1 tsp cumin seeds D
Mike Kalustian
Dec 29, 20251 min read


Delicious Tart Cherry and Garlic Herb Cheese Spread Perfect for Snack Tables
This is another family reciper that is a hit on our mezza table. And again it could not be easier to put together. Annotated Cooking Notes: I just pulled the cheese right out of the package, it's probably better if spread a little thinner, maybe use a spatula to press it down, but you're gonna up the mess factor. Ingredients 1 package Alouette Garlic Herb cheese spread 1 jar Dalmatia Spread Sour Cherry - 8.5 Oz 1 package of unsalted, already shelled pistachios. Baked Crack
Mike Kalustian
Dec 29, 20251 min read


Delicious Fried Dill Pickle Dip Recipe for New Year's Eve and Super Bowl Parties
I love, love, love this dip; it is savory, crunchy, and spicy. If you love pickles, you will love this. I found at offical_drew_cooks on Instagram. Not only does he do accessible recipes, but he also has a beard that is the envy of my eye. I made this for a Super Bowl party last year, and it was the dish that had everyone talking. Ingredients 1 block of Cream cheese 1 cup of sour cream 1 packet of ranch seasoning 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1 jar of dill relish 1/2 cup of p
Mike Kalustian
Dec 28, 20251 min read


Delicious and Simple Quick Artichoke Salad Recipe, Perfect for a Party
This recipe comes from my aunt and is always a big hit at our family gatherings. And it's as simple as opening a few jars and doing just a little chopping. My kids love this salad. FYI, if you have some left over, it makes filling for a quiche or frittata. Ingredients 1 33 oz can of Marinated Artichoke quarters ( or 4 cups) 1 cup pitted Kalamata Olives 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise 1 cup Bella Mushrooms stems removed, and sliced thin, Directions. This co
Mike Kalustian
Dec 28, 20251 min read


Vodka Rigatoni with Crispy Prosciutto
This is a simple and fast one-pan pasta that can be prepared in just a few minutes. By starting to crisp the prosciutto and boil the water simultaneously, you can have this dish ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. I adopted This recipe from the Youtuber Chris Red Hots Ingredients 3 Tbs Butter 1/2 white onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 cup vodka 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 cup red pasta sauce 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 package prosciutto Basil leaves 1 pa
Mike Kalustian
Dec 1, 20251 min read


Ground Beef, Zucchinin, and Sweet Potato Skillet.
A one-pan dish, with very few ingredients, that is not only easy to make but also filling and delicious, yes sign me up. This is one of my wife's favorite recipes. Ingredients 1 lb Ground Beef 2 Medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1 onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tablespoon of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional) Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish Directions 1. Begin by
Mike Kalustian
Nov 12, 20251 min read


Caramelized Onion and Bacon Quiche
Here's another quiche. I enjoy making them because quiches are perfect for using up leftovers from your fridge or for creating a more refined dish. This particular quiche is both sweet and savory, featuring a delightful mix of bacon, caramelized onions, and Gruyere cheese. Annotated Cooking Notes: Preparing a quiche is more like baking than cooking, so it's important to be precise with your measurements. Ingredients - 1 pre-made pie crust (store-bought or homemade) - 4 large
Mike Kalustian
Nov 6, 20251 min read


Pasta Gigi
This straightforward pasta recipe is shared by Chef Steve from the Vivaldi Way channel on YouTube. The dish, named possibly after his wife, features mushrooms in a cream sauce. It's ideal for serving two people and pairs wonderfully with a nice Sauvignon Blanc, making it perfect for a cozy date night at home. Annotated Cooking Notes: This dish comes together quickly. Everything in the pan cooks in less than 10 minutes. Ingredients 1 cup oyster mushrooms, chopped 1 shallot,
Mike Kalustian
Oct 31, 20251 min read


Cheeseburger Quiche
This cheeseburger quiche tastes just like the hamburger we all crave. Packed with protein from ground beef and bacon, this quiche is a quick and easy dinner solution I’ve made countless times. You’ll be surprised how much it tastes like a real bacon cheeseburger. You can make it with a crust, which I did/ ( I actually stretched 2 premade crust in a large quiche pan. ) Annotated Cooking Notes: Don't hesitate to use those premade crusts—utilize them fully to ensure the entire
Mike Kalustian
Oct 6, 20252 min read


Mom's GS Chili
Growing up, my mom ran a Girl Scout troop. And while this recipe isn't officially endorsed, it came to be known in our house as "Girl Scout" chili. It's one of those home recipes that uses common ingredients like tomato juice and kidney beans to deliver flavor. I have kicked it up from my mom's version; she definitely wouldn't have added all the spices I have. Annotated Cooking Notes: I didn't include it in the recipe, but anytime I'm stewing meat in tomato sauce, I always ad
Mike Kalustian
Sep 30, 20251 min read


Chicken Piccata
This classic comes from Oldscool Kev. It's quick, easy, and delicious. This is dinner in less than 20 minutes from start to serve. ...
Mike Kalustian
Sep 29, 20251 min read
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