garlic shrimp with toasted almonds almonds over quinoa.

This is a stretched variation of a Bahraini dish I learned in college.  Cook some plain quinoa and set aside (2 parts water 1 part quinoa bring to a boil and let simmer for 15-20 minutes) in a serving platter.  Then in a large pan gently brown some garlic in olive oil then toss in some chili pepper and defrosted, peeled and deveined shrimp (figure at least a couple per person depending how large they are).  Let them cook 5-10 minutes on medium-to-high until they're pink and starting to go golden brown.  Remove and layer the shrimp over the rice then quickly, on low-to-medium heat toss in a handful of sliced almonds, let them brown (it only takes seconds, if you walk away they'll burn), if you like quickly deglaze with a few teaspoons of vermouth  then pour the almonds and seasoned oil over the shrimp and quinoa, crack some black pepper, garnish with chopped parsley and be ready to wow your guests.

fastest risotto on earth - and it's totally cheating

Every once in a blue moon I end up just having way too many peppers, or pumpkins or something I have to use up.  The easiest thing to do is cook whatever the heck down, maybe throw it in the food processor and make a soup. Freeze it in portion-sized containers and there's dinner when you're in a rush.  Well, having a semi-constant supply of soup in the freezer can make a guy a little creative... just use that instead of water when boiling rice.  If you don't have any frozen (and you probably don't because you're not a crazy person or your mom in the 70's) choose your favorite boxed quart of soup from Trader Joes or Whole Foods, bring 2.5 parts of the soup and 1 part rice it to a near boil then cover and shift off the heat or let simmer for 20 minutes.  If it's too "dry," raise the heat again and add a little more soup, a little too "wet" raise the heat to medium and stir till it's the right consistency (don't let it stick to the bottom!).  Use anything from butternut squash to creamy tomato, this is TOTALLY CHEATING but I love it.  This can be as vegetarian as you want - you decide how much cheese or pepper you want to add at the end.

sausage and raw olives

This is an extremely old and traditional meal from southern Italy but quite uncommon in the States.  As you may or may not be aware, lots of traditional southern Italian food is really quite bitter (think espresso, broccoli rabe, et cetera).  Well, so are uncured olives.   Raw uncured olives (pits and all) have a very specific [and bitter] taste.  Throw them in a pan with some sweet Italian sausage, brown it all, then deglaze with a little white wine or vermouth and POW.  Like nothing you've ever tried.

REPOST: Bacon Pancakes

This looks effing delicious.  Read more here: http://bacontoday.com/bacon-pancakes/

REPOST: omg how gross. i def can't handle the coke.

The rice cooker. Not only does this convenient little machine prepare a pot of rice with just the push of a button, but it can also be used to steam vegetables, bake cakes, and much more! (click here to read more)

tuna citrus salad

Possibly the most refreshing salad you'll ever have.  Prepare some lettuce in your bowl with chopped cucumber, half a peeled and sliced orange and half a peeled and sliced grapefruit.  Add a few bean sprouts or wheat grass and then lay a sliced seared tuna steak. For the dressing mix one part lemon juice one part orange juice, some olive oil, a sprinkle of garlic powder and salt and cracked pepper to taste.

For the tuna, season with salt and pepper and sear for 45seconds to a minute on each side in a hot pan drizzled with canola oil. Set aside so it cools a bit to room temperature, slice and serve.

A perfect summer lunch but look to this now- a February meal packed with lean protein with lots of fresh ingredients that will keeping you balanced and healthy.  Beach season is around the corner!

REVIEW: Wings To Go, Washington DC, Rehoboth Beach and probably some place near you

The hottest wings you'll probably ever have in your life.  Well, one variety, that is... and pretty darn tasty too.  They have an aisle's worth of sauces from mild-medium-hot-extra hot-suicide-homicide, along with Cajun, Garlic, Teriyaki  and a bunch others. If wings aren't your thing they have salads wraps and sandwiches too.  It's a fun place, everyone who works at the Rehoboth and DC locations is awesome and at least once in your life you have to try the homicide sauce.  Wings To Go. Check out the website for locations

watermelon kebabs

What a fun, easy and brainless idea!  I saw this at the White House on the 4th of July but this is the perfect dessert or snack any time of year.   There's bound to be lots of scraps that don't make it on the skewer but just toss them in the blender and add a little vodka and serve over ice for a watermelon cooler cocktail! 

REVIEW: Tortilla Coast. Logan Circle, DC

Well, I think it says something if we ate at Tortilla Coast on Monday than went to Lauriol Plaza immediately after for swirls.  There wasn't anything wrong with the place, per se, I just think I'm going to wait a little before I'm a regular.  It's sunny, clean, has attentive friendly service.  My tamale was OK, chicken was kinda dry, and the mexican chopped salad was very good.  Drinks here are a little bit of an issue tho- they don't do pitchers and I'm not really in the mood to drop 7 seven bones on a mimosa.  Price wise, they're acting like it's El Centro and that works for dinner but not really a casual lunch.  I'll try it again on a warm spring evening on the patio where I can savor a cool tequila and muddled fruit cocktail.  Tortilla Coast 15th and P, Logan Circle.

best lettuce wraps EVER

I wrote about these a while ago but remade them for a roof-top picnic.  It's a better photo and basically the same recipe.  Ginger, onion, chili pepper (or habanero, depends how hot you're thinking), salt, black pepper in a little oil.  Saute everything then add some ground pork (feel free to use turkey or frozen broccoli if you want a vegetarian version).  Stir fry it all together with a little soy sauce and fresh lime juice.  Once all the juices evaporate push the mixture to the side and crack two or 3 eggs into the pan, let that cook then stir everything together.  Mix in two cans of drained and rinsed white navy beans, a generous helping of chopped roasted peanuts, cilantro and some more lime juice.  Add more soy sauce to taste and serve with washed lettuce leaves, plum sauce and more cilantro and peanuts for garnish.  Have yet to meet someone who doesn't love this.