Greek sweet cheese pastries (bougatsa) 

This is a Cretan specialty that I saw on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations many years ago, and that Imade only once before (in 2011) because it is so time-consuming and phyllo so temperamental.  Preheat oven to 375.  For the filling: combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 8 oz cottage cheese, 4 oz cream cheese, 1 Tbsp… Continue reading Greek sweet cheese pastries (bougatsa) 

Chinese stir-fried snow pea shoots 

Heat neutral oil in a wok, then add sliced garlic (about 10 cloves).  When fragrant, add about 2 lbs of fresh snow pea shoots (they will reduce volume when cooked).  Season lightly with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper, and sauté on medium-high heat until the shoots are tender.  Serve immediately.  Thank you to my friend Amy… Continue reading Chinese stir-fried snow pea shoots 

Chinese bean thread noodles with enoki mushrooms 

I love enoki mushrooms, and when I saw them at H-Mart this weekend, I decided to make this dish.  Once you prep all of the ingredients, the cooking time is quite short. Soak 2 oz dried black mushrooms in warm water; when soft, drain and cut into slices.  Separately, take a package (about 14 oz)… Continue reading Chinese bean thread noodles with enoki mushrooms 

Chocolate-almond butter haystacks

Combine 2 cups Kashi 7-grain puffs, ½ cup each cashews and pecans, and 1 cup chow mein noodles (the crispy, twiggy, bad for you kind, not the Whole Foods flat noodle version). Separately, melt 10 oz chocolate chips in 30 second intervals (Mika, note that I increased from 10-15 seconds), stirring between heatings. When chocolate… Continue reading Chocolate-almond butter haystacks