As an adult I still love DIY projects. Saying something is DIY is just a grown up version of arts and crafts. Yesterday I invited a few friends over, and we spent our Sunday dying Easter eggs – it was a fun, mindless activity and I loved getting to feel like a kid again. Whether you’re an adult, a kid or somewhere in between this spring craft is fun for the whole family. 

This pasta combines poached, shredded chicken and sautéed slices of Andouille sausage with a creamy, chicken stock based roux seasoned with an assortment of Cajun spices.

Steelhead is a great alternative to salmon because it tastes very similar (just a bit more mild) and it’s a more sustainable option.  It’s an easy swap and can be found at many grocery stores or fish markets - plus it has a gorgeous bright color.

Chicken adobo or adobong manok is one of the most well known Filipino dishes. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are simmered in a tangy sauce made from soy sauce and vinegar with plenty of garlic.

In this recipe I used a curry seasoning with the brine, which adds a subtle flavor to the roasted chicken.

California avocados are a great way to thicken sauces and add a creamy element to any dish.

This recipe combines spinach leaves with quinoa and harissa spiced chickpeas tossed in carrot-orange vinaigrette with sautéed asparagus and mushrooms and fresh peas topped off with creamy burrata.

Why smashed burgers? Pressing the meat down into a cast iron pan maximizes the browning and creates a crust on the patty, which also enhances the flavor and makes for a crispy texture.

Diner-style pancakes are those “big as a plate” type pancakes that are delivered to the table when you order a “short stack” at a diner. The pancakes are thin and cakey – kept moist from the buttermilk.

This chili con carne builds smoky heat from the roasted and reconstituted guajillo, ancho and arbol chilies -- the base of the deep reddish/ brown sauce (also known as “bowl of red” because of the signature color). The goal of Texas chili is to develop a rich and hearty stew starting with beef and chilies and coax complex flavors out of those few simple ingredients.