An Engineer's Perspective – If an Engineer can't fix it, we're in trouble

Stir Fry Vegetables

Stir fry is more about the technique than the ingredients. Regardless of what you add to your vegetable medley, the process is pretty much the same; start with the vegetable that take the longest to cook and add as you go. Stir fry is usually …

Gochujang Shrimp

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste that has a bit of a kick, however, this recipe will offset some of the spice with honey, which is a common Ying and Yang in Korean cuisine. If you’re a spice whinny, use less gochujang sauce, the taste …

Mojito

While most agree that the Mojito originated from Cuba, there is much debate as to it’s true origins. The version I most subscribe to is that it was conceived by the British explore Sir Frances Drake as a means for preventing scurvy, which was a …

Baked Italian Meat Balls

I’m wadding into the highly controversial world of Italian meatballs by stating up front that I think meatballs have the best taste and texture when made using a combination of ground pork mixed with ground beef. Beyond that basic building block everything that follows is …

Mai Tai

This is a close rendition of the original Mai Tai recipe from Trader Vic’s restaurant, the place credited with inventing the Mai Tai cocktail somewhere around 1944 in Oakland. This can be a powerful cocktail in terms of punch, especially if you substitute Amaretto for …

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

Stop using store-bought pancake mix, it’s stale, flat, and filled with chemicals and artificial flavors that can’t be good for your health; besides, it’s not hard to make an infinitely better fluffy batter mix from scratch. This simple recipe makes four 6″ pancakes (two servings), …

Lemon Zested Paella

Paella is a classic Spanish dish with three proteins; chicken, pork (Chorizo sausage), and shrimp. It’s a bit involved to make and it feeds a lot, but it also stores well and makes a great leftover. Traditionally paella is made in a special pan that …

The Greater Fool Theory

From R. M. Dolin’s novel “The Dangling Conversation – A Park Bench Philosophy,” Part 12. MANDY “I can’t do it, not on short notice and certainly not like this. Sometimes Henry can be a real shit; first he springs this on me last minute, then …

Runza Casserole

Could be from Kansas, could be from Nebraska, is there any real difference? Most agree Runza is a German-American immigrant comfort food made with hamburger and cabbage. Serves 9 yuppies or 3 hungry cowboys. This is a great dish to serve on poker night along …

Skillet Ratatouille

A French vegetarian classic, ratatouille is a simple but involved vegetable staple for summertime. You can make this as a side, mixed with pasta, or even used with your breakfast eggs. Most ratatouille recipes don’t use mushrooms, but I like them so it’s optional for …