Recipes By César Pérez
18 recipes found
Smoked Mozzarella Pāo de Queijo
Smoky, cheesy Brazilian pão de queijo, made easy with a blender! This recipe uses popover tins for perfectly golden, airy bites.
Shrimp Cocktail Trio
Ditch the boring cocktail sauce! These 3 globally-inspired dipping sauces (harissa, sweet chili, sun-dried tomato) will elevate your shrimp cocktail.
Chicken Pot Pie Empanadas
Empanada dough is your blank canvas! Found in the freezer section of most Latin supermarkets, these handy disks can be filled with just about anything. Transform last night's leftovers into a whole new meal—think roasted vegetables, shredded chicken, or even leftover chili. These chicken pot pie empanadas are a delicious example of how creative you can get. Fry or bake them until golden for a satisfying snack or meal.
Coconut & Pistachio Cream Pie
There's nothing quite like a generous slice of pie to end a late-night diner run, and this Coconut & Pistachio Cream Pie is my personal gold standard.
Tuscan Roast Pork Tenderloin
Don't call it a sandwich: This roast pork tenderloin, slathered in fresh herbs and garlic, is nestled between crusty bread, then baked to crisp, juicy perfection.
Pressure Cooker Chicken Pulao by Neel Kajale
Neel Kajale, chef de cuisine at Dhamaka, shares his go-to recipe for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal. Adaptable to any pressure cooker, it yields tender chicken and fragrant rice in under 30 minutes.
Chunky Giardiniera
Giardiniera is an Italian condiment of pickled vegetables, which can vary slightly by region, especially across the United States, most notable interpretations found in cities like Chicago and New Orleans. My version is inspired by a medley of styles, features a chunky texture and a blend of flavors – tangy, briny, and subtly spicy. The brining process creates a really satisfying crunch which is a great addition to rich and fatty sandwiches.
Grilled Tomato Sandwich and Cheese Soup
Few comfort meals can rival a warm, gooey grilled cheese paired with a steaming bowl of tomato soup. While countless recipes exist for this classic duo, let's explore a twist: a grilled tomato sandwich with cheese soup. With the addition of smoky, porky 'nduja (a spreadable Italian sausage), this sandwich takes on an almost pizza-like quality. If pork isn't your thing, feel free to swap in your favorite spread like pesto or romesco. The accompanying cheese soup couldn't be simpler—it's more of a technique than a recipe. Use any good melting cheese (I chose white cheddar this time). You'll wonder why you haven't tried this sooner!
Heirloom & Nectarine Gazpacho with Cheesy Flatbreads
Stone fruit complements the tomatoes' sweetness in this gorgeous gazpacho, and a cheesy flatbread makes it complete. Think grilled cheese and tomato soup, but for warm days.
Maroulosalata (Μαρουλοσαλάτα - Greek Lettuce & Dill Salad)
This refreshingly simple Greek lettuce and dill salad, though less known outside of Greece than its counterpart with cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta, deserves a place on everyone’s table as often as possible. I first encountered it at an unassuming Greek restaurant in Astoria, Queens, a NYC neighborhood boasting one of the largest Greek communities outside of Greece. There, crisp romaine lettuce ribbons, chilled in an ice bath, were tossed with generous amounts of dill and scallions, and dressed simply with olive oil and vinegar (many purists insist on extra virgin olive oil and white vinegar alone). The maroulosalata technique, with its emphasis on freshness and simplicity, can be applied to almost any salad green, yielding deceptively delicious results. It may not look like much at first glance, but this salad is truly addicting - you'll find yourself going back for more than you expected! While feta cheese is a somewhat polarizing addition, I personally love the salty, creamy dimension it brings.
Cold Korean Zucchini Salad (호박 생채 - Hobak Saengchae)
This simple zucchini salad, a regular in my fridge, is my nod to the world of Korean food, balancing bold flavors—garlic, heat, sweetness, and umami—with finesse.
Smoky Southwest Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn & Poblano Gnocchi
Gnocchi gets the Southwestern treatment, tossed in a creamy, charred corn and poblano sauce that's as smoky as it is sweet, and topped with crispy chicken thighs.
Chicharrón de Pollo (Latin Caribbean Fried Chicken Bites)
This Latin Caribbean variation of fried chicken, generously seasoned with adobo, sazón,and a squeeze of lime, is the ultimate comfort food that pairs well with red beans and rice.
Za’atar Lion’s Mane Steak with Couscous & Herb Salad
A plank of steak-like Lion's Mane mushroom is seared and served with bright herby salad and chewy pearl couscous for a delicious, vegan weeknight meal.
Sweet Garlic Pork Chops with Chayote Som Tum
Chayote stars in this riff on Thai Green Papaya Salad, or Som Tum. The small squash with its refreshing crunch and delicate flavor pairs beautifully with juicy, sweet garlic pork chops.
Spanish Gin Tonic (Gin Tonic Español)
Like a maximalist G&T, the Spanish gin tonic is served in a large balloon glass filled with ice, herbs, and citrus that amplify the botanicals of the gin.
Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes & Queso Fresco
This pasta salad feeds a crowd and hits all the flavor notes from sweet grapes to briny cheese and olives. Infinitely customizable, It's also a perfect make-ahead side that just gets better with time in the fridge.
Spice-Forward Coquito
This Puerto Rican holiday drink is filled with aromatics and spices—som traditional, some not—for the most delicious, balanced, complex coquito.