Leah Rodrigues
My passion is food. I have studied culinary arts for the past 10 years, and have remained dedicated to food studies while I pursued a degree at UCLA. I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Portuguese and Anthropology. My self study has given me background in culinary regions, international cuisine, trends in the food industry, chefs and cookbooks, and best of all−how to eat well. I attended the Professional Culinary Program at Westlake Culinary Institute where I learned proper food preparation techniques, and got an insiders’ view on the gourmet food world. I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship and have spent the last 9 months living in Spain, researching the Mediterranean diet and European culinary traditions. This has given me the opportunity to freelance for In Madrid, an English monthly publication. Also, I have spent time traveling to different European countries, documenting the different tastes and food culture of each place. I hope that my passion for food and cooking will inspire you to get into the kitchen and create. Read more on my blog at http://www.appetitedelight.blogspot.com/
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Posts by Leah Rodrigues
December 15, 2015
If you are active on social media, then you might have seen this cookie decorating tutorial from Sweet Ambs circulating among foodie circles. This Nordic style decorated cookie is nothing...
December 9, 2015
Freshly fried and piping hot, sufganiyot, is hands down one of Hanukkah's greatest pleasures. These Israeli jelly doughnuts are a symbol of the oil burning lamps that miraculously...
December 9, 2015
Rugelach is a classic Jewish cookie that if often prepared during the holidays, especially for Hanukkah. The buttery dough is slathered with a combination of sugar, spices, preserves and nuts...
December 8, 2015
Latkes are an essential component of the Hanukkah table. Each bite is the perfect combination of crispness and a tender center. Traditional latke recipes call for shredded russet potatoes...
December 4, 2015
This amazing winter persimmon salad is anything but dull The beautiful vibrant colors reel you in and urge you to take one delicious bite. We are accustomed to seeing winter ...
December 4, 2015
My love for all things peanut butter and chocolate borders on a "slight" obsession. I can't get enough of the combination. Honestly, though, what's not to love?...
December 2, 2015
Pozole is a rich and flavorful Mexican stew that is made with chicken or pork. Traditionally, this dish is served during the holidays to keep the family warm and cozy during the winter...
December 1, 2015
'Tis the season of the cookie swap so throughout December, I will be sharing cookie recipes that are guaranteed to impress friends, family, coworkers and the occasional passerby. If...
November 30, 2015
The wonderful thing about Thanksgiving leftovers (aside from making one heck of a sandwich) is that you can transform them into a completely different meal in the days to come. You can easily...
November 24, 2015
I have been in a turkey rut the last couple of Thanksgivings. I have done the deep fried turkey, smoked turkey, covered in bacon turkey and of course, traditional butter turkey. This...
November 24, 2015
Thanksgiving is as much about the turkey as it is about the desserts. While pumpkin pie is a personal favorite of mine, it is not a hit with all guests so I like to give them options. This...
November 20, 2015
Brining your bird before cooking it is the best thing that can happen to a Thanksgiving turkey. I am a firm believer in the brine and no longer roast any poultry without brining it first....
November 17, 2015
In the midst of preparing for Thanksgiving, I decided to take a break this weekend and take the family to lunch. I was in the mood for something radically different from the everyday and...
November 16, 2015
Fresh gnocchi has become readily available in recent years and can be easily found in your regular grocery store. These Italian potato dumplings are a staple in my house because they are...
November 12, 2015
It is squash season and I am taking full advantage of the sweet gourds. In the summer, I like to quickly grill delicate zucchini and patty pan squash while in the fall and winter, I prefer...
November 12, 2015
Pumpkin soup embodies the essence of fall. This insanely easy soup is made completely from scratch including the pumpkin. While it may be easier to open a can of pumpkin puree there is...
November 5, 2015
Butternut and acorn squash dominate the fall table but it is time for them to share the space with the small but mighty delicata squash. What I love most about this varietal is that you don...
November 4, 2015
Apple cider doughnuts are a fall tradition. This vegan and gluten-free version is baked instead of fried so you can save on calories but still enjoy a doughnut or two. Oat flour forms the...
November 3, 2015
November officially marks the beginning of Thanksgiving season. It is all about the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and other beloved side dishes. Sometimes it can be hard to choose...
November 2, 2015
The skillet cookie is going to be the next big thing in baking. Cupcakes, cake pops and mug cakes have been all the rage and now it is the skillet cookie's time to shine. Restaurants...
October 30, 2015
I have been on a pumpkin bread kick lately. A few days ago I wrote about a streusel topped pumpkin bread that has been one of my favorites this season. Since fall is about everything...
October 26, 2015
Everyone loves a good pumpkin bread recipe and boy have I got one for you. The only thing better than a homemade slice of pumpkin bread is one that is topped with streusel and glaze from From...
October 24, 2015
It is no secret that one pot dinners are time savers. Not only does it cut down on prep time but clean up is a breeze. In other words its a win-win for everyone involved. Rice and...
October 21, 2015
Apple's are the gem of fall fruits. They can be used in both sweet and savory dishes and add a touch of dimension to any meal. It is important to note that not all apples are created...
October 20, 2015
Parsnips are often at the bottom of the list when considering fall vegetables. Often times they play a supporting role to a more robust character instead of being the star themselves. ...
