🥚 🍲 Egg Drop Soup 🍲 🥚
with
Spinach, Tofu, and Chili Crisp
Egg Drop Soup is one of those wonderfully simple dishes that proves a handful of everyday ingredients can become something truly satisfying. Soft wisps of egg are suspended in a fragrant broth seasoned with fresh ginger and white pepper, while firm cubes of tofu and fresh spinach transform it into a light meal rather than just a starter. It comes together in about 15 minutes, making it an excellent choice for lunch, a cozy dinner, or whenever you’re craving something warm and nourishing.
Offer chili crisp on the side so everyone can season their own bowl to taste. A drizzle of the aromatic chili oil and a few crispy bits add color, texture, and a pleasant kick without overwhelming the delicate broth. It’s an easy way to personalize each serving while letting the delicate flavors of the broth, tofu, spinach, and ginger shine.
Inspired by the coastal cuisine of southern Italy, Sea Bass all’Acqua Pazza is a beautiful way to prepare a delicate fish in a light, aromatic broth of cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, white wine, capers, and lemon.
While traditionally made with Mediterranean fish such as branzino or other local catches, this version features Chilean sea bass, prized for its buttery texture and ability to remain tender and moist while gently poaching. Saffron is my addition, bringing a subtle floral aroma and golden hue to the broth while complementing the sweetness of the tomatoes and richness of the fish.
The name acqua pazza translates to “crazy water,” referring to the simple yet intensely flavorful cooking liquid. As the fish gently cooks, its natural juices mingle with the tomatoes, wine, and aromatics, creating a savory sauce meant to be enjoyed down to the very last spoonful.
And for that, you absolutely need good bread. I served the sea bass with Pugliese bread, a rustic Italian-style loaf with a crisp crust and airy interior. The slices were brushed with olive oil, charred on the grill, and rubbed with fresh garlic before being placed around the rim of the dish.
The bread is more than a side—it is the perfect vessel for sopping up the saffron-infused acqua pazza broth, capturing every drop of the fragrant, tomato-rich “crazy water.”
When Gymkhana—one of London’s most celebrated Indian restaurants—opened its first Las Vegas location, it quickly became one of the city’s most anticipated dining destinations. While a reservation is certainly on my list, I was equally excited to discover that several of the restaurant’s signature simmer sauces are available to order online.
For this dinner party, I built the menu around three of those sauces: Green Tikka, Butter Masala, and Goan Coconut Curry. Each one delivers the depth and complexity of Gymkhana’s distinctive flavors, making it easy to create an elegant Indian-inspired meal at home while adding a few personal touches.
Prawn Coconut Curry & Curry-Pickled Onions
GYMKHANA NIGHT MENU
NAAN
Garlic Yogurt Green Chutney
CHILEAN SEA BASS
Butter Masala
Warm Cream Swirl, Cilantro, Jalapeño
ROASTED HARIYALI CORN
Green Tikka Marinade, Deggi Mirch, Chopped Cilantro
Naan & Garlic Yogurt Green Chutney
The silky Butter Masala was a natural pairing for buttery Chilean sea bass, finished with a swirl of warm cream, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeño. Sweet prawns nestled into the fragrant Goan Coconut Curry, then were garnished with chile oil, cilantro, and edible flowers for a vibrant presentation. Roasted corn, coated in the herbaceous Green Tikka marinade, added smoky flavor and bright color to the plate.
Hariyali Corn & Saffron Basmati
To complete the meal, saffron basmati rice was finished with toasted cashews, jewel-like pomegranate arils, fresh mint, and cilantro. Curry-pickled red onions added a tangy counterpoint that balanced the richness of the curries, while warm naan and a cool garlic yogurt chutney tied everything together.
The result was an elegant dinner inspired by one of London’s iconic Indian restaurants, yet relaxed enough to enjoy at home with friends. Three exceptional sauces provided the foundation, while high-quality seafood, summer corn, plenty fresh herbs, and thoughtful garnishes made the evening uniquely my own.
Do we really need another pasta with tomato recipe? The answer is yes. Yes, we do.
Especially when it is peak tomato season.
There is no better time to enjoy tomatoes than right now, when they are at their sweetest, juiciest, and most flavorful. A simple bowl of Capellini al Pomodoro celebrates the beauty of fresh tomatoes with just a few ingredients—allowing the tomato itself to take center stage.
For this version, I use Campari tomatoes, which are ideal for this recipe. These petite tomatoes are known for their naturally sweet flavor, low acidity, and juicy texture. They are larger than cherry tomatoes but smaller than traditional slicing tomatoes, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. When gently cooked with garlic and olive oil, they soften into a silky, fresh tomato sauce while still maintaining some of their beautiful summer tomato character.
Sometimes the simplest pasta dishes are the ones we return to again and again. Fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, good olive oil, a little butter, and a shower of Parmigiano-Reggiano are all you need for a bowl of pasta that tastes like summer.
An unforgettable dinner at Bazaar Meat Las Vegas by José Andrés inspired me to bring a little more of Spain into my own kitchen. After the meal, I ordered his newest cookbook, Spain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard, eager to explore the recipes and stories behind the cuisine that has shaped his cooking.
As I turned the pages, I came across Tomates Aliñados, a simple tomato salad served at a tiny country bar in southern Spain. It is described as a peaceful place surrounded by vegetable gardens and sugarcane fields, with just a handful of tables where guests gather for leisurely meals. The setting is humble, but the salad is a classic expression of Spanish cooking—ripe tomatoes dressed with excellent olive oil and paired with Manchego cheese and anchovies.
Today I’m sharing my recreation of this beautifully simple Spanish salad, along with a few photos from our dinner at Bazaar Meat—the memorable meal that inspired me to discover Spain My Way in the first place.
