Bread
Pain au Levain (Basic Sourdough)
A simple open-crumb loaf with a crackling crust. Requires patience, a good starter, and the willingness to accept that the dough is always right and you are sometimes wrong.
24–36 hrs
Intermediate
2 loaves
From the Kitchen
A Few Recipes
Not a comprehensive cookbook. Just a handful of things worth making — tested, tasted, and occasionally dropped on the floor.
These are recipes that have earned a permanent spot in the rotation. Some are from the Dinner & A Movie years. Some come from family or places I've cooked. Some are just things I make on a Tuesday when I can't think of anything else. All of them are good.
The Recipes
Dessert
Claud Mann's Strawberry Shortcake
One can toil for hours on more elaborate desserts without coming close to achieving the simple gratification of this almost effortless summer indulgence.
45 min
Easy
8 servings
Bread
Mommy Bea's Banana Bread
A family recipe. Dense, buttery, and deeply banana — finished with a bright lemon glaze. The kind of thing that disappears before it cools.
1 hr 15 min
Easy
1 loaf
Meat
O So Tasty Osso Bucco
Braised veal shanks in white wine and tomatoes, finished with a bright pine nut and parsley gremolata. The kind of dish that makes the whole house smell incredible for two hours.
2.5–3 hrs
Intermediate
4–6 servings
Rice & Seafood
Claud's Pretty Simple Paella
Paella is one of those dishes that sounds intimidating but is actually pretty forgiving once you understand a few basic principles. This version is built around good saffron, a proper sofrito, and the all-important socarrat — the crispy rice crust at the bottom of the pan.
1.5–2 hrs
Intermediate
6–8 servings
Seafood
My Favorite Ceviche
We make this dish constantly during the summer. It's adapted from a recipe from Perla's Dad, who was from Acapulco. He made it for our wedding!
3–6 hrs
Easy
4 servings
More recipes added as I remember to write them down. Check back occasionally.
— Claud