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Maria Helm Sinskey head shot - Epicurious

Maria Helm Sinskey

Contributor

Maria Helm Sinskey is a chef and cookbook author. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Sinskey honed her pastry skills in Denmark before returning to the States to work the line at several venerable San Francisco restaurants, including Boz Scagg’s Blue Light Café, the Sherman House, and Plumpjack Café, which she left in 1999 to pursue a life combining family, food, and wine in the Napa Valley. Currently, she runs the kitchens at her husband’s winery, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, where you may find her laying out plots for her organic gardens, teaching, writing, and raising two children.

In 1996, she was named Best New Chef by Food & Wine Magazine, and has also earned the honors of SF Magazine Rising Star Chef, SF Chronicle Rising Star chef, in addition to appearing on many PBS and Food Network Shows. Her first cookbook, “The Vineyard Kitchen: Menus Inspired by the Season”, published by HarperCollins was released in September 2003. “Family Meals: Creating Traditions in the Kitchen”, published by Oxmore House, followed in November 2008.

Trail Mix Freezer Cookies

You can bake the cookies to order, straight from the freezer.

Grilled Lemon-Oregano Chicken Drumsticks

These are equally delicious hot off the grill or cold the next day.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Stacks

Halloumi is a pleasantly salty Greek cheese that grills well.

Campfire Potatoes

Garlic, herbs, and potatoes are enclosed in foil packets and grilled.

Oil and Vinegar Potato Salad

For more of a bite, add two to three teaspoons of whole grain mustard along with the olive oil.

Outside-in Cheddar Sliders on Mini Buns

These kid-size burgers have the cheese on the inside. Serve with your favorite burger accompaniments.

Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Marinated Feta

A great side dish—or afternoon snack.

Orrechiette with Caramelized Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, and Ricotta Cheese

One 16-ounce container of ricotta is enough for this recipe and leftovers.

Lemony Herb Dip

The dip gets better the longer it sits, so make it a day ahead.

Spinach Salad with Pecorino, Pine Nuts, and Currants

Be sure to buy four extra cups of spinach if you plan to make the frittata.

Almond-Banana Smoothies

These smoothies are light, delicious, and not too sweet. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add 1/4 cup plain yogurt. Almond milk is a dairy-free product made from ground almonds; it's available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.

Strawberry Citrus Salad

This recipe yields enough to make the "shortcakes," too.

Snow Peas with Toasted Almonds

Crunchy toasted almonds make crisp snow peas even more fun to eat.

Five-Spice Roast Chicken

Marinate the chicken overnight, then pop it into the oven the next day.