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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.

Herb Roasted Lamb Chops

The chops don't need to marinate long to take on great herby flavor.

Garlic-Smashed Potatoes

Round out the meal with potatoes and a green salad, if desired.

Warm Chicken Sandwiches with Mushrooms, Spinach and Cheese

The sandwiches can be refrigerated one day ahead (chill the chicken and spinach before assembling).

Endive and Apple Salad

Apples make this salad appealing even to young children.

Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper, and Spinach Torta Rustica

This simple dish has a quiche-like filling and baguette slices for a crust.

Oven-Roasted Hash Brown Cakes

This recipe doubles easily: Shape the extra hash browns into smaller cakes. Bake as directed, checking for doneness a bit sooner than indicated, and cool on the sheet. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm in the oven, then top with crème fraîche and smoked salmon or caviar for appetizers in the evening.

Roasted "Chips"

Roast the wedges with points facing up to brown all sides.

5-Minute Slaw

Celery seeds add nice flavor to this tangy oil-free slaw.

Quick Tartar Sauce

Save any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Golden Pan-Fried Fish Sticks

Serve lemon wedges alongside fish.

Roasted Parsnips with Parsley

Serve alongside short ribs .

Braised Short Ribs

In the a.m., put the ribs into a 5-quart slow cooker to eat in the p.m.

Deep Chocolate Pound Cake

Save leftovers for snacks.

Meyer Lemon Semifreddo With Summer Berries

This dessert is like a frozen mousse, which helps explain its name: semifreddo, or "half-frozen."

Basmati Rice with Sweet Onions and Summer Herbs

Stirring the fresh herbs into the hot rice preserves their flavor and releases their aroma.

Black-Pepper-Roasted Duck Breasts with Grilled Plums

The intense flavor of grilled plums is delicious with roasted duck.