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Truffle Getaway in Provence
We just recently returned from Provence where the focus of our Getaway was truffles! Black Perigord (tuber melanosporum) truffles, to be exact. We had a fun, energetic group and an active agenda for...
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Mid-Week Excursion at the Ritz in Lake Tahoe
My husband and I recently decided to do a spur-of-the-moment mid-week trip to Lake Tahoe. He had bought new ski gear and we decided to go up and spend a few relaxing days in the snow. On the way up,...
View ArticleCooking at Napa Style
Today I did a cooking demonstation at Napa Style‘s flagship store in Yountville, California. What a lovely, energetic and fun place to be! I have always been a fan of Michael Chiarello’s Napa Style,...
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Mizuna
This week I found mizuna at the Star Route Farms stand at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza farmers market. Mizuna has tender dark green leaves and a pleasant peppery flavor. Mizuna is also referred to...
View ArticleBalsamic Strawberries with Cracked Pepper and Creme Fraiche
First of the season strawberries are in our local Bay Area farmers markets. Not only do they taste great, but they are so nutritional, as well – packed with Vitamin C, magnesium, Vitamin A, potassium...
View ArticleMorel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms have arrived for the 2010 season! These are the mushrooms that resemble the tip of your finger and have a honeycomb texture to them. I found morels this week at Far West Fungi in...
View ArticleRestaurant Le Jardin du Quai in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
Restaurant Le Jardin du Quai is located in the charming village of Isle-sur-la-Sorque in the Provence region of France. The entrance to the restaurant is through a lovely garden that is filled with...
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Askinosie Chocolate Auctions the First Single-Origin Liberian Chocolate Bar...
It is no secret that one of my favorite chocolate makers is Askinosie Chocolate, located in Springfield, Missouri. Not only is their chocolate incredibly delicious and complex, but the company is very...
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Miner’s Lettuce
I’ve found miner’s lettuce for the past couple of weeks at the Saturday morning San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Miner’s lettuce is a green edible annual plant from the purslane family that...
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Salad of Snap Peas, Bacon and Marcona Almonds with Meyer Lemon Dressing
This week I found the most flavorful snap peas at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza farmers market. These peas are so delicious when just eaten as as snack, but I wanted to do something different with...
View ArticlePumpkin Flan
Note: This delightful Pumpkin Flan has a nice rustic consistency and a wonderful Autumn flavor. It will keep in the refrigerator (covered) for several days. Ingredients For the caramel: 3/4 cup sugar...
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Burnt Sugar Caramelized Banana Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Growing up in the South, we had homemade ice cream almost every Sunday afternoon in the summertime. Our ice cream had a very simple base of cream, whole milk and sugar. We did not use eggs in it,...
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Boysenberry Cobbler
Baking a cobbler is a perfect way to showcase seasonal fruits. I found sweet, juicy boysenberries at the market this morning and could hardly wait to get home to use them. Although I chose...
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Double Chocolate Ice Cream with Salted Toasted Pecans
With autumn at our door, I’m trying to savor one last moment of summer with this double chocolate ice cream with salted toasted pecans. In this dish, I used my favorite Askinosie chocolate – made in...
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Homemade Cardamom Ice Cream Affogato
There is just something about the flavor of cardamom that makes a super pairing with espresso. This ice cream is very simple to make. It is made in the same style in which we made ice cream when I...
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Chocolate Amaretto Truffles
I adore truffles, and they are so easy to make! If I am flavoring them with a liqueur, herb or spice, I use semi-sweet (around 62%) chocolate so that the flavor of the liqueur, herb or spice comes...
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Fresh Coconut Buttermilk Meyer Lemon Custard
Fresh coconut is always a treat, but you can use frozen or packaged unsweetened coconut instead. This very simple recipe came about when my husband bought a coconut so that he could drink the coconut...
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Salted Caramel Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate and Toasted Almonds
Growing up in the South, we had homemade ice cream often in the summertime. Our ice cream had a very simple base of cream, milk and sugar. We did not use eggs in it, and we did not cook it. We...
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Seasonal Mini Frittatas
These mini frittatas use the season’s last corn, along with roasted peppers and onions. Of course, you can use your own combination of ingredients. Sauteed mushrooms, herbs, potatoes, roasted...
View ArticleDark Chocolate Tarts
These individually-sized tarts are dense and rich. They really showcase the chocolate so use the best chocolate you can find. My chocolate of choice is Askinosie’s 70% chocolate from beans sourced in...
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