Naglee Park Garage
I recently met a few friends down in San Jose for a casual brunch on a Saturday morning. We walked from my friend Kim’s house over to one of her neighborhood cafes, Naglee Park Garage. I fell in love...
View ArticleRomano Beans
I can hardly wait each year for romano beans to come into season! Romano beans have light green, broad, smooth, flat pods with small beans inside. They are sometimes referred to as Italian beans. I buy...
View ArticleHow to Roast Peppers
Peppers are in full season right now and they are absolutely delicious! I love all kinds and colors of peppers – mild, hot, red, orange, yellow, purple, green. However, one of my favorites for roasting...
View ArticleRestaurant Le Meurice
My friend Carol and I recently dined at Restaurant Le Meurice in Paris. This three Michelin star gastronomic restaurant is inside Le Meurice Hotel. Both the restaurant and the hotel are beautifully...
View ArticleTea at Hotel de Crillon
My friend Carol and I decided that it would be fun to have proper afternoon tea at Hotel de Crillon in Paris. We arrived about 4pm on a Saturday afternoon and were seated in the beautiful Le Jardin...
View ArticlePluots
The pluots have been exceptionally sweet and flavorful this year. What the heck is a pluot?? A pluot is a relatively new fruit (introduced in 1989) that is a complex hybrid of a plum and an apricot....
View ArticleNopa Restaurant
I just had dinner with a friend of mine at Nopa Restaurant in San Francisco. My first observation about the restaurant was that the host was very friendly and made casual conversation with us while he...
View ArticleLe Grand Colbert
Le Grand Colbert has such history, character and charm – it is a “must do” on one of your trips to Paris. Le Grand Colbert is located in the 2nd arrondissement near the Palais Royal Gardens. The...
View ArticleDouble Chocolate Abbey-style Ale Cake
My husband is a beer connoisseur. He has sampled beer in all seven continents and has his favorites. However, he was thrilled to discover Brother David’s Double Abbey-style Ale from Anderson Valley...
View ArticleKiku from Goats Leap Cheeses
If you really love goat cheese and want to try something that is unique and delicious, choose Kiku from Goats Leap Cheeses (www.goatsleap.com) in St. Helena, California. This round of fresh...
View ArticleCaramelized Root Vegetables
Ingredients 1/3 cup olive oil 10 sprigs English thyme 4 cups assorted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips and turnips, cut into 1/2″ pieces 1 T. balsamic vinegar Sea salt to taste You will also...
View ArticleMashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Roasted Chestnuts
This is one of my favorite dishes for the holidays. The roasted chestnuts add a little sweetness and a unique flavor to these already delicious mashed potatoes. I also add caramelized onions or...
View ArticlePotatoes Au Gratin with Truffles
Ingredients 2 T unsalted butter ¾ cup (175ml) whipping cream 2 T chopped truffles 2 lbs (1 kg) yellow waxy potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced ½ lb (250g) onions, thinly sliced Sea salt and pepper, to...
View ArticlePotato Gratin
Ingredients 3 pounds potatoes (You can use russets or a yellow waxy potato, such as Yukon Gold). 1 quart whole milk Freshly grated nutmeg Sea salt to taste 2 T butter 1 c heavy cream 2 c freshly grated...
View ArticleMashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Mushrooms and Braised Leeks
This is one of my favorite side dishes. I have always loved soft, braised leeks, and they are plentiful right now in our Bay Area farmers markets. They are a perfect addition to mashed Yukon gold...
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Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables with Fennel Flowers
Fennel flowers have a very pleasant spicy, licorice flavor. I harvested some from my garden to use with a pork tenderloin roast and vegetables. The flowers make a gorgeous garnish to serve with the...
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Potato Pancakes with Stewed Apples
Potato pancakes seem especially good on a cold, rainy day. These are made with yellow Finn potatoes, but Yukon Gold or russets will work fine. The key is to ring out the excess water that is in the...
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Rosemary-Scented Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potatoes, Spring Onions and...
This is a meal in a baking dish. It is very easy to prepare and really delicious. The sweet and savory combination is perfect for a rustic summertime lunch or dinner. This dish pairs well with a...
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