Using Rosemary
I have found that rosemary is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Rosemary is hardy, likes sun and flourishes here in Northern California. As long as you have a good, sunny location, you should be alble...
View Article2005 Goosecross Cellars Viognier
The Viognier from Goosecross Cellars is one of my favorite finds. It is luscious and has an almost-tropical taste. The Viognier grape is difficult to cultivate so Goosecross’ yield is very low....
View Article2005 Summers Charbono
My friend, Marcy Roth, who owns Bacchus and Venus wine shop in Sausalito, introduced me to many of my favorite wines. She has an exceptional palate for wines, and excels in finding great tasting wines...
View ArticleCheese Plate
These are some of my favorite cheeses for a cheese plate: Pierre-Robert – a cow’s milk triple-cream cheese from the Champagne region of France. Has added creme fraiche for even more creaminess and...
View ArticleOlive-Almond Pate
Ingredients ¾ cup cured ripe olives, pitted ½ cup cream cheese (I like Marin Cheese Company’s fresh cream cheese) ½ cup roasted almonds 2 roasted red peppers, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped ½ cup...
View ArticleCarrot Soup with Lemon Thyme and Crème Fraiche
Ingredients ¼ cup chopped shallots 2 T. olive oil 12 sprigs lemon thyme 4 cups peeled and chopped carrots 4 cups chicken stock Salt and pepper to taste ½ cup crème fraiche for garnish You will also...
View ArticleChilled Cucumber and Dill Soup
Ingredients 5 medium cucumbers, peeled and chopped 1 ½ cups plain yogurt ¼ cup sour cream Sea salt and pepper 3 T chopped fresh dill Fresh lemon juice, to taste Cucumber slices, dill sprigs, for...
View ArticleFava Beans with Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Orange Zest and Round Pond Blood...
Note: I am not a fan of infused olive oils. However, Round Pond adds the rind of of the blood oranges to the olives during the process of making the olive oil. Therefore, the blood orange flavor...
View ArticleSalad of Fresh Greens, Pears, Candied Pistachio Nuts and Honey-Vinaigrette...
Note: A wonderful accompaniment to this salad is Goosecross Cellars’ Napa Valley Viognier. Their latest release is available now at: www.goosecross.com. You will love this pairing! Ingredients Fresh...
View ArticleBacon, Lettuce and Tomato Salad Crostini
Ingredients 8-10 small, ripe tomatoes 1 c. trimmed, cubed, smoked bacon, pancetta or proscuitto 6 c. seasonal mixed greens, washed and spun dry 1 T. mayonnaise 6 thin slices whole wheat walnut bread...
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Sweet Potato Crisp – Southern-Style
This is my most-requested recipe for the holidays. My family has been making this dish for many years, and we never get tired of it. It is typically served as a side dish but can also be enjoyed as a...
View ArticleBreakfast Potatoes
Ingredients ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup onion, chopped ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (any kind will work fine in this dish) 1 roasted red pepper, chopped 8 medium Yukon Gold or yellow finn potatoes, peeled and...
View ArticleFarro “Risotto” with Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers and Swiss Chard
Ingredients 4 Tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped red onions 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup farro ½ cup white wine 4 cups mushroom stock (or chicken, or vegetable) ¼ cup dried porcini mushrooms,...
View ArticlePizza Dough
Ingredients 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup warm water 1 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil, plus more to oil the bowl later 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Approx. 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour You...
View ArticleFresh Pear, Prosciutto and Arugula Salad
Ingredients 2 cups arugula (organic, if possible), washed and dried 2 fresh pears, peeled, cored and sliced into 8 pieces each 1/3 lb. prosciutto or serrano ham, thinly sliced 2 T sweet onion, finely...
View ArticleRoasted Asparagus Frittata with Bacon (optional)
Ingredients 14-15 medium stalks asparagus, washed 2 Tablespoons olive oil 3 strips bacon (such as Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon), optional 2 Tablespoons butter 1/4 cup chopped scallions 6 large...
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...
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Pan-Fried Pasta with Asparagus and Meyer Lemon
Fresh asparagus is such a treat – I can hardly wait until the first spears appear in our local farmers markets. This recipe is super-easy and delicious. It can be made in about 30 minutes using your...
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Farro “Risotto” with Mushrooms and Fresh Asparagus
Tender asparagus is such a treat. I can’t resist buying a few bunches when it first shows up for the season in our local farmers markets. It is delicious alone but also pairs well with so many...
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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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