The gift of a huge bag of apples, from our neighbors’ back yard tree, sent me straight to searching for new ways to use them whilst they remain at their peak. Throughout the countless desserts I came across, this little salad caught my…
It’s time to get the grill going! We’ve got birthdays and Father’s Day cookouts planned at our house – and I’m hoping for a few fog-less evenings so we can enjoy a dinner al fresco. (Warm nights are not guaranteed here in the…
A walk around my neighborhood tells a tale of bumper crop lemons. I am only seeing front yards, and they are laden with lemons! This quick loaf cake recipe uses only the lemon rind, leaving you with options for using the juice. I…
Cookies are the favorite dessert in my house. No question. Hands down. My family certainly enjoy other desserts; but when asked, they want a big plate of cookies set at the center of the table. And dishes of ice cream for good measure.…
A recent trip to Hawaii is the inspiration for this chicken recipe. Within a short week’s time, I enjoyed several variations of the wildly popular misoyaki butterfish, made famous by chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Small wonder this dish is so popular. It. Is. THAT. Good!…
Tomatoes are the star here, so when local tomatoes reach their peak of perfection, my family eats this. Often. Preparation is super simple. The sauce is fresh and no-cooking is involved. (Except for the pasta.) The most important aspect for its…
A “milestone birthday” celebration in May for my friend, Ginger, found us in the Dordogne region of southwest France. This rustic, and fertile river valley deserves its reputation as the soul of French cuisine. The region’s gastronomic treasures include truffles, walnuts, goat cheeses…
Picnic season is upon us! If it’s a fried chicken, potato salad type affair, this recipe is my go-to. Frankly whenever I’m craving fried chicken and yearn for crispy, crackly, crunchy chicken, this is the one. The sesame seeds add to the flavor…
Warm scones with a dollop of clotted cream and jam are a simple pleasure pretty much any time, any season. But with Mother’s Day around the corner, these beauties will be a winner at your table, and easy enough for young hands to…
Chocolate is my favorite, and I’m way past due on posting a chocolate something! Since February is a big chocolate month for lots of folks, and Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) brings out some French in us, this simple French-style custard seems a perfect…