Stay with me here, as we jump into the already crowded field of pumpkin-mania…This entry is a keeper.  I knew I was onto a winner when the batter tasted like pumpkin pie filling, before it’s baked.  With an intentional light hand with the…

     Whenever I see an Asian pear, I’m transported back to my youth and the pear farms near my family’s home in southern Placer County.  Rocklin, California, to be precise.  We were fortunate to have many Japanese friends, who brought Asian pears to the…

   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…

     New crops of English peas, snap peas and asparagus herald the arrival of spring here in the Bay Area.  By the time they hit the farmers’ market scene, I’m ready for a break from winter greens — done 101 ways and then some.…

     Most of you know that my Piedmont Pantry newspaper column and blog fall into “hobby” status.  They are an opportunity to combine love of cooking, eating, writing and photography; and share it with others with similar interests.  It’s not always easy to decide what…

     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…