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 ArticleHeirloom Tomato, White Corn and Basil Salad
Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes (assorted sizes and colors) 2-3 ears white corn kernels (cut off the cob) A handful of fresh basil leaves 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 Tablespoon...
View ArticleProvencal Tomato Soup
Ingredients 6-8 lbs. ripe tomatoes ½ cup olive oil Sea salt Pepper 2 teaspoons sugar 1 head garlic 1 ½ cup crème fraiche You will also need: Large roasting pan Food processor Tasting spoons Large soup...
View ArticleFresh Tomato Tart with Roasted Red Peppers
Ingredients 3 eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 tomatoes, cut into ½” thick slices and de-seeded (or use tomato confit) 2 roasted red peppers, peeled and...
View ArticleArugula and Fresh Tomato Side Salad
This is a simple salad but you will find yourself serving it often – with chicken, fish, sandwiches or maybe just by itself. Add some crostini with goat cheese for a nice treat! Ingredients 2-3 cups...
View ArticleRoasted Sweet Tomatoes with Basil
This dish works best with sweet, fresh tomatoes, such as sungolds or sweet 100’s. Ingredients 2 cups tiny sweet tomatoes, stems removed 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish) 2 T...
View ArticleChilled Heirloom Tomato Soup
This soup gets its freshness from a hint of lemon verbena. Be sure to choose the sweetest tomatoes you can find. I like to serve this soup over a piece of poached salmon. Ingredients 1/2 cup olive...
View ArticleNew Year’s Day Good Luck Soup
I grew up in Southeast Georgia, and our tradition for good luck for the New Year was eating Hoppin’ John. To us, Hoppin’ John was a big pot of dried black-eyed peas cooked with hog jowl or ham shank....
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Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
This is one of my favorite ways to bring out even more flavor in vine-ripened tomatoes. You can either peel the tomatoes first, or leave the skin on – it depends on how you would like to use them. We...
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Sungold Tomato and Bread Salad
This dish features some of nature’s best produce – super sweet Sungold tomatoes, sweet red onions and arugula. These fresh ingredients, combined with your favorite toasted bread cubes and a sweet-tart...
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Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This dish is great for nights when the weather is slightly cold or dreary. The leftovers can be used in sandwiches the next day – guaranteed to bring a smile! You can serve these meatballs as an entree...
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