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 ArticlePumpkin Cheesecake with Creme Fraiche
Ingredients For the crust: 1 ½ cup roasted, unsalted almonds 3 T. melted butter 3 T. brown sugar ¼ t. cinnamon For the cheesecake filling: 3 8oz. packages cream cheese, softened 2 cups fresh pumpkin,...
View ArticleMoist Persimmon Cake with Creme Fraiche
This cake is so moist! I truly love to make it. It is so simple – no mixer required! And it is a small cake, so it doesn’t stay around the house forever. I hope you enjoy it! Ingredients 1 cup...
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Persimmon Pudding with Hard Sauce
English-style puddings remind me of luscious fruit cakes – only much more moist. This one is made with one of my favorite fruits, the hachiya persimmon. There are so many persimmons in our farmers...
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Fig Chutney
A friend just delivered a surplus of figs – perfect for making fig chutney! This chutney is a delicious compliment to slow-roasted pork and duck confit. It really adds zip to hamburgers, as well. I...
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