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 ArticleWild Mushroom Reduction Sauce
Ingredients 1/3 cup dried porcini mushrooms 1 cup hot water 1/3 cup olive oil ½ cup chopped red onion 1 1/2 lb. assorted fresh wild mushrooms, sliced 2 cup reduced vegetable stock (or beef demi-glace...
View ArticleRoasted Pork Loin with Mushroom-Hazelnut Stuffing
Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 1 large shallot, peeled and chopped 1/2 cup celery, peeled and chopped 1/2 lb. assorted mushrooms, cleaned and chopped 1 1/2 c. country bread, cubed and toasted 1 – 1 1/2...
View ArticleMushroom and Leek Tart
Ingredients ½ recipe pate brisee or flaky pie dough, chilled 2 large leeks, cleaned and chopped 1/3 cup olive oil 2 cups mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 3 eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half ½ tsp...
View ArticleTurkey, Brown Rice and Swiss Chard Soup
Ingredients 1/2 cup diced onions 2 T olive oil 1 cup brown rice 6 cups turkey stock 1/4 cup dried Porcini mushrooms 1/2 cup hot water 1 bunch fresh Swiss chard, washed, de-stemmed and chopped 1 1/2 cup...
View ArticleRisotto with Turkey, Mushrooms and Roasted Red Peppers
I typically make this recipe with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Ingredients About 8 cups turkey stock 1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms 1/2 cup hot water 6 T olive oil 2 T butter 1/2 cup chopped...
View ArticleThanksgiving Leftovers Hash
This is a delicious one-dish main course that is perfect for holiday leftovers! Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil (+more if needed) 1/2 cup chopped onions 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms 1-2 cups leftover mashed...
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Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom risotto is comfort food for us. We like to top it with truffles and truffle oil during the season. But it is wonderful served just as is, or drizzled with a little olive oil and shaved...
View ArticleBob’s Belgian Beef Stew
Ingredients 3 lbs boneless lean stew beef, trimmed of fat 2 T olive oil 1 large bottle dark Belgian-style beer, such as Chimay or Hennipen (about 22 ounces) 1 quart (32 oz) chicken stock 12 pearl...
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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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Spring Onion, Roasted Pepper, Mushroom and Corn Galette
A galette (rustic tart) is so easy to make and is sure to become one of your “go to” dishes. I make both sweet and savory galettes (such as this Nectarine Galette), depending upon the season and the...
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