Le Cinq Mars
I really liked this casual bistro in the 7th arrondissement in Paris. The staff was very friendly and the restaurant itself was most welcoming. My friend and I had a casual dinner there on a Saturday...
View ArticleBourbon-Laced Pecan Pie
Ingredients 1 cup light corn syrup (such as Karo) 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (such as muscovado), packed 3 eggs 3 T. melted butter 1 T. Kentucky bourbon (such as Jack Daniels) 1 t. vanilla extract 1/4 t....
View ArticleSouthern-Style Buttermilk Cornbread
I grew up on Southern-style buttermilk cornbread. This cornbread is made with white corn meal and is savory, not sweet. We used it also in our Southern-style cornbread dressing. Ingredients 3 T....
View ArticleQueso Patacabra
This is a marvelous aged pasteurized goat’s milk cheese from Spain. It has a smooth flavor and a soft texture. It has mellow acidity, a nice saltiness and a bit of sweetness. It sells for $19/pound and...
View ArticleMontgomery’s Cheddar
I was recently looking for a BIG cheddar to go with a BIG wine, and I discovered this treat from England. It is a raw cow’s milk cheddar from Montgomery’s Farm in south Somerset. It is made in the...
View Article2004 Sinskey Vineyards Abraxas
This is one of my new favorite wines. I love its versatility. It goes well with a number of great cheeses and other foods. The wine is dry, creamy and rich. It is balanced and complex. It is made with...
View Article2004 Laird Chardonnay
This chardonnay is made with grapes grown in the Carneros district of Northern California. The resulting wine has aromas of citrys and vanilla. It has a silky smooth palette and a nice balance of oak,...
View Article2006 Lucia Vineyards Lucy
If you think all rose wines are the same, think again! This wine has aromas of strawberries, watermelon and rose petals. It is light and refreshing with a bright acidity. It is made from Pinot Noir...
View Article2004 David Noyes Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir
This wine came in third out of 277 Pinot Noirs entered into the 2007 Pinot Shootout. It is from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. This Pinot has generous aromas of ripe fruit and toast. Over...
View Article2004 Venge Oakville Merlot
I really like this wine! It is big and bold in flavor. I love it now and I know that it will get even better with aging. It comes to us from Nils Venge, who was the first American winemaker to score...
View ArticleMarshall’s Farm Honey
Did you know that there is a fantastic artisan honey producer in Napa Valley? I recently met Spencer and Helene Marshall of Marshall’s Farm. I had seen their display of honey at the San Francisco...
View ArticleSilverado Vineyards 2005 Vineburg Chardonnay and 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet
I am often asked my favorite wines for pairing with food. Certainly among my favorites are the 2005 Silverado Vineyards Vineburg Chardonnay and the 2003 Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet...
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...
View ArticleRoasted Asparagus Frittata with Bacon (optional)
Ingredients 14-15 medium stalks asparagus, washed 2 Tablespoons olive oil 3 strips bacon (such as Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon), optional 2 Tablespoons butter 1/4 cup chopped scallions 6 large...
View ArticleVegetable Paella
There are a couple of tricks to making paella. One is the rice. For beginners, I would highly recommend using Bomba rice from Spain. It has a shorter grain and is more “foolproof”. The other is to...
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Pan-Fried Pasta with Asparagus and Meyer Lemon
Fresh asparagus is such a treat – I can hardly wait until the first spears appear in our local farmers markets. This recipe is super-easy and delicious. It can be made in about 30 minutes using your...
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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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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...
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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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