Need an easy side dish to bring to a 4th of July BBQ or a Bastille Day Celebration?Here it is–a Provencal potato salad. It’s super easy to make, and best of all, there’s no mayo, so need to keep it refrigerated on a warm day. In fact, it tastes best served at room temperature.I actually found a few fingerling potatoes in my garden along with the green beans, so I was happy […]
It doesn’t get any easier than this fresh zucchini salad! My garden is a little behind schedule because Laguna Beach has suffered through May Gray and now June Gloom. I haven’t had nearly enough sun and heat for my tomatoes, but the zucchini was ripe and ready.The sun is trying to come out today so I wanted to make a fresh raw salad. This was just what I needed. INGREDIENTS Zucchini–I used 3 small ones […]
We’re experiencing a true cold snap in Southern California–it was 40 degrees in Laguna Beach this morning! I know that’s practically a heat wave if you’re in the Midwest, but for us, it’s really, really cold. Because of the weather, I was inspired to make a nice warm dish of lentils. I found this recipe on Food & Wine and adapted it to make it a little spicier. The result? […]
I went fishing in Alaska last summer and came home with 23 lbs. of fish. They have a great system–you catch it, they clean, flash freeze, and pack it for you, and it rides home on your plane. Then you pick it up at the oversize baggage claim, put it in your freezer and enjoy it all winter! But if your freezer isn’t filled with fresh-caught, just get a nice […]
I think the best $29 I spent last year was on my Spiralizer! Sure, you can spend a lot more, buy why would you? I got mine on Amazon and just love it. Not to sound like some cheesy commercial on late night cable TV, but it really does do it all. And it’s fun to use. Here’s what it looks like when you’re done spiralizing. After you lightly cook the […]
Want 2018 to be a year of good luck, good health and prosperity? Then start with my good-luck braised cabbage. There are so many traditions about what food brings good luck for the new year–black-eyed peas, pork and sauerkraut, grapes, greens, corn bread and I could go on and on. But my favorite is braised cabbage. I think you’ll really like this version–even if you’re not a cabbage-lover. It’s slow-cooked […]
This is a super easy and refreshing salad to enjoy after all the heavy holiday meals. Make sure you use the freshest ingredients! I found this recipe in the current issue of Food & Wine. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 2 TBS chopped parsley 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper Kosher salt Pepper 1 lb. fresh white button mushrooms, very […]
Blistered shishito peppers are always my favorite and lately they’ve become a popular appetizer item in a lot of restaurants. I grew my own this year and have been enjoying an abundance of them. Here’s a super easy and quick way to prepare them. Ingredients Shishito peppers a little olive oil Kosher salt fresh lemon Heat a cast iron skillet until it’s blistering hot. Toss the peppers with just a small amount […]
Here’s the perfect dish to celebrate the 4th of July, Bastille Day or Summer–an heirloom tomato, grilled peach and burrata crostini with Franco’s balsamic on a bed of home-grown arugula. I think this is one of the prettiest appetizers you can make and according to my co-workers, the best one I’ve ever shared in the office. (That made me feel good!) Not to mention, it’s really simple to make. INGREDIENTS […]
I’ve always loved Hot German Potato Salad. This is a much healthier version but still packs all the flavor and is ready in 20 minutes…or less! I almost feel like I’m cheating when I make something this tasty that is so fast and easy to make. INGREDIENTS FOR WARM POTATO, GREEN BEAN & RED ONION SALAD 15 small red potatoes 1/2 red onion, sliced thin 1 package haricot verts 1/4 […]