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Shishito Peppers

Little Tokyo at 100 Degrees Farneheit! Yesterday, I roamed aimlessly around Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles in the 100 degree heat.  I walked through many supermarkets, “gift shops”, clothing stores, Hello Kitty shops, etc.  I can’t get enough of all that little, beautifully designed stuff they sell. For instance, erasers that come in every single […]

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  August 25, 2010   No comments

Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese & Peppered Honey

A Tree Bursting with Figs Figs are plentiful. My mother-in-law’s fig tree is FULL. She loves it when I come over and take them because they end up on the ground and make a huge mess. The combination of figs and goat cheese does it for me. I usually drizzle balsamic glaze over them, but […]

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  August 24, 2010   1 comment

Pan-Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts & Raisins

Cauliflower The milk, sweet, almost nutty flavor of cauliflower is enhanced when roasted. Cauliflower can be roasted, boiled, fried, steamed or eaten raw. I served this dish last night and everyone liked it. I made it in advance up to the point of putting it in the oven. Pan-Roasted Cauliflower with Pine Nuts & Raisins […]

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  August 23, 2010   1 comment

Penne with Zucchini & Basil

Summer Harvest I have had a request for a recipe using zucchini and basil. There are so many ways to use them, soups, frittatas, casseroles. Here is a simple pasta dish. Penne with Zucchini & Basil Serves 8 1 1/2 lbs penne 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 lbs small zucchini, halved lengthwise and […]

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  August 19, 2010   No comments

Pea Tomato Ricotta Tart

A Tart from Waitrose…. I was on the Waitrose (a British supermarket chain) website and stumbled across this summer tart. It’s perfect to bring on a picnic because it can be eaten hot or cold. You can use a ready-made pie crust or make your own. Pea Tomato Ricotta Tart Serves 6 1 – 9” par-baked pie […]

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  August 18, 2010   No comments

Persephone á la Plage

Make me a Cocktail Darling, Please My husband, Eric, was recently toying with the idea of making us a festive cocktail on a balmy summer evening. A number of drinks were discussed and dismissed, one of which was the Mojito. While I did not fancy a Mojito, I liked the idea of a rum-based drink, […]

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  August 17, 2010   1 comment

Hatch Green Chile Rice

Ahh, The Searing Aroma We had a wonderful time this year picking up our Hatch chiles, because we included some friends that are equally obsessed with these New Mexican gems. One of my favorite “side effects” of excursion is that the seared chile aroma lingers in my car for about a week. They should sell […]

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  August 16, 2010   No comments

Hatch Chiles – Year 2

You’ll never guess what I’m doing tomorrow, so I guess I better tell you.  I am picking up five 38 pound bags of roasted Hatch Chiles.  Yes, it’s that time of year again.  Actually, they are not all for me.  I guess you could call this an addiction.  They really do have a very unique […]

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  August 13, 2010   No comments

Cheddar Dill Biscuits

Dill was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Greeks covered their heads with dill leaves to induce sleep. It was also considered a charm against witchcraft in the Middle Ages and was burned to get rid of thunderous clouds and sulphurous fumes. I happen to have some fresh dill on hand, so instead of […]

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  August 12, 2010   1 comment