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Mi Piace – Oranges with Olive Oil & Pepper
Last night, we were invited for dinner at our friend’s, Melanie and Walt’s home. We have so much fun when we get together, we could have stayed several more hours, but it was a Sunday night…… Melanie made a wonderful Chicken Cacciatore and an amazingly simple, regional Italian dessert from Abruzzo Italy. It’s just sliced […]
Continue ReadingCurried Shrimp Croustades
The Chaos of Catering! Having cooked and shopped for two days straight, I am very tired. My knee doesn’t feel like it’s properly in the socket. I am catering a party tomorrow. I suppose my days are numbered on the big jobs. It’s a ton of work, though I love it. I am in my […]
Continue ReadingThe Classic Manhattan Cocktail
The Bitter Truth All of my life, my father’s favorite drink has been the Manahattan–that classic cocktail made with whiskey, sweet red vermouth, a dash of bitters and a cherry. Traditionally made with Bourbon or Rye whiskey and Angastura bitters, I am told that they are delicious–I never touch the stuff, myself. My father, being […]
Continue ReadingGreek Yogurt, a Gift from the Gods
I am so happy to see Greek yogurt available at most supermarkets now. I have been eating it since the early ‘90s. It is so good, rich, thick, creamy and delicious and tastes very different from regular yogurt. You can use it as a substitute for sour cream or as the Brits say “soured” cream. […]
Continue ReadingGrilled Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto
Searing Spears (not Britney!) I know this is sort of the end of the grilling season for a lot of you, but living in Southern California, it never ends. I love it when you can have everything ready in the morning for the evening BBQ. I usually just throw on a mix of vegetables in […]
Continue ReadingSpinach with Raisins & Pine Nuts
Keith Floyd, R.I.P. Last week was a sad time in the culinary world. Keith Floyd, one of my all time favorite chefs passed away at the age of 65 from a heart attack. He was a pioneer in the television cooking programs. He was one of the first that took his show “on the road” […]
Continue ReadingCurry Popcorn
Peppy Popcorn Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. Two of my favortie chefs here in LA, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have a wonderful recipe for popcorn in from their City Cuisine cookbook from 1989. My husband and I made this a lot when we were first married and poor! It’s pretty spicy, so you […]
Continue ReadingI ♥ Hearts of Palm!
While living in France, I ate a lot of hearts of palm. The French make a lovely, simple hearts of palm salad with a light dressing. It’s usually served on a bed of tender bibb lettuce. I usually serve them with a lemon vinaigrette. Hearts of palm are vegetables harvested from the soft core of […]
Continue ReadingLots O’ Liqueurs
My friend, BRADY, stayed with us for a week. One day he came home with a box o’ liqueurs, which equals lots o’ headaches! We had a tasting (actually a few) with some friends and voted on our favorites. The one on the left is called Domain de Canton, which is an exquisite ginger liqueur […]
Continue ReadingChow Mein Burgers
Healthy, Crunchy & Delicious My friend, Melissa, called me a few days ago. She had lost a recipe that I had given her. It’s a family favorite. My mother-in-law got the recipe in the early ‘80s from a Weight Watchers cookbook. We call it Chow Mein Burgers. My sister-in-law has a completely different name for […]
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