Sunday Supper

A nice rainy day in California requires a warm home-cooked meal, especially on a Sunday night! With the afternoon ahead, I decided to marinate some chicken thighs for a Chicken & Sweet Potato Tagine. My recipe is for a Moroccan style chicken marinated with an herb mixture of cumin, cardamom, ginger and a hint of saffron. If you’re feeling daring, you can toast & grind … Read more Sunday Supper

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Crisp, Farm Fresh Apples plus Salted Caramel Sauce equals YUM!

Ever since I made my first “free form” pie (think Galette, Crostata, Tart…), I have lost interest in making a standard style pie. Mind you, the ratio of desserts to food that I create is quite small. However, when it comes to pie style desserts, I find free form crusts to be much more rustic looking and fun to make. And it doesn’t hurt that  they … Read more Crisp, Farm Fresh Apples plus Salted Caramel Sauce equals YUM!

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You’ll look like a Pastry Chef with this Impressive Apple Cake!

Just in time for the season’s fresh, crisp apples, I bring you this simple, yet elegant Apple Cake! Lightly sweet and heavenly tasting, an impressive display that will have your friends wondering if you went to pastry school. The recipe is surprisingly simple considering the finished product you will receive. The best kind of apples to use would be ones that are slightly sweet and nicely crisp. Exactly what … Read more You’ll look like a Pastry Chef with this Impressive Apple Cake!

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Braising in Milk Creates a Mind-Blowing Meal!

Braising or pot roasting is a great technique for making meat more tender. Braising meat in milk takes it to a whole new level. The lactic acid present in milk tenderizes the meat, making it juicy and sweet. It is a great way to use an otherwise tough cut of meat, allowing the slow process of cooking it at low heat for several hours, to let the fat … Read more Braising in Milk Creates a Mind-Blowing Meal!

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Cooking Ahead makes Eating a Healthy Breakfast a Snap!

I guess discovering the ease of making salads ahead inspired me to look further. Now I’m on to breakfast! So I found a simple recipe for Overnight Oatmeal from The Kitchn blog and decided to pair it up with some Fruit & Nut Granola and Maple & Cinnamon Glazed Apples. I made enough for 4 servings. You can cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for … Read more Cooking Ahead makes Eating a Healthy Breakfast a Snap!

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A Great Way to Prep your Beets Ahead so they are Ready at a Moments Notice!

Although you can eat beets raw, I prefer them roasted. The easiest thing to do is to roast them ahead so they are ready to eat whenever you want to serve them. Go a step further and you can Quick Pickle your Beets! It gives them a wonderful bright flavor that makes them a perfect addition to a salad or relish tray. Getting even more … Read more A Great Way to Prep your Beets Ahead so they are Ready at a Moments Notice!

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Your Holiday Guests will Swoon over this Breakfast Dish!

If you want to impress your house guests this holiday season, serve them an Apple Dutch Baby for breakfast. It is made with a combination of caramelized apples and  a custard style batter. The whole process is done in the oven creating one large puffy pancake that is absolutely scrumptious! It all starts with melting some butter in a heavy skillet in the oven. I use my … Read more Your Holiday Guests will Swoon over this Breakfast Dish!

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First Night of Hanukkah Feast!

Tradition with a twist was the theme for my Hanukkah menu. I knew it wouldn’t be traditional without Matzo Ball Soup and Latkes so, true to my character, I had to add some variation to my standard recipes. That meant that instead of plain matzo balls, I made them with ginger, fresh grated nutmeg and parsley. Additionally, over the last few years I have been trying out … Read more First Night of Hanukkah Feast!

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Start your Meal with this Sexy Soup!

It’s always fun to start a meal with a soup shot. This one screams fall, made with a creamy mixture of apples and parsnips. It is not only adorable, but it’s also super luscious with this delectable almond stuffed date wrapped in bacon, for a garnish. The soup is a snap to prepare, especially if you have an apple-peeler-corer device. I use it for all of my … Read more Start your Meal with this Sexy Soup!

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Chicken-Liver Paté with Sauteed Maple Syrup Apples

I love it when my children inspire me with food ideas! I am so proud that they have gained their own passion and appreciation for fine dining. This time the inspiration came from my son, Nick, when he sent me the article “29 Miraculous Foods to Make for Hanukkah!” Embarking on a journey of experimentation, I selected Bette’s Chicken Liver Paté with Sautéed Maple Syrup Apples for my … Read more Chicken-Liver Paté with Sauteed Maple Syrup Apples

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