Homemade Strawberry Gelato

June 29, 2010 By 2 Comments

This summer I have been playing around with ice cream and fell in love with Strawberry Gelato.  Who doesn’t love homemade ice cream and we have great tools to make it at home.  When I am in Italy it is an afternoon treat to sample the gelato from one of the many carts or little shops.  They have many flavors to choose from including Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate, Lemon and some filled with nuts.  Last time I was in Tuscany we found a delightful shop in the city of Greve.  Somehow eating gelato in Italy never adds a pound! This Strawberry [...]

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Fresh Olallieberry Tart

June 22, 2010 By 2 Comments

Have you met the Olallieberry?  I had not until last week.  The Olallieberry is a cross between a loganberry and blackberry.  It is only available for a short period of time each year.  They are a bit sweeter than a blackberry. There is a little produce stand near my work that sell produce from their local farms.  It is fun to be able to buy produce that has just been picked and to support these local farms. I decided a tart would be the perfect way to try these berries out.  You could use blackberries if the olallieberry is not [...]

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Cherry Jalapeno Relish on Goat Cheese Crostini

June 20, 2010 By 2 Comments

This Cherry, Jalapeno Relish recipe was inspired by the amazing cherries that are in season right now. I have been exploring the farmers markets in Orange County for a new project.  We are fortunate to have one in many of our cities. Almost  every day there is a farmers market you could visit. This year I am trying to eat seasonally and when possible, buy my produce from local markets.  The fresher the food the less you have to do in preparation.  Tasting the cherries at the Yorba Linda Farmer’s Market I noticed that the flavor was much richer then [...]

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Bacon, Cheddar & Roasted Corn Gourges

June 18, 2010 By 1 Comment

These Bacon, Cheddar & Roasted Corn Goureges contain three of my favorite foods in one luscious bite.  When I was younger, maybe in Jr. High, my Aunt Ginny made cheese puffs for a Christmas Eve get together.  I remember biting into them and getting this light yet  cheesy bite of flavor.  I was in love. I kept expecting them to reappear at one of our family gatherings, but they never did.  No one remembers them, even Aunt Ginny.  I am not sure what it says that I am the only person who remembers them. Maybe I ate the whole plate [...]

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Bread Salad with Chili Lemon Dressing

June 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

Lately I have been savoring the weekends.   In addition to gardening and enjoying time with friends, I have been cooking.  I tried new, easy and healthy dishes like Bread Salad with Lemon Chili Vinaigrette to try and make up for serving up all those treats I to you last month. Today at 5 I will start a weeks vacation and I am counting down the moments.  I get to play around the house, garden a bit more and spend time with these people.  Of course Max will be happy to have me home too!  The best part is I am [...]

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Arugula, Carmelized Fennel and Tangerine Salad

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Seo Tools I made this Arugula Salad with Tangerines and Carmelized Fennel last weekend.  It was so good I could have licked the plate clean.  I didn’t,  but I could have.  The combination of the fennel, arugula and tangerines accompanied by a sweet yet tart White Balsamic Vinaigrette was refreshing on a summer day. You take the fennel, add some thyme and drizzle with olive oil before putting in the oven.  I used these new tangerines from my local produce market called Temecula Gold Tangerines.  They were deliciously sweet and juicy.  The look ugly and crinkly from the outside but [...]

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Chili Pepper Dip with Goat Cheese

June 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

The farmers markets are bursting with fresh produce right now.  From peppers and chilies to peaches and nectarines this time of year there is so much to choose from.  I love walking through the markets, sampling varieties you can only find at farmers markets.  Then the fun begins when I bring a bounty home and create a feast. I find that my cooking is simpler during the spring and summer.  The fresh fruits and vegetables are bursting with flavor and need just a little pinch of a spice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs  to make the great meals. This [...]

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