CAV Wine Bar & Kitchen
My husband recently took me to dinner at CAV Wine Bar & Kitchen in San Francisco. CAV started out as a wine bar but has developed into both a wine bar and a noted kitchen. The concept behind the...
View ArticleFARM at The Carneros Inn
FARM Restaurant at the Carneros Inn in Napa Valley is worth a visit. I recently had occasion to dine there with some of my guests from Canada. When we stepped out of the car, I was immediately drawn...
View ArticleLamb Shanks with Root Vegetables
Ingredients 6 lamb shanks, split in half cross-wise Olive oil Fresh herbs – parsley, thyme, tarragon, etc., chopped Coarse sea salt Freshly ground pepper 1 cup white or red wine 1 large sweet onion,...
View ArticleJean Grogne
I recently discovered this luscious triple cream pasteurized cow’s milk cheese from the Ile-de France region. It is a subtle cheese with a gentle mushroom flavor. It pairs well with a sparkling wine....
View ArticleValencay
Valencay is a raw goat’s milk cheese from central France. It is in the shape of a pyramid without its top. (Legend has it that Napoleon took his sword and cut off the top because it reminded him of...
View ArticleSumi
Sumi is a goat’s milk cheese from Goat’s Leap Dairy in St. Helena. It is shaped like a truncated pyramid and coated with ash. Inside it is firm and tangy with a long rich finish. It is aged for only...
View ArticleSalad of Mache, Beets and Walnuts in Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients 6-8 medium beets, washed and tops removed 1 ½ T lemon juice or nice vinegar (such as Vinaigre de Banyuls 4 T walnut oil Sea salt to taste 6 cups mache 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped...
View ArticlePotato Gratin
Ingredients 3 pounds potatoes (You can use russets or a yellow waxy potato, such as Yukon Gold). 1 quart whole milk Freshly grated nutmeg Sea salt to taste 2 T butter 1 c heavy cream 2 c freshly grated...
View ArticleBeef Bourguignon
Ingredients 4 oz. (250g) thick bacon, cut into strips 4 lbs (2kg) stewing beef, cut in 2-inch cubes 2 onions, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 3 T flour 1 bottle Burgundy wine (Pinot Noir can be substituted,...
View Article2002 Falcor Le Bizou
We recently enjoyed another wine discovery brought to us by Marcy Roth of Bacchus and Venus Wine Shop in Sausalito. This time it was 2002 Le Bizou from Falcor Winery in Napa Valley. This wine is a...
View ArticleChocolate Amaretto Pots de Creme
These rich, luscious pots of chocolate creme can be made ahead and refrigerated. Just take them out a few minutes before serving. Garnish with amaretto-laced whipped cream and candied violets or with...
View ArticlePeach Crisp with Creme Fraiche
Ingredients 4 cups ripe peaches, peeled and sliced For the topping: 1/3 cup (approx. 5 Tablespoons) butter, softened 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup oats 3/4 cups brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup chopped...
View ArticleRaspberry Crisp with Creme Fraiche
Ingredients 4 cups ripe raspberries, rinsed For the topping: 1/3 cup (approx. 5 Tablespoons) butter, softened 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 3/4 cups brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup...
View ArticleBruschetta with Strawberries, Yogurt and Lemon Verbena
This recipe is quick and easy and healthy, too! Ingredients 4 slices of thick country bread Good quality extra virgin olive oil 1 cup fresh, seasonal strawberries, coarsely chopped About 6 medium...
View ArticleBalsamic Strawberries with Cracked Pepper and Creme Fraiche
First of the season strawberries are in our local Bay Area farmers markets. Not only do they taste great, but they are so nutritional, as well – packed with Vitamin C, magnesium, Vitamin A, potassium...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Easy Citrus-Olive Oil Muffins
These muffins are delicious and easy to make. They contain no butter or milk but use low-fat yogurt and olive oil instead. I have made these muffins with a number of different citrus fruits – Meyer...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Blueberry-Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes
These pancakes are light, fluffy, moist and full of lemony flavor, along with plump blueberries. I buy baskets of ripe blueberries at the farmers markets in the summertime and freeze them for later...
View ArticleRoasted Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto
This dish features the classic combination of lamb and mint, but with a twist. Instead of using mint jelly, make this fresh mint pesto to use as a condiment. It works perfectly and will quickly become...
View ArticleSummer Fruit and Almond Tart
It is the perfect time of year to make this easy and delicious summer tart. You can use any kind of ripe fruit. Mix the fruits or choose just one. I used yellow nectarines, blueberries and...
View ArticleCrunchy Apple-Blueberry Coffee Cake with Almonds
This coffee cake is decadent with its wealth of fruit and its crunchy topping. You can use almost any fruit in it. Feel free to experiment with strawberries, pears, nectarines, peaches, or...
View Article
