It is always fun to see the fruit trees bloom in spring, knowing that the flowers will turn into something so good and healthy to eat. This year I was blessed with an abundance of apples on my tree. Here in Southern California the apple tree of choice (about the only one that does not need cold temperatures to produce) is the Anna Apple.
What would the world be without garlic? I use it in almost every dish. Well, maybe not the strawberry tarts we are making tonight, but I have made garlic ice cream and roasted garlic chocolate chip cookies. All this excitement is due to my garlic garden that is growing by leaps and bounds. I planted it last fall. Covered by snow all
Did you ever wonder about the origins of your favorite dish? Well…everything has a beginning.
Keshi Yena, a delicious dish from the Caribbean island of Curacao, has a humble beginning. This dish was born in the heat of the slave trade on the island in the 17th and 18th century.
Chocolate. I like to say my daughter was made of chocolate and spinach while in utero. That is about all I ate. If I’d known about this recipe then, it would have made my day.
Today, I made this salad using a strawberry jam imported from France and a dark Valrhona cocoa, one of my favorites. Really, who puts chocolate
The best tip ever! A couple had organized their gourmet group to come to the Cookery for a Spanish Paella Party. As they arrived, Heather asked if I would like a dozen eggs from their own chickens. She pulled out the most beautiful eggs in blues and greens from Ameraucana chickens. Oh my gosh! Such a wonderful gift.
A light fluffy cake with creamy icing has its place…usually on the birthday party table. I’ll take a dense and moist cake like this any day. Using olive oil is the first clue that this dessert is going to be a bit different. Of Spanish origin, in the land of lusty citrus and olives, what else would you expect? Baking is not my favorite. Apart from measuring all the ingredients very
Indian spices with an artistic flair. That is about how I would describe the appearance of star anise, whole cloves, and cardamon pods. Their lack of vibrant color known in most indian spices surely is made up for by their shapely form and unique textures.
Here we go with the peanut butter again. I think I must secretly adore peanut butter. Even I don’t realize it, until I try something like this. Thai flavors are so intriguing…. peanuts, lime, coconut, cilantro, even stinky fish sauce. (No fish sauce in this dressing, to keep it vegetarian, but you could throw in a shot, if you are so inclined.)
Yes, we love our babies and those grandbabies are just the best…and….it’s spring! There are lots of babies to love these days. I wonder around the yard with my cup of tea seeking out all the new growth. On a warm morning after a fierce lightening storm overnight, everything has just popped. The miniature leaves on the bushes and trees are unfolding before my eyes. The flowers spring up as if they have been sleeping right
Did you know that half the world population subsists on a diet of rice? There are more than 40,000 varieties growing around the world. About 90% of rice on the world market is grown in Asian countries. Spain’s growing region is in the south where water is plentiful. The three main types of Spanish rice are Valencia, Calasparra and Bomba, the most prized. Paella, which is essentially a rice dish, with a few
Growing your own mushrooms seems a bit unusual, seeing as I steer clear of their random unwanted cousins in my garden. When I first tried this I was living in the Midwest. I had a huge crop of shitakes that were a great conversation piece when visitors came. I am not sure how I came upon getting my first kit. It has been so many years…
Spring has brought us warmer weather, the grass is greening, and there are tiny buds on the trees. My favorite time of year! It’s been such a long winter…but then it always is. I’m just so tired of being cold.
A traditional sign of spring and renewal is the egg. There are eggs everywhere these days… for Easter, and I’m just thinking what a perfect
