Oysters = Celebration Baked Oysters – Italian Style There’s no better way to launch the holidays than with a platter of succulent oysters. The season starts early at my house with my husband’s birthday in early November. A couple dozen Italian-style roasted oysters is always on the menu. Fresh oysters are always within […]
Peak-Season Pears
October 25, 2014 by 1 Comment
Northwest Pear Pistachio Salad Dressing & Spicy Roasted Pears The season for garden-fresh tomatoes is behind us, opening a door for other ways to make salads shine. Inspiration came with autumn’s offering of Northwest pears and a recipe for Pear Vinaigrette from my friend Braiden Rex-Johnson’s book Inside the Pike Place Market, Sasquatch Books, […]
End of Summer Gazpacho
September 9, 2014 by 3 Comments
It is Gazpacho season in many parts of the world and last week it came to Seattle. In nearly 20 years of Northwest living I’ve served cold soup twice – once last Saturday. The thermometer was crawling into the 80s, toasty for my soon-to-arrive guests. I seized the opportunity to capture the essence of end-of-summer […]
Preserved Lemons for a Burst of Flavor
July 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Preserved Lemon Tapenade I first tasted preserved lemons as a teenager, cooking my way through the world of Moroccan foods and flavors with Couscous and Other Good Food From Morocco by Paula Wolfert, © 1973. At the time, harissa paste, bisteeya, tajines, couscous and the pungent condiment “preserved lemons” were very exotic. Today […]
Brownie Taste Test: Mix, Scratch or Light?
July 14, 2014 by 1 Comment
Is it worth the trouble to make brownies from scratch? If so, should you bother with a “lighter” brownie? I decided to find out. Brownies are an all-American favorite, perfect for the 4th of July party I was headed to the day of my tests. I set aside the morning of the party to test […]
Summer=Salmon
June 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment
White or Red? I simply can’t get enough of wild Alaskan salmon. On a recent shopping excursion I faced two choices, typical rose-colored filets and ghost-white filets called “Ivory” salmon. I lunged for the Ivory, a rare find with unique buttery flavor. When another shopper asked about my choice, I assured her it was succulent […]
Sweet Signs of Spring
June 10, 2014 by 1 Comment
Roasted Spiced Rhubarb with Fresh Strawberries A display of rhubarb at the farmer’s market in Carnation, Washington triggered fond memories of my Nana’s stewed rhubarb; she canned every spring and served as a breakfast treat. Nana grew up on a farm in Minnesota where a hearty breakfast, including a fruit dessert, was the norm. Far […]
Chew On This!
May 22, 2014 by 1 Comment
Spring Herb Risotto with Toasted Grains What I love about the gluten-free trend is it has brought more grains and flours to our fingertips. I’ve got red, black, brown jasmine and brown basmati rice in my pantry along with amaranth, millet, bulgur, farro, freekeh and a rainbow of quinoa. Grain choices don’t stop there I […]
Radish Leaf Pesto
April 23, 2014 by 1 Comment
Radishes are moving beyond the relish tray. More and more home cooks and chefs use them as a vegetable – steamed, sautéed, stir-fried and more. Last night I dined at Artusi in Seattle and this extraordinary fresh sturgeon with a garlic confit sauce was served with lightly cooked French breakfast radishes. In […]
Get Spicy! Seasoning with Health Benefits
March 26, 2014 by 5 Comments
Indian Spice-Crusted Fish with Mint, Cilantro and Ginger Sauce It’s spring and that means a wider availability of fresh fish. Looking for a little culinary excitement I created this crust of Indian seasonings. The crust brings a little spicy personality to mild-mannered white fish filets. Toast and grind your own spices for a […]
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