No – it’s not an app for your phone, this is my go-to appetizer for holiday parties. Why? The recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, it goes together in a snap, and most of the prep can be done ahead. And I love the combination – robust blue cheese, finely chopped figs and toasted […]
Get Ready for the Holidays: How a Treat Early in the Day Might Help
November 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Cookies for breakfast? Not my idea but a couple of tasters said these dark chocolate, fig and oat bars make a perfect morning food. Why not? They’ve made with whole grain oats, a classic breakfast food, nutrient-rich figs and dark chocolate, an ingredient with a definite “health halo.” Some argue that having a sweet treat […]
Let’s Go Bowling!
September 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Italian-Style Grain Bowl with California Figs Bowls are the “it” way to eat. Everywhere you look for recipe idea you’ll find noodle, smoothie and grain bowls. Recently I created a bowl recipe and my family was smitten. I got it. Bowls are perfect for personalization. Today people expect to have food “their way.” (Reference 1.) […]
Cooking – Whose Got Time for That?
August 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Salmon Salad for Summer It’s no secret. I love to cook. But like most people, I don’t always have time for it. The popularity of processed food is evidence that many struggle with getting a home-cooked meal on the table. Half of Americans say they value processed foods because they’re convenient, stay fresh longer and […]
Celebrate Watermelon Day
August 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
California Fig, Feta and Watermelon Salad Today, August 3, is Watermelon Day. Good timing. There’s nothing more refreshing on a scorching August day than biting into a wedge of watermelon and letting those juices dribble down your chin. No wonder watermelon is so satisfying – it contains 92% water. But it offers more than hydration. […]
Baking with Summer Berries
July 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Berry Buckle with Cinnamon Figs Summer in the Pacific Northwest brings a bounty of berries, including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, marionberries, loganberries, boysenberries and strawberries. Summer also brings visitors to enjoy our (mostly) glorious summer weather, trails and lakes. I like to serve guests visiting my home the best of local in-season foods. This Buckle recipe, […]
Addicted to Salad
May 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Emerald Salad I’m addicted to salad and I’m in good company – so is the much lauded author of the encyclopedic tome The Food Lab, Better Home Cooking Through Science, J. Kenji Lópes-Alt. (The book recently won a James Beard Award.) Here’s how he launches the salad chapter “I have something to admit: I’m ADDICTED […]
Love Lamb…or Not? The Answer is In the Fat
March 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Boneless Leg of Lamb with Fig-Olive Vinaigrette Lamb is traditional at Easter meals, with symbolism linked to both Christian and pagan celebrations (Reference 1), but not everyone is a fan. On a recent Splendid Table Podcast (Reference 2) Lynn Rosetto Kasper stated that Americans consume 11 pounds of lamb compared to 65 pounds of beef […]
Savor the Flavor
March 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Za’atar & Sumac Spiced Salmon with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme, “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” matches my passion – marrying good taste and good health. One “flavor family” that’s captivated the palates of food enthusiasts in recent years hails from the Middle East and North Africa. […]
Curry For Comfort
February 3, 2016 by 1 Comment
Curry-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Figs & Vegetables Winter is in full swing and I embrace it by turning on the oven for a simple sheet-pan supper. I crave curry in cold weather and the fragrance of roasting richly-spiced vegetables warms the body and soul. So easy: curry and spice-rubbed pork tenderloin, winter squash and cauliflower florets […]
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