Country Breakfast This post is dedicated to Cathy Barrow who got me singing Chelsea Morning in my head early this am with her Facebook post - "Woke up it was a misty morning." Ok, so this morning I was wishing I was back in Santa Barbara to attend my favorites - the Montecito Farmer's Market on Friday and the Downtown Santa Barbara Farmer's Market on Saturday - particularly to scoff up some of those cosmic organic strawberries. these … [Read more...]
Bellinis for Breakfast – The Bellini Dirt Bomb
Not one to feel abashed about wearing a thickly-settled mustache of cinnamon-sugar? Read along here...... Yes, I have sat in Harry's Bar in Venice and sipped the most famous Bellinis in the world - and with my two kids which made it totally special! I've savored every single second of that magical place. When returned stateside, I have re-created my own, sadly, never to have quite the same essence and dreamy feeling that sitting at … [Read more...]
Why We Love Pancakes; Soufflé for Breakfast – Pumpkin Spice Dutch Baby with Sliced Pears
photo courtesy Sugardishme.com Who wouldn't want a Soufflé for breakfast if given the chance? We all have our weaknesses which border on addictions, don't we? The list of most probable foibles can begin with shopping, drinking, wasting time, operating in life without a plan, avoiding reality, spending too much time on the internet on various and sundry types of sites, you know……. But, on my list, the number one addiction is food. Enjoying … [Read more...]
Sunday Morning – The Incredible Gift that is Store-Bought Puff Pastry
The Honey-Enhanced Quick Cinnamon Roll (sans nuts because of you know who) and the Quick Pain au Chocolat with Orange In Pastry School we spent days and days making Puff Pastry from scratch. This is a noble endeavor - one not to be forgotten. I was crushed when the two batches which I brought home and froze were ruined last October in our freak storm - our power was out for a week. I have dreams about making puff pastry from scratch … [Read more...]
The Cinnamon-Sugar Scone
I have had to travel back to NJ several times this Summer to deal with some medical issues with my beautiful and precious dog, Kit. This past week, I found myself with some idle time and needed to keep myself busy. Having one or both of the kids at home is always a good excuse to get experimenting in the kitchen. I did a lot this weekend. I was fooling around this morning trying to get something in the oven before my daughter, Christin left … [Read more...]
Wild Summer Berries
Does anyone not remember these from their childhood? This morning I came upon these wild summer berries in my yard. I ran for the camera, instantly having the most nostalgic memories of scoffing these down with my cousins when I was a kid. I have to confess, I don't know exactly what variety these are, but I am bound and determined to see what kind of goodies I can make with them - that is if the birds and I don't eat them right off the … [Read more...]
Desperate Days Call for Desperate Measures
Ok, so you know how I feel about the weather, no need to drone on yet again. But, today I had a serious "attack" which caused me to do something uncharacteristically "naughty". I made myself blueberry pancakes for lunch. Ugh! What is happening to me? I had sworn off carbs both yesterday morning and today - especially after all of those scone trials over the weekend! Yesterday, I made it to after dinner, and seriously, I ate some Oreos. OMG. … [Read more...]
Variations on A Theme – Caprese Salad
Those are Sunday's Mixed Berry Scones! I used what is currently my favorite scone recipe - the same base as the Orange-Apricot Scones, added 1 cup mixed berries, 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg and zest of one orange and used buttermilk instead of heavy cream. Yesterday, I discussed one of my favorite variations on a theme - Caprese Salad made with peaches in lieu of tomatoes - or together with tomatoes - alternating the slices of peaches (if I … [Read more...]
Bearded Iris, An Impromtu Visit to Balthazar Bakery
There - that's better - a shot outside my kitchen door this morning! Big difference from yesterday! One of my favorite plants of Spring is the bearded iris. I think of them as delicate yet regal. When I was young, my Dad admired them too and he kept them in our yard in a range of shades of lavender/lilac/violet. He really focused on vegetable gardening and the design of the garden as opposed to flower gardens, per se. I do … [Read more...]
Crabmeat Frittata
1 large shallot 1 red bell pepper, small dice or julienne 3 tblsp extra virgin olive oil 8 eggs 1 cup shredded gruyere 1 8 oz container fresh lump crabmeat 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning 1/2 - 3/4 cup mixed fresh herbs, chopped Preheat oven to 375F. In an oven-proof saute pan (10") saute shallot and red pepper until tender, … [Read more...]