Announcements and a Toast Of Course
I’m still away on vacation, but I thought I’d leave you with happy news and a toast or two before I return next week. Drum Roll Please Congratulations to my gaming, dim sum lovin’, darling friend Susan Spann for being selected as one of the belles of The Debutante Ball, a very selective blog featuring five debut authors each year. Susan’s first novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT, about a ninja detective and his Portuguese priest sidekick in 16th century Japan, releases July 2013. A...
Read MoreStrawberry Sweetness
The strawberries are so juicy-delicious from California right now. I can’t get enough. Here a couple of my new favorite recipes. Strawberry Shots Strawberries Sugar small bowl of water alcohol lime wedges Hollow out a strawberry with a small spoon. Dip in water, then sugar. Add booze & garnish with lime. Vodka or tequila would work, or for a snazzy shot, mix equal parts Frangelico hazelnut liqueur and vodka. Another tasty treat would...
Read MoreSALAD SPREE
Tis’ the season for salads. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I grow rather sick of the same cucumber-lettuce-tomato salad. Here ar a couple of my favorite salads with flare. ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEAS, PISTACIOS, & ASIAGO 2 Tab fresh lemon juice 1/4 c olive oil 5 oz Arugula 1 c frozen peas, thawed 1/2 c pistachios, roasted & chopped 1 c asiago, aged & shaved 1 Tab mint, chopped 1 Tab parsley, chopped salt &...
Read MoreFor the Love of Spring
The atypical warmer weather this week has me itching to break out my favorite spring dishes. Today, I’m highlighting asparagus, vidalia onions, and lamb chops. Bon appétit! GRILLED LAMB CHOPS w/ MINT PESTO 1/2 C balsamic vinegar 1/4 C honey 12(3 oz) baby lamb chops, frenched 1 & 1/2 C parsley leaves (tightly packed) 1C fresh mint leaves (tightly packed) 1 clove garlic 2 T pine nuts 1/3 C + 2T olive oil 3T parmesean ...
Read MoreCrepes, Galettes, and Madeleines + Sophie Perinot
I don’t know about you all, but I could use a vat of café au lait and some sweet Frenchie goodness to carry me through to the weekend. So dig in to the array of simple recettes delicieuses below. Try one or two, or try them ALL et bon appétit! By the way, stop by next Wednesday, March 7th for a guest post by Sophie Perinot authoress of the newly released historical novel THE SISTER QUEENS. GALETTES 2 lbs dark brown sugar 1 lb butter 7 eggs 1 TB vanilla 6...
Read MoreOde to the Pumpkin
In honor of Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin, I’ve gathered some dazzling recipes that express the poetry of one of my favorite fall ingredients. SPICY PUMPKIN BISQUE 1-1/2 teaspoons dried ground small red chiles such as Piquins 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 Tablespoon butter or margarine 1 16 ounce can pumpkin puree 4 cups chicken or veggie stock 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon...
Read More