10/1/14
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End~Of~Season Tomato Soup

End~of~Season Tomato Soup  |   Garlic & Parmesan Roasted Chickpea Croutons “I devour them in the hand; eat them raw with olive oil, salt and basil; grill them with oregano and garlic~rubbed bread; bake them with goat cheese; and occasionally simmer them as a sauce or soup…But come the first frosts, I shut the door Continue reading → «End~Of~Season Tomato Soup»

09/5/14
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Sweet Corn & Lobster Risotto

Sweet Corn & Lobster Risotto  |  Tomato & Arugula Salad Last Sunday I told you about this wonderful, savory corn risotto we had recently enjoyed and shared my big plans for adding some out~of~the~ordinary lobster mushrooms that I had picked up at the SF Farmer’s Market {check them out here} to that same risotto this Continue reading → «Sweet Corn & Lobster Risotto»

08/28/14
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Summer Corn Chowder {Dairy~Free}

“I have a love affair with tomatoes and corn.  I  remember them from my childhood.  I only had them in the summer.  They were extraordinary.”   ~  Alice Waters   September is knocking at the door.  The children here are back in school and the days are becoming noticeably shorter.  But, before the lingering days Continue reading → «Summer Corn Chowder {Dairy~Free}»

08/5/14
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Summer Skillet Corn & Tomato Salad

“No matter what the variety, it is still safe to say that the fresher the corn the better.  If you don’t have a corn patch of your own, buy locally grown corn straight from the farmer ~ at a produce stand on the side of the road or at a farmer’s market.  At the market, Continue reading → «Summer Skillet Corn & Tomato Salad»

04/8/14
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Spiced & Grilled Steak with Parsley~Mint Tabbouleh

SUNDAY Spiced & Grilled NY Strip Steaks  |  Parsley~Mint Tabbouleh  |  Hummus & Toasted Pita Wedges I have never found myself particularly attracted to the cuisine of the Middle East, India, Thailand, Africa or the Mediterranean.  Not because of any dislike mind you but rather ignorance.  Not having been introduced to those foods growing up, Continue reading → «Spiced & Grilled Steak with Parsley~Mint Tabbouleh»

03/14/14
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Acqua Pazza with Sea Bass

TUESDAY Acqua Pazza with Chilean Sea Bass “This classic Neapolitan fish preparation is both delicate and full of flavor.  The term aqua pazza {“crazy water” in Italian} refers to both the dish and the poaching broth, which is stained red from tomatoes and aromatic with garlic and herbs.  It’s one of those satisfying dishes, like San Francisco’s cioppino, Continue reading → «Acqua Pazza with Sea Bass»

02/17/14
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Chicken Wings & Katsu Sauce

MONDAY Oven~Baked Chicken Wings  |  Katsu Sauce  |  Jasmine Rice  |  Steamed Broccoli “Sometimes we cook purely for the pleasure of it, understanding the provenance of our ingredients, choosing them with great care, thoughtfully taking them on the journey from shop to plate.  We seek out the perfect recipe and take our time, lovingly preparing Continue reading → «Chicken Wings & Katsu Sauce»

02/4/14
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Roasted Italian Sausages with Tomatoes, Peppers & Onions

SUNDAY {Super Bowl} I am not going to muddle this simple recipe with a bunch of verbiage.  Suffice it to say that this is peasant food at its best.  Sausages, vegetables, herbs, a bit of olive oil & some heat for a good hour will deliver a soul satisfying meal.  Its range spans from sausages Continue reading → «Roasted Italian Sausages with Tomatoes, Peppers & Onions»

11/22/13
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EPIC Ragu Bolognese

WEDNESDAY EPIC Ragù Bolognese A certain magic happens as the beef and aromatic vegetables slowly cook down with wine, tomato paste, and broth ~ Bon Appetit   Let’s get one thing clear before we begin…there is nothing quick about making a ragù {at least one worth eating}.  It is not the dinner you “whip up” Continue reading → «EPIC Ragu Bolognese»

11/14/13
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Pasta Alla Vecchia Bettola

WEDNESDAY Pasta Alla Vecchia Bettola  |  Basil~Caesar Salad Years ago, as a young, newlywed couple, Michael and I found ourselves living in Princeton, New Jersey.  The significance of that location had nothing to do with the ivy~league University anchoring that quaint little town but rather its prime geographic location among the Mid~Atlantic states. At the Continue reading → «Pasta Alla Vecchia Bettola»