First, the good: Oatmeal is about as individual a breakfast item as you can get. Everyone has their own version: instant, flavored, quick, old fashioned; their own way of making it: stovetop, microwave, just-add-water; their own way of decorating it: milk, cream, nuts, berries, dried fruit or yogurt. Some just like making cookies out of
I Scream, You Scream
I knew I should have freakin’ written this post when inspiration arrived at my door in the form of “Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams At Home”, but as I’ve already explained, this summer was crazy and now, as I’m about to describe the ease with which I made my first ice creams, it’s decidedly NOT ice
It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Black Or White
Okay, yes I lifted the title from the Michael Jackson song that played incessantly during my Sophomore year in college while I diligently filled the salt and pepper shakers in the dining hall, but it’s all I could think of when I was asked via Facebook if I had any good chili recipes without beans
I Feel I Owe You an Explanation
So, yeah. It’s been a really long time since I’ve written, but it’s not as though I haven’t been eating. All summer long as I prepared fresh salads, grilled meat, chicken and seafood and assembled summer-like desserts, I wrote in my head. But somehow life just got in the way – or that’s what I
The Reamer, the Pitter, the Egg-Separator
This past weekend I found myself puttering around the kitchen again. I had purchased 2lbs. of Bing Cherries the previous weekend and I needed to do something with them before they went bad. So, I decided to make a cherry pie. But this isn’t really about the pie. It’s about the tools I used to
The Pause That Refreshes
Okay, so I totally stole that title from Coca-Cola, but it pretty much sums up the most important characteristic of my summer beverage choices. Where wintertime beverages are meant to comfort, warm and soothe, summer drinks should fizz, cool and energize. They provide a needed respite from the heat and outside activities warmer weather brings.
Avocado Capital of the World
San Diego County produces 60% of California’s avocados and I’m lucky enough to live in the avocado capital of the world. Really. During harvest season, (March-May), you can actually drive down the road plucking avocados from the trees without even leaving the car – they’re that plentiful. And cheap. (No, I don’t get all of
Farmer Photo Op
As I mentioned earlier this week, my favorite farmers market is the Vista Farmers Market. Over the past few years I’ve gotten to know a few of the farmers pretty well. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll say it again: it’s SO important to get to know the grower – it’s
My Farmers Market Manifesto
I know I’ve mentioned it a million times before, but I love shopping at Farmers Markets. It’s kinda like church for me. Not the sermon-y part, (well sometimes,) but the after-service socializing – where you visit with friends you haven’t seen all week and catch up on the latest news and gossip. I always feel
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Earlier this season on “Top Chef Masters” the chefs participated in a challenge where they had to put a modern spin on vintage dishes like Oysters Rockafeller (never had ’em), Beef Wellington (very Julia Child), Deviled Eggs (love ’em) and Grasshopper Pie (hate it.) Why in the heck wasn’t Pineapple Upside-Down Cake on the list?
Cooking For Madison 