Winter Squashes
I am a big fan of winter squashes – especially butternut, acorn and kabocha varieties. These squashes are hard-shelled and keep for several weeks after being harvested. A butternut squash is...
View ArticleChopped Apple Salad for One
This chopped apple salad is a nice, simple treat. It is a good size for one person. Ingredients One apple, washed, cored and chopped (I love tart apples from the farmers market) One 2″ piece of...
View ArticleIndividual Flourless Chocolate Cakes with Chantilly
Ingredients 12 ounces dark chocolate (minimum 70% cacao), chopped 6 eggs, separated 2 sticks butter (8 oz) 1 ¼ cup sugar 1 cup whipping crème 2 T confectioners sugar 1 t vanilla extract You will also...
View ArticleThe Martini House
I recently visited one of my old favorite restaurants, The Martini House, with some of my guests from Canada. I was pleased to find that the restaurant is still cozy and inviting, that the staff is...
View ArticlePan-Roasted Veal Chops Stuffed with Truffles
Ingredients 3 T olive oil 4 T chopped shallots ½ cup (4 oz.) chopped mushrooms 1 oz. truffles, sliced 6 veal chops, about 1 ½” thick Coarse grey sea salt and pepper 4 T olive oil You will also need: 1...
View ArticlePotatoes Au Gratin with Truffles
Ingredients 2 T unsalted butter ¾ cup (175ml) whipping cream 2 T chopped truffles 2 lbs (1 kg) yellow waxy potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced ½ lb (250g) onions, thinly sliced Sea salt and pepper, to...
View ArticleApples Baked with Muscat and Saffron
Ingredients 1/3 cup (90 g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (120g) plus 6 T sugar 1 ½ tsp grated orange zest 6 large apples juice of 1 lemon pinch of saffron ¾ cup (190ml) muscat (such as, Muscat de...
View ArticleTruffles with a Bread Cap
I first had this dish in the South of France. I was hooked on its simplicity. The flavor of the truffle diminishes at higher temperatures so remove the ramekins from the oven as soon as the bread...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mushroom Risotto
Mushroom risotto is comfort food for us. We like to top it with truffles and truffle oil during the season. But it is wonderful served just as is, or drizzled with a little olive oil and shaved...
View ArticleOxbow Public Market
The Oxbow Market in Napa is a “must do” when in Napa. My very favorite cheese merchant is there. Take a look at the list of merchants: Annette’s Chocolate Factory The Fatted Calf Fete Five Dot...
View ArticleLe Versance
One of my favorite new restaurant finds is Le Versance in Paris. Chef/Owner Samuel Cavignis is friendly and creative and has created an atmosphere that is both welcoming and elegant. When you first...
View ArticleSavor
My friend Agnes recently took me to Savor in the Noe Valley area of San Francisco for breakfast. It was delightful. First of all, the staff was so warm and friendly. I felt as if I was visiting old...
View ArticleChoosing Persimmons
Autumn brings a wealth of wonderful produce – including the fantastic persimmon! In California, we can find two varieties of persimmons at the local markets – the hachiya and the fuyu. These two...
View ArticleMoist Persimmon Cake with Creme Fraiche
This cake is so moist! I truly love to make it. It is so simple – no mixer required! And it is a small cake, so it doesn’t stay around the house forever. I hope you enjoy it! Ingredients 1 cup...
View ArticlePersimmon Scones
Ingredients 2 cup self rising flour 2 T brown sugar 1 stick (4 oz.) cold European-style butter (such as Plugra), cut into 8 pieces 1/2 cup hachiya persimmon pulp 1/4 cup creme fraiche or buttermilk...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Persimmon Pudding with Hard Sauce
English-style puddings remind me of luscious fruit cakes – only much more moist. This one is made with one of my favorite fruits, the hachiya persimmon. There are so many persimmons in our farmers...
View ArticlePersimmon Upside-Down Cake with Pistachios
This cake is wonderfully moist, fruity and spicy with a little bit of caramelized crunch around the rim. It is one of my favorite ways to use the Hachiya persimmons that grow in our yard. Ingredients...
View ArticleGluten-Free Persimmon Whiskey Bread
This bread is super moist and rich – and full of fruits and nuts. These loaves make great holiday gifts. This recipe was adapted from David Leibovitz’s Persimmon Bread recipe. 3 1/2 cupzs gluten-free...
View Article