Simple fruit compotes make luscious desserts. You can team them with ice cream or crisp cookies if you like. Think seasonally. Substitute 1 generous cup of seedless tangerine sections in the fall, or in the summer, omit the cantaloupe and substitute more berries and a few (pitted and halved) fresh cherries. Fruit Compote in Honey SauceYield: 4 to 6 servings1/4…
Grilled artichokes are a great dish to serve when warm-weather entertaining. Not only are they scrumptious, most of the preparation can be done in advance. Blanched until tender and then grilled before serving, they seem to be adored by all, especially when served with a tasty dipping sauce. Grilled Artichokes with Dipping SauceYield: about 6 servings4 to 6 artichokes (preferably…
“River Cottage Veg” by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (Ten Speed, $35) is chockablock with irresistible recipes. The author is a British broadcaster, farmer and educator, as well as the recipient of several James Beard Awards for his cookbooks. A campaigner for sustainably produced food, he established the River Cottage farm in Dorset, England in 1998. I often refer to this book when…
Pie-baking aficionado Rhonda Martin won the top pie prize at the Orange County Fair several years ago. It was my pleasure to be one of the pie-baking judges that year. That pie remains one of my favorite apple pies (yes, I have 3 others in my repertoire that I consider my favorites). I love pies, and apple pies in particular….
I’ve made lots of carrot cakes over the years – tall-and-elegant layered wonders, as well as cupcakes with icing piped into the core. All were fine. All were welcomed by sweet-loving palates. BUT, my favorite is the easy-to-prepare version made from the formula given to me by my sister-in-law Toni Brehm in the early 1970’s. It’s made in a 9-by-13-inch…
There’s something very comforting about a steaming bowl of pozole, the tender cubes of pork adrift in a broth that sings with just-right spiciness. The stew-like concoction is loaded with hominy. In the translation from Spanish, “pozole” means hominy. Hominy is the name given to whole corn kernels that have been cooked in a lye or lime solution to remove their…
Grown in California’s Ojai Valley, Pixie tangerines add a delicious vibrant note to mixed green salads. Their sweet flavor profile and just-right amount of juice also make them a perfect out-of-hand snack. They are an excellent source of Vitamin C. But most importantly, they are luscious. They are generally available at Gelson’s, Bristol Farms and Mother’s Markets. FOR THE SALAD:…
If you have a can of cannellini beans, take a canned-bean culinary adventure with these Crispy-Crunchy Roasted Cannellini Beans. They make a delightfully noisy out-of-hand snack, as well as a scrumptious topper for salads or roasted vegetables. A word of caution. They are addictive. Enjoy within 2 hours for the most crunch. Unfortunately, after a couple of hours their crunch…