A savory tart cries out for a summer picnic. This Caramelized Shallot and Bacon Tart is a favorite, whether served at a summer outing or as a first course for a showy company dinner. The sweetness of browned onions and shallots team beautifully with crisp bacon and creamy ricotta. Caramelized Shallot and Bacon TartYield: 8 servings1 round prepared pie dough,…
Cathy Thomas Cooks
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Puesto’s fresh take on Mexican cuisine has been the O.C. buzz since the first Orange County location in Irvine’s Los Olivos Marketplace opened (near Irvine Spectrum). Now with a second location at Park Place in Irvine, the fan base is mushrooming. Looks like delicious fun! Right? Can you say tequila? Puesto’s Cado-rita is made with Lunazul Reposado, fresh lime, agave,…
Recently, I wrote a story for the OC Register (as well as other newspapers owned by the Southern California News Group) about delectable dishes suitable for camping, cabins, and the great outdoors. BUT, I soon discovered that many of the dishes are fabulous prepared on the grill at home! Scrumptious. The story showcased the cookbook “Feast by Firelight” by Emma…
Florent Marneau, executive chef-owner of Marche Moderne in Newport Coast, prepares Poisson Cru adrift in a frothy Coconut-Lime Vinaigrette. And yes, it’s perfect dish to cook when entertaining at home. Some critics have named Newport Coast’s Marche Moderne the best French bistro in California. I wouldn’t argue that point. Owners Florent Marneau, executive chef, and his wife Amelia Marneau, executive…
Years ago, long before Gourmet magazine closed up shop, I found (to my mind) the queen of asparagus-pasta combinations: food writer Zanne Early Zakroff’s Asparagus Lasagna. It’s an exquisite meatless dish that can function as a main course, first course or luncheon dish. One-inch lengths of roasted asparagus stalks are combined with a creamy sauce accented with goat cheese and…
Orange Coast Magazine’s restaurant critic, Gretchen Kurz, named Hendrix’s burrata-spiked muffins “Dish Of The Year.” Kurz wrote: “A crusty muffin exterior hides the unexpected inside – eggy; buttery house-made spaetzle, that is scarce on today’s menus. The nutmeg-spiced muffin gets salty umami from bits of smokey Nueske bacon tucked within …” Congrats to Hendrix, a third restaurant from the team…
According to a story by Anne Valdespino in the Orange County Register, rumors are flying that the Sunset Beach tiki-themed Don The Beachcomber is set to close. Owner Delia Snyder and her late husband Arthur Snyder, opened Don The Beachcomber in 2009, in the spot on Pacific Coast Highway that had been Sam’s Seafood. I loved the Tomato Beef served…
Mayacamas Winery’s entrance. Some evidence of fire, but the over-100-year-historic winery building remained unscathed. Before my recent four-day Napa Valley wine-tasting trip, many friends voiced concern about my itinerary. They perceived the Napa area to be a totally devastated landscape. Yes, some area wineries were lost in the fires, some were partially damaged, but most are fine and open for…