My husband and I are beginning to feel like restaurant jinxes. Over the last few years we have discovered a few restaurants in our area only to see them close their doors a couple of years or even just a few months after deeming the eateries current favorites. We don't have a very good ... Read More
Cheddar, Feta and Caramelized Shallot Crackers
My birthday celebration in Napa Valley last week started with a minor problem before we even drove off our driveway. My husband packed up our bikes hoping that we'd be able to get in a ride or two while in wine country. It was our first time lowering the rear seat backs in our station wagon ... Read More
Salsa di Parmigiano (Parmesan Dip)
There are less than two weeks left before Christmas. Are you excited or are you in a panic for all the items yet to be crossed off the list? Are you hosting a holiday party this year? My kitchen isn't usually abuzz with activity this time of year since other family members host ... Read More
Marinated Feta Cheese
Raise your hand if your weekly grocery run involves more than a few stops. For me, it's Sigona's for produce, Robert's for meat, Trader Joe's for some favorite items and Safeway for other things. This doesn't include the stops at the Asian market and the Latin market when the pantry is ... Read More
Caprese Salad with Fig Balsamic Dressing
If there is one type of dish that makes me miss not growing tomatoes this year it would be a salad. A bowl of pasta tossed in a simple tomato-based sauce is a close second, but I can usually come up with easy substitutes like capers, olives or anchovies to add substance to pasta in the absence ... Read More
Crab and Shrimp Dip
One of my favorite appetizers as a child was my mother's crab mousse, one she always turned out expertly onto a plate from one of her copper-lined molds. She used gelatin to set the mousse's shape and its elegant appearance belied the use of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup which was the ... Read More
