Author Archive
Roast Chicken and Corn Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce
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When you live in the Southwest it’s hard not to love Mexican food. Not the drive-through stuff; I’m talking about homemade. My favorite dish is chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce. It’s what I used to order at Mexican restaurants until I created my own healthy and tasty recipe. Now I always make them at home.
A nice thing about this recipe is that you can roast the chicken and prepare the sauce a day or two ahead, then assemble your enchiladas and bake when you are ready for dinner. Read More→
A Fast Dinner – Linguine with Clams
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The first time I remember eating steamed clams was at Gladstone’s on the beach in Malibu. The sun was sparkling off the blue pacific and the air was briny and clean. A galvanized pail arrived like I’d used as a kid to make sand castles on the beach. It was filled with fresh steamed clams and nothing more. With my face over the pail, I breathed in the heavenly aroma. It smelled like the ocean. I’ve been a fan of steamed clams ever since. Read More→
Farmers Market Lesson with Kristine Kidd
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In spite of the early hour and two hour drive, I was headed to the famous Santa Monica Farmers Market for an insiders shopping lesson. Friend Kristine Kidd, former food editor of Bon Appétit Magazine for twenty years, offered to show me the market from her experienced eyes.
A veteran farmers market shopper, Kristine has been shopping Santa Monica for many years.Who better to learn about the best stands from than Kristine. Between writing her sixth cookbook, working with Williams-Sonoma, launching her own food blog plus a busy speaking schedule, I was delighted at the opportunity. Read More→
Nectarine Chutney and Sun-Dried Apricot Vinegar
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Strolling happily into my favorite grocery store, I was drawn as if magnetically to a display of beautiful nectarines. I instinctively picked one up, held it to my nose and took a deep breath. The smell was ripe and richly sweet, reminiscent of its cousin the peach. Like big baseballs of burgundy, red and gold, their skin was smooth and soft. Who could resist. I had to bring a few pounds home.
Besides eating one out of hand, I love to make nectarine chutney. For me, it’s one of the pleasures of summer cooking. Nectarine chutney is a quick and delicious accompaniment to sautéed or grilled chicken and grilled or roast pork tenderloin. Spread a thick layer on a turkey sandwich for a fantastic twist. Plop some on a plate next to skewers of sizzling grilled shrimp. Read More→
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon and Food Styling-Photography Workshop
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Always seeming to be on the run, the first half of the year went by in a blink. With trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico and Washington DC, then the Chef Challenge I didn’t have time to write about one of the most fun things we did in the first half of the year – the Food Styling and Photography Workshop.
Offered by Food Fanatics, the dynamic duo of Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan taught the food styling side of the workshop. Denise and Cindie, both professionally trained chefs and incredibly experienced food stylists, are also authors of several books. The talented and tattooed twosome of Matt Armendariz and Adam Pearson, professional photographer and blogger and professional food stylist, taught the food photography side of the workshop with more insight on food styling. Getting the opportunity to learn from such top-notch professionals was fantastic! Gathered were a great group of fellow food bloggers and photographers eager to learn. We had a fun and information packed two days. Read More→
Vote Now and Help Me Win for Charity in the Sears Chef Challenge!
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If you’ve been following my posts on the Sears Chef Challenge, it’s now time to vote! Click this link and then click on the big orange button. Voting started June 26 and ends on July 10, which is next Saturday. The voting has been fiercely competitive and I need your votes each day to win and bless the two charitable organizations I am competing for – The Saddleback Church Food Pantry and The Sheepfold.
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Hard to believe that today was the last and final event in the Sears Chef Challenge! It’s been great fun and an incredible experience. Best of all, I’m competing for two wonderful charitable causes – the Saddleback Church Food Pantry and The Sheepfold. Individual videos of each chef are being created from event 3 for voting, which begins on June 26 through July 10. Please, vote for me daily and help me win for these two giving and caring organizations!
Today we were at the Sears in Buena Park, CA. It’s so close to Knott’s Berry Farm that you can see the roller coasters. My roots go back to Buena Park as my family lived there until I was five. My dad’s first church was the little white Church of the Reflection in Knott’s, long before it was an amusement park. Walter Knott himself agreed to allow my dad to hold services there if he would also hold a service for employees on Sunday before the park opened. My history with Knott’s is still to this day why I am completely crazy about boysenberries! But today we are talking about salmon. In season right now, what could be better (not to mention good for you) than fresh, wild salmon.
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The Sears Chef Challenge Event 3 – Grilled Jalapeno-Mint Shrimp with Hominy Succotash
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The third of four events in the Sears Chef Challenge took place this weekend. I was cooking and teaching at the Sears store in Orange, California. Another terrific day, thanks to Linda Cooper and the Sears team. We were fortunate to have the vivacious Chef Rachelle Boucher in attendance. So good to finally meet her face to face as she definitely added her own special spice to things!
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Double Strawberry Ice Cream and Quick Strawberry Muffins
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On the Road: Spring Cherry Blossoms & Washington DC
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Spring in Washington DC is lovely and the blooming of the famous cherry trees makes it a special time to visit this great American city. We had a busy week visiting family, seeing the sites, enjoying great food and of course taking lots of photos of the beautiful pink cherry trees blooming in all of their glory. Our timing was perfect as we hit peak bloom weekend.
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It's about cooking fresh, cooking seasonally and discovering fun new ingredients, tips and tricks. I hope it brings you inspiration, education and enjoyment. Thanks for stopping by!