Miner’s Lettuce
I’ve found miner’s lettuce for the past couple of weeks at the Saturday morning San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Miner’s lettuce is a green edible annual plant from the purslane family that...
View ArticleSalad of Snap Peas, Bacon and Marcona Almonds with Meyer Lemon Dressing
This week I found the most flavorful snap peas at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza farmers market. These peas are so delicious when just eaten as as snack, but I wanted to do something different with...
View ArticleFrench-Style Macarons in San Francisco
When I couldn’t take my scheduled flight to Paris this week due to the volcanic ash issue, I did the next best thing – searched for French-style macarons in San Francisco. A macaron (not to be...
View ArticleChoosing and Preparing Fava Beans
Fava beans are appearing now in our local Bay Area farmers markets. They are so fresh-tasting and delicious. You do have to shell them, cook them and peel them before serving. However, they are so...
View ArticleRoasted Spring Torpedo Onions
Sweet spring torpedo onions are in season now. My favorite way to prepare them is to roast them. Roasting really enhances their sweetness, and the leftovers (if there are any) are delicious when...
View ArticleRoasted Rhubarb with Cinnamon and Sugar
Rhubarb is one of my springtime favorites! It grows like crazy in my Napa Valley garden. I’ve found that people either love it or hate it – or else they have never tried it. Rhubarb has edible...
View ArticleChocolate-Banana-Cinnamon Whole-Grain Paninis
These chocolate-banana-cinnamon paninis are favorites of ours. We have them a couple of times a month for breakfast, usually on the weekend. We like to use rustic bread from the farmers market, along...
View ArticleBountiful Blueberries
Blueberries are in season right now in our local Bay Area farmers markets. In addition to tasting great, I’ve read that blueberries may actually reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as...
View ArticleBlackberry Jam
Blackberries are in season now and are available locally in our Northern California farmers markets. Making jam is a great way to preserve blackberries so that you can enjoy them all year long. I...
View ArticleBaby Radish Appetizers
Marin Roots Farm brought baby radishes and radish flowers to the market this week. They were exceptionally fresh and flavorful. So flavorful, in fact, that I didn’t want to waste one single bite of...
View ArticleRoasted Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables with Fennel Flowers
Fennel flowers have a very pleasant spicy, licorice flavor. I harvested some from my garden to use with a pork tenderloin roast and vegetables. The flowers make a gorgeous garnish to serve with the...
View ArticleSlow-Roasted Tomatoes
This is one of my favorite ways to bring out even more flavor in vine-ripened tomatoes. You can either peel the tomatoes first, or leave the skin on – it depends on how you would like to use them. We...
View ArticleHeirloom Tomato, White Corn and Basil Salad
Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds heirloom tomatoes (assorted sizes and colors) 2-3 ears white corn kernels (cut off the cob) A handful of fresh basil leaves 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 Tablespoon...
View ArticleProvencal Tomato Soup
Ingredients 6-8 lbs. ripe tomatoes ½ cup olive oil Sea salt Pepper 2 teaspoons sugar 1 head garlic 1 ½ cup crème fraiche You will also need: Large roasting pan Food processor Tasting spoons Large soup...
View ArticleFresh Tomato Tart with Roasted Red Peppers
Ingredients 3 eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 tomatoes, cut into ½” thick slices and de-seeded (or use tomato confit) 2 roasted red peppers, peeled and...
View ArticleArugula and Fresh Tomato Side Salad
This is a simple salad but you will find yourself serving it often – with chicken, fish, sandwiches or maybe just by itself. Add some crostini with goat cheese for a nice treat! Ingredients 2-3 cups...
View ArticleRoasted Sweet Tomatoes with Basil
This dish works best with sweet, fresh tomatoes, such as sungolds or sweet 100’s. Ingredients 2 cups tiny sweet tomatoes, stems removed 1 small handful of fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish) 2 T...
View ArticleChilled Heirloom Tomato Soup
This soup gets its freshness from a hint of lemon verbena. Be sure to choose the sweetest tomatoes you can find. I like to serve this soup over a piece of poached salmon. Ingredients 1/2 cup olive...
View ArticleNew Year’s Day Good Luck Soup
I grew up in Southeast Georgia, and our tradition for good luck for the New Year was eating Hoppin’ John. To us, Hoppin’ John was a big pot of dried black-eyed peas cooked with hog jowl or ham shank....
View ArticleSungold Tomato and Bread Salad
This dish features some of nature’s best produce – super sweet Sungold tomatoes, sweet red onions and arugula. These fresh ingredients, combined with your favorite toasted bread cubes and a sweet-tart...
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