Zazie
My friend Agnes and I met for breakfast at Zazie in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francsico. I really like the bohemian-style atmosphere of the place. The staff was very friendly, too. It was...
View ArticleThe Monk’s Kettle
For my husband’s birthday, I took him to The Monk’s Kettle in San Francisco. My husband is a beer fan and I had heard about this new restaurant that pairs beer and local, seasonal foods. When we...
View ArticleLe Jardin du Quai
I was very fortunate on my last trip to Provence to discover Le Jardin du Quai in the lovely village of Isle-sur-la-Sorge. The restaurant itself is in an old restored mansion across from the train...
View ArticlePatisserie Jouvaud
This patisserie in the town of Carpentras in Provence is a fantastic discovery. On my last trip, I had the pleasure to meet Pierre Jouvaud who is actively involved in managing this third-generation...
View ArticleFabulous French Wines from Chateauneuf du Pape
I just received my new shipment of wines from Cave de Verges des Papes in Chateauneuf du Pape. I tasted all of these wines when I was at my friend’s cave back in February. They are superb and I...
View ArticleLe Rove
This small, round, white goat’s milk cheese is named after the Rove breed of goats, believed to be one of the oldest breeds of goats in France. It is sold when it is only 2-3 days old. It is prized...
View ArticleLa Grande Epicerie au Bon Marche
This upscale gourmet shop in Paris is definitely worth a browse. Here you will find a huge array of fresh vegetables and fruits, olive oils, cheeses, meats, seafood, condiments, wines, spices,...
View ArticleRue Cler
Rue Cler is perhaps my favorite Market Street in Paris. It has a food market everyday and the street has wonderful cheese shops, charcuteries, butcher shops, olive oil shops, restaurants, bars,...
View ArticleMarche Raspail
Marche Raspail is a wonderful open air food market in the 6th Arrondissement that is open three times a week. This marketplace is filled with produce vendors, charcuterie stands, eggs, salts, meats,...
View ArticleFauchon
If you love fine upscale food that is exquisitely packaged, you won’t want to miss Fauchon. They have wonderful preserves and jams, mustards, teas, coffees, chocolates and wines. They ship worldwide,...
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Slow-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...
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Sungold 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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Spring Onion, Roasted Pepper, Mushroom and Corn Galette
A galette (rustic tart) is so easy to make and is sure to become one of your “go to” dishes. I make both sweet and savory galettes (such as this Nectarine Galette), depending upon the season and the...
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Rosemary-Scented Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potatoes, Spring Onions and...
This is a meal in a baking dish. It is very easy to prepare and really delicious. The sweet and savory combination is perfect for a rustic summertime lunch or dinner. This dish pairs well with a...
View ArticleChicken Piccata
I am inspired to make chicken piccata when I have Meyer lemons, chives, parsley and dill in the garden. I especially like the addition of the fresh dill. I serve this dish with simple sides of rice...
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Lavender Simple Syrup
Lavender grows year-round in our garden. I use it to make this simple syrup and I preserve it in sugar and in salt. I use it in shortbreads, in scones, in ice cream. It is a favorite of ours to...
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Stewed Chicken with Charred Tomatillos and Coconut Rice
Tomatillos are in season right now in Northern California. I am finding them in our local farmers markets. Tomatillos are known for their tart flavor and green color. They lend themselves...
View ArticleEggplant and Zucchini Parmigiana
This recipe makes delicious use of those gorgeous eggplants and squashes that are in abundance in the summer markets. The dish also freezes well so you can have a great taste of summer during other...
View ArticleRoasted Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto
This dish features the classic combination of lamb and mint, but with a twist. Instead of using mint jelly, make this fresh mint pesto to use as a condiment. It works perfectly and will quickly become...
View ArticleChilled Summer Melon Soup
I first made this soup in Provence. The Cavaillon melons in the markets smelled so good that I wanted to feature them in a course of their own. Since we were on a Lavender Getaway at the time, I...
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