SEXY AND SIMPLE AVOCADO SALAD

This recipe was inspired by Martha Stewart's Avocado Jicama Salad that I found in one of the only cookbooks I have ever used, "What to have for Dinner." The recipe was tasty. It consisted of avocados, Jicama, red onion, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, etc. etc. You would think that was simple enough for me? Not so much. My second bout of inspiration came from the avocado salad at Versailles, my old favorite Cuban food restaurant in Venice Beach, CA. Theirs consisted of sliced avocado, sliced white onion, white wine vinegar, vegetable oil and salt and pepper. MY AVOCADO [...]

By |2018-10-03T16:33:39-04:00July 7th, 2010|
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FANCY AN ALMOND?

Remember the days when the only almonds that lived in your pantry, came in a blue can and usually had a smokey taste? Those were some yummy little treats, and I still partake here and there, but we have come a long way in the almond world. I noshed on my first Marcona almond while living in Madrid about 12 years ago. Little naked almonds sauteed in olive oil and drizzled with sea salt. What's not to like? Peeled Spaniards  and Unpeeled Gringo I brought Marcona's back with me in my suitcase and sighed when I got down [...]

By |2018-10-03T16:34:36-04:00July 1st, 2010|
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DIRTY STRAWBERRIES

It's strawberry season! I know that nowadays you can get strawberries year round, BUT they don't taste like they do right now. I am not sure what the origin of this recipe is, but I was introduced to it for the first time when I lived in New Mexico in the late 80's. I was told it was a southern thing. If you know, please share. DIRTY STRAWBERRY I remember that the thought of strawberries dipped in sour cream and then brown sugar was not appealing. Boy was I wrong. This is short and sweet because I really [...]

By |2018-10-03T16:36:58-04:00June 3rd, 2010|
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I’M CALLING IT PIZZA.

Thoughts of this pizza wake me up at night. Kinda sad. I am blessed with a neighbor and amazing friend who is also an incredible cook. She has a chalk board the size of a door with the week's menu written beautifully in colorful chalk, which usually features some form of pancetta, shrimp and cheese. She also has a full-time job and a husband. Dynamo. One day I had nothing to eat and Shannon, the amazing friend, said c'mon over and I will feed you. She presented me with a Lavosh pizza which was inspired by the "Sonny Boy" pizza [...]

By |2018-10-03T16:39:00-04:00May 5th, 2010|
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AGAVE NECTAR, not just for hippies.

Aw now c'mon my crunchy friends. Don't be offended. I did not grow up eating organic or free range. I had some friends whose parents made their own fruit leather and cranked the Joan Baez, but eating healthy in the late 70's and 80's meant eating somewhat boring food. Everything has changed of course. 'Organic' and 'green' are the big buzz words. I have never been more aware of what I put into my body, yet I no longer have to sacrifice flavor to eat healthy. Which brings me to one of my favorite products from Trader Joe's. I could [...]

By |2018-10-03T16:43:11-04:00March 22nd, 2010|
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