spaghetti Squash

Have you ever roasted a spaghetti squash? I hadn’t until last week.  Taking a fork to shred the cooked squash actually kind of makes it into a spaghetti-like texture.  I am not going to lie: it isn’t exactly the same thing as a bowl of pasta.  But I added some other roasted veggies and some […]

Prune

  Last week I made a quick work trip to New York.  The temperatures were soaring – into the upper 90’s with humidity to match.  I did have a chance to pop into one of my favorite restaurants, PRUNE.  If you haven’t checked it out, I highly suggest it.  I recently read chef Gabrielle Hamilton’s […]

Summer Picnic

Recently, I wanted to get together for dinner with a friend whose husband was out of town on a fishing expedition.  She happens to have a stunning outdoor space with amazing views.  We have been having some beautiful sunny days lately, so I invited myself over for dinner (!)  but under one condition: I bring all of the […]

Okra

I didn’t grow up eating okra.  I really can’t recall having eaten it until recently.  Okra has an unjustly bad reputation for sure.  Soggy and mushy. I have been making this new favorite weekly.   Just tossing the okra in little olive oil and salt and pepper on a baking sheet lined in parchment (I […]

What’s for Dinner?

I’m always looking for something easy and healthy to make for dinner after a long day. This is a new favorite.   ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH Butternut squash – peeled, seeded and cubed Red onion – cut into thin slices Can of chickpeas – rinsed under cold water A handful of fresh chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons of […]

Artichokes

Sometimes a simple steamed artichoke makes a perfect snack.  Driving back from a recent trip to Carmel, I stopped at a farm stand in Castroville (the artichoke capitol of the world!) and picked up a bag full.   You could dip them in butter or mayonnaise, but really just plain is a great treat.  Maybe […]

Oysters

  Last week, I mentioned a little get away with Campbell and Wallace up to Napa. The trip wasn’t complete without a drink at the bar and a dozen oysters at Bouchon. I personally love going to restaurants, but especially eating  casually at the bar.  I love the interaction with the staff – asking questions and hearing […]

Acorn squash salad

Always looking for new easy things to make in the kitchen. This couldn’t be any easier and the presentation really impresses. This dinner was for 4 people- so I quartered an acorn squash and roasted it for about 45 minutes with a drizzle of olive oil.  I let the squash cool a bit.  In a […]

Brown rice risotto

Lately, I have been playing around in the kitchen.  Always on a mission to try to eat healthier.  I saw risotto on a menu recently, but instead of the typical Arborio rice, it contained brown rice.  Last weekend, I tried my own version with sautéed beet greens.  Since brown rice takes so long to cook, […]

Fun with dough

I realized recently that it might be fun to make my own ravioli.  Well, sort of.  I purchased the dough at a great local pasta shop.  But then the filling options were endless.   I opted to sauté kale, spinach and mushrooms with a little bit of garlic and lemon zest.  After boiling the pasta, […]