déjeuner and dash
bresaola and radish summer salad
My local market. One of my favorite vegetable growers and only minutes for lunch inspired this simple pleasure: bresaola and radish summer salad. Read the rest of this entry »
my inspirations
summer truffled vichyssoise
June 5th, 2013
goût de luxe
fancy enough for a ladies’ lunch
simple enough for a school night
perfect for summer
summer truffled vichyssoise
I was down to my last teaspoons of truffled salt. It was a shocking realization because I buy it by the carton as there are few things that can fancy up common, everyday foods the way a little sea salt infused with truffles can. Eggs, popcorn, risotto, even creamy butter to spread on your favorite toast … Voila ! Instant special. Instant gratification. I searched my nearly empty refrigerator for anything fresh. It was the few remaining vegetables in my refrigerator before my departure and the desire to use this last bit of truffled salt which inspired this week’s simple pleasure: summer truffled vichyssoise.
swordfish Mediterranean sauté
May 22nd, 2013
puppy love & when to cook and tell . . .
swordfish Mediterranean sauté
I am over the moon about the summer stone fruit which has arrived in the markets. However, I must admit that I am still clinging to the fava beans and English peas which are declining in number as summer rapidly approaches. While picking out fava beans at the McGrath Family Farm stand at the Sasnta Monica Farmer’s Market, it was there I fell in love. I could not help myself. It was this instant affection with inspired this week’s simple pleasure: swordfish Mediterranean sauté. Read the rest of this entry »
Mother’s Day 2013 and cherry granita
May 12th, 2013
Mother’s Day 2013
speak carefully and carry a positive message
cherry granita
This week I had my first taste of an “empty nest.” My eldest, now a “tween,” visited Boston with her fifth grade class for a week. Her healthy separation from me and her eagerness to see the world and rely on her peers in a new way is bittersweet. Every year I write a Mother’s Day personal “recipe” for them. This year’s recipe was not only inspired by their rapid coming of age, but by two recent events. The first was the passing of our family matriarch (this year was the first time in our lives we did not celebrate her birthday and Mother’s Day jointly (at least, with her present)). The second was our Spring Break trip to Washington D.C. Both events reminded me of the importance of words, spoken, and unspoken. This week’s simple pleasure, and my annual Mother’s Day recipe for them, is a humble recipe for speaking with a little cherry granita on top (recipe below).
les œufs à la coque
May 6th, 2013
birds, you, and my friend nicknamed Goo
les œufs à la coque (à ma façon)
soft-boiled eggs with toast spears and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
My friend Celine has a love-hate relationship with birds: they love her; she dislikes them. If there is a bird to be found, Celine will quickly walk the other way. When in Paris, I often photograph the Parisian pigeons (which are everywhere) and email the photos to her with a caption that the pigeons miss her and want her to come home. The joke never seems to get old (at least on my end, but Celine takes it well). Recently, Celine passed through LA and it was her visit which inspired this simple pleasure: les œufs à la coque (with my own twist). Read the rest of this entry »
grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime.
April 30th, 2013
shrimp on the bar-b and a little al fresco dining
grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime
I could say that I fired up the grill this weekend because of the Los Angeles sun. However, that is only partially true. It was also the Target run. Yes, Target. You see, I set out to buy school necessities for my children and then could not resist two hurricane lamps perfect for the patio table. This led to the desire to grill which led to an easy al fresco dinner with items in my refrigerator which resulted in this week’s simple pleasure: grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime. Read the rest of this entry »
it was her favorite and she was ours
March 21st, 2013 
it was her favorite and she was ours
(no fuss) carrot cake
It is officially spring. Upcoming holidays and the passing of a very important person in my life inspired this week’s simple pleasure: (no fuss) carrot cake.
living it up on Mardi Gras (or all winter long)
February 12th, 2013 
living it up (on Mardi Gras) in a savory and seasonal way:
Romanesco Cauliflower fettechini with Gorgonzola
Romanesco cauliflower is in the markets right now and the tight, pointed green curds are nutty tasting and delicious. Given that we have two celebrations in one week – Mardi Gras and Saint Valentine’s Day – a little culinary indulgence in a tasteful, seasonal, and savory way inspired this week’s simple pleasure: Romanesco Cauliflower fettechini with Gorgonzola. (However, if you prefer to celebrate Mardi Gras with something sweet, try making traditional beignets ! recipe here.)
the perfect Madeleine
February 5th, 2013 
dear Madeleine, please be mine !
how to bake the perfect Madeleine
So it is like this: a half-birthday celebration, a reduced-sugar school policy, and several requests for a favorite snack recipe (just in time for your Valentine’s celebration) which all inspired this week’s simple pleasure: vanilla bean Madeleines.
home for Valentine’s Day
January 29th, 2013
home for Valentine’s Day;
cooking for the important person or people in your life:
“ la blanquette d’amour”
In honor of Saint Valentine’s Day (a little early), I share something with you beyond a great recipe, the words of author Leo Tolstoy. It is Tolstoy’s “pursuit of life” which inspired this week’s simple pleasure: la blanquette de veau (veal stew in a white wine-crème fraîche sauce with mushrooms, pearl onions, and artichoke hearts served on garlic-rubbed toasted French bread). I also call it “blanquette d’amour” because cooking is all about what you put in the cocotte, namely, a little love with hand-chosen ingredients. Read on.
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