recipes

go ahead, give me a little flax: honey and soy-roasted eggplant with flaxseeds

September 15th, 2011

honey and soy roasted eggplant with flaxseeds chef morgan

 go ahead, give me a little flax: honey and soy-roasted eggplant with flaxseeds

September comes with a renewed energy in the air. Vacations are over and children go back to school. Getting back into a routine, we look at our quick-filling calendars and our lives with new vigor.  Often that vigor includes the desire to eat better foods, try new things, and develop healthier habits. I am often asked about ways to incorporate specific food items into home-cooked meals that are easy to make for the whole family. Flaxseeds are one of those ingredients and it is the desire to incorporate this healthy ingredient into our new Fall repertoire that is the inspiration for this week’s simple pleasure: honey and soy-roasted eggplant with flaxseeds. Read the rest of this entry »

 

palate fatigue, heat stroke and a cool, new way to enjoy lobster

September 8th, 2011

 

chilled lobster farce in balsamic and muscat reduction served with an arugula, herb and apple mille-feuille

palate fatigue, heat stroke and a cool, new way to enjoy lobster 

I recently dined with a friend of mine who is also a chef in a Los Angeles. Naturally, we discussed food and the subject of “palate fatigue” arose  (his phrase, which I quickly latched onto). Palate fatigue is when you are tired of seeing the same food or food prepared the same way. It happens to everyone, not just chefs. Newness is necessary. Thoughts of “palate fatigue,” lobster season, and trying to stay cool in this sweltering California heat resulted in this week’s simple pleasure: chilled lobster farce in balsamic and muscat reduction served with an arugula, herb and apple mille-feuille. Something new. Something cool. Something simple. Something good. Read the rest of this entry »

 

arugula, herb and apple mille-feuille

September 8th, 2011

 

 arugula, herb and apple mille-feuille 

arugula, herb and apple mille-feuille

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piperade crustless quiche

September 1st, 2011

piperade crustless quiche

Ladurée, piperade and deferred gratification realized: piperade crustless quiche

Call me farmer Lisa but I have chickens and a garden. My children agreed to the poultry addition to our family on the condition that the chickens would not become “poule-au-pot.”  When I inquired as to the source of their fear they cited the example that I recently gutted and cleaned fish in front of their friends on a playdate. Point taken. I assured them that my interest in having chickens was solely for the eggs so they acquiesced. Inspired by the beautiful peppers in the market and these chickens, piperade crustless quiche is this week’s simple pleasure.

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fresh stuffed heirloom tomatoes with tuna, Cannellini beans and tarragon

August 30th, 2011

fresh stuffed heirloom tomatoes with tuna, Cannellini beans and tarragon

fresh stuffed heirloom tomatoes with tuna, Cannellini beans and tarragon

stats:

serves 4

what you need:

4 beautiful heirloom tomatoes, hollowed
1 cup Cannellini Beans
water (as needed)
2 cloves of garlic, smashed and minced Read the rest of this entry »

 

en garde: defending against the heat with fresh melon, herb and prosciutto skewers

August 25th, 2011

fresh melon, herb and prosciutto skewers

en garde: defending against the heat
with fresh melon, herb and prosciutto skewers

The forecast is nothing short of blazing heat in both Los Angeles and France. Too hot to cook. Too hot for heavy food. A plate of ripe melon with thinly-sliced prosciutto is a classic summer pairing. Inspired by the triple digits and my fencing daughter, melon, herb and prosciutto skewers are this week’s simple pleasureRead the rest of this entry »

 

oh honey . . . bees should not have all of the fun: apricots, miel de lavande and fromage blanc

August 18th, 2011

lavender

oh honey . . . bees should not have all of the fun:
apricots, miel de lavande and fromage blanc

It is the little things that make the difference. This week it is the delicious detail of miel de lavande (lavender honey) inspired by my recent stay in Provence where neither my children nor the bees could get enough of the lavender fields that cover the landscape. With Provence in mind, grilled apricots and lavender honey over fromage blanc is this week’s simple pleasure. Read the rest of this entry »

 

lazy days of summer: watermelon and heirloom tomato salad

August 11th, 2011

 

watermelon and heirloom tomato salad

lazy days of summer: watermelon and heirloom tomato salad

Nothing says summer more than juicy ripe watermelon and vine-ripened tomatoes. We enjoy them separately and find ways to include them in various meals. Together these two fruits are devine (as well as good for you and keep you looking young) and for these reasons a watermelon and heirloom tomato salad is this week’s simple pleasure Read the rest of this entry »

 

summer provençal tian: more than a dish

August 3rd, 2011

Eggplant, zucchini and squash

summer provençal tian: more than a dish

In Provence there is a regional speciality simply known as “tian.” The name actually refers to the dish the food is cooked in rather than the food itself  (a “tian” is a shallow baking dish). This week we are modifying the classic tian but staying true to the flavors of provence and a provençal tian is this week’s simple pleasureRead the rest of this entry »

 

it is hot in here: tarte flamblée with Alsacian slaw … “ah weee”

July 28th, 2011


wooden pizza spatula by Chef Morgan

it is hot in here: tarte flamblée with Alsacian slaw … “ah weee”

The region of Alsace is beautiful and full of wonderful people, A.O.C. wines (such as Muscat, Gerwürztraminer, and Riesling) and its own culinary traditions one of which is tarte flamblée (also known as flammeküche). In a nod to this special region of France, tarte flamblée served with a lardon and apple cabbage slaw is this week’s simple pleasure.

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