Summer

Summertime Fresh Corn and Zucchini Frittata

Summertime Fresh Corn and Zucchini Frittata

Farmers markets have practically been screaming this combination for a quintessential summertime frittata.  There are so many interesting squashes from which to choose, but using zucchini brings a bright color contrast to the eggs and corn. Use this recipe as a guide and make substitutions…

Piedmont Plum Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Piedmont Plum Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Every summer we are gifted with a generous quantity of plums from our neighbors’ tree.  It was planted by previous owners, so we’re not sure of the variety.  We only know the tree is older and the plums are abundant, delicious, and juicy! So for…

Blueberry Drop Biscuits

Blueberry Drop Biscuits

The first time I made these “foolproof” biscuits, I followed the original recipe for Strawberry Drop Biscuits from New York Times Cooking.  They were a winner and I’ve kept the recipe for repeat versions. Jerrelle Guy’s recipe encourages switching up the fruit, using other berries…

Curry Cod Fish Cakes

Curry Cod Fish Cakes

Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, these curry cod fish cakes do not skimp on flavor nor appealing presentation (If I say so myself!).  Truth be told, we have a version of cod fish cakes on a regular basis.  Curry flavors are near the top…

Orange-Scented Olive Oil Cake

Orange-Scented Olive Oil Cake

Fortunately, my pantry is usually well-stocked with baking essentials.  Growing up in a family in the restaurant and grocery business, I know the importance of having back-ups on basic ingredients.  This month’s recipe was developed during the omicron surge, so my pantry has come to…

Greek-Inspired Chicken and Rice Soup

Greek-Inspired Chicken and Rice Soup

Brrrr – This winter is especially chilly, often with a daily temperature range from the high-30’s to high 40’s on several days running.  Snow atop the Bay Area’s highest peaks also attest to this fact. This soup can come together using ingredients you may already…

Anytime Zucchini Crumb Cake

Anytime Zucchini Crumb Cake

And by “anytime” I mean morning, noon or night.  This cake is equally enjoyed as a breakfast sweet, mid-afternoon coffee or tea pick-me-up, or dinner’s dessert! Technically zucchini is a fruit since it grows from the flower of a plant and contains the seeds for…

Oven-Roasted Ratatouille

Oven-Roasted Ratatouille

  Now is the perfect time when ratatouille ingredients are abundant at our markets.  Every year, late summer into early fall, versions of zucchini, eggplant, and tomato dishes appear on our table for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoy ratatouille as a versatile accompaniment to…

Summer Chopped Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

Summer Chopped Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

If zesty, tangy, and salty flavors please your palate, this salad is an excellent accompaniment to a summer lunch or dinner.  Our Piedmont summer days are relatively mild, but plenty of my family and friends live where daytime temps soar above 100°F and a cold,…

Fresh Strawberry Cobbler

Fresh Strawberry Cobbler

Strawberry fields stretch seemingly forever along Monterey Bay, which means we have a plentiful supply of multiple varieties at our local farmer’s markets.  In fact, the majority of strawberries finding their way to American tables come from our California Coastal fields. In the past I…