Wild Boar and Apricots

Sweet and savory have come together again. They have melded and joined into a flavor marriage of complete and utterly divine bliss. The soft and juicy texture of a sautéed apricots, coupled with the sensational depth of a little shallot and wild boar, along with the intoxicating aromatic dignity of fresh basil creates a palate…

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Spicy Cilantro Turkey Balls with Okra

  Fresh. Clean. And lean. That’s the name of the game. Cilantro and lime juice lend themselves to fresh and crisp flavors, almost always. Turkey is mean and lean and feels great in the body, after working up a sweat, powering up for the day, or just in general, of course. And the addition of…

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Chicken Arrabbiata

“Arrabbiata” literally means “angry” in Italian. This sauce is red, and it’s hot, and it’s fiercely delicious. There’s nothing angry about it, in fact. It’s just flaming good. (The “angry” term comes from the spicy red pepper goodness it entails). I have fond memories of childhood special occasions of dining out, and always diving into the Penne…

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Cocoa Chestnut Cream

We do not delight in a deluge of desserts in our home. Our indulgences are apparent in other ways. I suppose it’s simply because we’re just naturally sweet that we have no need to satisfy a sweet tooth. …or not. Who knows? What we do know, however, is that this little sweetie treat is darn…

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California Chicken

As the winter weather continues ~ and the cold air chills my bones ~ I find myself longing for the warmth of the southern California sunshine. (And don’t get me wrong, Wine Country always beckons…always). Scents of citrus, creamy avocados, and bright green produce serve to warm my heart and spirit, if not my physicality….

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Super Simple Scrambled Sammy

Nothing is really scrambled in this recipe, other than perhaps my brain. I’ve been super busy lately. It’s as simple as that. I’m losing my mind. Thus, I need a super simple sammy for my scrambled brain. The great thing about the simplicity of this concoction, is that it really can be complex as well….

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Dijon Tarragon and Balsamic Blueberry Chicken Salad

  I struggled to come up with a cute and catchy name for this one. I simply couldn’t do it. It’s a mouthful as it is – yet rightly descriptive. dijon mustard. fresh tarragon. fig balsamic vinegar. a bit of olive oil. fresh blueberries. grilled chicken. don’t forget to add a bit of fresh spinach…

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Rosemary Roasted Romanesco and Celeriac Cream

Wow. That’s a mouthful. It’s a mouthful to say – but when your mouth is full, you won’t be sorry. This is a story of Beauty and the Beast. ~ The Beauty is the romantic Romanesco. Searching high and low, I finally got my hands on this spiraly, bright green gem. I’ve been coveting it…

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Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Again, a combination of both warm elements and crisp cool crunch in a salad make a meal complete. Warm foods in the belly create a feeling of comfort and true nourishment. Sometimes I just don’t know how we survive on those hot summer days when nothing warm at all appeals, as sweat drips down the…

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Renee Erickson’s Sautéed Dates

Umm…I think I might have just died and gone to heaven. I saw this GENIUS RECIPE from Food52. Uh “genius?” yes. “pretty much the best thing ever?” double yes. In fact, I literally almost cried as I sifted through the beauty of this slippery sweet and sensationally salty concoction. Appetizers don’t have to be much…

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