Cheering for Cherries

_DSC0546I can hardly believe that we’re already in June. That means the school year is coming to an end, June gloom is dictating the temperatures in SF and, of course, it’s cherry season! The farmer’s market stands are crowded with all kinds of stone fruits including peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, apricots and cherries. Get your filling while it lasts. As far as I’m concerned, I can’t have enough cherries. The best way to eat these little juicy gems is probably right off the tree or at least by popping them into your mouth and letting the sweetness run down your chin. However, if you want to eat cherries in a more mannered way, and without messing up your clothes, we suggest you try this estival quinoa salad. Who says you can’t dress a fruit salad. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Cheering for Cherries”

Can’t Beat Meat Loaf

Memorial Day might be around the corner, but instead of reaching for those white pants, we have been wearing our puffies to stay warm. The unseasonably cold weather front coming through Northern California has us been wishing for comfort food. What better way to warm our stomach, body and soul than meat loaf. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Can’t Beat Meat Loaf”

Make Way for Preserved Lemons in Your Life

IMG_0986If you are like me and have a sweet spot for Middle Eastern foods, then you have probably tried a few recipes that feature preserved lemon. Or at least you have seen them on the ingredient list and maybe wondered what they are. Don’t be discouraged and give preserved lemons a try. They are easy to make, add an amazing flavor intensity to any dish and absolutely belong into your range of condiments. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Make Way for Preserved Lemons in Your Life”

Wellness: From the Inside Out

IMG_0335When it comes to the blog, we most often focus on the How to cook. Sometimes, we also want to talk about the Why. Last week, I attended a wellness workshop held at The Hivery in Sausalito and conceived by Mill Valley’s very own Juice Girl, Melora Johnson. The panel included Dr. Josefa Rangel, an Integrative doctor with a practice in Marin, Jason Way, a Naturopathic Doctor in Mill Valley, and Clean Eat Nutrition, run by Eris Cushner and Sandrine Ghosh, two nutritionists. The interactive panel discussion offered ideas, recipes and information on promoting wellness from the inside out. Here are my key take-aways. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Wellness: From the Inside Out”

Going Ga-Ga over Pickled Ginger

_DSC0494There are certain foods that one discovers later in life. For me, ginger is one of them. Growing up with a heavily Austrian/Italian cuisine, I found out about ginger’s zingy flavor, medicinal properties and anti-inflammatory capabilities when I was exposed to it through Asian foods. Back in Italy, we didn’t really use it. In fact, we didn’t even have ginger-snaps, as our equivalent holiday cookies – Lebkuchen – doesn’t feature that spice at all. The multitude of favorable healthy benefits of this spice is only matched by it’s many uses. Ginger’s tangy flavor, spiciness, freshness and mellow sweetness complements many a dish, both sweet and savory: think stir-fries and ice creams. My son loves ginger and would eat it every day: cooked, steamed, and, if he could have it his way, candied. This week, come and pickle some fresh ginger with us! Continue reading “Going Ga-Ga over Pickled Ginger”