August 2011

Grilled Shrimp Wrapped with Prosciutto on Rosemary Skewers

August 29, 2011

Now that my Tuscan Blue rosemary bushes are big, I trim long sprigs and soak them in water to use for skewers of grilled shrimp wrapped with prosciutto.  A perfect alfresco dinner as summer nears the end. Long associated with Mediterranean cuisine, the strong, piney fragrance of rosemary is unmistakeable. It grows everywhere in California. When we re-landscaped, I told the architect I wanted plenty of rosemary in the plan and she obliged.  Besides being great for landscaping (because its drought tolerant), it smells wonderful [...]

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Italian Lemon Almond Mousse

August 22, 2011

Cruising slowly along Marine Avenue on Balboa Island, windows rolled down, fresh ocean air filled the car along with memories from summer’s past. The quaint, Cape Cod style street is lined with cute little beach boutiques, gift shops and restaurants. We passed Amelia’s, a Balboa Island landmark for fifty years. That’s when I remembered a favorite dessert I had not made in ages. Italian Lemon Mousse.

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Baked Crab Cakes – A Healthier Option

August 16, 2011

A plate of crab cakes with a big green salad and a glass of chilled rose wine make for a wonderful impromptu summer dinner.  To reduce fat, I bake my crab cakes instead of pan-frying them. Form crab cakes a few hours ahead and refrigerate. Bake and enjoy when you are ready. Make them larger sized for dinner or in a mini size for cocktail hour and easy entertaining. They are always a hit at my house and when I’m catering parties.

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Black and White Sesame Salmon

August 8, 2011

Many people I talk with love salmon but are afraid to cook it at home. Try this easy, Asian-inspired recipe with tips and photos on preparation to make your salmon dinner a success. Serve it warm over asparagus spears or chilled over salad greens. This could become one of your go-to recipes for a quick weeknight meal or easy entertaining.

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Roast Chicken Breasts – The Beauty of Basics

August 1, 2011

The store is out of what you need, creativity is running low and dinner hour is looming. What do you do? Turn to the beautiful basics. Tonight, it was roast chicken breasts. Start by searing them on the stovetop until golden brown, then finish by oven roasting. Easy, foolproof, and almost no recipe required. Success is almost guaranteed.

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