April 2012

Strawberries with Balsamic Reduction

April 29, 2012

Berries and vinegar might sound like odd partners, but they’re actually wonderful together. When you combine sweet spring strawberries with a reduction of Balsamic vinegar, the flavors are fantastic, making for an easy and healthy dessert.

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Gougere – Golden Parmesan Puffs (regular and gluten-free)

April 24, 2012

Gougere – the irresistible French cheese puffs. They are great with a glass of wine. I make mine with lots of Parmesan cheese and finely chopped chives. If the French name is too difficult, call them what I do – Golden Parmesan Puffs.  Easy to make, but impressive.

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Beef and Vegetable Stew with Rosemary

April 16, 2012

Mother Nature can be schizophrenic in the spring. Sunny and warm one day, raining and cold the next. What’s a cook to do? Go for a classic dish like beef and vegetable stew. Filled with chunks of top sirloin, carrots, tomatoes and herbs, this melt-in-your-mouth dish is a favorite with my beef-eating clients. Done in a pressure cooker, this stew takes about 30 minutes instead of hours, getting dinner on the table fast. You can also make it 2-3 days ahead and refrigerate it or [...]

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Lemon Pasta with Kale, Ricotta and Pistachios and Eataly, New York

April 9, 2012

One of the highlights of our trip to New York City was a visit to the incredible Italian mega-marketplace called Eataly. Wandering through Eataly, I was the proverbial kid in the candy store, wondering how much I could cram into my already full suitcase to haul home. We had a plate of silken, homemade ravioli for lunch at La Pizza & Pasta, a restaurant inside Eataly. Stuffed with ricotta and spinach, then tossed with butter, Parmesan, lemon and chopped pistachios, the flavor combination was fantastic. [...]

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Chocolate Truffles

April 2, 2012

Brightly colored Easter baskets filled with chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs and sweet candy are part of my childhood memories. Those were the innocent days when I did not think much about what was in those treats and just enjoyed them. As I strive to make healthier choices, my thinking has changed. This recipe for chocolate truffles with walnuts, cocoa powder and coconut oil are a rich treat; better for you than what’s in the old Easter baskets. Using a food processor makes them a snap [...]

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