Every winter I'm tempted by the stock of fresh local Dungeness crab in the markets. For one reason or another (usually the exorbinant cost), I've never pulled the trigger and purchased. This year was different - the sea stars aligned and the crab were fat and plentiful which meant that I could buy this little luxury without breaking the bank.
Read MoreIf there is one takeaway I have from years of making chili, it's that you really have to try to mess it up. Cooking chili is more of an art than a science. Everyone has their preference of bean to meat ratio, the type of onions used, whether to go with red bell peppers or yellow, etc. But in the end, after a good long simmer, it's all tasty.
Read MoreSan Francisco has tons of great pizza options so I've never really felt the need to master the art of the pie at home. The few attempts I have made end up lacking that chewy crust that only an 800 degree oven can deliver. Until recently I'd given up my ambitions to tackle at-home pizza until I received the October issue of Bon Appetit.
Read MoreThere is no fruit that reminds us that fall has arrived more than the apple. While I am a lover of the Apple Pancake all year round, I think it is particularly enjoyable during the fall season when apples are the star of the fruit show.
Read MoreDuring college I made the big move out to Madrid for six months to "study". Upon arrival I took up residence with a lovely Spanish woman named Cecilia and her track-suit wearing 30-something son. Knowing only that I was americana, Cecilia decided to make me feel at home and serve cheese stuffed hotdogs for my first meal. While her intentions were good, the cheese stuffed hot dogs were not. Fortunately for everyone at the table, she also whipped up a little thing known as Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette) as a side. I took one bite and knew that tortilla would not be my last.
Read MoreI have never considered myself a potato salad person - primarily because of my lifelong dislike for mayonnaise. The oddest part is that I love all of the individual ingredients that go into mayo. Eggs? Good. Lemon juice? Great. Olive oil? Why not. While I've warmed up to the stuff over the years, it's still not something that I like to chow down on in large quantities. So therein lies my challenge with classic American-style potato salad.
Read MoreAfter our stay in Paris, we took the train down to Provence to stay at a tiny little hilltop hotel called Crillon Le Brave. There is no place more fancy casual. The french know how to live! After enjoying a day trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for wine tasting, we noticed a sign for chèvre on the side of the road near our hotel. My husband was kind enough to accommodate my u-turn request. He knows that there is no getting between me and my goat cheese. That, and a girl who has had a few glasses of Sancerre needs a snack.
Read MoreWhile wandering the Parisian markets, I constantly saw beautiful baby artichokes that were begging to be cooked. I love love love artichokes, and will eat them any which way they are served. For the final feast prepared in our little kitchen, I decided to make an artichoke risotto I came across by Jamie Oliver. Not exactly french food, I know.
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