July 2009

Too Hot To Cook?

31 July 2009
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The Mercury in Seattle hit 103°F (39°C) this week, breaking all records in recorded history. I am sure that there were many a kitchen stove left abandoned during this heat wave. The interesting part, for me, is that here on the eastern side of the Cascade mountains it is usually that hot during this time [...]

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raw beet salad with macerated shallots

28 July 2009
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Why does everyone insist that beets need to be cooked or pickled to enjoy them. When I served up this raw beet salad there was fear in the eyes of some as they had never eaten a beet raw. Beets are like carrots only different, I explained. After the first bite they understood. The sweet [...]

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grilled flatbreads with garlic scapes & feta

27 July 2009
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As a kid when it came to bread on the barbecue it was always garlic bread wrapped in foil. I remember it well, I would always trade the insides with my brothers or cousin Wendy for their crust. I would still be like that, I love the crusty, chewy crust over the soft and squishy [...]

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The Rocky Road

26 July 2009
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Craving ice cream when dairy is an issue is not pleasant. It is however, quite pleasant if you are craving sorbet. Oh the juicy bright flavors of citrus,pomegranates, mangoes, I could go on forever. But I digress, we are talking ice cream here. It is National Ice Cream Month, which I knew nothing about until [...]

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Cheery Cherry Clafoutis

18 July 2009
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Clafoutis or clafouti, as it is sometimes spelled in English speaking countries, is a beautiful French dish that has become very popular in North America. It is traditionally baked with fresh fruit and cherries are forever popular but any fruit will do. It is my understanding that purist do not pit the cherries for more [...]

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this week’s veggie adventures & treasures

17 July 2009

young onions, so many uses, these babies will be gone fast Fava Beans, this is the first time this year and the first time ever receiving them from the CSA, I am so excited. I cannot decide if I want to blanch slightly then saute with a little garlic or onion from above or grill [...]

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Stir-Fried Edamame

9 July 2009
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Tastier than chips and way better for you! This is the perfect party snack, for folks who aren’t skittish about eating with their fingers. Food is more fun if you can play with it! There isn’t really a recipe for this, use your favorite aromatics to create the flavors you crave. Here I love them [...]

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Green & Garlic Gratin

7 July 2009
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Are you wondering what next to do with all those sturdy greens that are so prevalent this time of the season? The chard, spinach, kale, mustard greens, etc. Alice Waters is known for simple food from the heart. While flipping through her cookbook The Art of Simple Food I found a recipe for chard gratin [...]

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Thai Holy Basil Pork

5 July 2009
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Holy Basil is a variety of basil that hails from Thailand. It is different in flavor from the Mediterranean versions that are common here. Thai basil is becoming more widely available and can be found in the produce section of most supermarkets. If you cannot find it, use the more common variety, the taste will [...]

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