From the monthly archives:

March 2009

Pan-Roasted Cauliflower with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto & Wild Rice

March 30, 2009

Earthy and dense, cauliflower can easily turn a vegetarian side dish into a hearty main course. Unlike the distinct flavor of, say, broccoli, cauliflower blends itself into its surrounding flavors and complements even the spiciest of dishes. This particular recipe combines a pesto made of sweet sun-dried tomatoes, green garlic and walnuts, with wild rice [...]

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The Great Pizza Debate: Delfina vs. Lucali

March 26, 2009
Pizzeria Delfina and Lucali

After hearing over and over that Pizzeria Delfina was the best in San Francisco, I knew this was the place that may stand up to the preeminent pizza joint in Brooklyn – Lucali.

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A Slight Tweak on Marcella Hazan’s Roasted Chicken with 2 Lemons

March 24, 2009

I know, I know. This recipe has been talked about, blogged about, maybe even sung about and many of you may be tired of hearing about it. Well, I have found a way to make Marcella Hazan’s chicken just a tad better. That’s right, I said it – her succulent, incredibly tasty roasted chicken can [...]

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Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon

March 22, 2009

I can’t wait for brunch. All week long I daydream about eggs, french toast, ripe fruit, mimosas, and all the goodies that come with this weekend-only treat. If I’m lucky, it’ll be one of those unforgettable brunches that give me an entire day of complete contentment–like that time I discovered avocado toast.
Alejandro and I first [...]

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Baked Whole Wheat Orecchiette with Broccoli, Asparagus & Peas

March 20, 2009

Sometimes I wish I could eat pasta every day of my life. Seriously – I would have no qualms about slurping down homemade trenette with pesto, pappardelle with a thick ragu, or grandma’s cheesy lasagna every single day of my life. This infatuation with the mighty noodle happens to me every time I create a [...]

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Spring Cannellini Soup with Romano Croutons

March 16, 2009

If you have yet to try any of my recipes, I urge you to start here. I didn’t have a set plan when I started cooking, but this turned out to be one of the best soups I have ever crafted.
It was a gray, rainy Sunday in Berkeley, but the farmers’ market had vibrant vegetables [...]

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About me and my food

March 14, 2009

Contact Me: allisonvalo(at)gmail.com
When my husband, Alejandro, and I decided to move from Brooklyn to Berkeley, we knew we’d find warmer weather and greener pastures. But, we had no idea we’d also be in for year-round produce, the likes of which I only thought existed in Italy.
The decision was not an easy one, with all [...]

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Italian Hazelnut Cookies

March 12, 2009

Here is my question – how does one become an exceptional baker when she is married to a man who shuns sweets? While I cannot call my baking exceptional, my workaround for this household dilemma –  besides eating all the cookies myself – was to create some recipes with less sweet and more of, well, [...]

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