From the monthly archives:

May 2009

Chocolate Cherry Pie

May 29, 2009

My oh my, what a decadent cherry pie. Rich dark chocolate, deep purple cherries and sweet agave nectar nestled inside a flaky butter crust, laced with finely ground graham crackers.
Here’s another thing to add to my “you can’t get this in New York” list–cheap cherries. No matter what time of year it is, cherries never [...]

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Spicy Cauliflower and Why I Love Pine Nuts

May 25, 2009

You may be surprised to know that there is more to the pine nut than just pesto. Pine nuts are the edible little seeds from pine trees that add texture and flavor to just about any Mediterranean dish. Use them in place of Italian cheese for a smooth buttery taste and an overall healthier recipe, [...]

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Quail Eggs with Smashed Potatoes and Arugula

May 20, 2009

I would have walked right past these speckled little eggs at the farmers’ market, but Alejandro stopped to inquire and discovered that a pack of ten eggs cost only $1. One dollar? This was the beginning of the cheapest breakfast I have ever had.
I’ve been served quail eggs before at fancy restaurants, but never has [...]

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California Paella

May 18, 2009

This may upset a few people. Before I even say it, I’m going to apologize up front because I do not mean any disrespect. The thing is, I’ve traveled through Spain, I’ve been to Valencia, and I was not impressed with the paella. That sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Logically, it would mean that I [...]

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Italian String Beans with Anchovies and Breadcrumbs

May 13, 2009

Wait! Keep reading – don’t turn away just because I said the “A” word. Why is everyone so afraid of anchovies? Why do anchovy virgins cringe at the very sight of them? If I can convince just one reader to give these little fish a fair chance, I will have accomplished my good deed for [...]

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Thyme-buttered gnocchi with fava beans, walnuts and prosciutto

May 10, 2009

Doesn’t this look like a dish that would please any mother?
For this month’s Paper Chef contest, the ingredients were floury potatoes, thyme, and prosciutto, with the theme being Mother’s Day. As soon as I saw this list, I had visions of fluffy gnocchi floating around in a buttery springtime sauce. After all, there’s no better [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Make Fresh Mozzarella Like Giuseppe in 30 minutes

How to Make Fresh Mozzarella Like Giuseppe in 30 minutes

May 6, 2009

I can’t yet compete with 40 years of experience, but I’d like to think my homemade fresh mozzarella at least comes close to that of Giuseppe’s, the master cheese-maker at Caputo’s in Brooklyn.
Since I was young, one of my favorite things to eat was creamy mozzarella cheese with fruity olive oil and tomatoes from our [...]

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Citrus Nut Bars

May 4, 2009

My in-laws are in town from Bogota, Colombia, so along with all the shopping and sightseeing, I’ve been trying to show off my kitchen skills. They’ve had my cooking before, but not since we moved to Berkeley.
Instead of the usual chocolate chip cookie or cranberry pie, I opted for a true taste of the bay [...]

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