Love is a deep dark mystery…and chocolate. Hence this cake. But unlike the truly madly deeply often messy love, this one freezes beautifully, so you can make it now to please you later…This is sexy chocolate, the chocolate you want, crave, desire, deserve…
Stephanie Valentine
Stephanie Valentine
Gorgeous Potatoes
What new can you do with the plain old potato? How about pan fry with lemon and rosemary? The potato is the culinary Kate Moss. Unadorned it is plain. But embellished in just the right way–not too much–and baby you’ve got a yum-dinger. Try Chef Stephanie Valentine’s Pan Fried Potatoes with Lemon and Parsley. Or… Continue reading Gorgeous Potatoes
The Most Brilliant Hors d’Oeuvre You’ve Never Heard of
An easy, do-ahead hors d’oeuvre full of rich, buttery, garlicky goodness–delicious and different and everyone loves it. Drum roll please…Bagna Cauda, or “hot bath” in Italian. It’s also a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy’s Piedmont region. Perhaps it will become one for you?
Chili Verde With Chicken and Vegetables–Great Do-Ahead for a Festive Gathering or Family at Home
A delicious, versatile, do-ahead dish, great for a crowd. You can dress it up for a party, or keep it simple for a cozy night at home. Either way it’s loaded with vegetables, full of flavor.
Get Saucy! Brilliant Olive-Caper-Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette for Fish or Chicken
“Brilliant” is a strong talk for a simple sauce and not used lightly. I definitely don’t use the sauce lightly. I double the recipe and eat the leftover with a spoon. Olives, capers, herbs, lemon, olive oil and vinegar, boom. No cooking. Make it in advance. Make it at the last minute. Make it for your friends. Just make it.
Comfort Food for Company – Linguini and Sausage Casserole
If you want comfort food, and and something you haven’t had 72,000 times, here you go. We like this linguini and sausage dish anytime of day.
Gingerbread Sticky Pudding Cake
Oh. My. Gingerbread. This is a whole ‘nother thing from the usual gingerbread. Hits the spot in a richly satisfying but not intrusive way. Warm and moist, not too heavy or sweet, with a whiff of citrus and spice that makes it good for you. Why do I suddenly feel as if I’m writing about sex?
Thanksgiving Decorating… and Puzzle Winner Announced
Thanksgiving at Rancho La Zaca, 2012. Ideas and inspiration for your holiday decorating.
Happy Anniversary, Honey! Scenes from the Rehearsal Dinner
I did promise you pictures of the wedding, and here they are a year later. Didn’t want to rush you. Yes dear readers one year ago today my sweetheart and I were fixin’ to get hitched…
The Best Lemon Pie in Your Life (Not Exaggerating)
A while ago I heard about a lemon pie, a North Carolina lemon pie, that changed my life.Well not really but I wanted to get your attention. It is that good. “A North Carolina Pie That Elicits an ‘Oh My God’ Response” ran on NPR’s All Things Considered’s Found Recipes series courtesy of Katie Workman, who is fab…
Baby Birds Leave the Nest
We’ve had an abundance of birds nesting around the house at Rancho La Zaca this year, and I love it. Birds’ nests fascinate me.
Possibly the Best Pasta Ever
I have eaten this pasta for 3 of the last 4 days and still want more. So dang good and not one of the same old recipes. This one, oh, this one will make you want to slap your grandma. It’s a smokey-sweet-savory mixture of sausage, caramelized onion and fennel, asparagus, artichoke hearts, spinach, olives, a… Continue reading Possibly the Best Pasta Ever