Summer means bruschetta, salsa and fresh sliced tomatoes…right? But somehow the tomatoes I grew were never quite right for the bruschetta I loved to make…..until now! When I saw that Burpee Seed Co. had a tomato called “Fresh Salsa Hybrid” I imagined plump, firm, flavorful tomatoes that weren’t so juicy they watered down my bruschetta. And when I saw they… Read more →
The new cookbook from Renee’s Garden is a perfect fit for your summer garden! Not only is it full of delicious recipes but includes tips on raising your vegetables as well. I was surprised to find out that planting radishes with beans can enhance the flavor of the beans and help repel bean beetles! Good tip! Since my husband… Read more →
I don’t know about you, but I love to “read” cookbooks. Pencil in hand I start at page one and go through the entire book putting a small check by recipes I want to try. Then, when I’m ready to cook, I just look for the “checks of approval” and I’m ready to try something new! Recently, I received two cookbooks… Read more →
Last zucchini season I shared a chocolate zucchini cake from Sunset Magazine in the 1970’s that gets raves all over the place. This year I decided to try making a non-chocolate zucchini cake of my own. I started with a recipe for a banana loaf, totally changed it up, and created a banana bundt cake with zucchini and a yummy… Read more →
I’ve always wanted to make the perfect pesto. Not too much garlic, a soft basil flavor, nice consistency….you know, perfect! My former high school student, now friend, Leigh and I were having coffee recently and the discussion turned to pesto. Which she loves to make…with her own basil…her own way. Yep, I need a lesson from her! Today we had… Read more →
I love granola….Well, some granola. I guess I’m picky, but I’m allergic to walnuts, not nuts about raisins, don’t like burnt bits around the edges and like it sweet but not too sweet! And now I’ve found a recipe I just love! It’s takes less than 20 mins to make and lasts for a long time sealed in a mason… Read more →
Peaches just say summer to me. Growing up we picked them off the tree, huge and sweet, and ate them warm from the sun. But, they’re nearly as good from the fruit stand or store these days since our tree is long since gone… My grandmother always made her jam, and did everything else actually, in the cool of the… Read more →
When I was a girl, spending summers with my grandparents, my grandfather and I would frequently take drives out into the country and stop at the fruit stands. In the central valley of California fruit stands are amazing places. The tomatoes are deep red and the size of a salad plate! We’d always bring home a huge bag of big… Read more →
Always looking for ways to use our zucchini, I searched the web for a good chocolate zucchini cookie. After checking four or five sites I discovered the Crazy for Crust blog and tried their recipe….oh yeah….that’s a good cookie! Oatmeal, zucchini, great taste….what else do you need in a cookie? The zucchini is hidden so kids will love them and… Read more →
I’ve been making Chocolate Zucchini Cake from the same recipe since the early 1970’s. I cut it out from Sunset Magazine way back then and got so many rave reviews I’ve transferred it from my old metal recipe box to numerous updated recipe binders. It’s a keeper! The secret is in the chocolate and the age of the zucchini. I… Read more →