Jacques Selosse Champagne and HôteLes Avisés

John and I returned home yesterday from a trip to Paris…a bit of business and a bit of pleasure (more pleasure for me as John had business meetings every day).  It was a quick trip, 4 nights, but I didn’t care!  I have been wanting to go to France for a very long time and…

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Zucchini Ribbon Salad

A while ago I stumbled upon Proud Italian Cook whilst viewing Pinterest.  I like Marie’s style and this dish of hers (posted on Pinterest) jumped off the page.  I knew I had to make it. The ingredients are healthy, delicious, and the amounts, well, that all depends on what tickles your fancy!   This salad is…

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Gruyère-Crusted Leeks and Apples

I love the combination of leeks and apples…they pair well together and top it off with cheese – a match made in foodie heaven!  Leeks are related to garlic and onions and are chock-full of nutrients.  They have a delicate flavor and a sweeter taste than onions.  You may have noticed ‘ramps’ in the produce…

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Red Pepper Chili

I have tried a few chili recipes over the years but this one really makes your taste buds stand up and take notice of the textures and spices.  And, I did not miss the meat!  Quinoa has a pleasant, slightly crunchy, nutty taste. It can be used in salads, stuffing’s, risotto’s, breakfast cereal, desserts.  It…

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Thyme-Roasted Parsnips and Pears

Another scrumptious recipe from Ripe.  I have enjoyed this color-drenched cookbook and because it’s that good I have attached a quick video of the book.  Once you view the video you’ll soon see why I love it.  I’m a advocate for mixing things up and combining food groups that perhaps in the past were considered…

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Grilled Potato Rounds with Pesto and Shaved Asparagus

Who couldn’t love a little potato round dressed up like this?  Simple ingredients and these won’t last long once you bring them to the table! Asparagus, now in season, is one of my favorite Spring vegetables.  It is an excellent source of vitamin K, A, and C and this humble perennial is also a natural…

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Blackberry-Lime Cornmeal Shortcakes

I love interesting and unique types of cookbooks.  I received my copy of Ripe last week and thus far have cooked 4 dishes from this beautifully, color co-ordinated book.  Whenever I get a new cookbook I always flip through the pages and jot down the page number of the recipe I want to try.  Thirty-six…

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Steak and Kidney Pie (A Tribute to England)

Today is St. George’s Day, a day for England.  My 88 year-old mother in-law arrived on Saturday from England and to celebrate today I asked Aida if she would make her famous steak and kidney pie.  This recipe originally came from her mother.  Aida was born in Gibraltar and moved to England in 1946 –…

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