Beyond Vinaigrette #3: The Classic Caesar

Monday, July 26, 2010

Caesar salad has to be one of the most common salads served in restaurants, and I used to wonder why.  Most of the Caesars I ate were masses of limp Romaine struggling under the weight of a too-garlicky parmesan dressing with a few damp croutons thrown in to help carry the load.  There was something […]

Three Margarita Alternatives

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Here’s a repost of a favorite from last summer — three great warm-weather cocktails to serve as alternatives to the margarita. Warm weather, meat on the grill, margaritas — they all go together, at least at our house.  While I can’t really get enough of the first two, I can max out on the third, […]

Wicker Makeover

Thursday, July 22, 2010

In my mind it was easier.  On Saturday afternoon, I would throw a tarp on the lawn, and –cool drink in one hand, spray can in the other– I would paint my drab tag-sale wicker chairs a cheerful yellow.  On Sunday, I would complete this task with a top coat, probably sometime between clearing the […]

The Mellow-grano

Monday, July 19, 2010

Last weekend in San Francisco our good friend (and Julia’s godmother) Marta hosted a dinner party for our friend John (who, actually, introduced Marta to me many years ago).  I assisted.  Unsurprisingly, I was in charge of cocktails. Unless there’s a bartender on hand, I almost always make a featured cocktail in quantity and well […]

Basil Ice Cream

Thursday, July 15, 2010

When I went to San Francisco’s Bi-Rite Market this week, something among all of the beautiful local produce caught my eye, and my nose –great bunches of brilliant green, fragrant basil.  For me, nothing signals the arrival of high summer like the aroma of fresh basil at it heady peak. I bought a few bunches, […]

French Cheese Leaves

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

In a perfect world, we would all just step outside and gather beautiful seasonal leaves to line our cheese trays.  In my world, though, or at least in New York and San Francisco, most of the things you’d find blowing down the street shouldn’t go anywhere near your food.  And, in any case, in the […]

Sunny Stripes

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Just a couple of blocks from our apartment in New York is a wonderful shop.  It’s the first American outpost of the French fabric house Les Toiles du Soleil, which sells nothing but brightly striped fabrics and a small range of goods made from them.  The place is a perfect antidote for a gray day, […]

Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Dried Lime

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

One of our favorite summer Saturday lunches is grilled shrimp with fresh salad from the garden.  It’s quick, easy and, importantly, light, given the slightly indulgent dinners that sometimes (ok, often) follow.  Here’s a delicious and interesting version of this simple dish, incorporating dried lime, a versatile ingredient that I’ve been experimenting with lately. Originating […]

Summer Simplicity: Decorating with Succulents

Monday, July 5, 2010

It’s truly summer now.  The days are long and warm (except, of course, in San Francisco), and there’s so much to pull us outdoors –the garden, the grill, the pool, the beach, the sun.  (Julia’s favorite new word is “outside.”)  Usually, one of the last things I feel like doing is fussing with plants and […]

Cheese! #2: Parmesan and Dates

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I can’t take any credit for this simple and sublimely delicious cheese course:  it’s been on the menu of San Francisco’s Zuni Cafe for most of my adult life.  The rich, salty, nutty flavor of really good Parmigiano Reggiano cheese blends with just-sweet-enough, creamy dates in a way that makes you experience both of these […]

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