It seems like Summer has finally arrived in San Diego with temperatures rising into the low 80’s. Over the weekend, I was enjoying the mid day heat in my backyard (in the company of several darting humming birds) when I started to crave something cold and refreshing. This Champagne Grape Granita immediately came to mind…
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Skillet Pizza
I’ve prepared a countless number of pan pizzas over the years; however, recently I decided to test a new method of making pizza. Heating a cast iron skillet on the stove top provides the high heat needed to achieve a brick oven-like crust (without the brick oven!). The finished pizza has a crispy, slightly charred…
Summer Cocktails
A good friend of mine once said, “The key to a successful dinner party is to start with great cocktails.” His reasoning is that if your guests are boozed up, they won’t notice any of the mistakes you make and your food is guaranteed to taste good! While I certainly think this is valuable advice,…
Blueberry Ice Cream
I recently hosted a dinner party at my house for friends and family. Starting with Blueberry Ice Cream, over the next two weeks, I will be sharing several drinks and dishes that I served at the party. While I can’t say that cooking a 5 course meal for 14 people is an easy task, I…
Watermelon Rosemary Infused Vodka
My mother is in town visiting from New Jersey. To celebrate, I am hosting a big dinner at my house for friends and family. I have planned many events over the past several years and I have found that providing guests with signature cocktail options is always a nice, personal touch. Using this Armenian Cucumber…
Cardamom Vanilla Panna Cotta
A Panna Cotta is a simple, yet elegant dessert that every home cook should have in their repertoire. Italian for “cooked cream”, a basic Panna Cotta is made by simmering cream, milk or half and half with sugar, mixing in gelatin and letting cool until firm. The finished product has a similar consistency to a…
Spiced Poached Peaches Recipe
August is National Peach Month, and to celebrate, I made a tasty batch of Spiced Poached Peaches. I found that the hardest part of this recipe was resisting the urge to devour the peaches right from the start. If you can also resist the urge, you’ll find that the finished product is really a treat….
Zucchini Tart Recipe
Let me start by saying that I definitely have a soft spot for beautiful tarts. Especially tarts topped with fresh, glistening fruit or a geometric array of sliced vegetables. Savory or sweet, I just love the contrast of the crisp crust and the creamy filling. Topped with feta cheese, this Zucchini Tart pairs a savory…
Armenian Cucumber Infused Vodka Recipe
While wandering through my local farmer’s market recently, I noticed one of the produce vendors was giving out samples of a gnarled, striped, cucumber-like fruit. I had never seen this type of cucumber before, so I made my way over for a taste. After further investigation, I found out that they were Armenian cucumbers! Fresh,…
Warm Spinach Salad with Cherry Pancetta Vinaigrette Recipe
Dressed in a warm cherry pancetta vinaigrette, this spinach salad is packed with amazing flavor and texture. Almond-crusted goat cheese and crisp fennel make the salad a substantial side to any main course (especially a flakey white fish). The cherry flavor of the vinaigrette is not overwhelming. The cherry vinegar adds a wonderful depth of…