The Van’s U.S. Open of Surfing blazed into downtown Huntington Beach and, love it or hate it, if you live here you have no choice but to be caught up in the fever… and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Sure the U.S. Open is a surf contest, but to describe it as such doesn’t do it justice – it’s […]
Appetizers
Rioja Wine and Suggested Food Pairings
This delicious post is sponsored by Rioja Wine. I hope you’ll join me in learning about Spain’s famous food-friendly Rioja wines. The name Rioja (pronounced ree-OH-ha) can refer to the region (in north central Spain along the Ebro River) or the wine made in that region. In your wine tasting experiences you may have come […]
Fast, Fresh + Easy – Tomatillo Salsa Verde
If you love salsa verde like I do, you will wonder why you’ve never made it at home! I’ve long been intrigued by tomatillos and this was my first time “cooking” with them, but I guarantee it won’t be the last. I could not believe how easy this was, and unlike some wimpy salsa verdes […]
Oh Sweet Cherry Salsa
This cherrylicious salsa was a huge hit at last night’s Cherry Fest at Whole Foods Market in Tustin and I guarantee it will be at your house, too. “Oh Sweet Cherry Salsa” highlights the essence of the fruit, is a breeze to make and requires NO cooking! The natural sweetness of the cherries pops with […]
How to Pick a Sweet Cherry
I’ve got some juicy, plump, sweet news to share: it’s time for cherries, especially at Whole Foods Market®! Cherry Fest is Whole Foods’ annual celebration of fresh cherries, one of the most anticipated fruits of summer. Whether creating something savory or sweet, or simply diving into a heaping bowl of chilled cherries, now is the […]
Shrimp and Shishito Peppers
Low in everything except flavor, shrimp and shishito peppers come together in a flash for a quick weekday meal or an impressive, yet effortless, weekend dinner with friends. Really, the only “labor” involved is peeling and deveining the fresh shrimp – notice I said “fresh” shrimp – this is because you’re going to buy the […]
Deliciously Healthy 4th of July Menu #lowsodium
I’ll say it again and then we’ll get on with celebrating the 4th of July! A Low Sodium diet does not have to bland or boring. It means finding new ways to tantalize your tastebuds using herbs, citrus, no-salt spices, chiles, peppers, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. It means opening up a whole new world of […]
Baked Coconut Shrimp
One of America’s all time favorite appetizers for any occasion is coconut shrimp – am I wrong? Unless, of course, you’re allergic to seafood or don’t like shrimp and/or you don’t favor coconut (what!!). If you fall in either of these two categories, you may as well click out now. Me, I love both and […]
And The Winner Is: Sofia from Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Arriving on the red carpet, is Sofia, her delicate rose complexion complemented by a cool platinum sheath of satin falling in folds around her Jimmy Choo’s and crowned by a unique vintage necklace of pearls and white gold filigree punctuated with a single sky-blue diamond. Oscar dreams aside, Sofia Blanc de Blancs bursts with rich […]
National Pistachio Day Recipes
The power of the pistachio is mine, but it can be yours too. One of my favorite nuts, I’m drawn to its bright green gorgeousness in a sea of brown nuts, but also to its attractive nutritional cred and the sheer fun of cracking and discarding the shell – kind of like peanuts at a […]