San Franciscan Church, Lima, Peru (Spanish Baroque Style, Built 1673)
Our friends were planning a trip to Peru and asked if we would like to go. I can’t say Peru had been on our agenda for that year, but suddenly it looked like it belonged there. My husband rarely turns down travel, but to be absolutely sure I had his commitment on this one, I reminded him that he was still indebted to me for his recent gaffe. Continue reading
Inspired by one of my fellow bloggers, Cookinginsens, who shared the delicious results of her recent freezer purge, I decided it was time to clear out the basement freezer. I was making very good progress in this endeavor. My final task was to utilize the last of the 2011 Michigan blueberry crop. After all, the 2012 blueberry season had arrived. Why would anyone hoard frozen blueberries from last year when there was a new crop to be had? Time to make some blueberry muffins — best with fresh blueberries, but quite serviceable with last year’s crop — and an excellent way to use frozen blueberries. Continue reading
Lake Michigan
I am lucky to have access to the bountiful harvest in Michigan (U.S.A). where Lake Michigan’s moderated climate, open land and the “Green Revolution” combine to support diverse agricultural production. The diversity is impressive; in the U.S., Michigan is second only to the much larger state of California.
Prevailing westerly winds off beautiful Lake Michigan cool us in the summer and warm the area in winter — extending the growing season. Continue reading
Gloucestershire Village with Characteristic Cotswold Stone Architecture
When I was still “commuting” to England in my job as a scientist, a friend living in Gloucestershire introduced me to a fabulous opportunity. They knew someone who owned a local restaurant who was looking for an extra pair of hands to fill in for a missing-in-action cook. Would I be interested?
Either the restaurant owner was desperate or my friend over sold my skills, but they were eager to have me. Continue reading
Lime-Cumin Chicken Salad in Square Won Tons
There are certain flavor combinations that I find magical.
Sometimes these are flavors that take each other up a notch when combined in sequence – like Roquefort with a good Cabernet Sauvignon. Both the cheese and the wine are excellent alone; yet, when you pair them in the right proportions by eating them sequentially, each one enhances the other. Continue reading
Grotto Hill in Hawkstone Park
On a trip to England this spring, I caught up with my golfing friends at their annual “away” outing. This year the golf was set in Shropshire’s historic Hawkstone Park. The Park boasts the usual English history complete with lords, barons, castles, gory battles and executions. In this case, it also has fascinating geography. Continue reading
Mocha Devil’s Food Cake with Oh-so-easy Ganache
Regular readers may be wondering why, until now, I didn’t have ANY desserts posted.
No, I don’t hate sweets. I love a good creamy bowl of ice cream, a fluffy cake, a nice soufflé or a crisp cookie. But I do have one hang-up with making desserts. I can’t resist turning them into extended science projects. Continue reading
Lake Kabekona, Minnesota – My Favorite Minnesota Lake
I’m in Minnesota (MN), U.S., this week. If you’ve never been here, it is a beautiful place — referred to as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”. In fact, MN has many aquatic natural wonders. Continue reading
“Cabbage Bowl” and Vegetables Ready for Dressing and Service
When our son Alex, who lives in New York City, asked for help with his upcoming “house-warming” party, I was delighted.
ME: Would you like me to fly out and help? The party sounds like fun!
ALEX: Well, I hate to trouble you. If you could just send me some ideas, that would be nice. I was especially interested in the recipe for those Asian rolls.
ME: Oh, I’m shocked. You don’t want your parents to attend your first big party?? 🙂
Needless to say, the end result was not a trip to New York – Continue reading
Billboard Outside the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden)
Jamie Oliver may be English born and raised, but he knows Italian. Jamie’s Italian Covent Garden, one of his three London restaurants and one of his many Italian establishments, is a hop-skip away from London’s Royal Opera House (AKA Covent Garden). Continue reading
A GLOBAL GARNISH 