Tangy Thai Grilled Shrimp Makes 8 appetizer portions This recipe was inspired by a recipe from Charles Krug Winery–try it with a fruity sauvignon blanc for a fun wine pairing. Bon appétit! 2 pounds large raw shrimp in shells, “easy peel” are great, or peeled shrimp 8 cloves garlic, peeled 2” piece of gingerroot 4 [...]

Creamy Herb Dip I created this recipe to go with salmon but it’s delicious as a dip for crudités, on salad, or with grilled chicken or shrimp. Bon appétit! makes about 2 1/2 cups 4 green onions with tops 1 bunch lightly packed basil leaves, stems removed 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1 lemon 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour [...]

This is a quick dish, but elegant, and perfect now that warm weather has arrived.  Bon appétit! Wine Country Chicken with Pan-Glazed Grapes makes 4 servings 2       tsp.            Salt 4       boneless chicken breasts * 3       Tbl.            butter 1 1/2  cups          seedless green grapes 1       Tbl.            oil 1/4     cup            finely chopped onion 1       clove          [...]

Israeli Couscous Salad - A light and zesty recipe for early spring! Makes 6 side servings 1-1/2 cups Israeli couscous 1 cup dried cranberries or other dried fruit, softened in 2-3 Tbl. water or orange juice 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted 1 1/2 Tbsp orange zest 1 tsp sumac 1/4 cup olive oil 2-3 Tbsp verjus, [...]

Braised Pork Chops with Whole Grain Mustard Pan Sauce While the weather is still cool, take time to braise something! Bon appétit! makes  4 servings 2 Tbl. canola oil 4 each loin pork chops, 3/4-1” thick salt, pepper, flour 1 med. onion, chopped 2 clv. garlic, minced 1/4 tsp. caraway seeds 1 Tbl. whole grain Dijon [...]

It is always memorable to gather a few friends — along with some good crusty bread and fruity white wine — around a pot of fondue.   Now’s the time to indulge in this cozy tradition.  I learned from our Swiss friend, Denise Chassot (who inherited a fail-proof fondue-making gene!) that one must not try to [...]

Here’s an impressive yet easy leg of lamb recipe for the holidays.  Roasting a boneless leg makes for more even cooking and easier slicing.  Bon appétit! Gigot d’agneau à la lavande pour 6 personnes 3 gousses d’ail 3 cuillères à soupe de romarin, haché fin 2 cuillères à soupe de thym, haché fin 2 cuillères [...]

Orange Flower Custards (Crèmes Parfumées à l’Eau de Fleur d’Oranger) makes 8 servings 1/2 cup sugar 6 Tbl. cornstarch 1/4 tsp. salt 1 whole egg + 3 egg yolks 2 1/2 cups whole milk 1 1/4 cups half and half 1 3” cinnamon stick 2 Tbl. unsalted butter 1 Tbl. orange flower water 2 cups [...]

CRUMBLE COURGETTES/TOMATES Enfin, les légumes d’été du jardin sont mûrs!  Bon appétit! Pour 6 personnes 1 kg de courgettes, vertes, jaunes ou les deux 2 bonnes tomates 3 gousses d’ail écrasées huile d’olive une petite botte de basilic ciselé sel, poivre 100 g de reblochon ou de chèvre 30 g de farine 30 g de [...]