Appetizers

Whole Hot Cherry Crostata in Pie Plate on antique cloth

Spicy Sweet Cherries – Two Ways

I adore the flavor of fresh sweet cherries. When cherries are in season I keep a bowlful in my kitchen just to snack on. Or, sometimes, I pit them, sprinkle them with sugar and a little liquid, maybe lemonade or wine or kirsch, let them sit for an hour or […]

Cantaloupe Salsa and Sweet Strawberry Salsa are both served with crispy chips on a wooden tray.

Cantaloupe Salsa

Beautiful, ripe cantaloupe pairs with crisp jicama, a spicy serrano pepper and lime juice in this appealing Cantaloupe Salsa. Serve this pretty salsa with crunchy tortilla chips for an appealing appetizer.

Hummus

Things We Take for Granted I think I was first introduced to Hummus as a young adult. At that time I thought of it as a somewhat exotic dip. It’s newness was exciting. As a child I never ate it or even heard of it, but as I grew older […]

Fried almonds with rosemary buts and sea salt in a small glass serving dish.

Fried Almonds with Rosemary

Fried Almonds with Rosemary is an absolute pleasure to prepare. The fresh rosemary is deliciously fragrant as the almonds are frying. And the warm almonds, ready in minutes, are remarkably flavorful sprinkled with sea salt and skillet-crisped bits of rosemary. These almonds are great for gift-giving, parties or as a simple family treat.

Tomatoes Stuffed with Goat Cheese are sliced open to reveal the filling on a small plate.

Stemmed Tomatoes Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese and Parmesan Crostini

Tomatoes Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese makes a pretty salad. The bright red of the tomatoes, the soft white of the cheese, the perky little stems on top and the nest of fresh herbs is very appealing. If you want an impressive starter for a special meal or a fresh and surprising dish for a spring brunch, give these a try. Serve with Parmesan topped Crostini for a crunchy counterpoint.

A single Olive Penguin on a toothpick with a scarf made from a strip of chive.

Olive Penguins in the Snow

Carrots, olives, cream cheese and toothpicks are all you need to craft these amazingly cute Olive Penguins. Add a single chive for a handsome scarf, if you like. Easy to make, they are fun to share with family and friends.

Cauliflower Pakoras with Cilantro Mint Sauce

I think that I would have to say cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables. While I tend to cook broccoli more often because of its bright color and contrast, cauliflower seems to have so much more potential. When roasted it has a delicious nutty flavor. In a stir fry […]

Cranberry Salsa in a glass serving dish surrounded by Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Cranberry Salsa with Sweet Potato Chips

Cranberries and chiles make an intriguing flavor combination even before you add the ginger, cilantro and honey. Taken as a whole, this unique Cranberry Salsa offers a nice change of pace to a familiar holiday menu. Serve with baked Sweet Potato Chips for added seasonal appeal.

Fork Sculpture in Lake Geneva at the Alimentarium in Vevey, Switzerland

Choux Pastry in Vevey

Vevey, Switzerland is another beautiful town gracing the shoreline of Lake Geneva. It is much smaller than Lausanne but sounded just as picturesque when described in the travel guides I was reading. One early afternoon, as I took the train back to Lausanne, I thought it would be fun to […]

A bowl of freshly made Gazpacho topped with Saffron Roasted Chickpeas in a ceramic bowl.

Gazpacho with Saffron Spiced Chickpeas

This recipe brings a rich variety of summer vegetables together in a delicious cold soup that can be made ahead and saved in the refrigerator until dinner time. A garnish of Saffron Spiced Chickpeas adds a flavorful twist to the Gazpacho and can double as a nutritious appetizer or snack.

A slice of Spanish Omelet (Tortilla Española) on a white plate with a whole Spanish Omelet and loaf of bread in the background.

Spanish Omelet – Catalonia Dreaming

Begin a long distance exploration of Spain with a traditional Spanish Omelet, or Tortilla Española. It all starts with eggs, potatoes, and olive oil. In time you’ll have a lovely flat omelet, much like a frittata, prepared on the stovetop and finished in the oven. Perfect for breakfast, dinner or cut into small pieces as an appetizer.