I love nothing more than a pretty house. Especially one I can eat. Bringing delicious definition to the term “eye candy” are the gingerbread houses of our beloved Santa Ynez Valley Solvang Bakery. But don’t take my word for it. Ask the movie stars and super-celebs who beat the door down to […]
Recipes & Food
When Turkey and White Bean Chili Is Just the Thing
You may not want to think about cooking for a while, but if you make this chili and freeze part of it, you’ll have banked at least one night off. Comes in handy over the holidays. Also the perfect thing just when you can’t eat one more sweet potato casserole, […]
10 (Non-Partisan) Party Tips for the Time-Pressed
So you’ve just skidded into town, you won’t be there long, and you want to see your friends, but you don’t have time to “entertain.” Yes you do. At least that’s what I told myself as I boarded the red-eye in LAX headed back to New York, landing on Election […]
Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé
Can I brag on my friend Nina Griscom? Thank you. She’s got a brand new website and blog, and they are beautiful. Like her. Do stop by. Meanwhile here’s a sample. This elegantly simple fall lunch for 2 would make just as good a light supper. And there’s something about […]
The Divine Tomato Sandwich With “Homemade” Mayonnaise (shhh… they’ll never know)
It’s summer’s end and if we’re lucky our farm stands and gardens are full of tomatoes so ripe and full you can slit them with your fingernail. I defy you to tell me what’s better than one of those tomatoes sliced warm from the garden on two pieces of white […]
Luscious (and Easy) Lemon Pudding Cake
Cue Porgy and Bess! Now playing on Broadway in a Tony-winning revival! Summertiiime … and the lemon is eeeeeasy… Not exactly how the lyric goes, but I have been waiting all my life to write that. Okay all morning. This Lemon Pudding Cake is as classic and certainly as old […]
Cucumber Soup to Cool Summer’s Sizzle
You will wonder how you’ve gotten this far into summer, and possibly into life itself, without this cold cucumber soup. Stop on your way home today and get the ingredients, and whip up a batch asap. Takes 15 minutes, max. Chill. Repeat. All summer long. You will want a supply in your […]
Happy 4th of July From Rancho La Zaca
I’m back at the ranch this week and Cowboy (for new readers, His Grace the Cowboy is my sweetheart) and I have my nephew and three of his buds flying in from Georgia. For their 18th birthdays my nieces and nephew each get a trip with Auntie anywhere they want […]
A Scintillating Summer Cocktail – “Il Spriz”
I’ll cut to the chase: It’s a drink called “Il Spriz” made by Mionetto, the same Italian company that makes Prosecco, which I thought was the Italian version of Champagne until a reader corrected me, below. (Grazie Franco!) Il Spriz is a symphony of citrus and herbal flavors–slightly fizzy, fresh, […]
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 5 – le Fin (the End)
As I was saying, from a bicycle you see aspects of scenery you might otherwise miss from a Ferrari, and there is something to be said for that. Bicycles also have more head room. That you have to wear one of those dorky helmets seems a small price to pay. […]
Postcard From Burgundy – Part 4 – Market Day
One of the best things about France is its outdoor markets, and every town has one. A centuries old tradition, le marché is the happening place for procuring the week’s privisions and no doubt a good deal of gossip. Like Did you see Pierre? What was he thinking with that beret…? In […]
‘Tis Iced Tea Season — Here’s the Best and Prettiest
It is always iced tea season at my house. After noon and sometimes before, there is a glass within reach. My mother was the same way. Genetic research supports this, particularly in the South. But have you been to Paris lately? Iced tea has become popular there as well. (I […]