Entertaining isolated but not alone: Welcome to “quarantaining.” With benefits to the immune system, no need for a designated driver, and little washing up to do afterward, it’s not all bad…
Recipes & Food
Deep, Dark, Chocolate Mystery
Love is a deep dark mystery…and chocolate. Hence this cake. But unlike the truly madly deeply often messy love, this one freezes beautifully, so you can make it now to please you later…This is sexy chocolate, the chocolate you want, crave, desire, deserve…
Gorgeous Potatoes
What new can you do with the plain old potato? How about pan fry with lemon and rosemary? The potato is the culinary Kate Moss. Unadorned it is plain. But embellished in just the right way–not too much–and baby you’ve got a yum-dinger. Try Chef Stephanie Valentine’s Pan Fried Potatoes […]
Sublime Tweak on Traditional Sweet
Nothing radical mind you. Not trying to incite a riot here. You got riots enough already with all those relatives and who-all. This is just a subtle but truly sublime twist on a favorite traditional pie, and you’ve probably already got almost all the ingredients already, so give it a […]
It’s Here and It’s Yummy !!!!!!
Wildly anticipated… at long last… just in time for the holidays… TA-DA!!! California Cooking and Southern Style was released yesterday and we are all a-buzz here at Rancho La Zaca. ESPECIALLY about the first official post-publication review in the Head Butler… Click on it. It’s short, I promise, and it […]
Drum Roll Please… Announcing New Book! Sneak Preview!
About time, I know! I’ve been bustin’ to tell you and I hope you’ll be bustin’ with delight, if, um, not at the seams… because it has some seriously good calories. Coming in November, it’s called California Cooking and Southern Style—100 Classic Recipes, Inspired Menus, and Gorgeous Table Settings. A mouthful […]
Guess Who’s in Salonniere’s Top 100: America’s Best Party Hosts
I am! Don’t know what came over them, but I am so honored. Oh my heavens. Fell slam off my chair, I did. Salonniere is a brilliant (obviously ;)) and stylish full of beautiful images, chic people, and smart advice about entertaining in particular and hospitality in general, which we can’t […]
The Most Brilliant Hors d’Oeuvre You’ve Never Heard of
An easy, do-ahead hors d’oeuvre full of rich, buttery, garlicky goodness–delicious and different and everyone loves it. Drum roll please…Bagna Cauda, or “hot bath” in Italian. It’s also a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy’s Piedmont region. Perhaps it will become one for you?
Chili Verde With Chicken and Vegetables–Great Do-Ahead for a Festive Gathering or Family at Home
A delicious, versatile, do-ahead dish, great for a crowd. You can dress it up for a party, or keep it simple for a cozy night at home. Either way it’s loaded with vegetables, full of flavor.
The Perfect Easy Summer Menu, Full of Farm Stand Freshness
With all the goodness spilling over from gardens and farm stands, I feel a menu in my heart… Maestro, cue Porgy and Bess: Summertime, and the cookin’ is easy / Bacon’s fryin’ and the corn is high / ‘Maters burstin’ and zucchini’s good lookin’ / Set your pretty table / Company’s nigh. Okay […]
Get Saucy! Brilliant Olive-Caper-Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette for Fish or Chicken
“Brilliant” is a strong talk for a simple sauce and not used lightly. I definitely don’t use the sauce lightly. I double the recipe and eat the leftover with a spoon. Olives, capers, herbs, lemon, olive oil and vinegar, boom. No cooking. Make it in advance. Make it at the last minute. Make it for your friends. Just make it.
The Best Berry Cobbler Ever
Here’s the perfect, scrumptious, super-easy summer dessert. Seven ingredients, melt, mix, pour, bake, boom. Recipe in post.