CtBF – Salted Butter Caramel Chocolate Mousse

Anyone who knows me, or follows my blog, knows that I sometimes don't always read things thoroughly before I start (back in the day, I would fly into a city to do a 1st site visit without having the address - this before smartphones and GPS - just pick up a map at the rental car … Continue reading CtBF – Salted Butter Caramel Chocolate Mousse

Garden Update

So far, pretty much so good, here. It's been a cool, windy, rainy spring. By Mid-May our overnight temperatures are supposed to not dip below 55, so safe to plant (per my Dad). That still hasn't happened, but plant away, I have! These are actually pictures from a week or two ago when I was … Continue reading Garden Update

CtBF| Food Revolution Day

For the past several years, I've been part of a couple of cooking groups that have participated in Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day. Mardi Michels of Eat, Live, Travel, Write was our original ambassador, and Andrea Mohr has become one as well. She sponsored a Food Revolution Day as well, and you can find posts … Continue reading CtBF| Food Revolution Day

The beginning… of a spring garden

It definitely feels like spring in northern Arizona. In fact, it has been for some time, though the weather is what has been called variable. This past weekend was chilly, and just north of us there was snow. My dad and others always said "wait until May 15th to plant anything - the nights should be … Continue reading The beginning… of a spring garden

CtBF|Fried ham and cheese sandwich

This sandwich, known as a Croque-Monsieur, is one that has always appealed to me, and to be perfectly honest, I've never made or eaten. Shame on me! Now, the advice from My Paris Kitchen, is to use a dry-cured ham. Already out of the gate, I would not be following that direction. I had ham … Continue reading CtBF|Fried ham and cheese sandwich

CtbF|Artichoke tapenade with rosemary oil

This week's recipe from David Lebovitz' cookbook My Paris Kitchen, is. Well let me just say it. Amazing. Overused word, but this is a terrific, easy dish, and I think so in keeping with the great idea of having yummy things on hand to share with family and friends. Apparently, it is fairly common to purchase freshly-made … Continue reading CtbF|Artichoke tapenade with rosemary oil

CCC – March Recipes (lentils, potatoes and another “spouffle”)

This month with the Cottage Cooking Club offered up some great recipes, none of the dishes I chose were completely new to me, but it still made for a great array of recipes. As I've mentioned many times on this blog, I have grown to love the French green lentils (Puy). They are pretty, retain their … Continue reading CCC – March Recipes (lentils, potatoes and another “spouffle”)

CtBF – Belgian beef stew with beer and spice bread

This is a tale of two recipes. The first recipe is for pain d'epices, which is a honey-spice quick bread. And that is then sliced and slathered with mustard - and is put on top of the beef stew stew to thicken it. But I digress, the first step is really to make the bread. … Continue reading CtBF – Belgian beef stew with beer and spice bread

CtBF -Dukkah-roasted cauliflower

This is, of course, supposed to be Cook the Book Friday. Not to be for me this week, mainly because I really just didn't plan well enough - and with my not-so-good plan, didn't execute well at all! However, after I picked up our wonderful friend Jackie from the valley, and we visited a bit, we had … Continue reading CtBF -Dukkah-roasted cauliflower

CCC -a ragout, a toastie, and a gratin

This month's Cottage Cooking Club selections included quite a few yummy-sounding dishes. I have to say, I'm a bit proud of myself, since I committed to two, but made three. And I'm so happy I did! Just as I am getting settled in to my house in Sedona, it's the time of year when work starts ramping … Continue reading CCC -a ragout, a toastie, and a gratin