Barbara Cooks

Veal Saltimbocca

Barbara — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:10:39 +0000

Oh Valentine’s Day, I’m never sure what to think about you. On one hand, the idea of a day for lovers to express what they mean to each other is kind of endearing. On the other, it’s usually filled with expectation, obligation and for some, disappointment. I have pretty much nixed V-day because I really [...]

Christmas Tree Meringues

Barbara — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:45:17 +0000

If your family is anything like mine, Christmas is all about the food. To me, celebrating the holidays means rich savory dishes followed by decadent desserts. My mother’s family back in Indiana gathers at around 11:00 am for the all-day eat-a-thon which usually includes enough food to feed a small country. The soiree can go [...]

Orange Cured Salmon

Barbara — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:29:57 +0000

The Holidays are a stressful time of year. Family visits, gift buying, traveling, traffic, unpredictable weather… All while still trying to keep up a normal schedule. It always seems to creep up on us every year too. Once Thanksgiving arrives I barely have time to enjoy the celebration before I’m in the throws of preparing [...]

Gettin Fresh with PMA

Barbara — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 06:28:16 +0000

This year, I had an amazing opportunity to attend the PMA Fresh Summit along with 30 other food bloggers. What is that, you may say? Well it’s only the world’s best expo for fresh food and produce! Thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission, I received an all-access pass to attend the educational sessions on Friday [...]

Sesame Seared Tuna

Barbara — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 03:58:20 +0000

I’m not really known for keeping things simple. I like to say that I’m simple and uncomplicated but that’s not really true. I have a tendency to overthink, overshoot, over-plan and over-worry. In fact I will go to great efforts just to make something appear basic and elementary when in fact it isn’t! This is [...]

Potato Leek Gratin

Barbara — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:49:42 +0000

I was super excited to take the October Unprocessed Challenge. I rarely take on a challenge for a couple of reasons. 1) I don’t really like to subscribe to fads (especially when it comes to food) and 2) I tend to bore easily and I don’t generally stick with one thing for very long. Something [...]

September Foodie Pen Pal Reveal!

Barbara — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:59:34 +0000

This is my second month of being a foodie pen pal and let me tell you how exciting it is to get a package of foodie goodies in the mail each month! One thing I was hoping I would get being that I still had yet to try it was powdered peanut butter. If you [...]

Steak and Potato Hash with Basil

Barbara — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:59:23 +0000

Breakfast is a favorite meal in our household, especially weekend breakfast. During the week we generally eat the same thing every morning – steamed lentils and over-medium eggs. M learned how to make this staple breakfast of ours while I was studying for the California Bar Exam and it just kind of stuck with him. [...]

Roast Chicken & Fresh Fig Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette

Barbara — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 05:43:56 +0000

Late summer in San Diego is one of my favorite times of year. The sunsets are pink and gold, the tourists are thinning out, the mornings are chill and dewy and the fresh produce is abundant. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but we are so lucky to have so many small organic farms in [...]

Foodie Pen Pal August Reveal!

Barbara — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:00:26 +0000

This is my first month being a Foodie Pen Pal I am so excited to participate in this program. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to get a fun package in the mail full of delectable goodies picked out just for you? Ms. Lindsay of The Lean Green Bean has made that happen. I was lucky enough [...]