There's a Newf in My Soup!

Il Fornaio's Festa Regionale: La Cucina Del Lazio

2012-02-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

I'm continually singing praises of Il Fornaio, and here I go again. This month's Festa Regionale Menu featuring the food and wine of Lazio, was created by Giuseppe Naccarelli, Vice President of Kitchen Operations. We missed the Tuesday Night Tasting last month (Lombardia) due to travel, so I was delighted when our monthly invitation arrived for this tasting. Mom filled in as my date this week

Fresh Challenges with My Specialty Produce Farmers' Market Bag, and a recipe for Grapefruit-Tangerine Cake

2012-02-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

We often spend a Saturday morning strolling through the Little Italy Farmers' Market, or a Sunday morning at the Hillcrest Farmers' Market, but I've also ordered the weekly Specialty Produce Farmers' Market Bag when we don't make it to one of the Farmers' Markets. You must order your bag by midnight Sunday, and then pick it up on Thursday or Friday. In addition to the $20 bag filled with

French Fridays Midnight Dinner with Dorie: Gorgonzola Apple Walnut Quiche

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wasn't able to muster up enough excitement to make last week's French Fridays with Dorie recipe - Broth Braised Potatoes, but this week's Gorgonzola Apple Quiche did appeal to my taste buds. With the classic pairing of Gorgonzola, apples, and walnuts, and cream and eggs, all baked in a buttery tart shell...what's not to like? The fact that it took me three days to prepare. Failing to read

Navy Culinary Specialists Compete in Annual Iron Chef-Style Culinary Competition

2012-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, Navy culinary specialists competed in the Fifth Annual Navy Region Southwest Culinary Competition, in the impressive, state of the art galley at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado. The galley reopened in December 2010, after nearly $9 million in renovations, and is one of the largest the Navy has to offer. It supports a staff of 30 Navy culinary specialists, and close to 30

Pasta Love: Strozzapreti all'Amatriciana

2012-01-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

Mario Batali's Babbo Ristorante describes Bucatini all'Amatriciana, originating from the town of Amatrice, located 100 miles east of Lazio from Abruzzo, as one of the most celebrated dishes in Italian cuisine. Ever since the Abbruzzese shepherds begin the tradition of eating this spicy pasta after a day in the chilly mountain air, the cooking process has always begun with the rich smell of a

Horses, Barns and Soups

2012-01-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

During our stay at The Home Ranch, on a very cold, but relaxing morning, we bundled up, left the warmth of the lodge, and walked down the driveway to the pasture and barn. The youngsters were particularly curious, and willing to lose their space around the hay feeder to come say hello. This yearling followed me around like a puppy dog, and insisted on nibbling at my jacket every time I tried to

French Fridays with Dorie: Quatre-Quarts

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my lack of motivation returning to my kitchen and cooking some blogworthy dishes to start off the New Year. After the holiday season, and our fabulous week at The Home Ranch, where a team of talented chefs entertained our taste buds, I am finally coming down from my Relais & Chateaux high. I am anxious to get back into the weekly French Fridays with Dorie groove, as the recipes

Happy Birthday, My Dooley-Dog

2012-01-17T21:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Dooley's 13th birthday. He celebrated with a few close friends, and a Nutter Butter, Peanut Butter, Whipped Cream, and Carob Chip Pie. I met him when he was less than a week old. I drove up every week to play with him, bond, and watch him grow. He was conceived the day I lost my first Newfoundland, Ashley. We were meant to be. Dooley spent several years with Brigadoon, my Leonberger,

Coming Home Again - Our Week at The Home Ranch, Colorado

2012-01-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

Within moments of arriving at The Home Ranch, Colorado, you’ll begin to realize why guests return year after year. You may even run into Anne, who will likely be into double digit visits. This was my second visit, John's first, and our third Relais & Châteaux ranch vacation together. This is the way we love to play. I traveled to the Home Ranch, solo, about five years ago. It was fall - the

There's a Newf in My Soup's Best of 2011

2011-12-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

After scrolling through my humble contribution to the food blogging world during the past year, over 100 posts, I can honestly say, "I've come a long way, baby!" My passion for food, cooking, entertaining, writing, travel, and photography continues to grow, and this past year has been quite a journey. In no particular order, this post recaps some of the most memorable moments of our 2011, in

Reviving Traditions with Mario Batali's Porcini-Rubbed Prime Rib Roast

2011-12-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

The Chew, starring Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz, celebrates and explores life through food -- from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more. It is broadcast live, weekdays, from New York City. In California, it airs at noon, so I've only been able to catch it a few times. My mom happened to see the "Christmas Spectacular

Finding My Christmas Spirit, Italian-Style

2011-12-21T14:54:00.000-08:00

I think I just found my Christmas spirit...enhancing, and served alongside, a crumbly, Italian torte called Fregolotta. Grappa is a uniquely Italian drink, made from pomace, the discarded grape skins, pulp, seeds, and stems left over from winemaking after pressing the grapes. I've had a few sips in the past, but it didn't really appeal to me. When I asked for a recommendation from the selection

Sunsets, Shrimp, and Slow-Cooker Grits

2011-12-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

When I look back over my blog posts for 2010, I am reminded that many of our favorite dishes have been Southern - inspired by our trip to New Orleans, cookbooks by John Besh and Donald Link, and the abundance of fresh seafood available in San Diego. In fact, the Blogher Publishing Network just featured my Gumbo post, along with Besh's My New Orleans cookbook, in its Holiday Food Guide! In

Highlights of Gingerbread City 2011: Hit a Home Run for Epilepsy

2011-12-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

Over 350 guests attended the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County’s Gingerbread City Gala on December 1 at The Grand Del Mar. Honorary Chairman Jeff Moorad, Vice Chairman and CEO of the San Diego Padres, was presented with the “Key to Gingerbread City." The theme, Hit a Home Run for Epilepsy, was an open-ended theme that challenged the gingerbread artists to create spectacular structures

Wine and Cookies for Santa - Chocolate Cayenne Cocktail Cookies

2011-12-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last year, Santa was tickled to find Pistachio Orange Cocktail Cookies and a martini when he came down our chimney. This year, he's really going to love these Chocolate Cayenne Cocktail Cookies with a glass of fruity, Italian Lambrusco. These one-bite wafers practically melt in your mouth, as the chocolaty-salty-sweetness is followed by a subtle kick of spice on the finish. Wonderfully addicting.

French Fridays with Dorie - Stuffed and Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, with Herbed Spaetzle

2011-12-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

I've missed the last few French Fridays with Dorie recipes, but was able to squeeze in an adaptation of this week's Chard-Stuffed Pork Roast. It turned out beautifully, and very holiday-ish with the pretty colors in the stuffing. A pork tenderloin is better suited for the two of us. I had some dried figs and raisins from Thanksgiving, a few pomegranates from Pammy's grandma's tree, and a

My Little Cutie Pie: Cranberry, Pear & Ginger Miniature Pies

2011-12-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

Sweetie-Pie, Pie of Pies, Newfie-Pie, Noodle-Pie, Pieder-dog and Pie-Dog are just a few of the terms of endearment Dooley has acquired in his almost-13 years. What a Cutie Pie! Cutie Pie, Flipside, Piejar, Piepop, and Petit-5 are Danie Cone's terms of endearment for her handmade, all-natural miniature pies featured in her Cutie PIES: 40 Sweet, Savory, and Adorable Recipes, of which I recently

Baby, it's Cold Outside: Leek and Pancetta Risotto with Poached Egg

2011-12-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

I do believe winter has finally arrived in Coronado. After 80 degree temps less than a week ago, we now have frost advisories. Dooley is in Newfy bliss during his morning walks, and I am enjoying heated seats on the way to work. Maybe now I can get in the holiday spirit and get busy on some gift ideas from my kitchen. But first, I needed to use up some beautiful leeks hanging around from

Highlights from the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, Hearty Boys' Bacon Blueberry Ice Cream, and a Cookbook Giveaway

2011-12-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Last week, we floated through food and wine heaven as guests of the 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. I started out the week-long festival by experiencing Rancho La Puerta's Saturday at the Ranch. During the week, we attended several cooking and wine tasting classes: Makin' Bacon with The Hearty Boys; Italian Masters with Suzette Gresham of San Francisco's Michelin starred Acquerello

Sylvie's Turkey Breast Ballotine

2011-11-26T12:15:00.000-08:00

For this year's Thanksgiving dinner, we traveled to a remote village close to the Mont St. Michel castle and dined in a historic stone manor with walls so thick that they trap all the aromas of the food being prepared in the kitchen. Well, not exactly, but that's how Chef Bernard Guillas describes his sister Sylvie's home in France, where she grows her own vegetables and raises chickens, ducks,

Walnut Turtle Pie, from Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

2011-11-25T14:42:00.000-08:00

Back in early October, we spent An Afternoon at Fleming's with EC Gallery and Painter of Chefs artist, Christopher M. The luncheon prepared by Chef Christopher Gardner was incredible, and Fleming's signature Walnut Turtle Pie, part of the dessert trio that day, had John drooling all the way home. It was hard to pass up Bobby Flay's Throwdown Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving, but I decided to give

Singing in the Rain at Rancho La Puerta

2011-11-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

Rancho La Puerta, voted World's Best Destination Spa by the readers of Travel & Leisure magazine, is an extraordinary place. The 3,000-acre property in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, features an amazing program of fitness activities, healthful cuisine, luxury spa amenities, superb accommodations in private casitas, lush landscaped gardens and secluded sanctuaries, an organic farm,

Espresso Cinnamon Toast Shortbread Cookies

2011-11-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

The December 2011/January 2012 issue of Fine Cooking has some tempting recipes to try for the holidays: Seared Scallops with Warm Radicchio and Pancetta; Braised Fennel with Orange; Short Rib and Dried Porcini Lasagne; Butternut Squash Lasagna with Goat Cheese, Sage, and Breadcrumbs; Sweet Potato Oven Fries; an updated version of German Chocolate Cake; and Shortbread Cookies, Your Way. My Way:

Simply and Perfectly Cooked Duck Breasts, for French Fridays with Dorie

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

I've only prepared duck a few times at home, but it's one of my favorites to order when I see it on a restaurant menu, especially when served with a cherry and/or port sauce. This week's French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Twenty-Minute Honey-Glazed Duck Breasts, was certainly one I didn't want to miss. Dorie writes an entire page about the basics of the breasts from Moulard ducks, called Magret

Coronado Island Pirates Board the HMS Obsessed for a Halloween Sail

2011-11-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ahoy, Mateys! Welcome to a recap of our 4th Annual Halloween Party. Last year's Villains on Trial theme was pretty amazing, but this year is going to be a tough act to follow. John spent endless hours researching, designing, and creating the pirate ship set, props, invitations, and our costumes. He added so many amazing artistic details. Although I bitched and moaned quite a bit during the