I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell the myself.
– Mark Twain –
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Pork & Orange Broth
Broth is one of my favorite things to make in the fall and winter. The slow cooker is on a few days a week. As I write this post, there’s some chicken broth brewing in my INSTANT POT. I love my instant pot. I left my slow cookers in California and replaced them with an…
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Calamari Salad with Farro
This recipe and photos are from Francois de Melogue our Guest Chef.Please read his story here. Calamari Salad with Farro, Chickpeas, and Preserved Lemon Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 4 Francois: “This is a vibrant, sun-soaked Mediterranean salad perfect for summer entertaining.” “Just before serving, I love to drizzle…
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A Short Trip to London
Falling in Love with London I took a short trip to London a couple of weeks ago and fell in love. (Well, my true, only city love is San Francisco, but Seattle is a close second, and now so is London!) The exchange rate was dismal for the dollar. If your money is the pound…
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The Turf Tavern Oxford
The Turf Tavern a Very Old Pub During our London trip, we took the train to Oxford and had lunch at The Turf. The Turf Tavern began as a malt house in the 13th century beside Oxford’s medieval city wall. The building still shows features from earlier centuries, including its timber beams and low ceilings.…
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The Great Fig Tree
The fig tree (Ficus carica) is as intertwined with the development of society as the olive tree. The fig has historical and mythical significance. For thousands of years, fig trees have grown close to human settlements. They don’t require a lot of care and the trees offer shade. The fruit’s sweetness, long storage life when…
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Liquid Gold
What country produces the most olive oil? What country consumes the most olive oil? (Find the answers at the end.) Oil Worthy of the Gods Homer, the Greek poet, is credited with coining the term “Liquid Gold,” even though that’s not what he said. In a passage in the Iliad and Odyssey, Homer describes damsels…
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Francois de Melogue
Please enjoy my first Guest Chef series with Francois de Melogue. He has spent years perfecting recipes that celebrate the best of Mediterranean ingredients. [GDC_row] [GDC_column size=”quarter”] [/GDC_column] [GDC_column size=”three-quarters”] I shipped Francois a bit of my olive oil and asked for a recipe and to tell us a story about his inspiration and love…
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A Shrine to Jack Daniels in a Jesi Castle
Jesi, Ancona in the Marche region of Italy My first visit to Italy in 2019 was filled with many interactions and local fun. The country was new and exciting; the people were very friendly, and I chatted with everyone. Walking down a quiet cobblestone road in a castle in Jesi (Marche, Italy), we passed two…
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Fruit & Veggies
Senigallia Ancona in the region of Marche ItalyOne of My Favorite Fruit and Veggie Stands This family-owned fruit and vegetable market is one of the first places in Senigallia that I shopped for produce. Diana and Rafael are the friendly proprietors. They offer the freshest seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables. They also have…
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Church of Sant’Agostino
Montefalco, Italy Walking through a castle, as one does in Italy, enjoying the shops and the people in Montefalco, Italy, a town in the Umbria region of Italy, we came across the Church of Sant’Agostino, a small Gothic-style church built in the 13th century. It was completed in 1275 and dedicated to Saint Augustine, Bishop…
I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell the myself.
– Mark Twain –
