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Salad of Romaine and Oranges

Romaine Orange Salad

In this Salad of Romaine and Oranges, crunchy lettuce and sweet oranges play well with briny olives and the crunch of chubby walnuts tossed in a simple vinaigrette. This is the kind of salad that demands second servings and will disappear every time you make it.

“In March the soft rains continued, and each storm waited courteously until its predecessor sank beneath the ground. The warmth flooded the valley and the earth burst into bloom—yellow and blue and gold.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

This Salad of Romaine and Oranges fills our craving for fresh greens and bright flavors while we wait in anticipation for spring. Its that in between time. Feels like spring, bright sunshine and everything has turned green. But the mornings are still cold and more rain is on the way. Then it still feels like winter. The seasons here are late and get jumbled with influence from the great Pacific Ocean. The one thing that is constant, never flinching or wishy washy is citrus season. Every year oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes arrive to brighten the dull colors and flavors of winter cooking. READ MORE . . .

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Citrus Shortcake

Citrus Shortcake

Citrus Shortcake is a vibrant winter dessert, bright with big flavor and a glamorous presentation. A rainbow of colorful citrus is layered between buttermilk shortcake and finished with lush whipped cream.

“Adam sat looking at the mountains to the east of Salinas, with the noble point of Fremont’s Peak dominating. The air was crystalline as it sometimes is when rain is coming. And then the light rain began to blow on the wind although the sky was not properly covered with clouds.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The path from winter to spring can seem to last forever. We’re got our boots and jackets, the heat is on. Crock pots are simmering, Instant Pots are steaming. The first berries are months away and we’re dreaming of spring desserts. Take the bridge between winter and spring with Citrus Shortcake. We can have shortcake in winter too! Its peak citrus season, a perfect time to enjoy Citrus Shortcake. READ MORE . . .

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Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake

Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake is an indulgent Bundt cake from Ina Garten. Lush chocolate chunks and whispers of orange are suspended in a buttery cake soaked in orange syrup and then covered in chocolate ganache.

“ At John Street the road angled and became Main Street. Adam stamped the mud off his shoes when he reached the pavement. The buildings cut the wind from him and almost instantly he began to shake with a chill. He increased his speed. Near the end of Main Street he turned into the Abbott House Bar.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It takes awhile to grasp it’s a new year. The stroke of midnight feels like a party, I need quiet and time for reflection. To come to terms with this crazy world and myself. This is the new year, we let go of the past, gifted another chance to start again. To do our best with this life, be better, do better, to be grateful. Walking our dog Fred in the rain, it was cold, windy and wet. Leaves are still falling from the neighborhood trees. It’s no mystery, all that blowing and swirling, floating to the ground. If you take the time, pause, you can watch them. The leaves don’t wait, when the time is right, they let go. And so it is with baking. Easy, scrumptious, all the components fall together, Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake is a grand way to begin the new year. READ MORE . . .

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Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake

Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake

Seasonal Baking in Winter

“It ballooned in great dark rolls above, and beneath it drew a long trailing skirt of rain, and as they looked the cloud rumbled and flashed fire. Borne on the wind, the cloudburst drummed hollowly on the fat wet hills across the valley and moved out over the flat lands.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It’s been raining, raining and raining, just what the central coast of California needs. So much rain that the drought is almost over. We had a break filled with sunshine and cold mornings but it will rain again. This is the winter we have wanted for the last three years and now that it is here we can breathe again. California will be fine. READ MORE . . .

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Individual Rhubarb Crumbles

Rhubarb Crumble

Signs of Spring

“At three o’clock in the afternoon Lee was sitting at his desk, turning over the pages of a seed catalog.The pictures of sweet peas were in color. Now these would look nice on the back fence. They’d screen off the slough. I wonder if there is enough sun.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I am a hap-hazard gardener. Happy to try new plants and ideas every spring and falling into the trap of over-planting and failing to give the plants everything they need. It’s a hazard. Last spring we bought a rhubarb plant. I was optimistic, but wondered if the plant would survive the winter. We planted it next to garage near the lemon verbena and sage. To my amazement, it flourished, and last fall I was ready to harvest. Thankfully I investigated how to harvest rhubarb before I tore into the plant. Rhubarb needs a year to get established before the first harvest. It’s healthier for the plant if the stalks are gently tugged from the outside edges of the plant, rather than cutting them. The rhubarb was beginning to outgrow its spot (the leaves are huge) and when the outer stalks began to lay on the ground and pull away from the center of the plant I began dreaming about fresh rhubarb. It was a sure sign of spring on the central coast. READ MORE . . .