Rose Panna Cotta

Rose Panna Cotta

Grace with Thorns

“He’s got a garden laid out with spring water running through it, and he’s set a place apart for flowers, roses and the like, and some of the bushes are coming clear from Boston.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

The fourth Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House was a day spent immersed in vivid color framed by every hue of green. The thriving flower industry of Santa Cruz County was almost lost to imported flowers in the1990’s and has made an extraordinary comeback. Consumers are purchasing locally grown flowers in a trend that mirrors the “farm to table” food trend. A highlight of the day was meeting Debra Prinzing, author of Slow Flowers and The 50 Mile Bouquet. Her demonstration made flower arranging seem effortless. Debra remarked that in addition to supporting the local economy, locally grown flowers arrive to market sooner and will last longer. I was surprised to learn that floral foam contains formaldehyde and was excited to hear that my vintage floral frogs are back in style! READ MORE . . .

May Monthly Miettes

Buttermilk panna cotta

Buttermilk Panna Cotta

“It was the end of May before the Silacci boys brought the news that the salmon-pink blossoms of the azaleas were breaking free. It was on a Wednesday, as the nine o’clock bell was ringing, that they told him.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It is in the month of May that we finally know spring in the Salinas Valley. The local lettuce harvest is in full swing. Produce trucks filled with lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, artichokes, celery and more clog the highways and roads on the way to the local cooling and shipping facilities. The Valley is bustling with planting, growing, harvesting and shipping. A most perfect time for seasonal fruit and an indulgent Panna Cotta. READ MORE . . .