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Red Corn and Yellow Tomato Galette

Red Corn and Tomato Galette

The Summer of Yellow Tomatoes

“ I remember that the Gabilan Mountains to the east of the valley were light gay mountains full of sun and loveliness and a kind of invitation, so you wanted to climb into their warm foothills almost as you want to climb into the lap of a beloved mother. They were beckoning mountains with brown grass love.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

We are in the grasp of our Indian Summer. Mercifully, we finally have sunshine with mid-day warmth. I have ripening tomatoes but the fog wore down my zucchini plants. Seriously who has problems growing zucchini? My Early Girl tomatoes are just now starting to ripen and don’t understand the definition of early. If they had a plane to catch they’d never make it on time! But I have lots and lots of yellow tomatoes! And yellow tomatoes pair perfectly with sweet red corn. READ MORE . . .

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Savory Summer Hand Pies

Savory Hand Pies

Summer Longing

“I don’t know whether you notice it, but it seems like every other word you say is California. Do you really want to go?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Living along the central coast of California is nothing less than divine. Except, except we really don’t have a summer. We have fog. By August there are rumblings of fall. I become anxious. Summer is like a fad sweeping the northern hemisphere and I’ve missed out on the latest trend. I long to complain about endless sunshine and a kitchen too hot for baking. Dinner on the patio without wearing a sweatshirt is just a fantasy. Actually leaving the house to go anywhere without a light jacket is just plain foolish. If by chance it is sunny, the fog can return at any time. Our summer vocabulary is studded with “when will the fog burn off” and “when will the fog roll back in”. I live in a place where a day above seventy-five is considered hot. We tend to melt at anything above eighty-five. It may be August, but I’m still longing for summer. Any day now our Indian Summer will arrive and wrap us in late season sunshine. We’re ready. READ MORE . . .

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Peach Raspberry Pie

Peach Raspberry Pie

A Spinning Top

“And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Life is good. Our planet Earth keeps spinning around the sun. Each day spills into the next. We try not to sleepwalk though the day. We pause to enjoy as much as we can because we know that at any moment our daily spin could spiral out of control. This past week has been heavy on the spin. I’ve been holding on. My mom was in the hospital for the second time in the last thirty days. Never a good sign, especially when you are 87. I can only hope I have half the tenacity she has. Without the stubbornness please. She has revoked her original DNR order and wants all measures taken. Refusing nursing home care, she has returned home. READ MORE . . .

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Plum Tartlets

Plum Tartlets

Superman

“He lived in a world shining and fresh and as uninspected as Eden on the sixth day. His mind plunged like a colt in a happy pasture, and when later the world put up fences he plunged against the wire, and when the final stockade surrounded him, he plunged right through it and out.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I thought I saw Superman. It was the unfurling of his tattered cape that hinted at his disguise. He met my gaze as he strode past. Beyond the matted brown hair I saw strength in his eyes. His filthy sleeping bag was flung across his shoulders and as he glided past; it billowed out behind him. With long sure strides he easily cleared a path as he navigated the isle. Some of the clerks had gathered to whisper. Like everyone else I wondered what he was doing inside the store. I began to feel ashamed. How could I know this man’s story? The choices he has made, the fear that feeds his pain and the terror of being homeless and hungry? Jolted from complacency and privilege I veered to gratitude. How fortunate I am to shop at the grocery store of my choice and have a kitchen to cook our meals. It is a privilege to be able to indulge in making summer tarts to share with you. He gave me a gift fitting of a superhero; a reminder to find gratitude in each day. A homeless man was at my favorite grocery store today. But I thought It might have been Superman. READ MORE . . .

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Blenheim Apricot Tarts with Lavender

Blenheim Apricot Tarts with Lavender

Summer Seduction

“What kind of tarts? I don’t know. But leave me a couple, will you?”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I went in search of the Blenheim Apricot. Once the darling of San Benito and Santa Clara counties production faded with the growth of imported apricots, urban development and big agriculture. B&R Farms in Hollister farms 100+ acres of Blenheim’s and has being doing so for 84 years. A fourth generation family business B&R Farms grows, harvests and packages the Blenheim as a dried apricot. I attended the summer harvest tour given by owner, Mari Rossi. Only during the height of the summer harvest is the highly perishable Blenheim sold as a fresh apricot. Sold only in twenty pound boxes, I came home with lots of apricots and plans for making jam. But first I made tarts. READ MORE . . .