Summer Standbys

The farmers’ market doesn’t need any promotion this month; you can pretty much follow your nose to find the best bargains in town. Do I honestly need to wax poetic over the flavor and aroma of an organically-grown tomato? How about snappy-fresh green beans? Or sweet corn on the cob, picked that very same morning? …

Market Fresh

Some people associate June with weddings and graduations. I think of apricots. Not those dry little orbs at the supermarket, rock-hard and green at the stem. I dream of little velvet pillows, sweetly perfumed and dripping with juice. The kind of fruit many of us took for granted as kids. There are plenty of reasons …

Market Fresh

Full disclosure: I am a recovering caterer. For seven long years I spent every waking moment planning elaborate menus, shopping, prepping, cooking, schlepping, pampering clients, and nursing my aching feet. Admittedly this was a long time ago, but I still experience painful flashbacks—and those flashbacks often include a mother-of-the-bride. Any talk of weddings still activates …

Market Fresh

Who needs April in Paris when you live in Danville? Spring is officially here, and every shower validates the promise of beautiful days to come. The farmers’ market is coming into bloom as well, with towering displays of plump artichokes, field-grown asparagus, sweet little beets, crunchy peas, carrots, radishes, turnips, and tender young spinach. After …

Market Fresh

They say that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. (Those of us who are also Irish the other 364 days of the year graciously allow that.) Up until the past decade, however, the foods of Ireland gave little cause for culinary rapture; so March 17 was all about the beverages the Irish are known …

Market Fresh

Most of us have been trudging through a self-imposed period of penance since January one, trying to make amends for the excesses of the holiday season. For weeks now it has been a steady diet of Spartan meals, limited sugar, miniscule portions of fat, more sleep, more exercise, and only the occasional tipple of alcohol. …

Market Fresh

Iron Chef Michael Symon was in San Francisco recently to promote his new cookbook. On this particularly chilly morning he deftly fielded questions from journalists while preparing an awesome breakfast for all of us. (Sometimes my job is really tough.) Between all the cooking and conversation it became apparent that this executive chef and restaurant …

Market Fresh

December is often little more than a blur on the calendar. It takes a concerted effort to slow down and keep our lives in balance: to get enough rest, keep stress to a minimum, and to not only eat well, but eat right. Now more than ever, it makes sense to patronize our local farmers’ …

Market Fresh

The approach of winter may dampen some spirits, but nearly everyone is energized at the thought of Thanksgiving. It’s part holiday; part nostalgia; part family reunion; and a whole lot of good food. No greeting cards to mail or gifts to buy – we simply gather together for a higher purpose. Whether hosting our own …