Strawberry Sunday

There are few things in life better than waking up on a Sunday with absolutely no obligations and plans.

To have the whole day to do whatever makes you happy... How often does this happen, really!?

I love a culinary challenge and any opportunity to get creative in the kitchen.  I thought, "Well, I have a big carton of strawberries, why not make every meal today involve strawberries somehow!?"

And that's what I did: created, cooked and indulged in 3 meals plus dessert!

Breakfast:

Baked Strawberry Oatmeal Crumble

Lunch:

Melting Cambozola, Strawberry and Thyme Crostini

Dinner:

Seared Ahi Tuna with Strawberry Salsa

Dessert:

Chocolate Lava Cake with Strawberry Coulis

What a delicious Sunday!

I'll write down my recipes before I forget, and post soon.

Panzanella

"Panzanella" is Italian for Bread Salad
I make this with heirloom tomatoes, asparagus, Italian black olives, big hearty croutons made with 2 types of Acme breads, fresh basil and a simple balsamic vinaigrette

Thai Cucumber Salad

Spicy yet Cool and Fresh

So nice on a hot sticky summer day in Thailand... or SF

Perfect Summer Salad

Serve as a bite size salad on skewers at a cocktail party,

or on pretty small plates at a dinner party.

Union Street's 15th Annual Sidewalk Sale at Dahlia Boutique

Fig & Blue Cheese Salad

At a dinner party I catered

Packing For a Picnic

Greek CousCous Salad

Summer is here in San Francisco!

I can actually say it has been "hot" in the good ol' "Fog City"

Which means I can no longer get away with out shaving my legs for 2 weeks or not wearing deodorant, damn :o)

Winter Citrus Salad

This Saturday at the Ferry Building Farmer's Market I saw something  I had never seen before.  Red Walnuts!  They are so pretty, almost too pretty to eat.

Best Salad Dressing

I'm not sure where i found this so I'm not taking credit for it... 

This goes wonderfully with a Nicoise Salad

This makes a ton, don't bother trying to half the recipe, you can keep it in your fridge for ages.

I always keep a glass jar of this dressing on hand.

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup Dijion mustard

2 T minced garlic

2 T minced shallots

1 1/2 cups extra virgin oilve oil

sea salt

white pepper

Erin's Persimmon Caprese Salad

Erin? How should I start? We've been friends since elementary school and we're now roomies.

She's witty and sassy and most importantly has a true appreciation for healthy, local, organic food.  Erin is sure to know how the cow in her bun was raised or if the cheese on her cracker came from a happy goat.  When it comes to big farms, little farms, corporate and family farms Erin knows it all.  If you are willing to listen, she's sure to make any meat eater think twice before ordering a BigMac. The Truth.