Garlic, Rosemary & Butter Dipping Sauce
Le Voov! Note: This particular sauce can be used with fresh crab, scallops and prawns, as well as a rustic loaf of sour dough bread!
Read More →Grandma’s Meyer Lemon Pound Cake ?
My Grandmother was always in the kitchen cooking up something wonderful. As I recall, even the couch in her house smelled like a perfectly pleasant blend of fresh-baked cookies and thick-cut bacon. (I know that sounds weird, but it was absolutely the bees-knees as a kid!)
Read More →Lemon Chicken Piccata ? ?
Meyer Lemon Picatta is exquisitely divine and easy to prepare. The light, rich sweetness of the lemon sauce in juxtaposition to the salty capers and deep tones of white sage, make this a Splendiferous ‘comfort meal’ to be shared with friends and family. Serve it with fresh pasta, herb-roasted potatoes or lemon-rice pilaf, accompanied by steamed asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts or try our Rainbow Carrots, Haricot Verts & Caramelized Shallots.
Read More →Corn Cheddar Chowder
Corn Cheddar Chowder is my go-to soup as we transition from the late summer heat of ‘Indian Summer’ to autumn each year. Why? Because this is the ultimate in comfort food, without leaving you feeling like you need a long hibernation after ingesting it. (Though that is never a bad idea…right?)
Read More →Rockin’ Raspberry Beauty Smoothie
Embrace a diet rich in every spectrum of the rainbow for an ultimate beauty pick-me-up for your hair, skin and nails. Fruits & vegetables are packed with antioxidants along with other vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and minerals that play a huge role in achieving beauty through optimum health.
Read More →Le Voov! Chez Panisse – Black Truffle Event ? ? ?
Le Voov! Local Culinary Adventure – January 2015
I am very fortunate to be married to an incredibly thoughtful man. Early last winter (late January 2014), I told Brian that someday I wanted to attend Alice Waters’ Black Truffle Dinner Event at her world famous restaurant Chez Penisse in Berkeley, California. Well, guess what? Eleven months later, I received an invitation to attend the 2015 event from my amazing hus-Bee. He remembered!
Read More →Papaya & Lime Detox Smoothie
With the heat of summer creeping in, I enjoy chilling down after my workout with a fruity, refreshing smoothie. The papaya, mango, banana and lime all contain phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. This smoothie is packed with vitamins A, B’s and C, which are great for clearing free radicals and lactic acid out of the muscles after a workout. The cucumber, aloe and coconut water have needed electorates and aid in a healthy digestive track. With all these vitamin-packed ingredients blended together, you get a high fiber, anti-inflammatory, immuno-boosting smoothie that will make you feel like a million bucks!
Read More →Easy Cheesy Pesto Monkey Bread!?
This bread is as much fun to make as it is to eat. The juxtaposition between the flavors of the sour dough and the sweet basil pesto blend beautifully with the gooey, aromatic melted cheese. We frequently serve this as finger food while watching the Rugby World Cup or the Super Bowl. Everyone enjoys a bit of cheesy finger-licking bliss…
Read More →Le Voov! Basil Pesto ?
Basil is one of my favorite summertime herbs to incorporate into a recipe. The bold, distinct aromatic taste of basil pesto brightens the flavor of just about everything. Basil is packed with vitamin A, which supports a healthy immune system and contains very potent anti-inflammatory agents to fight premature aging and chronic disease. Add to that the healthy fats in both the olive oil and pine nuts and you’ve got yourself a Voovaciously healthy spread.
While attending university for my undergrad, I created an organic pesto business and sold my homemade basil pesto at the local farmer’s market during the summer and early autumn months. At the time, I was living in a small cottage on 3-acres of glorious organic farming soil. Fortunately, my landlord would let me fire-up his old tractor a few times a year to till the field. So I’d strap on my bikini, a worn pair of Wellies, and a sun hat, grab a cocktail, and make a good party out of it!
Read More →Papaya & Banana Salad
As the warm days of summer are upon us, this Papaya & Banana Salad is the perfect ‘go-to’ dish to beat the heat. Inspired by our many lovely times on the Mayan Rivera along the Gulf of Mexico, a few wedges of lime add a perfectly refreshing zing to this nutrient-rich salad. It’s also quick and easy to prepare which makes it a real winner in my book!
Read More →Cre-8 A Decorative Wall Gallery
Le Voov! Cre-8
During our global travels, Brian and I have acquired some beautiful handmade artwork. So, I decided to create a gallery of the a few pieces on a big, blank wall in our master bedroom.
Step 1: Begin by hanging the largest piece on the wall where you like it best to form an anchor for the remaining artwork.
Read More →Restaurant Review – Zuzu Tapas & Wine Bar ? ?
Zuzu, located in Napa’s historic Old Town, has masterfully blended the culinary traditions of Spain and South America with the warmth of Mediterranean décor to create a true gem. The complex layering of flavor and spice in each dish was uniquely divine.
Our server Darlene was very knowledgeable and made some fantastic suggestions for our maiden voyage at the restaurant. Zuzu’s signature sangria was delightfully fresh and fruity. Given the ease with which the first glass went down, I had a great appreciation for the speedy arrival of our first plates!
Read More →French Wild Berry Pie ?
March 14th is Pi Day, an annual international celebration designated to honor the mathematical constant of Pi (Greek letter “π”), as well as Albert Einstein’s birthday. As many of you know, Pi is a never-ending number (3.14159) that that can be calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point.
Read More →Savory Wild Mushroom Soup ? ? ?
I developed this recipe after enjoying a non-cream based mushroom soup at a local restaurant recently. By eliminating the cream, the deep, earthy tones of the various mushrooms are easily detected on the palate. I also decided to use potato to thicken the broth, rather than wheat flour in an effort to make this a gluten free recipe, so our friends with wheat allergies may enjoy this rich, savory soup.
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