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Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Rainbow Carrots make for a festive nutritious side dish. Accented with pomegranate seeds (arils), a dash of nutmeg, and savory herbs, this colorful blend is a true crowd pleaser every time!

We roast a few bulbs of garlic every week to add to various dishes. Simply cut off the very tippy-tops (non-root end) of each bulb, place in oven-proof dish with lid, add ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup of dry chardonnay, & fresh herbs such as rosemary, oregano, bay leaves & thyme. Salt & pepper to taste. Place in pre-heated oven at 400 F (204 C) & cook for 45-minutes.

We spread this on toast, add it to soup & pasta dishes, along with using it in homemade salad dressings & sauces. Enjoy the culinary richness of roasted garlic while embracing all the healthy benefits of this star in the allium family.

Cranberry Whiskey Smash Cocktail

Throughout the holiday season, we find ourselves entertaining and celebrating with friends and family. Inevitably after a grand feast, I end up with leftover cranberry sauce. In an effort not to be wasteful, I’ve found creative uses for the tart and tangy sauce such as spreading it on turkey sandwiches, throwing it into smoothies, and even placing it on top of a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on occasion.

This year I came up with a new and exciting way to blow through all the leftover cranberry sauce at once with a fabulous cocktail! Though I’m not a big whiskey fan, I found this libation to flow quite smoothly once you get beyond the initial ‘bite’ of the first sip…

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?)

Spiced Pumpkin Martini ? ??

I created this cocktail on a cold, windy autumn evening recently. The warmth of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom spices just seem to sink deep into my tired body at the end of a long, cold day and warm it to the bone. As I recall, we sipped this lovely drink while handing out Halloween candy last October 31st!

Sage Roasted Winter Vegetables ?

We visited our local farmers market this morning and I was inspired by the amazing selection. We decided upon fennel root, crimini mushrooms, yellow onions, and rainbow carrots, all packed with freshness & nutrients. You can just taste the sunshine!

Travel & Adventure – Dean & Deluca Napa Valley ? ?

Dean & Deluca
607 St. Helena Hwy S, Saint Helena, CA 94574 (Just off highway 29!)

After our wonderful tasting experience at Prager Winery & Port Works, we stopped into Dean & Deluca for a bit of epicurean perusing. Dean & DeLuca is a chain of fabulous gourmet grocery stores for foodies. The first store was established in New York City in September 1977, in the SoHo district, a rather upscale area in lower Manhattan.

Known for it’s unique selection of meats, cheese, freshly baked bread, and of course, the vast array of gourmet chocolate truffles, this is the perfect place to pick up all the fixins for a decadent picnic in between visiting wineries.

Le Voov! Restaurant Review: The Peasant & The Pear ?

The Peasant & The Pear

267 Hartz Ave
Danville, CA 94526 Ph. (925) 820-6611

This marvelous restaurant is one of my new favorite East Bay restaurants, Michelin recommended, and a prime example of 5-star dining. Under the guidance of owner Rodney Worth and his wife Natalie, the menu is dynamic, the food is unique in flavor, the ambience is lovely, and the service is impeccable.

A true Danville gem, this restaurant is quaintly hidden in a small plaza, so you may drive right past it without even noticing it. If you access the rear parking lot, it is quite easy to find.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

¿Cómo se llama Mr. Llama? I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely llama at Harley’s Goat Farm in the charming coastal town of Pescadero recently. After swapping stories and goat jokes with this wooly sentry, Brian and I had the pleasure of attending a 6-course farm dinner in the loft of the old barn on the property. The fresh, delicious cuisine, the ambiance of candlelight, and meeting new friends, all made this an exceptional experience! ???

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.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

We went to the 64th Annual Sausalito Art Festival over the Labor Day 3-day weekend. Known as the ‘Premiere Waterfront Art Festival’, the event brings the best of unique, refined artistic talent together with music, great food and wine. It also happens to be one of the most prestigious shows in the country, gathering talent from around the globe.

After an amazing day of fun, saturated with the brilliant talent we had taken in at the festival, we were greeted by the beautiful and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. As we left the Marin tunnel to pop back to the San Francisco Peninsula, I couldn’t help but revel in our glorious day!

Summer Black Bean & Avocado Salad

There is nothing better during the hot summer months than cool black beans doing the samba with crunchy red peppers and rich, buttery avocado, all dressed up in a cilantro-lime vinaigrette. This recipe was inspired by a Mexican salad made at the first restaurant I ever worked at in my teen years. I never did get the exact recipe, so I decided to develop my own version based upon the dreamy recollection of my seasoned and discerning palate.

Fort Fun Dog Park With Otter! ?

Fort Funston, located in the southwestern end of San Francisco, is one of Otter’s favorite places to meet up with other dogs and run freely through the sand dunes off-leash. on a given day, thousands of dogs visit to frolic in this decommissioned military defense site on the wind-swept coastal hills in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

Once a harbor defense site and Nike Misile launching site during the cold war, the salty air now is slowly reclaiming remnants of abandoned artillery battery stations and old access roads.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

Giants Game! I took this photo while attending a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park during my birthday week. It was an exciting, close game against the Pirates. As you can see from the photo, it was a glorious day in the city. What a perfect way to celebrate my special week! Go Giants!!! ? ⚾️ ?

Travel & Adventure – Rombauer Vineyards

Rombauer Vineyards

3522 Silverado Trail North, St. Helena, CA 94574, Phone: (800) 622-2206

We headed North on the Silverado Trail for a tasting at Rombauer Vineyards. After driving up the curvy, narrow road to the winery, we were greeted by a few colorfully painted cow sculptures and gorgeous landscaped gardens. The winery is located atop a sunny knoll surrounded by giant trees that offer the perfect shield from the bustling valley below. As we stepped from the car, a tranquil, quiet peacefulness overcame our senses and the playful sound of songbirds danced through the air.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

When attempting to photograph a troop of Rhesus Macaque monkeys in the wild, always keep a watchful eye on the dominant male of the harem…

This naughty little monkey climbed my long braid just like it was a jungle vine and mounted my head, while whooping loudly. I’d swear all the female monkeys in the troop were laughing with delight.

The Sock Burglar Strikes Again…! ?

When I leave the house, Otter will go into our bedroom and steal a sock or two out of the laundry hamper to sleep with it until I return. She licks the socks, rolls on them, and plays with them, finally cuddling them underneath her like a little puppy while she completes one of many daily-napping cycles.

Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Cha Cha Cha’s

Cha Cha Cha’s (Tapas & More)

1801 Haight Street, San Francisco 415 386-7670

After visiting the San Francisco Botanical Garden during the annual ‘Flower Piano’ celebration, we headed over to Cha Cha Cha’s to experience incredible cuisine amid the chaos of blaring Latin music, devotional alters, and abundant laughter. The aromatic Cuban spices hang heavy in the air as the indigo walls of the restaurant envelop one’s senses. The kitchen is bustling with excitement while your stomach and your brain simultaneously define a divine hunger.

Lox & Dill Scramble ?

I developed the Le Voov! Lox Scramble with my Mother’s mentality prevailing. Clean out the older food in the refrigerator by Sunday! We served an appetizer requiring lox at a party the previous day, and I wanted to make good use of it quickly so it would maintain it’s freshness.
The addition of a small quantity of Gruyere cheese makes for a deep blending of flavors both bright and rich in this lovely scramble.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

We visited Elephant Butte Reservoir located on the Rio Grande in New Mexico, just 5-short miles (8.0 km) north of the quaint little town of Truth or Consequences. The name “Elephant Butte” refers to the volcanic core making up the island at the center of the reservoir, which is said to resemble the shape of an elephant reclining on it’s side. The reservoir and the surrounding land are part of the largest state park in the state of New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park…

Sticky Monkey Cocktail ? ?

This little cocktail emerged during a recent heat wave. After purchasing 20 lbs. of Cara Cara oranges at Costco, I felt compelled to mix up a thirst-quenching, yet hydrating liquid massage for my mind to greet the weekend with a splash.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Ceviche ? ?

Ceviche is a summertime favorite for us. The bold aroma of freshly chopped cilantro and sliced limes teases the taste buds as you create this super-simple, incredibly tasty dish.

Guess Where I Am…? ?

Massive Mandala On The Beach!
As we were driving along the coast, somewhere between Half Moon Bay & Santa Cruz, when we came across this huge mandala created on a sandy beach.

A mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, circle) is a geometric concentrically structured pattern representing the cosmos or the universe. In many spiritual traditions the creation of a mandala is a practice to invite focus, meditation or an induction into trance state. Mandalas are also used to establish a sacred space.

Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Rangoon Ruby ?

Rangoon Ruby, (Burmese) 680 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070

Traditional Burmese food is quickly becoming the rising star of Southeast Asian cuisine, surpassing even sushi and Thai food in popularity throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Under the experienced guidance of Chef Max Lee, Rangoon Ruby captures the pure essence of authentic Burmese cuisine with flavors influenced by Thai, Indian and Chinese traditions. The plates are served family style (shared) and beyond being delicious with great, unique flavors, the presentation is lovely. Similarly, the décor of the restaurant is elegant and well thought out.

Seasonal Fruit Dessert Crêpes ?

We visited our local Farmer’s Market yesterday and discovered a huge selection of amazingly sweet, juicy, yellow peaches. This fabulous find led us to the obvious conclusion that there was nothing left to do but celebrate by making some peach & vanilla ice cream crêpes for dessert! I assure you, it just doesn’t get much better than this…

Guess Where I Am…? ?

We took this photo while strolling along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. This exciting sculpture is called ‘Cupid’s Span’, created by famed pop artist Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen. ?

The brightly painted fiberglass-and-steel sculpture stands approx. 60 feet (18 meters) in Rincon Park at the foot of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Installed in 2002, the artist’s inspiration for this piece was San Francisco’s reputation as the ‘City of Passion’, invoking the mythological account of Eros shooting his arrow into the center of the earth to make it fertile. Many have commented that while Cupid’s bow is symbolic of love, the shape of this magnificent work also evokes sailing ships and the Bay Bridge itself.

Le Voov! Hot Lips Martini ? ?

Along with the hot days of summer, we all need an icy cool cocktail now and then to enjoy. This lovely mixture came about by sheer laziness during a recent heat wave. Early in the morning, I had made myself an energizing, freshly squeezed juice in my Breville Juicer (available at our Le Voov! Amazon Store) after hitting a local farmer’s market. Usually, I’m fairly religious about cleaning my juicer right away, because it’s a real pain the rear to scrub if the pulp dries to the inside of the ridiculously sharp grinder blades…

Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Boon Fly Café ? ?

We began our second day in Napa with breakfast at the Boon Fly Café. This contemporary roadhouse restaurant has a fun, bubbly atmosphere and an eclectic menu full of scrumptious culinary options. Our morning dining delight started with an order of the signature Boon Fly mini-donuts. These cute, mini-sized wonders proved to be an excellent dipping partner for their rich, dark roast coffee.

For my meal, I ordered the Chilaquiles with scrambled eggs. To my surprise, the eggs were outrageously light and fluffy, pairing beautifully with the deep seasonings and the freshness of the accompanying salsa. This combination made the dish a true winner in my book.

Guess Where I am…? ?

We had an enchanting visit to Safari West in the heart of California’s Sonoma wine country recently, where this picture was taken. Commonly known as the ‘Sonoma Serengeti’, Safari West is comprised of 400 acres cradled in the mountainous area above Santa Rosa. Visitors are welcome to wander the trails and partake in the open-truck safaris to experience over 1000 exotic African species of mammals and birds within the natural habitat of this beautiful wildlife preserve.

Green Eggs & Ham in a Cup! ?

On a lazy weekend, I’ll spend a bit more time creating a lovely breakfast for my family and friends. However, during the week, it needs to be quick and easy. This combination of Black Forest ham, eggs, mushrooms, fresh basil pesto, scallions and Gruyère cheese is a perfectly delightful breakfast to savor! I make this glorious, healthy breakfast on the weekend, and enjoy it again and again just by heating up the leftovers during the busy weekdays.

Chimichurri Sauce

We have used this sauce on everything from Filet Mignon to fish tacos, chicken to a fresh vegetable stir-fry, and it never fails to impress. The blending of classic chimichurri ingredients with the delightful, rich flavors of chutney inspired the development of this recipe. I always double the batch so I have leftovers to throw into a stir-fry or over morning eggs. Please feel free to contact us and let us know your favorite application for this fabulous exotic condiment. Enjoy! 🙂

Guess Where I Am…? ?

Napa Postal Mushrooms! We came upon this glorious stone mushroom installation in front of the post office while wandering through Napa Valley wine country. The long shadows of the autumn light made for a dynamic, interesting composition. ? ? ?

Guess Where I Am…? ?

We took this picture while vacationing in Lake Tahoe, California. Every time I look at this photo it makes me smile with the memories of our exciting day sporting around the lake in a speed boat, dragging a tube with some member of our party white knuckled, trying to hang on for dear life! This was followed by the inevitable yipping and howling after the individual on the tube was projected, at high velocity, through the air, and touched down in the water with an exhilarating splash.

Summer Pasta Salad ? ? ?

As with most pasta, this salad gets better and better over time. As the pasta cools, the flavors mingle and blend into a lovely group of complementary flavors on the palate. This recipe is perfect for a BBQ or party because it’s easy to make and it feeds a lot of hungry people!

Guess Where I Am…? ?

Answer:

On a rainy day last December, we visited the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, which is affiliated with University of California, Santa Cruz. To celebrate the seasons, they had decorated the giant whale skeleton out front with thousands of Christmas lights. After out tour, the sun broke through the clouds and provided a lovely rainbow right over the facility. What a glorious treat!

Wild Berry Stuffed French Toast

On this day of celebrating our country’s independence, I thought I’d post my favorite red, white & blue breakfast of champions! ??

The inspiration for this glorious treat began with picking up a loaf of extra-thick cut cinnamon swirl bread from Trader Joe’s. We love this bread because it makes creating a delicious breakfast quick and easy. And let’s face it, today is a holiday, so lets make it fun while keeping it simple…

Guess Where I Am…? ?? ? ?

Last 4th of July, we spent a glorious night watching the San Francisco Fireworks from Angel Island State Park. We took the Blue & Gold Fleet ferry service out from the Embarcadero and enjoyed an afternoon of great food, celebration, and merry making with hundreds of other people. Once the fireworks got started, there was clapping, whistles and singing from all around the port. What a wonderful place to enjoy our country’s Independence Day! ?? ? ? ?

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!

Guess Where I Am…? ?

We snapped this picture just off the side of Highway 29 while visiting the Napa Valley wine country in Northern California. The mustard flowers were in full bloom while the grapes were still dormant. Stay tuned for another fabulous Napa Valley tour coming this autumn! ? ?

Apricot Whiskey Smash ?

I experienced my first Whiskey Smash while visiting my fabulous ‘sista’ *Margi in New Orleans. (Please see my About page for details regarding *The Sisters) Having grown up in ‘wine country’ (Northern California), I was not well acquainted with the various spirits such as Kentucky bourbon verses Scotch whiskey when I headed to Louisiana for my first visit. Margi happily […]

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