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.
Read More →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.
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The addition of a small quantity of Gruyere cheese makes for a deep blending of flavors both bright and rich in this lovely scramble.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.
Read More →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.
Read More →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…
Read More →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…
Read More →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.
Read More →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! 🙂
Read More →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!
Read More →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…
Read More →French Wild Berry Pie ?
Happy Pi Day To All! 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 […]
Read More →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 […]
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 →Perfect Pie Crust
I grew up with plenty of dessert pies, quiches, chicken pot pies, and savory galettes. Regardless of what fabulous ingredients were tucked neatly inside, my Mother’s pie crust was always perfectly light and flaky. The recipe below comes from generations of pie making experience. I’ve done my best to capture all the subtle nuances, just as I was taught. I’m not sure if my Mom developed this recipe on her own, or it was my Grandmother’s family recipe. What I can tell you is that it was written on a 3×5 index card that seems to have fallen victim to decades of butter saturated fingers. Enjoy! 🙂
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 →Le Voov! Derby Mint Julep ? ? ? ?
Every year on the first Saturday in May we throw our annual Kentucky Derby Party to celebrate a West Coast version of the Run For The Roses. We honor the many traditional aspects of this southern event, including an extravagant California version of the ladies Parade of Hats that would make the fellas in the San Francisco Castro scream, yip and holler with delight!
In keeping with tradition, we also have frosty mint juleps flowing promptly at 2 PM. However, as you may have suspected, my need to add a personal bit of Le Voov! originality, I put a little twist on the traditional julep….
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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