In December of 1989, just after Christmas, my father and step-mother dropped me off at a little pensione in Siena, Italy where I was to meet my study-abroad group. I knew no one. We said our goodbyes, and I watched them fold themselves back into their tiny rented Fiat Uno and drive off. I stood [...]

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Many of you may think I’m talking about the scandalous former mayor of Washington, DC, Marion Barry, but I am not. I’m talking about the succulent Pacific Northwestern fruit, the marionberry.
The marionberry was introduced in 1956 at my alma mater, Oregon State University, and developed in Marion County. While they grow throughout the Pacific Northwest, [...]

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Lemon curd is a quintessentially English treat. It reminds me of tea at Harrod’s in London when I was in the 5th grade. It’s delicious slathered over scones with cream or baked in a fruit tart. I especially love it when it makes you pucker.
The following recipe, from the cookbook Once Upon A Tart, [...]

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Nothing tops off a Summer Solstice dinner more perfectly than an apple tart. My friend’s mother, Val, made a simply divine one the other night, and I am still daydreaming about its goodness. I’m talking the-skies-opened-up-and-the-angels-sang good.
Although tarts seem like a relatively simple dessert, it’s the crust wherein lies the excruciating challenge. And to me, [...]

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Flowers enhance food in both an alluring and fun way. They give a romantic dinner a sensual touch, or add a bit of playfulness with a surprising splash of color. Best of all, there’s that little “lift” of fragrance that’s unbeatable.
My favorite is to toss in a small amount of nasturtiums or pansies to a [...]

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I have three words for you: Cardamom Crème Brûlée. It’s silly how easy it is to make. Just silly! I whipped this up last night to accompany my friend’s Indian feast and we danced around the table like actors in a Bollywood film.

Cardamom Crème Brûlée
12 large egg yolks, beaten
1 cup granulated sugar
4 cups heavy cream
1 [...]

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I love chocolate. Who doesn’t! I don’t trust anyone who says they don’t like chocolate. They’re either liars or crazy. Or crazy liars.
So the other night at our cooking class, when one couple was assigned the duty of making a chocolate dessert, I quickly sidled up to them and eagerly asked,
“Watcha makin’?”
“Bay leaf and cardamom [...]

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I’m not talking Rice-A-Roni here, the San Francisco treat I’m referring to is IT’S-IT Ice Cream. When I was a kid we’d often pass the IT’S-IT factory perched on the edge of Highway 101 near the San Francisco airport. I would beg my parents to stop, but alas, it never happened. I still threaten to [...]

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