Simplicity ....

I love having quiche with a simple salad, a warm loaf of crusty bread with butter (homemade butter - I am addicted to making this) and a nice glass of vino! Tonight I made a wild mushroom quiche! For dessert a bowl of summer strawberries topped with cream that I lightly scented with vanilla - no sugar! Simplicity is heaven sent sometimes ...

Chickpea Stew

Since dinner was such a wreck a couple nights ago I decided to make something with one of L.'s favorite ingredients ... the chick pea! I was inspired by a recipe in Food & Wine. I did alter it a little since I did not have bay leafs nor raisins. Regardless, it was wonderful not to mention ... very easy and quick! I wanted to spice it up so I sauteed some french Portuguese Peppers with olive oil and then sprinkled salt over them.

Vegtable Soup with Fennel, Herbs and Parmesan Broth

I was inspired by this recipe on Food & Wine as I was looking for something "good" and light. Well, it was light but not that good - too bland and too many leeks (I thought I could hid them from L. since there was so much fennel in there ... I am BAD - he really HATES them & I realized just how much tonight)! So, after all, it was not comfort food but rather, "mental note, never cook another leek!" At least Dessert saved the day .... homemade chocolate cake and cookies and cream ice cream - a happy belated bday celebration for L. from our little friends, M., E., and M.!

Sunday Snack

Late afternoon snack, early dinner - lite up the barbie and tossed on some good old fashioned burgers and fries!

Saturday Night

Grilled beef short ribs with a risotto salad seasoned with olives, capers, Meyer lemon juice & zest and a bit of a Spanish olive oil, served with a Gnarly Head Zin!