Unusually Warm Sunday Evening ...

We were driving over the bay bridge early afternoon and noticed that the bay was very calm ... almost eerie, actually. I hate to say it, as I just put L. for a plane, and I would hate to be home alone, but it seems like earthquake weather. Or maybe the eerie is because of the big H. day coming up this week. ;)

Regardless, we decided it was a good reason to pick up some steaks and toss them on the barbie! They were Marin Sun Farmsbeef steaks and they were OUTSTANDING! Really truly OUTSTANDING! Just coated with some olive oil, salt and pepper and grilled them up! Served along side was a warm "french" potato salad, which I learned in my French Cooking class a couple weeks ago. Can not beat a steak and potato dinner served up with a little red wine to wash it all down! Nice meal before putting my man on a plane .... :(

Two Days in France

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Well, not exactly but the next best thing. Denise of Chez spent the past weekend cooking, eating and tasting wine at Tante Marie .

I took a French Food and Wine Course over the weekend - which I highly recommend. The school is small, intimate and very professional with a casual and laid back feeling all rolled into one fantastic program. Mary Risley, the founder of Tante Marie is very personable and welcoming - as if we all just came to her home! Everyone taking the course was interesting (from all over the country as well as Bay Area) and we all enjoyed the same passion - COOKING and FOOD! The instructors, Jessica Lasky (food) and Shelley Lindgren (wine) are knowledgeable, fun and very personable. I can not say enough pleasant things about my experience - I will definitely go back!

We spent the entire weekend learning about the different regions of France with regards to food and wine as well as getting our hands dirty in the kitchen. We made everything from Pepper Gougeres (can you say super YUM), Salade Lyonnaise, Classic Bouillabaise, Beef Daube, Duck Cassoulet, Quail with Grapes, Celeryroot and Endive Salade, Fig Clafouti, Crepe Suzette, and the list goes on and one!

We tasted and drank wines from Champagne, Alace, Bordeaux, the Rhone and may other wonderful areas in France.

I wish I could give you all a nibble; but, I can't. You can entice your taste buds here! This is simply a wonderful way to spend a weekend!