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 .... :(

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!

Wok this ....

Friday night we finally had a warm enough evening to take advantage of the deck - it has been a long time! Woked a veggie stir fry - red & purple bell peppers, zucchini, yellow patty pan squash and some young red onions. Very simple with some olive oil and then a sprinkling of a new Tuscan salt. The highlight was a grilled Branzini, which I stuffed with a mixture of fennel, red onion, oregano and Meyer lemon - first time grilling and eating a Branzini, it was wonderful - peeled off nicely from the skin & bones, it was light, moist and very flavorful!

Grilled Pizza??

For dinner we had something besides a stuff pepper. It was a beautiful night and it was calling for us to enjoy our deck, so I whipped up some homemade pizza dough and we grilled pizzas. A Blue cheese and tomato one and a Mozzarella with tomatoes and arugula. We enjoyed the smokiness of the grilled pizzas with a 2005 Espelt Saulo wine!

Grilled Burgers

Had our friend B over for another great night for the deck. So we threw some burgers on the grill. Italian seasoned with cheddar cheese, whole wheat buns, red-leaf lettuce and heirloom tomatoes. Served them with spicy sweet potato fries and grilled/woked veggies (using my newest addition).

Ribs! Ribs! Ribs!

Last night we had our friend W. over for a cookout. Warm evening in the city and we were going to take advantage of our beautiful deck & Weber! Started the evening with a bottle of 2004 Tobin James Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel and a Hummus Platter. The food was great and the wine was FANTASTIC - juicy, jammy and spicy all wrapped up in one! We then grilled up some beef short ribs which I had rubbed down with a Chipotle Pepper and Salt rub, that I made earlier in the day. These ribs are really outstanding - full of flavor!! I am drooling just thinking about it - summer addiction for warm nights on the deck! Served it with an Asian Inspired Slaw that I tossed together and then we popped open a 2004 Tobin James French Camp Vineyard Zinfandel - another winner which really complimented the grilled beef, which was slightly spicy as well as the sweetness in the slaw! We ended the night with chocolate anglefood cake which I bought at Whole Foods and covered it with those great strawberries I have been raving about! Fantastic meal for a warm summer night in the city!!!

Lamb Sausage

Finally grilled those Lamb Sausages - fantastic! Served with some grilled eggplant which was drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grey sea salt & fresh ground pepper. Roasted a mixture of yellow, orange & red beets with thyme & made a simple salad drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, feta and more grey sea salt. Dessert .... simple summer figs!

This Week .................

....... is all about creating a flavor explosion in your mouth from what we have on hand - I won't be able to get to the grocery for a few more days this week!