Fresh Orchard Apricots

"Perfectly imperfect" is one of my favorite sayings recently. Case in point, take a look at this just-picked apricot. Notice the dents, scars and divets peppering it's delicate skin. Tiny little battle wounds. But bite open the fruit, and the darned thing is ripe and juicy and tastes freaking delicious. Mmmm... perfect.

Green Tomatillos, Black Plate

So, if food can be brooding, these tomatillos are acing it!

In any case, today we are preparing these beautiful tomatillos for a chicken chile verde dish. Did you know... cooking time is the key to any chile verde worth it's salt. Lots of cooking time! Time allows the flavors to mix, mingle and develop into a savory and complex stew.

I found a great recipe here — http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-chile-verde/— although I tend to cook the stew for a little longer, about three hours total. Enjoy!

Cappuccino with Sugar

Good morning, sunshine : )  Just wanted to share a lovely, foamy cappuccino with you on this wonderful Wednesday.

Brussels Sprouts Ready for Roasting

 

It's brussels sprouts season in California. The time of the year when you can drive out to the coast and see the tall, funny looking stalks populating the fields of the local farms.

I've never roasted them before, but am preparing to use Nigella Lawson's recipe which is essentially:

425 oven

Garlic infused olive oil

a little rosemary

salt 

lemon zest

pecorino cheese

Simple.

Mix the brussels sprouts together with the olive oil, rosemary and lemon zest. I'm adding a little salt here, but Nigella prefers to add after roasting.

Roast for 20-25 minutes or so.  

Remove from the oven, add salt, pepper, and the pecorino cheese.

Results soon!!!

Fennel with Water Drops

Fennel with Water Drops
Originally uploaded by pixelish
Stopped by a roadside stand on the way to Santa Barbara on Saturday. There some fruits outside, but the veggies were kept inside the cool, dark barn. The open door provided the only light source for this photograph.