Watermelon Salad

 HELLOOoooo California.  Today, it's watermelon salad. So simple, yet so good.  

• Organic Watermelon
• Fresh Mint,  to your liking 
• Limes, as many as you like 

Wash the outside of the watermelon before cutting, you don't want any creepy crawler germs to pass through on the knife while cutting.  Slice watermelon into chunks, thinly slice the mint, sprinkle on top and squeeze lime juice on top of the whole shootin match, I mean the watermelon salad. Add a few sprigs of mint as garnish and enjoy the taste of summer.  

Red Pepper Soup

Eventhough the weather has been so warm, I was craving my Red Pepper Soup. This soup is so creamy, yet no cream or even butter. Enjoy!!  I can eat an entire pot.

• 8 large red bell peppers
• 2 carrots, peeled
• 1 pear, peeled
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil,  shocker...it has olive oil
• 4 Cups of Chicken Stock
• Crushed red pepper to your liking (I like mine with a kick)
• Pinch of Cayenne pepper
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 5 Shallots, peeled
• I garnish with either dried parsley, oregano or chives, your choice

I roast 3 of the bell peppers right on an open flame, see below. Get them really charred and remove the skin under cold water. Remove seeds and place on papper towel until needed.  Thinly slice the remaining peppers, carrots, shallots, pear and garlic. Saute vegetables and pear in the olive oil until tender. Add chicken stock, dried red pepper, cayenne and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered for 30 minutes.  Puree the soap in a blender, adding the roasted red peppers, one at a time. Pour pureed soup back into pot and reheat. Add garnish.  

I left my heart in San Francisco

The Ferry Building on the Embarcadero is one of those destinations while visiting San Francisco that will never be forgotten. Every Saturday they host an outside farmers market featuring a large selection of organics fruits and vegtables.  Inside the Ferry Building you will find artisian cheeses, local oysters, wine tasting, shopping and wonderful dining options.

Hog Island Oyster Company "from their first tiny harvest in 1984 to the 3 million oysters they raise annually today, Hog Island Oyster Company has become one of the most celebrated oyster producers in North America" --Martha Stewart

I'm enjoying the warm weather and a Latte

Everyone who knows me,  knows that I am an Olive Oil junkie. I cook with it, use lotions and soaps made with it, I practically drink it straight.
McEvoy Ranch Olive Oil is one of my favorite.  You can find them in higher end grocery stores, or here inside the Ferry Building. 

Those wonderful olive oil soaps I was talking about.

After tasting and shopping my way through the Ferry Building, hard to believe but it was time for more food. We sat outside right on the water watching the ferry boats go by at one of my top Peruvian Restaurants,
 La Mar 

I had the Heirloom Tomato salad with Quinoa and the Cebiche Clasico. 

Cowgirl Creamery the most amazing Artisan Cheeses around.  You can find their cheeses in grocery stores and an entire cheese shop inside the Ferry Building. Click on the link to learn about their local history. 

Happy 4th of July everyone

Today I spent the day at the Redwood City Parade. It was their 74th annual parade and festival.  Good old fashion fun!!
www.parade.org/index.html

The temps outside were soaring, so the Fire Department hooked up the fire hoses for the kids to get wet and cool off 

After the parade, we followed up with a wonderful lunch at Pamplemousse. They are located in the heart of downtown Redwood City. I had their toasted Brie sandwich served on a Baguette with a Belgium Endive Salad.  When you go, you simply must try their vast array of Macarons.
www.pamplemoussecakes.com/cafe/index.html

What parade and festival would be complete without a car show, featuring old fasioned cars. 

www.parade.org/index.html