I love the beginning of Fall. Temperatures turn cooler and the leaves on the trees turn beautiful shades of red and gold as the days shorten. Fall also bring two of my favorite foods for baking--apples and pumpkin! I recently took a trip to Apple Hill, (a California community of apple growers and wineries set in the Sierras west of Sacramento) … [Read more...]
Chicken Sausage and Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms
This month I was inspired by the upcoming Thanksgiving feast. We all look forward to scrumptious goodies that we share at a beautiful table with family and friends as we celebrate gratitude. This is my favorite holiday because it's completely dedicated to acknowledging our many blessings! My family has a tradition (as do many others) to go … [Read more...]
The Stinking Rose
I dont think there's another produce item that changes so much from raw to cooked as garlic. Raw garlic is a bit harsh and bitter, but roasted garlic is smooth, rich and fantastic. Roasted garlic is one of the simplest and most delicious ingredients for an easy appetizer. Most people have a bulb of it on hand. If you have a baguette or some … [Read more...]
No Knead Bread
As the days shorten and the weather cools, my mind turns to baking--cookies, cakes, quick breads and, of course, yeast breads. The easiest of the yeast breads, at least in my mind, is Jim Lahey's "No Knead Bread" from his book, My Bread. Mix together four ingredients, let it sit for 12-18 hours, shape it, let it rise, then bake it. Easy … [Read more...]
Roasted Root Vegetables mean Fall is here!
I love the smell of roasted winter vegetables with savory herbs! It signals the beginning of a cozy season of getting together with friends and family to celebrate the harvest with .... of course, food! This colorful combo includes red potatoes, sweet potatoes, baby carrots, parsnips, and shallots, winners all in the high nutrition … [Read more...]
Cuisinart’s CSO “decalcify” directions worked
Troubleshooting: "Add Water" alert goes off every few minutes when the water reservoir is full. When the "Add Water" alert kept going off, the first thing I thought was that there was a 'clog' somewhere in the machine. Below are the steps I took to investigate the problem, but first, I will share with you how the problem was … [Read more...]