Wine of the Week: DaVero Falco So’ Bianco

Wine: Falco So’ Bianco Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Price: $20 Tasting notes: green grass, herbs, brightly acidic notes of lemon Story: This Sauvignon Blanc from DaVero in Healdsburg, CA (the source of our favorite olive oils) is deliciously …

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Summer bugs.

The family of walking sticks (at least, I like to think they’re a family) has returned to the Side Porch. They always arrive around the first of August. Last year, things did not end well.

Quick pickles.

I hate pickles. Let me be clear: I. Hate. Pickles. Hate them so much that I avoid at all costs what I call pickle contamination: that is, when the juice from an unwanted dill pickle sogs …

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Wine of the Week: Montes Cherub

Wine: Montes Cherub Rosé of Syrah 2009 Price: $12 Tasting notes: tart strawberries; a zippy, acidic wine that’s crisp, refreshing and great with food Story: If your idea of a rosé wine is white zinfandel, then you …

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Sweet broiled peaches.

I’m currently exploring recipes for desserts with fewer than five ingredients for an upcoming post on SparkPeople.com. (Tough assignment, no?) With some fresh, local fruit on hand in the fridge, I came up with this super-simple …

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In praise of: the swirl mixer.

I’m not much for kitchen gadgets. Please, I don’t need a quesadilla maker, or a frozen pop maker or any other ‘-maker.’ I like simple tools that function well. Like the swirl mixer. My grandmother and …

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Grilled corn with Parmesan breadcrumbs.

Last summer, I shared a house favorite recipe: Corn and Parmesan gratin, also known as “West Chop Corn” from Susan Branch’s “Summer” cookbook of recipes inspired by Martha’s Vineyard. Now that sweet corn is in season, …

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Summer fruit shortcakes.

Where is it written that a girl can’t bake her own birthday cake? And who says it has to be a quote-unquote cake at all, really? Why not shortcakes, topped with luscious summer fruit? Absolutely. And …

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