Recently, I cooked a family meal for eight at the hunting lodge. Since it’s summer, there were lots of veggies, some from our gardens. I had cherry tomatoes, green olives, and green pepper slices sitting on the counter, when they arrived. Also, I blanched some broccoli and tossed it with extra virgin olive oil, garlic,…
Author: Lanie Fioretti
My name is Lanie Fioretti and although I am not a classically trained chef or a degreed nutritionist, I have been studying food and nutrition voraciously since the early seventies. After working in public health and private practice for 22 years, I retired my dental hygiene license. I have taught cooking classes at Whole Foods and Central Market, done product development for a bakery in east Texas, catered, and been a personal chef. I usually think of myself as an improvisational cook!
Jalapeno Tart
Spice up your summer entertaining with this scrumptious treat. And wash it down with a Moscow Mule, our new summer drink of choice (you can find ginger beer at large grocers, like HEB). I used a polenta crust in this version, but you could just as easily make a nut crust instead. Process nuts, like…
Polenta
It seems I haven’t really talked about polenta on the blog. I guess it must have escaped my radar. Cornmeal products make an appearance in lots of cultures. In the U.S. southern states, it’s about grits. In all Spanish cultures, there are cornmeal staples taking several forms, like: tortillas, arepas, and gorditas. African, Asian, and…
Greenhouse Prep
It looks like I’m going to have to start talking about the greenhouse, because I’m just too excited! Don has been digging out the dirt, well really sand, where it’s going to sit. We’re going to create a soil blend that’s better for the plants than our current sandy soil. The neighbor’s cows that are…
Homage to Dot
On Sunday, my precious friend Dot, gave up her struggle to live. For the past 3 years and 4 months, I’ve had the privilege of knowing, and cooking for her. She was definitely a fellow foodie, with a very well equipped kitchen. See, I just can’t stop talking about food! Dot definitely touched everyone who…