Spring has almost sprung . I am celebrating Jane , Cohen that is with her  recipes for

 A Surprising  Shephardic Carrot Salad Recipe ( A real hit in our Linda Vista Library Class).

plus, simply the best  Apple Cake , overflowing with Apples ! 

A delightful Treasury of readings and recipes is

 Jewish Holiday Cooking by Jane Cohen

 You do not have to be Jewish to Celebrate Home Cooking

in this informative , charming and useful cook book.

I can see either of those dishes on an Easter Menu too.

Wishing you good friends , good deeds and good cooking

Deborah

Celebrating Jane 

A Great Carrot Recipe

Lovely Apple Cake 

A Treasury of reading and info 

Plus you do not have to be Jewish to Celebrate Home Cooking

in this informative , charming and useful cook book.

The Jewish Holiday Cooking by Jane Cohen

good friends , good deeds and good cooking

Deborah

What does Beyonce eat?

It is so great to see a healthy looking beauty like Beyonce.

I love to teach young women to cook, and role models like Beyonce set the tone - NOT those strained looking q-tips.

I am concerned that young women do not receive good advice, only trendy info dictated by folks who make millions selling garbage instead of fresh, whole foods. Simple things, like learning to make an entree salad that's NOT drenched in gooey dressing, but tossed with fresh juice and real olive oil.

Choices are important, but even MORE important is knowing the options. You get those by checking your sources and becoming a good consumer.

Many times students will complain that berries are expensive, but when it is pointed out to them that they cost the same as a box of junky snack, they look at things differently.

And which one do you want in your body - or your kids' ?

I Love Gordon Ramsey

If you knew me, you'd know how much I do not care for celebrity chefs: to me, they're all about taking short cuts and dumping ingredients. But not Gordon. He shows respect for techniques, superior ingredients and clean kitchens .

OK, so occasionally he gets a little hot under the collar, but so do I when I watch cooking shows that teach little, constantly selling the idea that fancy appliances, shiny untesils and designer knicknacks make for good home cooking.

Chefs are for RESTAURANTS - not for cooking at home. (However, I have to say, Chef Ramsey's one-minute lesson on how to cook scallops on a show last season was not only spectacular, but USEFUL to any home cooker.)

(Food Network, take note: he and your very own Alton Brown HAVE IT RIGHT.)

Good friends, good deeds and good cooking.

Deb

PS - the Gordon Ramsey's THE LONDON in West Hollywood is pretty yummy!

Everything is a "THING"

"Everything is a THING" these days.

These are code words between my husband and me, usually accompanied by rolling eyes and always referencing something that has been distorted by being turned into an over-thought, over-elaborated and certainly overpriced Big Damn Deal.

For example, bike riding used to be simple: you parked your bike by leaning it against the wall in your garage, you dressed in comfy clothes and took a spin. But these days - well, have you SEEN these guys with the space suits with matching goggles and blinking lights?

And how about all these TV cooking shows which have somehow convinced my cooking students that buying out William Sonoma is what makes for "Good Cooking."

Or how about how about grocery stores, where to pick up a few things quickly is history. Hell, by the time i'm actually IN the store I can't even remember why.

And cupcakes - what's THAT about? Today a cupcake that tastes like cardboard with half a ton of icing costs FIVE BUCKS and you have to stand in line put up with snotty service because cupcakes, my dear, are the "big thing." A CUPCAKE? Really? No.

You get it. Now roll your eyes....

Sent from my iPhone

My Favorite Baked Goods in LA!

(Be careful - not all places bake all items!)*

1 Best morning baked goods: PATTICAKES in Altadena
(their nectarine tart muffins are bliss!)
2 Pies by PIE AND BURGER in Pasadena
(try the rhubarb!)
3 Cupcakes: AUNTIE EM's in Eagle Rock
(love the coconut!)
4 Italian bread and rolls: ROMA ITALIAN DELI on Lake Ave in Pasadena
5 Almond Biscotti: FEDERICO'S ITALIAN BAKERY on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena
6 French bread: LA BREA BAKERY
('nuff said!)
7 Rye bread: CANTER'S FAIRFAX RESTAURANT on Fairfax
8 Cookies: DIAMOND BAKERY (in Artesia, Montery Park, El Monte)
9 Coconut Cake: WHOLE FOODS ARROYO
10 Cake with fruit: PHOENIX BAKERY in Chinatown
11 Walnut bread: PAIN QUOTIDIAN - Everywhere!
12 Croissants: NICOLES in South Pasadena
(frozen ones, you bake them back at home - awesome, and your house will smell great!)
13 Special occasion cakes: right back to PATTICAKES in Altadena

Oh and sorry guys - the best macaroons are STILL from LADUREE in Paris !!!!
Check out their website: http://www.laduree.fr/

*well, except for a few exceptions