Grilled Pancetta Wrapped Salmon Skewers

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written here and I’d like to say it’s because we’ve stopped eating — our waistlines would most likely appreciate it if we had — but sadly, that is not the case.  With my youngest son’s last year of high school recently drawn to a close and my own reinstatement as par-boiled domestic engineer coinciding with that of my son’s accomplishment, I’ve been distracted.  I’ve spent 31 years raising my children and had a busy career for much of it, so one might think that with endless amounts of time to look forward to, I’d roll up my sleeves and get on with whatever I’d wanted to do when time didn’t allow.  Instead, I’ve been involved in perfecting the fine arts of avoidance and procrastination.  Meals I’ve prepared have been relatively simple and those I’ve experimented with and taken the time to shoot have had photos languishing on my hard drive waiting for even the tiniest hint of motivation.  It seems that impending empty nest syndrome is alive and well in Paradise.

My son will be off to college late in August and so I’ve spent quite a bit of time taking stock of our lives.  Sounds heavy, doesn’t it?  Somewhat like pushing away from the table after a huge holiday dinner vowing never to eat again — unless it’s light and healthy, of course.  From a non-food perspective, this would mean we’re taking things lightly this summer — the summer before we’re sans children in residence.  The summer before we look at one another and say, “Where did all those years go, and how did we get to be this old?”

Time flies.

It seems that light, uncomplicated, and nutrient packed food is in order — like salmon.  Maybe we can dupe our bodies into thinking they’re spry again.  It’s a start, right?

This recipe is quick, tasty, and requires little or no prep.  Perfect for warm weather and relaxing times.

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Hot Wings with Gorgonzola Sauce

Hot Wings with Gorgonzola Sauce I’ve often accused my husband of being a fair weather fan of our local sports teams, yet it couldn’t be farther from the truth.  No, I’d qualify for the position far more than he ever could given the amount of time he spends cheering and, yes, jeering about their wins and far too frequent losses.  As much as I’ve been right there in the excitement of recent years of Super Bowl possibilities, watching the resident menfolk high-five one another after a good play, and engage in exuberant chest bumping when the Chargers squeaked out a win, this year, I just don’t have it.  Sure, the game is on each Sunday and I usually can be found in the kitchen about that time, but I’m sadly just not interested.  I’m whispering, mind you, because you just can’t say that very loudly around here.

The best I can do is think about what to cook for the “occasion” knowing that I’ll have a small group of men interested in food when the action on the field isn’t going our way — and it often seems not to.  Although they’re often subjected to my routine experimentation, I do occasionally treat them to food that is more in line with what one may want on game day.

Like Buffalo Wings — or more accurately — Hot Wings.

My husband loves Gorgonzola, so guess what’s in the sauce?  And then there’s the crazy Asian hot sauce.  Mmmm….

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3-Onion Leek Tart

3-Onion and Leek Tart Time has just flown by lately and with it, my opportunities to not only write as much as I have, but cook the way I’ve always enjoyed cooking — experimenting with new recipes.  Since coming back from Mexico, I’ve been mulling over an opportunity that has taken on a life of its own and me with it.  For the next year or so, I’ll be out of the house again for most of the day so will have to learn to adjust to writing here in the time I have left.  I know there are many of you who do this successfully, so I’ll look to you for inspiration and perhaps a schedule!  By all means, share your secrets with me so I can find a good balance.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a tart I made recently inspired by yet another tart made with some lovely vegetables from Specialty Produce. Although the brief and somewhat elusive season for ramps is close to ending (April – May) , I was able to sample them for the first time.  Ramps are wild leeks harvested by foraging in wooded, mountainous areas, and from what I’m learning, quite the reason to celebrate since they’re a sign of spring.  Ramps are a member of the allium family, so I decided to sample them with green garlic and shallot shoots knowing that whatever I ended up making would be delicious.  Unfortunately, the first tart was prepared for a dinner party, and since I’m challenged to find a way to shoot great photos while entertaining, I decided to recreate the tart using a different collection of vegetables from the onion family.

Because I was home alone that evening, I was thrilled not to have to share this amazing tart with anyone.

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Spicy Duo: Breaded Calamari and Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

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I've been so jittery the last couple of days.  I know it's the election — waiting, and waiting to find out.  The feeling is strangely like I felt waiting for Christmas morning to arrive when I was a kid, the anticipation just about doing me in. 

But it's not just the election.  Having to pack four rooms in our house to prepare for a big remodel isn't helping.  It's great to be busy, though,  since the time is flying by.  Each book or knick knack I take from the shelf to pack is accompanied by my nagging alter ego which is reminding me I should have gotten rid of this crap a very long time ago.

And then there's the little matter of a trip I'm taking in a couple of days, leaving the hunkster to finish what I've not managed to do to prepare the house.  Maybe that's why I'm giddy with excitement as well.  I'm headed to the Midwest to meet with several food bloggers.  In fact, it's for a wedding:  Lis' wedding.  You know Lis, right?  Co-founder of The Daring Bakers? La Mia Cucina Lis.   And guess who's making the wedding cake?  Helen.  Helen, Tartelette Helen.  Now how exciting is that?

Seriously exciting if you ask me.  So I'm pretty much a basket case right now, stomach in nervous knots and finishing almost nothing that I start.

Wait.  That sounds somewhat like a normal day now that I think of it.  The not finishing anything I start part.  Whatever…

So food is definitely in the low maintenance zone at our house right now and since the hunkster wanted to know what was on the Election Day menu, I figured Batter Fried Calamari & Jalapeno Poppers would work just fine.  And I have the perfect accompaniment for both — a sauce made with a bit o' spicy love. 

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Sleek Party Food: Spicy Tuna and Avocado

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Halloween officially launches the party season as far as I'm concerned.  It's not like we have a calendar full of swanky events scheduled…I'm counting zero right now…, but having any excuse to get together constitutes a party.  Why not?  Football, the holidays, and…..Election Night!  Whether it's a raucous group of good friends, or a more tame cocktail get together, the occasion is always better if the food is excellent.

And speaking of excellent, what could be better than a dish that can be a dip or a salad?  It's elegant, it's healthy, and oh my goodness, it's delicious.

The first time I made this, my brother dug in with a tortilla chip and popped it in his mouth, asking between chews and mmmming, "What is this?"

"Raw fish," I responded.  "Good, huh?"

And he thought he didn't like avocados or fish — let alone raw fish.

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Spanish Meatballs & Garlicky Greenbeans

Have you been watching Spain:  On the Road AgainWhen I saw Mario Batalli with Gwynneth Paltrow in the recent issue of Food & Wine,  I thought, huh.  Okay.  And then I looked at the recipes since that’s what life is all about, right?  All that olive oil and garlic…potatoes and rice.

Mmm-Hmmm.

I have found out that at least in San Diego, PBS is running the series  in the middle of the night, so I have set my DVR and have begun to live vicariously through the Foodie Foursome which includes Mark Bittman and a lovely Spanish actress I’ve not seen before, Claudia Bassols.  Oh, to be cruising through Spain in a caravan of expensive German cars.  Hell.  Just cruising through Spain.  The countryside is gorgeous, and the cooking seriously simple.  I’m loving the entire experience.  In fact, I’ve ordered the book since my Penelope Casas’ La Cocina de Mama has been getting quite the workout lately.

In fact, recently, we had meatballs and I’m left wondering why I never had meatballs when we lived in Spain.  There were meatballs?

I don’t think Gordon Ramsay would yell too loudly at me over this one.  You know.  The chef who wrote the book I’m giving away if you’ve commented and sent in a recipe.  If you can’t remember, then click the book on the left.  Time is seriously running out, and if I can’t scrape together a decent spread to celebrate my 100,000 visitor which happened yesterday, well.  Get those recipes and photos in everyone.  Everybody needs another cookbook — especially a big pretty one that’s FREE.

Where was I?

Spanish Meatballs and Greenbeans, that’s where.  It has comfort food written all over it.

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