In the past six weeks, my girls and I have eaten 120 pounds of apples; that is three 40 pound boxes of Candy Crisp, Gala, Jona-Gold, Winesap and Golden Delicious. It all started from an afternoon drive to See Canyon where I made a turn into Creekside Farm and discovered some of the best apples that I have every tasted. Read more »
Central Coast Wine Classic 2012 Pinot Noir Symposium
“A Celebration of the Remarkable Wine and Cuisine of the Central Coast of California and the Napa Valley” might be a bit of an understatement when it comes to this year’s highly anticipated Central Coast Wine Classic’s Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir Symposium featuring a panel of winemakers passionately discussing the noble grape that is [...]
Purple Teeth and All by Matt Miller, Corkboredom.com
The afternoon of March 13th marked the 4th annual Family Winemakers tasting event in Pasadena. The morning after, my teeth are still a faint shade of purple, and as I watch my fingers type I’m suddenly aware of the purple line on the outside of my index finger that matches a purple spot on the [...]
Open House or Village Festival? by Bob Dickey
Few wineries can offer the delightful food/wine experience that Margerum Wine Company does. They demonstrated that again at their recent Open House.
Warming Up to Ice Wine
The first time I tried Ice Wine, it was like a first kiss: sweet, soft and lingering both on my palate and my mind for the rest of the night. I know champagne and sparkling wines are always a tradition for Valentine’s Day, but what about a little sweetness for your sweetheart? The pleasurable and [...]
What Type of Food Problem Do You Have?
My friend Rosalind recently posted this article from the Huffington Post and I’ve never laughed so hard at myself and my own food peculiarities. I was glad to know that I have moved beyond being a food snob finally, but I still can’t warm up to the food trucks.
Apple Season Is Here!
September 8th, 2011 
admin Even if I knew the world would go to pieces tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree. –Martin Luther
Apple season is here! So, that begs the question of what shall we do with our apples this season? Another apple pie? Now, is that what you really want? Or do you want Mojave’s Creamy Goat Cheese and Ha’s Organic Apple Farm’s Honey Crisp apples sliced fresh on the Breadman’s crusty, toasted french baguette drizzled with Bonilla Olive Oil? Oh, yes Baby, yes! Talking California Style to me. Selecting the best apples and finding a new approach to use them is a titilating endeavor for seasonal foodies. It easily sends us into a pleasurable sweat just fantasizing about the possibilities. Read more »
Mexican Cocoa Muffins
August 27th, 2011 Georgina Being born and raised in Los Angeles, Mexican culture has had a strong impact on my life and a huge influence in my creations. Many of my friends were first generation Mexican American; I’ve made tamales and tortillas with their mothers and grandmothers; tried to dance quebraditas unsuccessfully; and took quite a few tequila shots. Read more »
Providence’s Maple Muffins (with little editing by her mother)
August 21st, 2011 Georgina With all the traveling I do going to California Food and Wine festivals, just being home on the weekends is a luxury. My eldest daughter Providence has taken quite an interest in baking and one of her favorite pastries is a Starbuck’s pecan maple scone. Using a basic muffin recipe, she (with a little help from her mother) developed this muffin recipe maple lovers will truly enjoy. Read more »
Animals in the Big City
August 9th, 2011 Georgina One of my favorite topics in life is raising animals. I love my cats, my dog, my horse and my chickens. Susan Orleans of the New Yorker, is one of the funniest and best writers on this topic and many others.
Panzanella Made with Whole Foods Market Cibatta
August 7th, 2011 Georgina Panzanella with Whole Foods Market Cibatta: Every Friday, I purchase the Cibatta two-loaf pack from Whole Foods Market for only $3.99. First, on Friday night, the fresh cibatta is accompanied by a good glass of wine, a saucer of olive oil and grated Parmaggiano Reggiano and a plate of olives, almonds, figs and cherries while seated at my backyard table with my five cats challenging me to our nightly staring contest and my sweet dog waiting for a fork faux pas. Read more »
LaVitaFresca at Whole Foods Market: Marshmallows
August 3rd, 2011 Georgina Today, I want talk about marshmallows. Marshmallows are usually spongy, plastic cylinders that our kids beg us to buy. Most jet-puffed marshmallows would, much like a Twinkie or cockroach, survive a nuclear holocaust. I happen to love marshmallows but find most quite repulsive. Read more »
The Dinner at Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California
August 2nd, 2011 Georgina 2011 Central Coast Wine Classic: The Revival of Avila Beach: To say that the 2011 Central Coast Wine Classic Dinner at Hearst Castle was fabulous would be an understatement; to say that it was incredible would be also an inadequate description. The energy of everyone involved in this superb night was positive, amiable and enthusiastic. The best chefs cooked and the best wines, all chosen by Chairman Archie McLaren, flowed freely: Roederer, Hitching Post, Justin, AuBonClimat, Costa de Oro, LaFollette, Wedell, Sunstone, Achaval-Ferrer, Hearst Ranch. Read more »
Meyer Lemon Lemonade with a Mediterranean Twist
July 13th, 2011 Georgina I moved into this little house ten years ago — it was early July 2000. It’s a tiny, sweet dwelling on a small lot in the LA Strip built in 1946 with many old fruit trees. The backyard is beautiful and I’ve made sure that every inch of it is used to grow or support something or someone animal or vegetable. Every tree is my favorite tree — they are like your children — they are each your favorite and you love them equally is a given whether they give you pounds of beautiful fruit or pounds of trouble. Read more »
Au Bon Climat est arrive!!
July 2nd, 2011 admin I’ve been a fan of Au Bon Climat, or ABC as many call them, since the early eighties. It’s one of Santa Barbara’s pioneer and premier wineries. Back then, they didn’t have a tasting room and you could only visit the winery twice a year; on the weekends of the Vintners’ Festivals. Read more »
