A Year of Feasts for the Eyes from 2010

 This last year has been a true learning curve for my recipe blog. I mean that quite literally, because I have taught myself how to make recipes for the very first time! I had so much fun learning how to make my own Semolina Gnocchi, just by watching a television show.

 I literally paused the video to try and figure out how Lydia Bastianich made her Sardinian Sausage Sauce and Ciccione pasta. I couldn't find the recipe online, and I didn't have her cookbook.  I felt like an honorary Italian for a day.

I also received a very unexpected surprise-- I won a contest for making "Eggs In Purgatory"!

I was given a $500 spa gift certificate and give a one year's supply of coupons for Eggland's Best Eggs. I have been spreading out the enjoyment of massages at a local spa, and I'm sad to see generous supply of my free eggs are dwindling.  This recipe will also be featured in an upcoming cookbook from Ladies Home Journal.

I am looking forward to the return of grilling season.  One of my favorite recipes I created was this Lamb Burger, glazed with fig jam and caramelized onion.  Just looking at this photo makes me drool at the memory biting into this, and tasting the feta cheese that I had stuffed in side.

I am mourning the loss of our tomato garden, because this Seared Scallop and Pasta dish is not only super fast to make-- it's one of my favorite recipes that I've made.

 I reconnect with my Mexican roots by learning how to make a very easy-- and really good-- Tex-Mex Chili Gravy.  At last, I could have my favorite cheese & onion enchiladas, right at home.  This is comfort food!

I finally learned how to make my own soft pretzels, and these were much easier than I thought they'd be.  These were a big hit for my annual Oktoberfest party.  I won't be waiting a whole year to make these again.

I love to bake, and I have to give this Savory Crostata pastry my own special award for it's flavor.  The pastry is tender, and the addition of marscarpone and Parmesan cheese yielded a flavorful pastry that made me do a happy dance.

The filling enabled me to use our homegrown Swiss Chard, ricotta cheese and leeks-- I loved this, and it's a perfect meal to serve to a vegetarian.  I must make this again-- soon!

  I have a sweet tooth, indeed.  Lemon is my chocolate, without a doubt.  I created this Lemon Curd Ice Cream when I was gifted with a jar of homemade lemon curd.

 This photo doesn't begin to do justice to the success of this recipe.  It was creamy, and the lemon balance was perfect.  I'm watching our Myer lemon tree very closely, because I'm going to make my own homemade lemon curd and more of this ice cream.  This is my favorite ice cream recipe, so far.

Strawberry season is months away, but I can guarantee that my son will be begging me to make this cake again.  This is a Cook's Illustrated winning recipe. The sponge cake is one that I've used for other recipes. 

I am a fan of the Pioneer Woman's recipes, but I have to limit how often I make them.  If I had her busy life on a cattle ranch, maybe I could indulge in many of her butter-laden recipes.  However, I can see myself eating a slice or two of her Perfect Pound Cake.  Ree Drummond knows how to pick great recipes!

One of my most memorable moments was actually meeting a Food Blogger, that I'd only known via email or phone.  We finally got to meet,  in person, and I was looking forward to it for weeks.   I talked Monica, of "Lick the Bowl Good" into flying out from Texas. She agreed to be my roommate and travel companion in San Francisco. I drove 2 hours north to pick her up at the airport, and the adventure began! We attended the Foodbuzz Food Blogger Festival, along with over 300 bloggers from around the world!  Even though I'm old enough to be Monica's mom, I didn't feel an age barrier between us.  I felt as though our meeting was simply a formality because we got along great and shared a lot of laughs.

Foodbuzz arranged for gourmet food trucks to be parked inside Ft. Mason.  Here is a local chef and friend, Todd Fisher and his lovely wife (Ada) posing with Monica.  Todd presented a winning recipe from Fresh Express-- which is located in the Salinas Valley where I live.

Of course, we tooled around San Francisco in my car.   (We won't talk about how I lost my wallet, and someone turned it in for me. Or, our adventure through some sketchy parts of San Francisco at night-- trying to navigate back to our hotel.

Other lovely "faces" from the Foodbuzz even is (top left) Joan of Foodalogue, and lovely Val of More than Burnt Toast.  I loved meeting this lovely young gal from New Jersey, Allie of "All I Eat Food!"

(Bottom Left)  ...and, Monica's wonderful husband "Mr. H" flew in from Texas on the last day of the Blogger Festival.  I've forgotten the name of the girl with the gorgeous hair, but I do remember she was from Vermont. Such lovely ladies, aren't they?

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to my Texas friends, as I drove home, while they stayed in San Francisco for a couple more days.

In the summer of 2010, I had to make a huge adjustment in my work schedule.  I'm gone from early morning until almost 9:00 at night.  As a result,  I find that time has become very scarce to edit and post recipes that I've made.  I'm a perfectionist, yes indeed.  Each post is about a two-hour investment for me, as I try to decided which of the many photos I take will best show you how I made something.  I do my best to carve out time to post at least one or two recipes per week. 

I'm so thankful to all of you who visit my blog on a regular basis.  It is my joy to share with you-- and to show you-- the dishes that I prepare for my husband and my son.  I have come a long way in how I photograph food. I've overcome my aversions to certain foods-- such as curry, butternut squash and garbanzo beans!  I still have many recipes on my "Bucket List" that I hope to learn. Many of the inspirations come from you!


Tomorrow is the last day of 2010.  Overall, I feel very blessed with all that I have.  I'm looking forward to another year of new recipes and good health for all of us!

Happy New Year!