East of Eden Cooking

2013/05/272017/12/26

Red Velvet Apricot Tarts

Crimson Coated Sunshine

“The tarts were wonderful,” said Abra. “I left one for you.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Huddled in their plush crimson coats the Red Velvet Apricots were unceremoniously heaped in a pile at the grocery store. Cloaked in mystery, there was no visible clue of their flamboyant split personalities of apricot and plum. Just as one would expect from those who dare to wear red velvet in late spring the attire was regal and commanding. The plush crimson coat unfurled to reveal an intriguing interior of radiant orange. A splendid spring greeting of crimson coated sunshine tops these sumptuous little tarts. READ MORE . . .

2013/05/202018/01/08

Irresistible Wheat Berry Bread

Baking Irresistible Wheat Berry Bread

She heard the air whooshing into the big bellows in the forge and the practice tap for range of hammer and anvil. She heard Liza open the oven door and the thump of a kneaded loaf on the floury board.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

At the grocery store there is a brand of wheat berry bread I adore. I wanted to create a stellar whole grain bread with wheat berries that has the nutty taste I love and ingredients I understand. A splash of cocoa and sprinkle of nutmeg work in harmony to deepen the warm whole grain flavors in this Irresistible Wheat Berry Bread.

I entered this recipe in the National Festival of Breads and received an Honorable Mention in the Whole Grain category. The contest specified that the recipe yield two loaves. If that is to much bread, the recipe can easily be cut in half with excellent results. READ MORE . . .

2013/05/132017/12/26

Giant Cookie Cake

Lessons in Acceptance

“I have wondered why it is that some people are less affected and torn by the verities of life and death than others.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Like kite tails swirling in the blustery spring wind; days whirl by. Tangled together the strings are difficult to separate, one day resembles the next. We go along, go along and then venture a bit further. Further from ourselves and what really means the most to us. Sometimes, all the pressures and self imposed expectations of family, work and self intertwine into a jumbled ball of tension and frustration that is more challenging and time consuming to sort out than the tangled kite string. I had arrived at such a place. At the time I didn’t understand how I got there; I was just hanging on to that jumble of a swirling kite tail. Spinning, dizzy with raging emotions I was unsure of myself. I needed shelter from the intense vertigo and most of all needed to accept my arrival at the destination I had played a part in choosing. In the five stages of grief, acceptance is last. No matter how hard we work or how smart we may be the realization that life has blemishes and injuries result in scars is at times daunting. READ MORE . . .

2013/05/062017/12/26

Citrus Shortbread with Cornmeal

Foraging—The Serendipity of the Find

“Kate could make pretty floral arrangements using only the blossoms from weeds she picked in fields.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Last weekend we went to Elkhorn Slough Reserve for a foraging walk. Under the guidance of Bree Candiloro, a stewardship specialist at the reserve and Dr. Keith Rayburn, a physician who has studied natural medicines we identified thirty-five plants that were used by the Ohlone Indian tribe. Many of the plants served multiple purposes: food, medicinal and utilitarian. Our curated walk took us to areas normally off limits to visitors, from bright sun dappled open spaces, a field lush with natives grasses and then under a canopy of native California oaks we found the vibrant green growth of a forest. We located the ultra hip stinging nettle and after the walk tasted stinging nettle pesto. I was able to bring home some nettles and used them in Lasagna with Stinging Nettle, Asparagus and Peas. Once the nettles are cooked they lose their potent sting and have a mellow grassy, herbaceous taste. It’s really quite amazing to find that so many plants native to California have uses that were discovered centuries ago by the Ohlone Indian tribe. READ MORE . . .

2013/04/292017/12/31

Asparagus with Fresh Ricotta

Spring Zing

“A kind of light spread out from her. And everything changed color. And the world opened out. And a day was good to awaken to. And there were no limits to anything.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Light shifts with the seasons. It’s vague and unassuming at first. We’re never sure when it really happens. The annual time change confuses our innate ability to feel the change. We must see it. We are so busy reestablishing our daily rhythms that one day we realize winter with its sharp dramatic edges and deep shadows of light has been replaced with a softer focus. The plush velvet curtain of winter is pulled back to reveal a stage where the merry making of spring always surprises us. As the light brightens it pushes away the last scrap of winter revealing all the sparkling color we crave. READ MORE . . .