East of Eden Cooking

2018/04/112018/04/12

One Bowl Greek Salad

One Bowl Greek Salad with salty feta, tangy olives and flavor packed tomatoes is a stellar match for the zing of fresh oregano. Tossed with refreshing cucumber and perched on a bed of crisp romaine One Bowl Greek Salad is a favorite.

“On the wide level acres of the valley the topsoil lay deep and fertile. It required only a rich winter of rain to make it break forth in grass and flowers. The spring flowers in a wet year were unbelievable. The whole valley floor, and the foothills too, would be carpeted with lupins and poppies.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

My oregano plant thrives in the winter. It had outgrown its’ space and got a good trim. Oregano is very pungent when fresh. It pairs well with other strong and assertive flavors. One Bowl Greek Salad with salty feta, tangy olives and flavor packed tomatoes is a stellar match for the zing of fresh oregano. Tossed with refreshing cucumber and perched on a bed of crisp romaine One Bowl Greek Salad is a favorite. READ MORE . . .

2018/03/30

Pear Custard Tart

Pears have a subtle floral flavor that is irresistible in this recipe for Pear Custard Tart. There’s just enough voluptuous vanilla custard to cradle the pears in the buttery crust.

“Romie Lane was muddy with pools of water standing in the new wheel ruts, and the tall wild oats and mustard grew beside the road, with wild turnip forcing its boisterous way up and stickery beads of purple thistles rising above the green riot of spring.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Winning an Instagram contest brought a half a dozen gorgeous pears into my kitchen. They could have been buried in a smoothie or sliced into an afternoon snack. Instead this Williams Sonoma recipe for Pear Custard Tart was made. Not the spring dessert you’re looking for? Unless you can find sweet local strawberries our fresh fruit is still coming from the southern hemisphere. (Every bunch of spring asparagus I’ve found is from Mexico.) Baking with American grown apples and pears is a delicious option until the growing season catches up to our spring expectations. READ MORE . . .

2018/03/21

Fresh Apple Spice Cake

This is the best Fresh Apple Spice Cake I’ve had. The raisins wake up, growing big and fat in a soaking of warm rum, the huge pile of orange zest is the background spark of flavor and the traditional spices of apple season bring the comfort.

“There were three kinds, yellow, red and green.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Its recipe destiny when you find an Ina recipe that has 17 ingredients and you already have all 17 of them. It started with three apples. Three lonely apples that needed to be used. Noble goals of a healthy snack got pushed to the back of the refrigerator. We had reached the end of our relationship. Ignored, forgotten and taking up real estate that was needed for newer more exciting groceries, these apples needed a recipe. The raisins were hiding behind the candied ginger and sesame seeds. Dreams of oatmeal raisin cookies faded as I searched for the other 15 ingredients. BTW, Ina serves the Fresh Apple Spice Cake with ice cream and caramel sauce, is that 19 ingredients? READ MORE . . .

2018/03/102018/03/11

Easy Tortellini Soup

Easy to make, freezer friendly and left overs for lunch worthy, Easy Tortellini Soup is winter comfort in every spoonful.

“In March the soft rains continued, and each storm waited courteously until its predecessor sank beneath the ground. Then warmth flooded the valley and the earth burst into bloom—yellow and blue and gold.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

My cooking goals aren’t as aspirational as my baking. Not surprised, are you? Cooking is more often than not about getting something on the table by 6pm. Healthy, nutritious and with bold, inviting flavor always are part of my choices, but so is easy to prepare and easy to clean up. I’m pretty sure you agree with these matters of daily importance, therefore I offer you Easy Tortellini Soup. READ MORE . . .

2018/02/28

Ultimate Whole Wheat Bread with Brown Butter and Buttermilk

Ultimate Whole Wheat Bread with Brown Butter and Buttermilk is light and tender with a tight crumb that makes an exceptional sandwich or toaster worthy slice.

“She heard the air whooshing into the big bellows in the forge and the practice tap for range of hammer on 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

Searching for a bread rich with whole wheat flavor that would slice easily, yet remain light and tender led to the development of Ultimate Whole Wheat Bread with Brown Butter and Buttermilk. With clean slicing and easy preparation Ultimate Whole Wheat Bread has fabulous flavor from the combination of nutty whole wheat flour and wheat germ paired with brown butter and buttermilk. A touch of honey lends a subtle warmth to this tight crumbed loaf of bread that makes an exceptional sandwich or toaster worthy slice. READ MORE . . .