Creative cooking and living in the fertile Salinas Valley, east of Eden, along California's central coast
“No one who is young is ever going to be old.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
I’m chasing the sweet spot of cascading memories. Almost a year has passed since I lost my mother. I really do miss her. I haven’t written much about anything since her death. What can be said about loss that hasn’t already been said? This story and it’s recipes came together in bits and pieces, the roiling of memories all tangled with now.
“There were others who prophesied, with rays shining on their foreheads, about the sometime ditches that would carry water all over the valley—who knows? maybe in our lifetime—or deep wells with steam engines to pump the water up out of the guts of the world. Can you imagine? Just think what this land would raise with plenty of water! Why, it will be a frigging garden!”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
In California, spring came early. It rained like crazy in December and we were hopeful that the drought would ease. Instead we have had an early spring with so many days of sunshine I have almost forgotten about the coastal fog. I got an email notice from our local farm stand, The Farm, saying the strawberry harvest began early this year and flats of berries were available before the farm stand opens in late April. I was so excited at the thought of sweet, organic strawberries that I had to have some. Driving home, the scent of the first fruit of spring was overpowering. I easily devoured an entire basket that afternoon. The next morning we had some with our breakfast. I made these shortcakes and then as quickly as they arrived, the first fruit of spring was gone.
“The stove was warming, with orange light showing around the lids and the soft thunder of drafty flame leaping past the open damper. The kitchen clock flashed its pendulum behind its glass skirt, and it ticked like a little wooden hammer striking on an empty wooden box.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
Granola with fresh fruit is a terrific way to begin the day. Whole grain goodness to power through the morning with hints of sweetness to wake our sleepy minds. Add just enough seasonal fresh fruit and we are seduced into a moment of daydreaming before we begin our day. Granola with quality ingredients can be made at home for a fraction of the cost of store-bought and perhaps best of all it requires no prep time on busy mornings. A batch can quickly be made on the weekend and it will last through a week of breakfasts for a family.
“I’ve got these new sweets for you.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to overdose on whimsy! Hearts, lace, flowers, I’m dazzled by the fun of it all. Roses are the traditional flower for Valentine’s Day and so with rose petals and rose water I was drawn into the kitchen.
“Our species is the only creative species, and it has only one creative instrument, the individual mind and spirit of man.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
A whim and curiosity to learn more about growing herbs and edible flowers led me to Jacobs Farm in Pescadero. I had purchased their exceptional organic products at Whole Foods and my local Nob Hill grocery store. When I attended the Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers open house in June I brought home samples of their edible flowers and made my first batch of tangy infused vinegar. It was on a trip to Gidzich Ranch in Watsonville for olallieberries that I saw Jacobs Farm company sign along a back road and thought about visiting.