Seersucker

Well, strawberries are back in season but you'd never know it, here in LA, as it is currently 56 degrees outside and I am literally sitting in front of the fire.  Let's call this an experiment, kind of R & D, getting ready for the inevitable summer.  Because it will get hot, or even warm, soon.  And I like to be well prepared.

Artichoke, Chive and Goat Cheese Fritatta

Thanks to these gals,  I can get my hands on super fresh, (as in, still warm), beautiful eggs.  They're not mine, but I love them like they were and will one day have chickens of my own.  In the mean time, I'm happy helping my neighbor with her ever-abundant eggs whenever I can.  So this morning, I made great use of ten of these precious gems and made a lovely breakfast.  Fritattas are easy and completely limitless in ingredients.  I used what I had on hand.  I steamed 2 artichokes last night and since we didn't get around to eating them,  they were a perfect addition to the goat cheese and chives.  Always great accompanied by a simple herbed salad.

DAVID LYNCH COOKS QUINOA

An ominous and quirky, (It IS David Lynch, after all), video on cooking quinoa.  Couldn't help but share.
***Now go rent The Straight Story and thank me later.

For Japan, With Love...

An amazing group of bloggers (these guys, too) have gotten together to participate in an incredible fund raising event to help those in need in Japan, if you'd like to participate, please click here.

ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and life saving supplies for families around the world who are affected by diasters at the time they need it the most.  Each large green box is tailored to each disaster, but typically contains a relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a stove, cooking utensils, water storage and purification equipment, a basic tool kit and children's activity packet.  A whole box costs $1,000 (US) amd initially, this effort was to raise $5,500, but because of the generosity of so many, they have raised over $32,000.00!  Please do what you can, any amount donated helps!
Thanks, Yvette, for passing this to me.

Ina Garden's Pear and Apple Crisp

Let me start by saying that I rarely make dessert unless we are having friends over for dinner, or a holiday comes poking around.  This is partly due to my insecurities of baking and also the reality of only having fleeting moments of a desire for sweets.  But, recently,  I had this unbelievable craving for a fruit crisp and wasn't satisfied until I had a whole 9 x 13 baking pan FULL of crisp siting on the counter staring back at me saying, "I'm here for you, whenever you need me".  Like a really good friend.
There is no baking prowess required to make this, a fruit crisp is literally "desserts 101", but this one especially will impress any and all food snobs alike.  Simply because it is good,  damn good, all thanks to Ina Garden and her wild abandon use of butter and all things naughty.