Summer Swiss Chard Soup

This light and delicious soup is perfect for a breezy, early summer day. You will find the most tender, flavorful Swiss chard at your farmer’s market in late spring or early summer. Summer Swiss Chard Soup Serves 4-6 Ingredients 3 Tbsp best quality olive oil 1 Tbsp chopped garlic 1 thinly sliced Vidalia onion 1 […]

Delphic Oracle en Route: Venice

For this month, instead of a recipe Katherine shares some recent dining highlights from her recent travels that fit the principles of the Delphic Oracle Diet (Know Thyself and Nothing in Excess). (Photos 1 & 2) Giardini morning market: vegetables, tomatoes and herbs; (3) Breakfast in Venice: oranges and smoked salmon; (4 & 5) Langoustines, […]

Vichyssoise a la Ritz

This lesson in the correct French pronunciation of Vichyssoise (with a great recipe) is from Craig Claiborne’s 1961 NY Times cookbook. Bon Appétit! Vichyssoise a la Ritz      serves 8 – 10  Adapted from Craig Claiborne’s The New York Times Cook Book 4 leeks (white base), sliced thin 1 white onin, sliced thin 1/4 […]

Homemade Peach Galette

I find galettes are the easiest, lightest dessert or breakfast fare. No sugar except sprinkled to make the crust crispy. Peach Galette Recipe One 12 inch tart Flaky Butter Pastry See recipe below + 1 tbsp sugar + 2 tbsp flour (thickening fruit juice and rolling out) Filling  3 cups fruit, sliced 2 tsp fresh lemon juice […]

Şaştım Aşı from Nevin Halici

During one of my trips to Konya, Nevin Halici took me back into the kitchens of some of the best restaurants. We then dined with the Mevlevi dervishes and got to sample all the dishes made with exotic ingredients. Nevin is one of the most beloved cookbook authors of Turkey. Below are a few photos of her cookbook, […]

Tarragon Beets

Before the weather turns to chilly temperatures, enjoy this beautiful and simple recipe. My favorite summer vegetable fresh from the garden: Tarragon Beets. Tarragon Beets 3 lbs beets (tops removed) 1/3 cup vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh chopped tarragon (or 1/2 tablespoon dried) 5 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into pieces 2 tablespoon drained capers salt and pepper […]

Basil & Black Pepper Summer Fruit Salad

Another delicious fruit salad recipe from Katherine’s kitchen. (see Fascinating Fruit Salad) Basil & Black Pepper Summer Fruit Salad  Serves 4 to 6  3 medium peaches / ~3 cups (pitted and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces) 2 half pint blackberries (~2 cups) 1 pint strawberries (washed, hulled, quartered) 1-2 tbsp juice from 1 lime 2 tbsp […]

Splendid Sardine Sandwich

“Sardines or kippers are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, known to help reduce risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.” –Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. This healthy, easy, and delectable sandwich pairs wonderfully with the Simple Chickpea Salad and a few cornichons. Splendid Sardine Sandwich  Pumpernickel (or other European black bread) Canned (in oil) […]

Fennel & Zucchini Spring Salad

Fennel & Zucchini Spring Salad Toss together some of spring’s best fresh ingredients with a quick dressing for a refreshing spring lunch or side salad.  3 sm zucchini (sliced thin) 1 med fennel bulb (sliced thin) 1 cup peas 4 cups fresh watercress 1/2+ c fresh mint (torn up) Dressing 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp […]

Fabulous Artichoke Dip with Fennel Crudites

This recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy artichokes any time of year. (And happens to be vegan and gluten free as well!) Artichoke and Olive Dip w/ Fennel Crudites · 14/16 oz can whole artichoke hearts (rinse well, pat dry) · 1/4 cup olive oil · 1 clove garlic minced and mashed […]

Fascinating Fruit Salad

For March’s installment of The Delphic Oracle Diet, I’ve chosen a simple and delicious fruit salad that welcomes this early spring weather we’ve been enjoying. My friend and fellow gardener George gave me a collection of unusual fruit salad recipes that always refresh your palate. The lime zest, grated fresh ginger, & cayenne pepper ‘pop’ in […]

Venetian Soup

Living in Vienna one winter, I got really sick of the ice and slush, so one morning I jumped on an 8:00 a.m. train to Venice, ate a three-course lunch while going through the alps, arrived in Venice at 4:00 p.m., jumped on a boat to my small hotel near Piazza San Marco, where I […]

“Know Thyself” and “Nothing in Excess”: The Delphic Oracle Diet

The difference between my books and those of many of my fellow suspense/adventure novelists, is that in my stories, my characters always take the time to eat something fabulous! I love foods of all kinds, but I never learned to cook anything until I was in grad school –trained in the primitive kitchen of my then-boyfriend, Jones, […]