Simmering Provencal style

I know I am in a good space when I start making soup. I love filling a pot with water and then contemplating what should go in next. As the water heats, I forage for veggies, spices, fresh herbs, pasta noodles and something to start it off like a ham bone Chicken legs or turkey neck from the freezer. First things first I saute the mirapoix--carrots, celery and onions in butter--and slide it into the pot. Add a bay leaf or two and a teaspoon of each of my favorite spices--thyme, basil, parsley, and oregano. Then I drop in the meat and let it simmer. What's next? Big chunks of carrot, onion, potato. A yam chopped small. Some leftover sweetcorn, haricot vert, and brussel sprouts that have been hanging out in the fridge. A dash of good olive oil and a handful of fresh rosemary from the garden. Then peppercorns--green, red and black. A little more dried thyme. Spaghetti noodles broken up small. Saffron. Simmer.It looks beautiful in my french blue pot--all the ingredients bobbing about together, the aroma carried up by the steam that rolls and rolls to the ceiling. I take in a deep breath. Life is good.

a 25 hour getaway

In May, we bought a one night stay at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills at an auction. I bid on it knowing how glorious it is to stay there, even if for one night. Why you ask? How great can it possibly be? Well, as you know, it is the little things that get me every time. Like the roses in the lobby. Not just a vase of flowers, but a display that looks like a huge puffy ball made of dozens of white roses. And not just one but all sizes of these spheres of the most delicate roses hanging from the ceiling, all different lengths and sizes. As if they just grew there. As if it is really no big deal to have hundreds of roses floating in the sky in the shapes of planets. And the scent is just strong enough to make you breathe a bit deeper to take it all in and pause before you step into the elevator. Then there is the room itself. Don't get me started on the "Heavenly Bed." Egyptian cotton linens, huge pillows and a thick goose down comforter that will engulf you and hold you and (almost audibly) you'll hear "it's going to be ok, just sleep now." In the bathroom, there are Bulgari bath products but not the little sizes but a nice generous size that you can't use up all at once, and if you ask, they'll bring you more, as much as you want. And the beautiful soaps rest in crystal soap dishes next to the extra soft stack of white towels. Next to the flat screen tv, sitting on the make-up table with the oversized magnifying mirror with a tiny light in it and a linen cloth to lay out your toiletries on. The spa had a very steamy steam room, a cozy warm sauna and more amazing products that I didn't hesitate to sample a little of each one. I cool my face with chilled cloths waiting for me in a tiny glass door refrigerator, sip cucumber laced ice water and wrap up in the Four Seasons robe. My feet slip into the slippers they provided and I float up the elevator a vision in white terry cloth. Back at the room, I longed for a simple cup of coffee and a croissant. All I had to do was pick up the phone and it magically appeared a few moments later. Even the view of Los Angeles was glorious. "This is where I live. I love this city" I think. As we leave, we pass Larry Flint having brunch and a glamorous lady in super high heels and a fur coat, holding a very large Louis Vuitton tote bag. I smile as we walk past them, leaving floating white roses and room service behind.

Boxing Day

We had so much food that we had enough for a boxing day party. Good food and good friends! (Xavia, Jordan and Isaiah pictured)

Christmas Dinner

Abundance! The oxtail was the winner this year as the most delicious dish of the day, thanks to my mother-in-law (left). However, the curried coat, fried sweet potato, rice and peas, mashed potatoes, fried plantain, ham, roated chickens, mac and cheese and rolls weren't bad either! Don't forget the sorrell! And, there were lots of extra dumplings. Mmmmmm...I'm looking forward to our 4pm rematch with the food and a few friends. The celebration continues!

Good Morning!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Joyous Kwanzaa to all!
Out of many--one.
It's all about LOVE!

Thai Food

Well, Our holiday celebration at Grandma Grant's with all the cousins was a blast. Jackson and Isaiah have been initiated into the world of Wii and the most amazing racing track you've ever seen--thanks to Uncle Steve. Certainly life can never be the same for my two little boys.

We braved the cross town traffic and are home now. The Christmas tree is blazing, the last gift has been wrapped, and the boys finally fell asleep while watching Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium followed by Polar Express...and for the die-hard Isaiah, a half hour of Charlie's Angels Full Throttle in mummy and daddy's bed.

Isaiah finally conked out and there's only one thing left to do. Isn't it obvious? Order Thai food.

Life (as always) is good.

Coffee Cake

I have this coffee cake recipe. It was given to me about 20 years ago by a family friend who has since passed away. I would imagine it is at least 20 years older than that, maybe more. Apparently, coffee cake evolved from Kuchen--German cakes that started out in the 17th century as breads and became sweeter in the 20th Century. The crumbly topping came from Struesel, another German treat. I'm going to guess it evolved during simpler times when people still believed in coffee and cake as a civilized part of life.

It's a very simple recipe of flour, an egg, baking powder,sugar, butter. It has a brown sugar, butter and cinnamon crumbly topping. It doesn't have fleur de sel in it. You don't use baker's sugar. It wouldn't taste good with scharfenberger chocolate chips. It is just a simple cake, best enjoyed by someone who isn't in a hurry and still likes to eat cake off a simple china plate while sipping their coffee or tea.

Growing up where I did, eating coffee cake was not for special occasions. It was just like breathing, or sweeping the kitchen or picking some tomatoes, zucchini and onions from the garden for lunch to go with the sweet corn dad just brought in. That was just life.

Now that I live in Los Angeles, I find myself looking for that organic farmers' market where I can see my long lost vegetables again. And maybe that's why for years I have sought out cafes, where I can sit and have a simple pastry and coffee and read and write. It all feels like being back in the kitchen with mom where brown sugar, butter and eggs were the ingredients of life.