A Learning Experience

Don't you hate it when an experiment in the kitchen doesn't quite work?

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I don't mean miserable failure- that is rare. But when a recipe isn't totally satisfying, I try to focus on the positive. It's a learning experience. I had just such an experience with this pizza.

Spinach and cheese are a winning combination, and Grandma's spanakopita fresh in my memory gave me an appetite for more of those flavors. Combine with a yummy pizza dough, and I didn't think I could go wrong.

Looks good right?

The finished product was too dry. My conclusion is that this topping dries out too much in the oven. The flavors are there, but lacking moisture.

The spinach, feta, and mozzarella mixture would be perfect as a calzone, with the filling protected by the top blanket of dough.

I'm pretty positive it will be great, but I'll let you know once I have confirmation.

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First of the Season

I can't resist the first fresh corn this spring at Whole Foods.

A little early for tomatoes, but these are really delicious too.

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Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Pay a Visit

We've had a few minor catastrophes lately, but also a few visitors. Among them were this sweet couple of ducks.

They look like husband and wife, no?

I hope we are generous hosts, we did treat them to a little breakfast- fresh cranberry muffin!

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Broken

What is going on??!!

Garden in the Desert Oasis

the organic garden at the Golden Door Spa is lush and flourishing despite the hot sun

Basil

Mint

Chives

rosemary, English thyme, lavendar, Italian parsley, and spearmint

gas grills and a large table promise stellar private events for a very lucky party

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Maple Buttermilk Bread

Look at this lovely crumb!

Mom, are you proud of me? :-)

With some overnight guests this weekend, I wanted plenty of fresh baked goods around. I made a batch of Cranberry Buttermilk Muffins, and sampled this new bread recipe.

I prefer dark whole wheat loaves but I always sample Ray's white ones so I can give an opinion. I'm happy to say that even I would eat this one- it's truly delicious, soft and moist, with a tangy and faintly sweet flavor from the maple syrup.

Maple Buttermilk Bread

from the Bread Machine Cookbook, makes a 1 1/2 lb loaf

1 1/3 cups plus 1 Tbs lowfat buttermilk

1 1/2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted

3 Tbs maple syrup

3 cups bread flour

1 Tbs gluten

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 tsp bread machine yeast

Place all ingredients in a bread machine pan in the order given, and program for the dough cycle (about 90 minutes).

When the cycle ends, unplug the machine and empty the dough on to a floured work surface. Knead a few times and shape in the desired shape. I try for an oblong round. Place the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet. Carefully cut a cross in the top center of the dough and cover with a damp towel. Allow to rise for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, until the crust is brown and crusty. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

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By the way, I recommend this Clos du Val Chardonnay. We bought it on my birthday Napa trip, and I appreciate it for its dry floral flavor and lack of oak.

I'm a seasonal wine drinker; I prefer dark reds in the winter, but once the weather begins to warm I gravitate towards lighter reds and white wine. It's getting to be that time...

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Relaxing with the Family

A visit to my godparents in Paradise Valley, Arizona is compulsory after a family wedding. Relatives from Cyprus had flown in, and we were joined by the bride's Chinese family. We relaxed, socialized, and ate. Despite a language barrier with some of the guests, there is universal understanding in games and food.

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We know how to eat! My aunt laid out a beautiful spread, which we honored by demolishing throughout the day.

Gorgeous fruit

Grandma's spanakopita- NO ONE makes it better. I challenge you to find someone who does!

olives and halloumi cheese (a Cypriot export) covered in plastic wrap

Sprinkles Cupcakes!

My first taste of these famous desserts. My verdict: they are pretty yummy for store bought baked goods.

My favorite? Same as my godmother: the Red Velvet (bottom right)

Ray, aka Mr. Snacker Man, sampling some of the hors d'oeuvres before the main event

We also feasted on pasta salad, shish kebab, grilled salmon, bread, and salad. True to form, too busy eating to capture photos.

Such a great day, thank you Aunt Dorothy and Uncle George! :-)

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Boulders

I'm not a desert girl, but I could be a convert. We spent two days at The Boulders Resort in Carefree, Arizona and loved every moment.

There's nothing like this landscape anywhere in the world. I wish my photography skills and old camera could do it justice, and my writing isn't up to the challenge either.

The best I can do is try to show you:

view across the plains from Sunset Point, above the main lodge

one view of the many boulder formations in the area

the resort sprawls over a large area, and the rooms are housed in twos and threes in these buildings called casitas.

The resort has two main pools: the spa pool and the main pool. We loved the spa pool for its tranquility and convenient location by the fitness center. We took advantage of a few complimentary fitness classes here too, including yoga and water fitness. And plenty of laying beside this pool.

This was my view most of our last day- it can't get any better.

the boulders look down upon the organic garden behind the spa

the walk from our casita has beautiful views at every point

Bunnies!! There are baby jackrabbits all over the property. So cute! (but they don't like being photographed)

The Boulders has a beautiful golf course. Ray decided not to play, but we did witness a club event during dinner at Rusty's at the Club.

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Our room was huge, certainly one of the most spacious I've ever seen.

My own vanity! His and hers sinks!!

At home, the bathroom situation is a game of dodgeball. Here, we could actually talk to each other while dressing in the evening.

Sorry, we are a bit messy on vacation :-)

Ray doesn't love taking pictures but he likes to catch goofy and awkward moments.

Not a bad angle NH, well done!

I hope we return someday :-)

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Date Night at Rusty's

Tuesday is not a normal date night, but things are different on vacation. The day of the week never matters.

Our last night in Arizona we enjoyed our evening meal at sunset, at Rusty's Chop House at the Boulders Resort golf club. The odd day of the week had some affect on our plans. On the downside, the resort's fine dining establishment is closed on a Tuesday. On the upside, we had a wonderful meal here instead.

We had some free dinner theater courtesy of the golf club event going on right below us on the course. They had a lively cocktail hour with two guitarists and a funny MC.

Per usual, bread and butter to start the table. A pretzel bread made Mr. Suite Apple Pie very happy.

For dinner, I ordered the catch of the day:

~grilled salmon with a hard egg beurre blanc, zucchini and squash cake topped with goat cheese, with fresh asparagus and olives~

The salmon was grilled perfectly, and the vegetables were crisp and fresh. All the flavors on the plate complimented each other; though it was a heavier dish than my usual, it did not seem heavy.

For Mr. Suite Apple Pie:

~filet mignon of course, with a cabernet reduction, sauteed spinach, and a sweet potato gratin~

With dinner we enjoyed two glasses of wine: Argentinian Malbec for me, Napa Valley Zinfandel for him.

While we were eating, we spied some indigenous wild pigs grazing beneath our balcony. Can you see them in the middle of the picture?

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We have not shared dessert in a long time, and when we received the menu we knew immediately what we wanted to share.

When it comes to dessert, we go big or go home. So we went big:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie, studded with peanuts and cookie crumbles

Warm Apple Strudel with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Holy yum! I was very grateful for the 1/3 mile walk back to our casita.

and not long after....

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