Arugula/Spinach Soup w/ Potatoes & Peas

I'm a soup girl. To me, there's something magical about a bowl of hot soup on a chilly, autumn or winter day ..............

Food Photography & Styling Day 2 and Ratatouille (Deconstructed)

Ratatouille ............. do you like it? It's never been a favorite dish here at The Café. Why?......... The reason was summed up perfectly in a comment from a blogging friend in response to my last post where I shared a photo of both the beautiful raw ingredients used in Ratatouille and my version of the finished dish. I promised to share the recipe today, with a new twist that I learned at my recent French Cooking Boot Camp held at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. The comment went like this ...........

"The Mouse Speaks" on Food Styling & Photography and Ratatouille ....... in the Making

Do you ever feel like a kid who's playing with a favorite toy? A toy that you've had for a long time .......... then someone shows you new things it does, things that you never dreamed of. Really cool things that almost make it a new toy, but with all the familiarity of the old favorite ...........

Apple Pie Muffins w/ Oatmeal Crumble & Caramel Drizzle

It's wonderful to be back home, sleeping in our comfy, familiar bed, cooking in my own little kitchen. We spent last week in New York where I studied French cooking at The Culinary Institute of America, located in Hyde Park. My husband, Scott spent three days at a food photography and styling workshop in New York City.

After being cooped up all last week in the classroom, (not that I minded it one bit) it's also great to spend time outdoors, enjoy some fresh air and wear off some of the abundance of butter and cream that I consumed while studying French cooking. The cuisine of France is not exactly lean or light and of course, I HAD to sample everything! ;)

I took a long bike ride today on the greenway near our home. The sky was a clear, deep, Carolina blue (that's what we call it here - we think that's what God probably meant for it to be called), the air was fresh and cool and I was sailing along, mindful of the path before me, when something caught my eye. I looked up ahead of me and saw the most magnificent sight ...............

Cait's Wonderful Zucchini Bread

Imagine, after an eight hour, overnight plane trip, being welcomed with a plate of this delicious autumn-spiced zucchini bread, still slightly warm, accompanied by a ramekin of sweet cream butter and a steaming mug of coffee ......... My word to describe this, is .............

Bistros and Brasseries, the Final Day of Adventures in Culinary Land and a Tribute to My Mom

The large wooden doors closed behind me as I left The Culinary Institute of America. Cool drops of rain pelted down from the gray skies, bouncing off my umbrella .......... the day seeming to mimic the way I felt walking through those doors for the final time this week. Though my brain was bursting with a plethora of new knowledge and inspiration, my heart was sad to know that this was the culmination of a wonderful adventure..............

Day 4 of Adventures in Culinary Land and a Secret Revealed

If you promise not to tell anyone I've got a secret to share with you ............ promise? .............okay, I'm trusting you ..........

Adventures in Culinary Land, Day 3

HELLO out there!?!.......... Hello!!?.......... Is there anyone out there who can tell me how much French food I need to cook and/or eat before I start speaking the language fluently? I've been working hard, really, really hard ........... but it's just not happening........... at least not yet ...........

Cider-Poached Puff Pastry Pears w/ Caramel Sauce and Day 2 of Adventures in Culinary Land

The honor of your presence is requested for an authentic French lunch.

LUNCH MENU

Adventures in Culinary Land, Boot Camp Day 1!

This image is not mine, but it depicts what I can't explain in words - the way I felt as I walked out of The Culinary Institute of America today after completing Day 1 of my week of French Cooking Boot Camp .........

Apple Cider Caramels and ........ A Mouse in the House

There's a mouse in the house. A big one. Are you afraid of mice? I used to be.

One night, eons ago, I came home from working the 3-11 p.m. shift at the hospital. The world was dark and still and quiet with everyone tucked away in their little beddie-byes. Except me. After being home just a short time I heard the baby begin to cry. I went to the kitchen to warm some milk. While reaching into the drawer beneath the oven for a pot (back then we didn't have microwaves .......... yeah, I know ......... I'm old ......... but I'm okay with that), something brown and soft and furry scampered right past my hand. I screamed (more than once) and jumped on top of the table (really!). The screaming not only woke my husband, but half the neighborhood too.

I'm much better now......only a little scared of mice.

But this one, this one is different. WAY different ............ Actually quite cute, excuse me ............ I meant to say, quite handsome,  ............

Fresh Rosemary & Thyme Gougeres and the "French" Giveaway..........

Okay, okay, it's time for the reveal! We've been teasing you all week, posting French-inspired recipes here at The Café and sponsoring a guessing game with a giveaway for the Café follower with the closest "Why all the French recipes?" guess. You've been giving fabulously, fun, fabricated guesses, many of which I wish were true! No one hit the nail perfectly on the head, but there was one that came close, at least in a general sense.......... It went like this .........

A French Country Farmhouse Dinner - Herbes de Provence Pork Tenderloin w/ Braised French Lentils

Have you been looking for that perfect fall dinner menu for an upcoming evening with family and/or friends? Something special, something fabulously delicious, while at the same time, simple and mostly make-ahead?.............

French Apple Cake - A Great Recipe, A Give-Away & A Guessing Game

Bet you didn't know when you started following The Café, you'd be traveling all around the world! ......... well at least in a culinary sense, that is. Last week it was Tuscany and in the past 18 months, we've traveled to all sorts of fun and exotic destinations - Korea, Vietnam, Ireland, England and many more. For the next few days we'll be having epicurean adventures straight from the heart of France. You'll love each of these delightful seasonal recipes ............ oh, and there's more............... though you may have to wait till Friday to discover it, unless ...............

Autumn-Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Sauce - The Ridiculously Easy Way!

Ever heard of the phrase "to-die-for"? Bet you didn't know it was invented just for ............

Tuscan Chickpea Soup w/ Melting Mozzarella and Rosemary Gremolata

Imagine relaxing in a village café, overlooking the enchanting, picturesque Italian countryside, enjoying warm sun and soft breezes while you savor the soup du jour; a perfect tomato-basil soup ............or is it?  ............