Immune Boosters Assist During Pandemic

In my latest story for the San Diego Union-Tribune's food section, my friend chef Isabel Cruz of Isabel's Cantina shares her insights--and some delicious recipes--into immune-boosting foods. You'll want to make her Shrimp Bites Wrapped in Greens, Vegetable Curry, and Tomato Soup with Guajillo Chile Sauce! Thanks as always to Eduardo Contreras, photographer extraordinaire!

And, sadly, this may be my last story for the food section for quite a while. Ad revenues are down, as they are for all publications during this pandemic, and a staffer will now be providing most of the articles for the near future. It’s been my great pleasure to collaborate with San Diego chefs over these many years. They’ve taught me so much and helped me, in turn, demonstrate to readers all the marvelous things they can do in the kitchen. If you’re an editor who could use a longtime food writer, please get in touch!

Corzetti Pays Tribune to Northern Italian Heritage

I'll bet you think you know your pasta. So, it was fun to encounter a rare medieval pasta, corzetti, that Francesca Penoncelli of Ciccia Osteria has revived--and with such flare! These are stamped "coins" made with flour, white wine, water, and salt, then embossed with a design. For my latest San Diego Union-Tribune food section story, Francesca shared two corzetti recipes with me and her techniques for making them. And if you have a mom in your life for whom you're trying to figure out a cool unique Mother's Day gift, get her a corzetti stamp! As always, thanks to Eduardo Contreras for the gorgeous photos!

Photo by Eduardo Contreras for the San Diego Union-Tribune

Sea Change

My most recent story for Coastal San Diego Homes & Estates is out and the subject is a wild one—as in wildly imaginative. This Cardiff pole house (yes, it’s one of several homes with a structure built around old telephone poles) is the epitome of seaside individualism. Designed by Laurie Stevens it reflects the joy and love for the sea and Catalina held by her clients Don and Debra Jones. The colors, the light, the materials, the views from virtually every room capture SoCal seaside living. The house was supposed to be a stop in the ASID April Kitchen and Bath Tour. Of course, that has been postponed. But in the meantime, you can enjoy it all from your armchair or comfy sofa.

Darlene Halaby Photography

Empanadas: Argentina's Take on Turnovers

Stuck at home? Of course you are! So, gather the kids and have some fun making these empanadas, recipes courtesy of Matias Rigali of Empanada Kitchen! They are so much fun to make--and even more to eat. Ham & cheese and Caprese! Not hard at all! You’ll find all the information you need in my latest story for the San Diego Union-Tribune’s food section. Thanks as always to Eduardo Contreras for the magnificent photos!

A Trio of Healthy Soups

Looking for healthy but hearty winter soups to offset the chilly temps? Try these three that have no cream and no cheese and instead use vegetables to provide the flavor and texture you crave. Recipes for all Creamy Broccoli Soup, Lemon Turkey Soup with Orzo, and Roasted Red Kuri Squash Soup in my new The San Diego Union-Tribune story.

Translating Spanish

I’m so glad I get to visit so many of the gorgeous homes and their gardens in and around San Diego. I toured the Spanish-style landscape of a home in Del Mar Mesa filled with inspiration and wrote about it for Coastal San Diego Estates & Homes. Oh, to enjoy a balmy summer evening in the sunken custom fireplace space, to walk under three 12-foot high wrought iron arches to arrive at the 53-foot-by-54-foot infinity pool with its fire bowls filled with blue glass, and then to hang out and watch a movie playing on a screen built into a wall of succulents under the night sky—warmed by yet another fire pit. How SoCal is this!