Celebration of Life

We recently catered a gorgeous garden party in honor of author, Joan Ryan. She was promoting her latest novel, "The Water Giver, The Story of a Mother, a Son, and Their Second Chance". Family and friends gathered on this beautiful evening (under a spectacular oak tree!) to celebrate and to listen to an excerpt from the book. It was very moving, since this was about Ms. Ryan and her family's journey after her son's near-fatal skateboarding crash. As a parent, I was very moved and plan to read the book immediately. The publishing date is today-I'm not Oprah, but this is a must-read.

FOOD FASHIONISTA ORIGINAL RECIPE

FABULISH!

A drizzly day in the organic garden at San Domenico School didn't keep the 9th grade girls out of the kitchen!

The girls spent a wet day gleaning the gardens of Star Route Farms in Bolinas, then returning with gorgeous cases of red & yellow chard and baby kale. They continued to forage the school garden, with their trusty PreK assistant, Milan. They all returned bearing gifts of leeks and assorted herbs. Along with a few simple ingredients that I brought along, we were looking at the makings of a fine soup! Those who didn't forage, washed their ingredients meticulously, then all went to a post of either julienning the greens, slicing the leeks, de-stemming the herbs, or grating the Parmigiano-Reggiano. When all jobs were completed, we all gathered around Chez San Domenico (just a really cool island in the middle of the garden with a propane stove and electricity!) We made a simple pesto out of gathered Italian parsley, Curly parsley, Sage & Savory, Extra Virgin Olive Oil , the grated parmesan, garlic confit & black pepper. Sorry, no nuts-SD is a nut-free zone. We wizzed it up in the RoboCoupe and set that aside. On our stove we did 2 large pans, since we were making soup for 25 people and fast, normally it would be done in one big pot! Mr. Mello, a Sophmore teacher, was along for the class and he was in awe of all the goings on in the kitchen! The girls set upon melting butter and sauteed the leeks in one pan and then some olive oil in the other to saute the chard/kale combo. We deglazed both pots with water (a few Veggies were among us-but no matter!) and brought them to a slow boil. The leek broth simmered first and to that we added a package of potato gnocchi and brought that back up for a few minutes. We then added the 2 pots together, stirred in our wonderful pesto, adjusted for salt & pepper and soup was served! Literally from start to finish, this soup took 30 minutes and the gals were ready for something to warm them up-even Milan was in line for her soup! I will post the recipe next, since you got the prepartion above, but there are a few additions that I made when I made the soup for my family just hours later. My husband is NOT a vegetarian, so we added Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, red chile flakes and store bought pesto (15 minutes it took me!). This was Slow Food that is FAST! Enjoy with some hot crusty bread. Thanks to Shelley Flint, the campus Sustainability Director, for arranging a wonderful day together! Ciao Bella!

Chard Soup

1 head of Chard, julienne

2 leeks, finely sliced

2 T butter (or olive oil)

1/2 pound Italian sausage (optional)

(saute everything together)

4 c. Chicken stock or water

4 Roma tomatoes, diced or 1 can diced tomatoes) (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

(deglaze)

1 package of potato gnocchi

(bring to boil)

1/2 c prepared pesto or see recipe below

1 T red chile flakes (optional)

(stir into soup, maybe use more or less to taste)

Serve and Enjoy!

Pesto

2 cups assorted herbs (basil, parsley, sage, savory or any combo)

2 cups grated Parmesan

1/2 cup garlic confit ( garlic and olive oil that have been simmered together for 5 minutes) or 1/4 c raw garlic

1 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil

1/2 cup water to thin, if necessary (more or less)

1 cup nuts (optional) (pinenuts, almonds, pistachios, anything!)

2 T black pepper.

Put into a Cuisinart or blender and blend until smooth

We're Back!

After taking a blogging breather, we are back and ready to cook! February was a slow month in the catering world, but I got to slow down and enjoy my family and friends, reconnect with old collegues and just plain relax. Since we are deep in the middle of this recession, we have all had to make some choices. Gucci or groceries, Manolos for Mommy or Stride Rite for the kiddies? Well the choices are obvious, but not always the most fun to make. My kids have learned that they don't get to buy every toy or book they see, unless it comes from their piggy bank. Gardening is also a great way to teach the kids about where food comes from. On Monday, I will be with the ninth grade girls at San Domenico School cooking out in their organic garden and every Wednesday, thereafter with the Primary School Garden Club. Get cooking!

It's a Beautiful Day!

Welcome 44th President of the United States,

Barack Obama! (and his fabulous family!!!)

Both parties came together today to honor our new President elect,

Change is coming........

Goodbye Old Friend

Our family said goodbye on January 3rd to our old friend

BEAR, aka Boo, Boo-Boo, or Booby, as Milan and Luca affectionately called her.

She was 17 years old on Christmas Eve and lived a hearty life-we'll miss you!

Bella Bambino!

Welcome Baby Giovanni Daniele to the world on Thursday, December 11 at 3:15 p.m. The proud parents are some of my dearest friends. Milan & Luca are excited about their new friend!

Recession-Proof Hair

Feeling stressed out after the election? Frazzled with the financial scene? Need to wash that gray right out of your hair...literally??!!

Go see Emmanuel at Atelier Emmanuel. He will give you a big city haircut without feeling like you just spent your last dime. I had literally gone three months without a cut or color (gray hairs be damned!) and I always get compliments on my hair as it grows and grows. Get a massage and mani/pedi while you are it.

You are so worth it!

O-MG, Love!

I want to thank my neighbors for supporting the re-opening of our panini bar. Especially missed were our friends down the street at O Olive Oil. They make fabulicious oils and vinegars! The Yuzu Rice wine Vinegar and Clementine Olive oil are some of my old favs and Citrus Champagne vinegar is one of my new ones!

Just Amazing

My yogi friend and AIDS activist Tony Eason knows a lady named Suzanne Engo who is running (yes running) from NYC to Chicago to Harpo Studios and (yes!) Oprah to get her to support to fight AIDS.

Suzanne lost over 100 pounds and has been doing yoga to train for this endeavor. She is living in a trailer at night when not running. Along the way, she needed shoes. So Tony (who runs the yoga department at Sports Basement) sent her a new pair of running shoes. Then, I noticed that the weather was changing fast, so I suggested we send her some new gear that fits her and will keep her warm. The video below is a huge thank you note to us. It is incredible!

Click here to meet Suzanne.

Just Darling

Photo by Sasha Gulish

I had to post this adorable photo -- from Tom and Ron's wedding. This is Grace and she's eating an arancini-risotto ball. Grace, you are too cute!

Celebrate

photo by Sasha Gulish

We decorated the chuppah with unfussy abundance. That's what makes this so very Bella Luxe stylish. Say no to fussy and hello to the happy couple!!

All my xoxoxoxoxox!!

Simply West Coast

photo by Sasha Gulish

Another tip: Repetition makes a statement.

These hurricane lamps at Ron and Tom's set the scene with their modern luxe feel. It's in the details, right dahlings?

As Promised!

photo by Sasha Gulish

Here are the snapshots I promised!

My friends Tom and Ron tied the knot and, while I only do the occasional wedding {because they must be super fabulous}, this celebration was truly West Coast style: simple, understatedly elegant with a carefree fabulousness that radiated through!

America, my flower guru, did these original Bella Luxe flowers with roses, dahlias, silver eucalyptus and limes.

It was pure glamour!

Happy Bs to My Ladies

Today is Kelsie's 21st b-day and yesterday was Sasha's 30th. Happy birthday chiquitas!!!

BL Community

Click here to support my friend Desanne as she braves the bay to raise money to fight cancer. Her son Grant, who has cancer, is doing really well and she's doing this in his honor and in honor of so many people whose lives have been impacted by this all-too-common disease. Go Desanne! Go Team Grant!!!!