Renee's Blog
Chef Don Tong’s Spicy Eggplant
Fragrant, spicy and delicious! A perfect combination of sweet, hot and salty with the richness of fresh garlic and sesame. This recipe was modeled after one of my all-time favorite Santa Cruz, California restaurants, where Chef Tong made fabulous food...
Chef Don Tong’s Spicy Eggplant
Fragrant, spicy and delicious! A perfect combination of sweet, hot and salty with the richness of fresh garlic and sesame. This recipe was modeled after one of my all-time favorite Santa Cruz, California restaurants, where Chef Tong made fabulous food...
Cantaloupe Salsa
A fresh Caribbean-style salsa: the sweet melon beautifully complements the spicy herb and chiles. 1 Jalapeno chile, seeded 1 shallot 1 scallion, sliced in four pieces 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into pieces 1/3 cup cilantro leaves 1 T mint...
Cantaloupe Salsa
A fresh Caribbean-style salsa: the sweet melon beautifully complements the spicy herb and chiles. 1 Jalapeno chile, seeded 1 shallot 1 scallion, sliced in four pieces 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into pieces 1/3 cup cilantro leaves 1 T mint...
Arugula and Nectarine Salad
Green, tangy arugula contrasts with luscious fresh nectarine slices, all set off by a delicate raspberry vinaigrette. A beautiful presentation and great flavor. You can substitute fresh pears or peaches if nectarines aren't available. Dressing: 3 T raspberry vinegar 1...
Arugula and Nectarine Salad
Green, tangy arugula contrasts with luscious fresh nectarine slices, all set off by a delicate raspberry vinaigrette. A beautiful presentation and great flavor. You can substitute fresh pears or peaches if nectarines aren't available. Dressing: 3 T raspberry vinegar 1...
Chunky Green And Red Tomato Sauce
A great way to enjoy the last fruits of the season. 3 T olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 large onions, chopped 1 1/2 pounds green tomatoes (about 6); coarsely chopped 1 1/2 pounds red tomatoes (about 6); coarsely...
Chunky Green And Red Tomato Sauce
A great way to enjoy the last fruits of the season. 3 T olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 large onions, chopped 1 1/2 pounds green tomatoes (about 6); coarsely chopped 1 1/2 pounds red tomatoes (about 6); coarsely...
Apple and Green Tomato Pie
This memorably delicious pie is a hands-down winner – not too sweet, but with real texture and body. You'll find it becomes one of your signature recipes and a great way to use end of the season tomatoes. Pastry for...
Apple and Green Tomato Pie
This memorably delicious pie is a hands-down winner – not too sweet, but with real texture and body. You'll find it becomes one of your signature recipes and a great way to use end of the season tomatoes. Pastry for...
Sesame Spinach
Subtle seasonings are perfect with fresh spinach and the sesame finishes the dish. 1 T soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 1/2 tsp sugar 2 T peanut oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp freshly grated ginger 6 scallions,...
Sesame Spinach
Subtle seasonings are perfect with fresh spinach and the sesame finishes the dish. 1 T soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 1/2 tsp sugar 2 T peanut oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp freshly grated ginger 6 scallions,...
Chard and Potato Soup
A hearty but not heavy soup, perfect for cold wet days. 4 medium potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 bunch chard, coarse stems removed, shredded in thin strips (about 6 cups) 2 ounces prosciutto, chopped 6 cups chicken stock...
Chard and Potato Soup
A hearty but not heavy soup, perfect for cold wet days. 4 medium potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 bunch chard, coarse stems removed, shredded in thin strips (about 6 cups) 2 ounces prosciutto, chopped 6 cups chicken stock...
Leek, Mushroom And Chicken Soup With Peas and Thyme
2 T olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 leeks, white part, coarsely chopped 1/2 pound brown mushrooms, quartered 3 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 8 cups chicken stock 3 T fresh lemon juice 2 T plus 1 teaspoon chopped thyme...
Leek, Mushroom And Chicken Soup With Peas and Thyme
2 T olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 leeks, white part, coarsely chopped 1/2 pound brown mushrooms, quartered 3 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 8 cups chicken stock 3 T fresh lemon juice 2 T plus 1 teaspoon chopped thyme...
Perfect Green Goddess Dressing
Deliciously creamy and full flavored, this dressing really compliments crispy lettuces. Add some cooked chicken or fish and you’ve got a wonderful meal. 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 of the anchovy fillets (4-5) from a standard 2 ounce can, drain...
Perfect Green Goddess Dressing
Deliciously creamy and full flavored, this dressing really compliments crispy lettuces. Add some cooked chicken or fish and you’ve got a wonderful meal. 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 of the anchovy fillets (4-5) from a standard 2 ounce can, drain...
Orange-Calendula Drop Cookies
Sunny yellow and bright orange calendula petals add pretty colors to these easy to make, fresh orange flavored drop cookies. 6 to 8 fresh calendula blossoms ½ cup butter, at room temperature ½ cup white sugar Grated zest of 2...
Orange-Calendula Drop Cookies
Sunny yellow and bright orange calendula petals add pretty colors to these easy to make, fresh orange flavored drop cookies. 6 to 8 fresh calendula blossoms ½ cup butter, at room temperature ½ cup white sugar Grated zest of 2...
Irresistible Saffron Shortbread
Buttery, crumbly, rich, and not too sweet, this delicious golden shortbread is lightly infused with subtle saffron flavor. A wonderful indulgence to enjoy with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.
Irresistible Saffron Shortbread
Buttery, crumbly, rich, and not too sweet, this delicious golden shortbread is lightly infused with subtle saffron flavor. A wonderful indulgence to enjoy with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.
Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake
An irresistible cake; be prepared to share this recipe! 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp allspice...
Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake
An irresistible cake; be prepared to share this recipe! 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp allspice...
Pesto Salad Dressing
This basil classic is great tossed with green salads, drizzled over a plate of fresh sliced tomatoes, on fresh roasted crusty bread, or over hot fluffy baked potatoes. 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup loosely packed...
Pesto Salad Dressing
This basil classic is great tossed with green salads, drizzled over a plate of fresh sliced tomatoes, on fresh roasted crusty bread, or over hot fluffy baked potatoes. 1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup loosely packed...
Melon Blush Cooler
This thick, icy, fruity drink is wonderfully refreshing when summer heat comes on strong. 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves 1 small sized ripe melon/watermelon, peeled, seeded, cubed; enough to make 3 cups 1 cup freshly squeezed orange...
Melon Blush Cooler
This thick, icy, fruity drink is wonderfully refreshing when summer heat comes on strong. 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves 1 small sized ripe melon/watermelon, peeled, seeded, cubed; enough to make 3 cups 1 cup freshly squeezed orange...
Beet and Green Apple Salad
A crisp and absolutely beautiful salad that came to us from a wonderful young friend who cooks from the garden for twelve hungry organic farmers every day! 5 to 6 medium to large beets (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1/2 small...
Beet and Green Apple Salad
A crisp and absolutely beautiful salad that came to us from a wonderful young friend who cooks from the garden for twelve hungry organic farmers every day! 5 to 6 medium to large beets (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1/2 small...
Orange Poppy Seed Cake
Plant poppies soon so you can harvest aromatic fresh poppy seed to make and enjoy this moist and delicious cake. Perfect with tea or coffee for an afternoon break or lunch box snack.Cake Ingredients: 1 cup flour, sifted 1 tsp...
Orange Poppy Seed Cake
Plant poppies soon so you can harvest aromatic fresh poppy seed to make and enjoy this moist and delicious cake. Perfect with tea or coffee for an afternoon break or lunch box snack.Cake Ingredients: 1 cup flour, sifted 1 tsp...
Lavender Shortbread
These rich but not too sweet shortbread cookies have just a hint of sweet lavender fragrance and flavor. They are perfect to serve with tea, milk or lemonade. I make several batches to divide up and tuck into pretty decorative...
Lavender Shortbread
These rich but not too sweet shortbread cookies have just a hint of sweet lavender fragrance and flavor. They are perfect to serve with tea, milk or lemonade. I make several batches to divide up and tuck into pretty decorative...
Pizza Santa Fe Style
All the Southwestern flavors in a beautiful quick-to-fix summer pizza treat. One 12 inch pizza crust, ready to bake Sauce: 1 1/2 cups lightly packed cilantro leaves 1/2 cups lightly packed parsley leaves 2 cloves garlic 1 jalapeño chile, halved...
Pizza Santa Fe Style
All the Southwestern flavors in a beautiful quick-to-fix summer pizza treat. One 12 inch pizza crust, ready to bake Sauce: 1 1/2 cups lightly packed cilantro leaves 1/2 cups lightly packed parsley leaves 2 cloves garlic 1 jalapeño chile, halved...
Pumpkin Cobbler
Everyone who tries this delicious dessert likes it better than ordinary pumpkin pie. The crust mixture rises to the top during baking to form a rich topping.Filling: 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup evaporated milk 3 cups cooked mashed pumpkin or...
Pumpkin Cobbler
Everyone who tries this delicious dessert likes it better than ordinary pumpkin pie. The crust mixture rises to the top during baking to form a rich topping.Filling: 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup evaporated milk 3 cups cooked mashed pumpkin or...
Fresh Tomato Corn Soup
The combined flavors of fresh sweet corn, tomatoes and herbs are unbeatable in this simple, light soup. 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 11/2 cups chopped onions 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped 11/2 tablespoons...
Fresh Tomato Corn Soup
The combined flavors of fresh sweet corn, tomatoes and herbs are unbeatable in this simple, light soup. 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 11/2 cups chopped onions 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped 11/2 tablespoons...
Tomato and Red Lentil Soup
Even though spring is clearly on its way, there are still a lot of chilly, windy days that call for enjoying some warming soup. Here is an unusual and delicious soup recipe from my newest cookbook.I originally served this soup...
Tomato and Red Lentil Soup
Even though spring is clearly on its way, there are still a lot of chilly, windy days that call for enjoying some warming soup. Here is an unusual and delicious soup recipe from my newest cookbook.I originally served this soup...
Fresh Kale Salad With Peanut And Lime Dressing
A surefire crowd pleaser! The lively dressing showcases nutritious, crunchy fresh kale in an especially tasty and colorful salad. A fine first course or appetizing lunch dish. 1 large bunch kale, center ribs removed, leaves cut into very thin ribbons...
Fresh Kale Salad With Peanut And Lime Dressing
A surefire crowd pleaser! The lively dressing showcases nutritious, crunchy fresh kale in an especially tasty and colorful salad. A fine first course or appetizing lunch dish. 1 large bunch kale, center ribs removed, leaves cut into very thin ribbons...
Renee's Favorite Pumpkin Recipes
Fall means harvest time in the garden and calls for warm comfort food in the kitchen. When you grow your own pumpkins, it’s always great to have some new ideas for how to make delicious use of them. Here are...
Renee's Favorite Pumpkin Recipes
Fall means harvest time in the garden and calls for warm comfort food in the kitchen. When you grow your own pumpkins, it’s always great to have some new ideas for how to make delicious use of them. Here are...
Unbeatable Beets
Beets from your own garden taste terrific. Forget any old memories of rubbery, syrupy-sauced, canned beets that lurk in your tastebuds. Freshly pulled beets are truly beautiful and delicious. Their flavor is sweet, rich, hearty and earthy, and beet varieties...
Unbeatable Beets
Beets from your own garden taste terrific. Forget any old memories of rubbery, syrupy-sauced, canned beets that lurk in your tastebuds. Freshly pulled beets are truly beautiful and delicious. Their flavor is sweet, rich, hearty and earthy, and beet varieties...
Cooking for the Holidays: Winter Squashes and More
When the days grow short and get dark early and blustery weather sets in, it's time to tuck in the garden beds, oil and store the tools, and generally take a break from outside chores. Even in my relatively mild...
Cooking for the Holidays: Winter Squashes and More
When the days grow short and get dark early and blustery weather sets in, it's time to tuck in the garden beds, oil and store the tools, and generally take a break from outside chores. Even in my relatively mild...
Cool Kohlrabi
My memories of kohlrabi are full of fond nostalgia. When I was a little girl in suburban Cleveland, weekly visits to my grandmother's wonderful garden were a highlight of summer. I couldn't wait to go look at all the growing...
Cool Kohlrabi
My memories of kohlrabi are full of fond nostalgia. When I was a little girl in suburban Cleveland, weekly visits to my grandmother's wonderful garden were a highlight of summer. I couldn't wait to go look at all the growing...
Make A Mouthwatering Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad has gained an incredible degree of popularity these days. Both in fancy restaurants and franchised coffee shops, you can order one easily and even make it into your entree with the addition of cooked chicken or shrimp. Just...
Make A Mouthwatering Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad has gained an incredible degree of popularity these days. Both in fancy restaurants and franchised coffee shops, you can order one easily and even make it into your entree with the addition of cooked chicken or shrimp. Just...
Soups from the Portuguese Kitchen
I'm so pleased to have a guest post from Joy Albright-Souza, part of the earliest Renee's Garden team, who left us to start her own landscape design business. Her company specializes in edible landscaping and her designs grace many fine...
Soups from the Portuguese Kitchen
I'm so pleased to have a guest post from Joy Albright-Souza, part of the earliest Renee's Garden team, who left us to start her own landscape design business. Her company specializes in edible landscaping and her designs grace many fine...
Delicious Lavender
I've always felt a special affinity for lavender. Its heady sweet scent is my favorite floral perfume, and the soft color of the blossoms and the gray-green of the foliage are highlights in my garden. I indulged my lavender fantasies...
Delicious Lavender
I've always felt a special affinity for lavender. Its heady sweet scent is my favorite floral perfume, and the soft color of the blossoms and the gray-green of the foliage are highlights in my garden. I indulged my lavender fantasies...