some of my favorite meals while sheltering at home

It has been a long year so far.... 2020 started out with great hope for a new decade and hopefully that may still be the case, but for most of us (for me) the stay at home order to stop the spread of Covid-19 began on Tuesday, March 17th.  At first, the days seemed like a mini vacation, just three weeks.  That soon expanded, and right now, we are in our 5th month.  I return to work soon, and hope for the best. One of the things that made us sane during this time was cooking fun and delicious meals... here are a few of  my favorite dishes.

Simple, clean out the fridge ingredients:  fried rice with sugar snap peas, chicken , celery and egg.

Chilled orzo salad is a snap when tossing the Orzo with one 7 oz container of Trader Joe's Olive Tapenade (in the salad case), a few capers and extra virgin olive oil.

Nothing says comfort food like a great grilled cheese.  This sandwich took it to another level with a mix of creamy herb goat cheese, Monterey jack, sliced smoked turkey on buttered Acme sourdough bread.

Don't forget an awesome pickle--I am obsessed with Safeway's Baby Kosher Dills!

I had an awesome breakfast ever morning.... it is one of my favorite meals!  Here is an omelette with chili, cheese and green onion with Acme Country Pain.

Red bell pepper and potato hash with poached egg---another amazing breakfast!  Served with Acme whole wheat pain.  As you can see I was a frequent customer of Acme at the Ferry Building. The Ferry Building was open for take out food and grocery shopping and made a pleasant place to get fresh air by the water.

And to wind down the many days into the next, a glass of bubbly is always welcome!

bluff cove olive oil and vinegars in la

I was recently in LA and my dear friend Brendan turned me on to the most exceptional olive oil and vinegars in the area--Bluff Cove Olive Oil Company.  I am obsessed with the Black Mission Fig balsamic and the Spanish Picual extra virgin olive oil--perfect to dress delicate arugula or marinate chicken--black cherry balsamic is my next puchase--your bottles are filled on site from a huge selection of organic imported oils and vinegars.

fresh gem lettuce caesar salad

The Caesar is one of my favorite salads, rich and creamy dressing, chunky romaine leaves and crunchy croutons---delicious but perhaps not a salad you can eat everyday.  I came up with my own light and modern version, fresh, crisp and lemony and so easy I have been eating it every day.
I started with little gem lettuces, and separated out the smallest leaves (Trader Joe's sells the gem lettuces--3 heads for only $1.99).  I then made a Caesar dressing and thinned it with the juice of a lemon.  You can do this with your favorite bottled dressing if you like, the result should be lemony and thin enough to drizzle.  I tossed the leaves with crispy turkey bacon lardons, my substitute for croutons, shaved on good parm and drizzled with the dressing.  Cracked black pepper and you are good to go.  Restaurant worthy result!