I recently found some irresistible gooseberry-like green tomatoes at the farmers market. They had almost translucent, iridescent skin that glistened as the sun shone on them. They had a firm…
Fruit Fall
Fruit teaches us the meaning of time and eternity.” The life cycle of almost any fruit tree echoes the seasons—a cool dormant winter, the flourish of blossoms in the spring, the tantalizing ripening in the summer, followed by a gratifying harvest.
Braised Short Rib with Vegetables at Sear Steakhouse
Fall’s Don’t-Miss Dish When cold weather rolls around in the Santa Ynez Valley, we start to crave comfort food. We want slow-cooked and braised meats, long-simmered vegetables and rich sauces……
Apple Ginegar
An Apple Acid Test I’m not sure anyone celebrates autumn anymore by having their kids bob for apples, but that doesn’t keep apples out of my mind when it comes…
Salt of the Sea
ocal fisherman Steve Escobar helped me harvest ocean water for homemade sea salt. After boiling away the water, we even added a smoky twist by using a wood-fired oven. The result? Delicious smoked salt with a hint of red oak flavor!
Diving for California Gold
Urchin diver Stephanie Mutz searches the depths off Santa Barbara’s coast for prized sea urchins, yielding the freshest uni available. Her work highlights the local seafood industry’s effort to bring sustainable, high-quality products directly to consumers.