Despite the bounty of the farmers markets, farm stands and gourmet grocery stores, there are times when you look in the refrigerator and think to yourself that there is nothing…
Santa Barbara Ranch Dressing
The origin of Ranch Dressing can be directly traced to the dressing that Steve and Gayle Henson served to customers at their dude ranch, Hidden Valley Ranch on San Marcos…
Diving for California Gold
[Photography by Fran Collin] Just off our coast, 20 to 100 feet below the surface, Santa Barbara divers harvest some of the world’s best sea urchins. I watch as urchin…
Strawberries in Pinot Noir
Early strawberries are improved by this method and in-season dead-ripe strawberries become ambrosial. You also get your dessert and after-dinner wine in one dish. Local Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir…
Wine Cake
For years I was in search of a recipe for a loaf-style cake made with olive oil and sweetened with dessert wine. I wanted something moist enough that it would…
The Oh My Darling Cocktail
I Left My Heart in Fizzy Pisco It’s easy to go a bit mad considering mandarins. Clearly pulling apart tangerines from clementines from trademarked brands like Ojai Pixies and Cuties… well,…