26 April Wednesday

You may know that because of the heavy rainy season we´ve had in California, the receding waters have left a new exposure of gold. That´s right, partner, there´s still gold in them hills, I intend to get me some. According to someone, gold is currently valued at $2400 oz. That means if I find a big rock, which I intend, I will get a lot of money!!

In the meantime, I will have to settle, though settle is a disgraceful word, for Dough Gods. Dough Gods is a term apparently meant to refer to giant piles of mule-stool, more disgrace. In food terms, this means large drop biscuits with golden flecks of cheddar cheese. These are so heavenly delicious and so easy to make, that you´d be a fool not to whip up a batch right now.

I made them mid-meal. Roast chicken with garlic, lemon, and spring onion. Roasted potatoes and carrots. Spinach au gratin. I was gonna make a nice dessert, but suddenly felt that these savory biscuits would be a better ending to the meal. I thought they would be nice with honey, but they were gone before I got to the pantry. I can´t give the recipe in full because it isn´t my own. I found this recipe, and there are many, in a book by Sally Schmitt, who started the French Laundry in St. Helena. Her family are many generations of Californians all of whom were what we´d call foodies today. Flour, half and half, salt, baking powder, butter, cheddar cheese. Go figure!

Cut to 1 May. Since the last time we ¨talked¨ I made a wonderful, splendid risotto with lemon and asparagus. Also, I have managed to perfect grilled salmon. The key is tons of olive oil, soak the salmon in it for an hour. And salt. And pepper. Put it in the hot grill pan, skin side down. Look at both of these dishes cooking!!

Well, now here we are again, 2 May. It poured rain here in San Francisco, quite unusual this late in the spring. I came home from work and thought about a glass of warm water with lemon for dinner. Don´t want to cook, don´t want to go out. Someone said something about soup today, and boy, did that sound good. Then, my trusty brain came through. I raked through the refrigerator in my mind. Broccoli, Carrot, and Cheddar soup with freshly made chicken stock. Here are a couple snappy snapshots, one with Saltines and one without if you don´t like your soup with crackers

OK enough. I saved my day yet again. Soup is yummy, and I have a feeling I am gonna hit the feathers early. Here´s something to wet the palate coming up this weekend- Arancini and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, together again!!