It was only a month ago that I held a contest for my 8th Blogiversary and here I am – at it again!

This time, it is Barbara Fenzl, owner of Les Gourmettes, who is graciously and generously donating the fabulous prize. I’ll get to the details about the prize and how easy it is for you to have a chance to win it in just a moment.

This is the current issue of Edible PHOENIX. The publisher and editor, Pamela Hamilton along with featured contributor, Sharon Salomon, Barb Fenzl, and I are all members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International.

Every now and then, Sharon will ask me for quotes or thoughts about an upcoming article she is working on. This was the case for her most recent article titled, “Step Away From the Recipe! Try Your Hand at Intuitive Cooking”

Thank you Sharon for featuring me in your excellent article!

This clever segue leads us to the contest and the prize. Barb is offering one FREE seat in an upcoming cooking class with Chef Danielle Leoni.  Coincidentally, Danielle became one of our newest Les Dames members this past Monday night. This prize will most certainly hone your cooking skills and aid you on your way to more intuitive cooking.

[Read more →]

I made this sweet and tangy cake for a cooking class last week. Since I needed to serve 18 people, I made two cakes, one ahead of time and one in front of the students. For the class cake, I used one Meyer lemon and one blood orange. We decided to serve thin slices from each cake and the students loved them both but especially the the mixed citrus cake.

Either way, this is a simply lovely dessert.

[Read more →]

My mentor, boss, and sweet friend of nearly 25 years, Barbara Fenzl, celebrated her birthday last Saturday. She was traveling at the time, so I celebrated with her yesterday.

We didn’t take a photo together, so I’m posting this vintage picture of Barb, Jacques Pepin, and me… one of my all-time favorites. And it is the perfect picture to post since I bought her a vintage item as her gift.

Do you know what it is?

Does “les fromages de la ferme” or “Aux bons Fromages” give you a clue?

[Read more →]

I am nearly buried in cooking classes at the moment, so I only have a couple of minutes to slap up a few photos and a couple of recipes – if you can call them recipes. They are more like quick and super easy ideas for tasty bits… almost too easy to even label “easy breezy”!

A few students are missing from this photo. One was homesick, another was late because she was coming from lacrosse practice, yet another was just running late, and so on. We start at 10:30 sharp because there is a lot to do and we can’t wait. So this is a glimpse of what it looks like at the very start of class – when the students are just getting underway. Trash cans are empty, counters are relatively clear, the floor is still rather clean, and my two assistants are observing, rather than washing, drying, and well, basically “assisting”.

The gentlemen in the forefront are mixing up bread dough, for English muffin bread. My assistants, Connor and Troy, are waiting for something to do. The young lady in the orange shirt is frying up bacon for the Bacon Strip Pancakes, the two on the right are starting on a batch of Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and the young lady in the center, at the island, is working on a batch of granola.

For our breakfast-themed meal yesterday, one of the dishes we made was English muffin bread with quick homemade strawberry jam – here is the jam simmering away. You could use a potato masher to crush the berries, but donning gloves and using your hands is so much more fun!

[Read more →]

… summer kids cooking classes begin on Monday! I spent the entire day yesterday shopping, cleaning, clearing off the kitchen counters, pulling out the school supplies, and generally working my rear off!

Remember how excited I was back in July when I set up my cute little vignettes around the kitchen?

Yeah, those had to go, to make room for the 5 cooking stations for the 10 kids who will fill the kitchen, beginning at 10:30 on Memorial Day.

Here is what my counters look like now.

Seriously Boring!

[Read more →]

About one month ago today, there was a wonderful article in The New York Times about a mom who handed over a portion of the weekly cooking chores to her two sons.  Here is a small excerpt from that article:

“I cannot remember exactly when it occurred to me that my children should be cooking dinner for me instead of the other way around…

…So, about six months ago, I asked each of my sons, ages 14 and 10, to cook dinner once a week. I was not proposing a heartwarming mother-son bonding experience. I made it clear that they could cook only when an adult was in shouting distance, but the goal was to have them plan and execute the meal on their own while I commuted home or ran errands — or drank a glass of wine on the couch.

The boys did not protest too much, mainly because I offered a reward. Our longstanding routine had them cleaning the kitchen after dinner under my husband’s supervision — loading the dishwasher, scrubbing pots, wiping counters, sweeping the floor. Now I was offering a get-out-of-jail-free card: You cook; we clean. They were elated by the idea.”

CLICK HERE to check out the entire inspiring read.

[Read more →]

Today I am returning from visiting Kathy and Chris Froggatt, my longtime friends,  in their new home (well it’s been about 18 months since they moved from AZ) in Jupiter, Florida.  Yes, the “crazy lady” comes out again and goes from 110 degrees in AZ to 90+ degrees plus 90% humidity… for a less than refreshing summer reprieve in FL. Whatever, it was a wonderful trip to see great friends, in their gorgeous new home, with their tropical backyard.  Do you know what that is in the picture above?  Look closely…

[Read more →]

After my post two days ago telling of the upcoming classes I’ll be teaching at Les Gourmettes Cooking School, I’ve received about a dozen emails asking for the schedule. Since the demand appears to be high, I’m posting it here for all.

If you are interested in signing up for the classes, please act quickly, there are only 16 initial spaces available. Mail a check made out to Les Gourmettes Cooking School for the full amount ($150) to 6610 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012.  Please include a sheet of paper with your name, address, phone, email address, and “Linda’s Series” written on it with the payment.

[Read more →]

Another day, another post without a recipe. Sorry, but it’s the holiday weekend, right?  More news to share though. I found out too late to pick up a copy, but in the August 2010 issue of AZ-Lifestyle magazine, LPG was featured. Don’t get me wrong, I knew we’d be featured, the reporter was here in June interviewing and taking pictures. I just did not know it had come and gone from newsstands.  Oh well, here’s what the LPG portion looked like. And following in yesterday’s footsteps, here is a link to the previously posted Coconut Mango Cupcakes seen in the photo below! As an added bonus; it’s a great recipe to revisit if you need a refresher course on how to cut open a mango.

[Read more →]

Summer 2010 Classes are posted today. Go the the “Classes” page on the left to view the lineup. If you are interested in taking a week or two; then just go to the “Registration” page, print and fill out the form and you’re on your way to a summer filled with good food, good friends, and good fun and you’ll even learn something new along the way! Hope to see you in June!

[Read more →]