because culinary inspiration is everywhere

swordfish Mediterranean sauté

May 22nd, 2013

chefmorgan swordfih saute

puppy love & when to cook and tell . . . 

swordfish Mediterranean sauté

I am over the moon about the summer stone fruit which has arrived in the markets. However, I must admit that I am still clinging to the fava beans and English peas which are declining in number as summer rapidly approaches. While picking out fava beans at the McGrath Family Farm stand at the Sasnta Monica Farmer’s Market, it was there I fell in love. I could not help myself. It was this instant affection with inspired this week’s simple pleasure: swordfish Mediterranean sauté. Read the rest of this entry »

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cheeseburger in paradise

May 17th, 2013

chef morgan camion 2

cheeseburger in paradise

In the twenty plus years I have come and gone to France, I have never eaten a hamburger in France. Until now. I heard about Le Camion qui Fume (the truck who smokes) several times and for several reasons.  Le Camion qui Fume made history because it was the first “food truck” in Paris. This adventure was pioneered by Kristin Frederick, a fellow American who coincidentally is also from California. Based upon my experiences in France, let’s just say that I cannot even imagine the French paperwork (nor the taxes….sigh) involved in the undertaking; however, it did not deter Frederick who brought her concept of “French-i-fied” American food — burgers and fries on the go — to the City of Light. And, of course, this Californian included a “double-double” (double boeuf, double fromage) on the menu. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mother’s Day 2013 and cherry granita

May 12th, 2013

chef mrogan cherry ice 12

 Mother’s Day 2013 

speak carefully and carry a positive message 

 cherry granita

This week I had my first taste of an “empty nest.” My eldest, now a “tween,” visited Boston with her fifth grade class for a week. Her healthy separation from me and her eagerness to see the world and rely on her peers in a new way is bittersweet. Every year I write a Mother’s Day personal “recipe” for them. This year’s recipe was not only inspired by their rapid coming of age, but by two recent events. The first was the passing of our family matriarch (this year was the first time in our lives we did not celebrate her birthday and Mother’s Day jointly (at least, with her present)). The second was our Spring Break trip to Washington D.C. Both events reminded me of the importance of words, spoken, and unspoken. This week’s simple pleasure, and my annual Mother’s Day recipe for them, is a humble recipe for speaking with a little cherry granita on top (recipe below).

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les œufs à la coque

May 6th, 2013

 

chef morgan les oeufs 1

birds, you, and my friend nicknamed Goo

les œufs à la coque (à ma façon)

soft-boiled eggs with toast spears and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus

 

My friend Celine has a love-hate relationship with birds: they love her; she dislikes them. If there is a bird to be found, Celine will quickly walk the other way. When in Paris, I often photograph the Parisian pigeons (which are everywhere) and email the photos to her with a caption that the pigeons miss her and want her to come home. The joke never seems to get old (at least on my end, but Celine takes it well). Recently, Celine passed through LA and it was her visit which inspired this simple pleasure: les œufs à la coque (with my own twist).  Read the rest of this entry »

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grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime.

April 30th, 2013

carrot shrimp 2

shrimp on the bar-b and a little al fresco dining

grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime

I could say that I fired up the grill this weekend because of the Los Angeles sun. However, that is only partially true. It was also the Target run. Yes, Target. You see, I set out  to buy school necessities for my children and then could not resist two hurricane lamps perfect for the patio table. This led to the desire to grill which led to an easy al fresco dinner with items in my refrigerator which resulted in this week’s simple pleasure: grilled baby carrots and shrimp with cilantro, avocado and lime. Read the rest of this entry »

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lentil and Brie soup with bacon and chives

April 22nd, 2013

chef morgan lentil and Brie soup

Terrior Parisien® and a little Alléno in your bowl:

 lentil and Brie soup with bacon and chives

The favorable buzz was more than I could bear. It proved to be well-deserved. This week we are visiting Yannick Alléno’s bistro Terroir Parisien® and our weekly simple pleasure is an adaption of his cream of lentil and Brie soup with bacon and chives. Read the rest of this entry »

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raw white asparagus salad

April 12th, 2013

white asp salad

spring sun throught the curtains and inspiring lunch 

raw white asparagus salad 
with parmesan and baby spring greens

For France it has been one of the coldest winters in recent history. While the Parisian snow long disappeared, it remains chilly especially for this California native. The remodeling of my apartment was nearing an end and although it was primarily a grey week, one morning the long-awaited sun shone through the window, through my newly hung curtains, and the illumination called me from the warmth of my tiny place to the still-chilly open air market. It was this morning which inspired this week’s simple pleasure: raw white asparagus salad with parmesan and baby greens.

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sunday dinner

March 28th, 2013

  chef morgan spring tree

sunday dinner

spring lamb with fava beans and mint

Spring marketing, family Sunday dinners, and upcoming Easter, inspired this week’s simple pleasure: roasted lamb with fava beans and fresh mint. Read the rest of this entry »

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it was her favorite and she was ours

March 21st, 2013

DSC06867

it was her favorite and she was ours

(no fuss) carrot cake 

It is officially spring. Upcoming holidays and the passing of a very important person in my life inspired this week’s simple pleasure: (no fuss) carrot cake. 

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cucumber and avocado salad (salade de concombre et avocat)

March 8th, 2013

cucumber and avocado salad

 “a pinch” should apply only to seasoning

cucumber and avocado salad

It was the threat of a Saint Patrick’s Day pinch which inspired this week’s simple pleasure: avocado and cucumber salad. Read the rest of this entry »

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