I’m honored to be part the current issue of Santa Barbara Magazine, featuring the Best of 2012. This issue is a wonderful resource for all those who love Santa Barbara; it is packed with great finds and favorites from insiders in style, food, architecture, gardening, entertaining, kids and more. I’m stocking up on extra issues to give to out of town guests when they visit throughout the year, it has so many ideas for things to see and do in this special city.
Originally published in the Best of 2012 special issue of Santa Barbara Magazine.
No matter how carefully you iron and store your tablecloths, there are always creases when unfolding and draping them across the table. Here’s a quick and easy video tip that works to get those creases out—without having to drag out your iron and ironing board.
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I will be doing some cooking demonstrations at a benefit for the Community Environmental Council on November 17, 2010. I hope to see you there! – Val
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Join us as we celebrate the rich bounty of our region, just in time for holiday shopping! Come taste, browse and shop from a lovely selection of local organic coffee, chocolates, cheeses and much more! Enter a drawing to win a special gift.
Wednesday, November 17 between 11am to 2 pm
760 San Ysidro Road, Montecito
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I had the best birthday! Wonderful friends, amazing food and drink, a little late night craziness — what more could you ask for? My husband arranged for Chef Cal Stamenov, along with his trusty sidekick and amazingly talented pastry chef, Ben Spungin, to come down to Santa Barbara with the mission of cooking a non-traditional dinner for my birthday guests and me.
We rearranged our collection of outdoor furniture to provide areas for informal dining and conversation, a bar, and placed patio heaters throughout for Continue reading…
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Tonda di Parigi are heirloom carrot seeds that yield absolutely delicious carrots — and they’re so darn cute! They’re small and round (the perfect snack size for both kids and adults) and really sweet
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Recently, my newly planted lemon verbena plants were “flourishing” almost too much. There were stalks shooting out in every direction, and the whole thing looked a bit unruly. So, I decided give my plants a little trim (no blow-out needed). I simply snipped the stalks at exactly the same height throughout each plant, leaving me with a bundle of lemon verbena leaves that smelled so delicious,
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I recently hosted Chef Maili Halme Brocke in my kitchen for a lesson in preparing tempura-fried squash blossoms, and when we discovered there weren’t enough blossoms in my garden for the recipe, we gave stuffed basil leaves a try! They were delicious and a big hit with my guests. For more information and recipes take a look at my posts Maili’s Tempura-Fried Squash Blossoms , Q&A with Maili Halme Brock, and Maili’s Orzo Arugula Salad.
Editing and Motion Graphics by Matt Walla. Continue reading…
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I will be doing some cooking demonstrations at a benefit for the Community Environmental Council on April 8, 2010. I hope to see you there! – Val
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Join co-hosts Gay Browne and Merryl Brown as we celebrate the rich bounty of our region. Come taste, browse and shop from a wide selection of local organic coffees, teas, cheeses, chocolates, wine and much more! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Community Environmental Council, and the great work they do to make Santa Barbara Continue reading…
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Here is a glimpse of our very fun night with Chef Benedetta Vitali! See my recent posts Tagliatelle with Duck Ragu and Chicken Liver Crostini for recipes and more information.
Special thanks to my dear friend Joanna Kerns for the video footage.
Editing and Motion Graphics by Matt Walla. Continue reading…
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