Cherry Tomato and Sour Cherry Chutney

This is a great relish that I make very often in the srping and summer. It'll accompany any meat of fish and will also please vegetarians.

Spanish-Style Seafood Stew

This is probably the only shellfish dish that I can still cook inside the house without hearing all the vegetarians in my home complaining about a seafood smell. I guarantee both seafood lovers and vegetarians will be happy at the table.

Roules d'Aubergines au Chevre (Goat Cheese Eggplant Rollups)

I had half a tray of ice cubes left of my pistachio pesto and 2 beautiful eggplants. We had a very nice sunny day today in Northern California. I wanted to make something light and fresh. The roulés d'aubergines au chèvre are a good starter course.

Lemon Creme Brulee

The creme brulee is a classic French dessert. The base is just your average  custard, but you can add your own twist to it by using different chocolate chips  (milk, dark, white, butterscotch, peanut butter, lemon, mint) or by adding an  extract to the vanilla chips (rose, pandan, peppermint, mocha). It is a true  culinary chameleon.  

What really sets the creme brulee apart though is the crunch when you break  through the burnt sugar crust. I think that's what truly gives it its status and  sophistication. It somehow brings a smile to your face, no matter how old you  are. It reminds me of the scene in Amelie when she breaks through the crust and grins.  

Ca Phe Sua Nong (Vietnamese-Style Coffee)

A while ago a guest brought us some Fair Trade coffee beans and it's been sitting in our pantry ever since.  We're not big coffee drinkers. The only coffee I ever make at home is Vietnamese coffee, and I only make it when we have guests over. To make cà phê sữa nóng (literally Hot Milk Coffee in Vietnamese) you need a strong coffee, and the dark, extra bold French roast blend from Africa that our guest gave us was perfect for the job. My husband's friend Andrew came over today and he is addicted to Vietnamese coffee, so I made him several cups. Somehow the caffeine does not seem to stop him even late in the evening...

Making the coffee took me back in time. It reminds me of the coffee I used to make for my dad when I was a little girl growing up in Paris. He still lives there today. I would fall into a trance-like state watching the coffee drip, drop by drop into the tall glass of luscious condensed milk. Later on, we got an espresso machine but I was still making coffee for my papa every morning. I think about you, Papounet. I miss you dearly.