Dianne's blog

May
Happy Mother’s Day! …and Happy Mothers’ Day!

“”Motherhood is a lifelong journey that’s as unique as every woman who embarks on it. No other role defines us as deeply and fills us with as much compassion – or tests our strength and patience more extremely! No other relationship fills our hearts with as much love, wonder and awe for another human being>”
Taken from Chicken Soup for Every Mom’s Soul

Here it is April 12th and I am just getting around to the April blog. April is such an eventful month in San Luis obispo– a great weekend rendez-vous for a wine event, an antiquing getaway or Parent’s weekend at Cal Poly. There are Earth Day Celebrations, Rib Cook-Offs at Farmer’s Market….and there are always the healthful activities like hiking and biking!

Bon Jour!

BonJour!!

Did anyone see "60 Minutes" last week? Alice Waters, of the famed Chez Panisse in Berkeley, numerous cookbooks etc., was on discussing organic farming and gardening, cooking with fresh ingredients and sustainable living. She hoped that our President Obama would be the first to grow an organic garden on the grounds of the White House. A great interview with Alice! I was inspired - and evidently the Obama's were too, as just this last week Michelle and some local children were on the nightly news planting a White House Victory Garden! Wonderful!

Last week I wrote this wonderful little blog. I quipped, "Nuts to the the old cliche` about March..'in like a lion and out like a lamb'" and then I continued with my feelings about the month of March and it's most magical and mystical qualities. I went on to glorify the emerald green hills around SLO county and the purple lupins and the magnificent mustard that glows golden throughout the hills and the vineyards. March, I noted again, is a magical month!

BonJouR!

Ah!

Bon Jour....!

You must see the new Facebook page that Cole set up! It has pictures and recipes and quite a few friends, already! I love it and I think that it will be the perfect way to show everyone our new shirts or happy pictures of guests...really anything! If you read this blog and would like to know even more about Petit Soleil, please find our Facebook page and enjoy the fun (and the recipe for Falafal Pecans!).

In the spirit of the New Year, Oprah and her promise to new healthy eating habits, I am sharing a recipe for a most scrumptious and healthy muffin! We have not yet served it at Petit, but I have made this recipe at home maybe ten times - John loves these healthy little morsels and he is NOT a big veg fan! I can eat them for breakfast every day. They are made with whole grains and fruit and nuts and I use organic eggs. So, please enjoy the recipe! ...and then let us know if we should serve them for breakfast at Petit Soleil. Bon App`etit!

gARDEN MUFFINS

1 LARGE ZUCCHINI, GRATED AND PATTED DRY
2 LARGE CARROTS, GRATED
1 C. CANOLA OIL
1/2 C. DARK BROWN SUGAR
3/4 C. SIGAR
2 LARGE ORGANIC EGGS
1 1/2 TSP. GOOD VANILLA
MIX WELL

1 3/4 WHOLE WHEAT PASTRY FLOUR 9OR REGULAR WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR)
1/2 C. OAT BRAN
1/4 C. CRUSHED FLAX SEEDS
1 1/2 TSP. BAKING SODA
1/2 TSP. SALT
2 TSP. PUMPKIN PIE SPICE
1/2 TSP. GROUND GINGER
MIX DRY INGREDIENTS THOUOUGHLY AND ADD TO ZUCCHINI MIXTURE.

1 C. RAISINS OR DRIED CRANBERIES, CHOPPED DATES OR CHOPPED DRIED PRUNES
1 C. WALNUTS OR PECANS
1/4 C. COCONUT

FOLD IN THE FRUIT AND NUT MIXTURE OF YOUR CHOICE. SPOON BATTER INTO MUFFIN CUPS SPRAYED WITH PAM (ABOUT 3/4 FULL). BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 25-30 MINUTES.

Anyone that knows me or any of the Petit Soleil staff, for that matter, knows that we all love to bake, cook and eat! We buy each other cookbooks, and talk restaurants and wines and CHAT about what we made for dinner (some Petit girls make dinner for their whole sorority!) or discuss what is in the latest Gourmet magazine. We would love to hear about your (our guest's) favorite recipes, as well! Or tell us about your favorite wines, or fave restaurants or a cooking class that was especially fun. As I am writing this I am thinking about a wine I tried yesterday and thought was especially delish (Bouchaine 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir....) and I was remembering the dinner we just had at Wildwood Restaurant in Portland (an incredible salad with grapefruit, sunchokes and toasted hazelnuts and I had Black cod....AMAZING!!!!)...

Anyway, I can get carried away talking food and wine...please do the same!

I am so looking forward to the Petit Soleil's Monde du Blog
and I am looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2009!
Cheers and best wishes,
Dianne

They say two thousand zero, zero, party over,
Oops, out of time!
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's...2009!