Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch House

September 30, 2012 by mymateriallife

We had my birthday brunch at The Ranch House in Meiners Oaks (right next to Ojai) last Sunday.  This is a restaurant that was founded by Alan and Helen Hooker in the 1950s.  My parents took me there to celebrate a good report card or something like that when I was a junior or senior in high school.  I can remember the dress I wore, but everything else is a little fuzzy.  I never thought about it much until Saveur […]

Categories: Places, Reading Material, Sweets • Tags: alan hooker, beatrice wood, buttercream mint frosting, golden cake, ojai, saveur magazine, the ranch house restaurant

Frito Pie Night

January 13, 2012 by mymateriallife

This makes such a fun dinner.  The only problem is that it tastes so good, you’ll be tempted to overeat.  I’ve always loved the idea of Frito pie, but I never had a really tasty one (I usually don’t like the flavor of restaurant chile) until last night. I ate two of them actually.  They were inspired by the current issue of Saveur magazine, the annual one where they feature their favorite 100 food-related things.  I was just flipping through […]

Categories: Savories • Tags: frito pie, saveur magazine

Kind Hearts and Coronets

December 20, 2011 by mymateriallife

That’s hearts as in artichoke hearts.  I don’t think I ever did see that old British film (although it’s right up my alley), but I’ve always loved that title – the way those four words sound together.  I have two really delicious things I made and ate yesterday that I want to share with you.  Somehow this film title came to me as a way to connect them. Yesterday, we had a little cookie baking and decorating session for a […]

Categories: Savories, Sweets • Tags: artichoke dip, elegant cocoa pearls, penzey's, saveur magazine, trader joe's