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La Cocina que Canta, Rancho La Puerta, Walnut and Fig Muffins

Saturday, May 19th, 2012

Dining Room at Rancho LaPuerta Photo: Maralyn D. Hill

Maralyn and I will be meeting again at Rancho La Puerta in July to present our writing workshop and take a few cooking lessons. I can hardly wait. The Ranch has so much to offer so many men and women of all ages from all over the world. Rancho La Puerta and the Golden Door have brought wellness into the lives of over 500,000 Americans in the past 72 years. The Hill team believes in making our health one of our top travel priorities.

During the week of our presentations we will have a choice of many mindful activities such as Herbs for the Body and Soul, Kung Fu for Fitness, Exploring the Night Sky, Love Cycles and so much more. My personal favorites are the early morning hikes, yoga, art classes, African dance, swimming, massages and cooking lessons at La Cocina que Canta. This is the hands on “kitchen that sings” built at the edge of their organic farm. It is here that we meet many talented chefs.

This recipe is from the La Cocina staff led by Executive Chef, Denise Rosa.

Gluten-free Walnut and Fig Muffins

Ingredients for 12 muffins

Dry

3 cups flour mix (see recipe below)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baling powder

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Wet

2 eggs

11/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup grape seed oil

1/2 cup fresh or dried figs, chopped

La Concina Canta - Cooking Demo Kitchen - Rancho La Puerta Photo: Maralyn D. Hill

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Method

Preheat oven to 350F.

In large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, lightly beat eggs and other “wet” ingredients together. Pour wet into dry and mix with a spoon by hand until some dry flour is still evident (do not over-beat).

Use ice cream scoop to dollop muffin mixture into olive-oil-misted muffin pan (preferably one that makes small cork shaped muffins).

Bake approximately 20 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean.

Gluten-Free Flour Mixture

Ranch La Puerta uses all Bob Mill’s ingredients which are commonly available in health food grocery stores. For precision, this mixture is by weight: Combine equal parts of corn, quin and sweet brown rice flours until weight is 700 grams. Combine equal parts potato starch and tapioca flour until weight is 300 grams. Mix all together. store excess in air tight container to use soon for any baked-goods recipe. Experiment with amounts to accentuate certain flavors you might like best.

Look for more recipes from the teaching kitchen and garden this summer. Or find them by contacting www.rancholapuerta.com. Phone 877-440-7772.

Rancho La Puerta is a short, easy, and beautiful drive from San Diego in the charming village of Tecate, Mexico, Baja California, P.O. Box 69, Tecate, California 91980.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the World

Tags: brenda c hill, Chef Denise Rosa, gluten free muffins, gluten free recipe, La Cocina, Rancho La Puerta, Where and What in the World
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Special at The Inn at English Meadows for Kennebunkport Festival 2012

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

The Inn at English Meadows - Kennebunkport

Are you planning on attending Kennebunkport Festival 2012, but not sure where to stay? Well I’ve some inside knowledge on a special that is being run by The Inn at English Meadows. It is newly renovated mid-1800s Greek revival home in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, owned by Eric and Liz Brodar. Having travelled the globe, Eric and Liz knew what they wanted to achieve and set out to do it when they acquired this in 2010. This B&B shines.

The Inn has a 50% off Friday special for a two-night stay the 8th and 9^th of June. In addition, since many of the festival dinners sell out, the Brodar’s have arranged for Denis Francerschini, former executive chef of Cipriani in New York City and currently co-owner of Bar Italia on Madison Ave in New York City to prepare a special dinner.

Chef Denis Francerschini

Here is the featured menu:

Polenta with Sausage

Endive, Arugula Radicchio Salad

Cavatelli with Veal Rage

Grilled Stripe Bass with Vegetable Capponata

Tiramasu for dessert

I will do a short bio of the chef after I tell you the other special. Since English Meadows is part of the Historic Inns of Kennepunkport (HIK), they will all be joining forces to host a wine tasting by going from Inn to Inn. It will be on Saturday, June 8^th from 4-6 p.m.

The Historic Inns of Kennebunkport include: Maine Stay, Captain Lord Mansion, Captain Jefferds, Captain Fairfield, 1802 House, Bufflehead Cove, Cape Arundel and the Inn at English Meadows.

Since it is nice to know a little about the chef before a special dinner. We asked Denis a few questions:

Maralyn: Do you have a favorite dish?

Denis: My favorite is , calves liver alla veneziana, love it.

Maralyn: Could you pick out one favorite cooking utensil?

Denis: A special spatula that I had custom made in Italy for my self.

Maralyn: Can you pick out one special moment that you can say was a favorite or ah-ha moment for you?

Denis: Meeting President George H. W. Bush, on a private event at Cipriani, and was given a set of cufflinks from the White House as a thanks for the service given to the Secret Service.

Maralyn: Do you have and hobbies?

Denis: I like skiing and to play tennis.

Maralyn: Do you have any tips or recommendations for those desiring to be chefs?

Denis: Being a chef is a job that can be done only with a lot of love and passion, as well as many sacrifices!

It is obvious that Chef Denis has tremendous love and passion for his cook. His special menu at The Inn at English Meadows is sure to be a treat.

The Inn at English Meadows

Phone: (800) 272-0698 (207) 967-5766 Email: innkeeper@englishmeadowsinn.com

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I hope I get to meet some of our readers at this great event.

Kennepunkport Festival 2012

This event is produced and presented by Maine Magazine in cooperation with The Kennebunkport Festival Committee. There are many sponsors who support this endeavor as it benefits Share our Strength. The event will have art shows, cocktail parties, dinners and unforgettable experiences.