Dear Friends,
I am always thrilled to hear from those who read my newsletter. Last month I wrote about the difficulty of stove-top cooking from a wheelchair. Hats off to Arthur in Napa who sent me a mirror with a telescoping handle that allows me to see into pots on the stove!
While my compromised mobility means I can't get into my garden at home, I satisfy my fix by wheeling around the garden at Mustards which is wheelchair accessible. The garden is bursting with produce for the restaurant. Be sure to check it out on your next visit and, if you see her, say hello to Laura who naturally begins her workday early.
Every July, I seem to return to my Midwest roots because I dream about pie and ice cream. There is such an abundance of great stone fruit and berries available in the Napa Valley, what else am I to crave? This month I've included recipes for an easy, No-Cook Vanilla Ice Cream, and Blueberry and Stone Fruit Pie. Enjoy!
Lobster is another July classic, and so this month's Pour-Off Pair-Off (every Thursday at Mustards Grill) features a Lobster Shack Extravaganza. Expect lobster rolls and lots of East Coast-style seafood summer pleasures.
At Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen this month, Jim features local purveyors using different BBQ and smoker techniques. We are lucky to have so many wonderful whole beast experts from places like Stone Valley Pig, Five Dot Beef, and Don Watson Lamb. We'll be dishing up meats that showcase Mexican Barbacoa, Chinese Tea Smoke, and Caribbean BBQ. Come on in!
You may have read that Auction Napa Valley in June raised a record $18.7 million for non-profits in our area. Although I missed it this year, my team was delighted to serve at the auction's main events and at many of the wineries' special dinners throughout the week.
If you are up valley Friday mornings, be sure to check out the St. Helena Farmer's Market. It's famous for the quality and diversity of its fresh farm products. On August 1, Chef Jim Leiken, from Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, and I will be there doing a cooking demonstration. Jim will be the one doing the cooking; I will be the one with the big smile on my face. We look forward to seeing you!
Finally, as I recover from the accident, I continue to receive countless emails, cards, and comments of kindness and support, and telling me that Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, Mustards Grill, and Cindy's Waterfront at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are the best ever. My restaurant teams are truly amazing. They have not missed a single beat during my absence, and with the restaurants in great hands, I'm free to focus on my rehab and recovery.
Many, many thanks to all of you who have contacted me.
Keep cool and eat well!
