Rancho La Puerta Cooking Class

So much fun this week at Rancho La Puerta teaching a beautiful cooking class in La Cocina Que Canta-the kitchen that sings! I had an incredible group that came down to cook with me, and we had the best time. The theme was adding flavor with spices so I taught a Moroccan Spiced Salmon, an Apple Fennel Galette, Provencal Roasted Fennel, a delicious Spinach & Parsley Soup, Citrus Carrots & Parsnips, Cauliflower & Chick Pea Salad with Quinoa, a Kale & Brussels sprouts Salad, a Vegan chocolate mousse with lavender salt. All vegetables came from the organic farm right outside our door.

Salvatore, the farmer who has been working at the Ranch for over 20 years, was enthusiastic about showing us around the farm; describing the soil conditions and all the various vegetables they grow. 80% of the food and vegetables served at Rancho La Puerta comes from this incredibly productive garden. With our recent cold snap, he described how the citrus trees were heavily damaged due to the morning frost, but he reassured us that they would be okay once the weather warmed up.

Look at this amazing bed of romaine lettuce-a staple at the ranch and is included in most salads during lunch and dinner. I had so much fun exploring the farm and checking out all the vegetables including fennel, parsnips, broccoli, arugula, and spinach!