The Friday Five
Five Flavors I Can’t Live Without
(or at least wouldn't want to)
1. Peet’s Italian Roast and Assam Golden Tip Tea
In a tie for first place, we have the two beverages most frequently found in my cup. They both come from Peet’s Coffee and Tea Company, and I was specific, despite the fact that I also love many of their other coffees and teas as well, so don’t judge me for the wee cheat.
2. Chocolate
Deep and dark, smooth and creamy, sprinkled with sea salt or blessed with a hint of cinnamon and chili powder. It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s high quality. Forget the waxy kids’ stuff, and don’t put anything in the middle except for maybe a thin layer of good quality caramel. Mmm…
3. Gorgeous, complex California reds
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Sirah, or Pinot Noir. Yes, please! Sure, I’ll drink whites or bubblies, too, or wines from other parts of the world. But these are the superstars of my cellar. What can I say? I live less than an hour from prime wine country in two different directions, have family in the business and I’m a loyalist. Besides, we make some mighty fine wines here in sunny California.
4. Heirloom Tomatoes & Fresh Sweet Basil
Sneaking another two-fer. But I grow them together, eat them together and really, they’re a marriage made in heaven. The peak of summer’s riches, the treasures of my garden. Okay, I’m ready for June now…
5. Goat Cheese
Good cheese in general holds a special place in my heart, but I am completely enamored of goat cheese. Crumbled on a roasted beet salad, smeared on crostini and topped with a slice of fresh peach, melted into a quesadilla with spinach, sautéed mushrooms and carmelized onions or made into my personal version of PB&J - goat cheese and fig jelly on whole grain bread. Are we hungry yet?
The Runners Up:
Oh, it was such a close call. If this were a “top ten”, these would definitely have made the list: cinnamon, fresh pacific salmon, ripe summer figs, artichokes and blueberries.
Tell me. What tantalizing tastes rock your world??