Normally by mid May I would stop making hardier winter type soups but this has been an unusual May in the San Francisco Bay Area. Much cooler and rainier than usual so something warm sounds good.
I find the trick to making split pea soup that is less likely to create gas problems is to soak the split peas over night and to change the water several times. You can also just take a Beano tablet as a precaution if split pea soup normally bothers you.
I also pan roast my garlic and onions in olive oil before adding the carrots and celery. I like to cook the vegetables first to add a richer flavor. I also look for a ham hock that does not have sodium nitrate so that it is less salty tasting. Or any ham that does not contain sodium nitrate. I also recommend low sodium chicken broth as well.
Serve with a nice crusty bread and a green salad.
2 C split pea, soak overnight or for at least 3 hours, change the water at least 3 times
1 clove of garlic minced
1 yellow onion chopped
1 Tbl Olive oil
3 carrots diced
4 stalks of celery, diced
64 oz of low sodium chicken broth
1 ham hock (about 2 lb w/bone)
Sauté the garlic and onions until they start to brown add the carrots and celery cook until browned. Add the chicken broth and scrape down the browned bits of vegetables. Add the split peas and ham hock. Cook covered on low heat for about 3 hours. Add additional broth as needed.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Mountain View CA Lifestyle neighborhoods, Gemello and St Francis Acres
Gemello and St Francis Acres are great examples of the kind of lifestyle neighborhoods that Mountain View CA has to offer.
Gemello and St Francis Acres are West of El Camino and have El Monte as the division between the two neighborhoods. Gemello borders Los Altos on Jardin Drive and Karen Way. Gemello is named after the winery and orchard owned by John Gemello before being developed in the 1950’s.
Gemello primarily consist of two different developments, Blackfield Village and Excel. Most of the homes developed were 3 bedroom homes with either one bath or one and half bath. There are three parks in the area Gemello Park, Marich Way and Solana Court.
St Frances Acres is bordered by El Camino Real, Permanente Creek and El Monte Avenue. St Frances Acres has great access to local parks such as McKelvey Park, Park Drive and Miramonte Ave. Just across El Camino is Eagle Park located at Shoreline Blvd. and High School Way
What they have in common is close proximity to downtown Mountain View and downtown Los Altos.
Both neighborhoods have more traditional suburban housing with larger yards. Many of the streets in Gemello and St Frances Acres do not have sidewalks or street lights and provide a wonderful walk on a moon lit night in the summer.
Located at the intersection of El Monte and El Camino are major shopping destinations such as a newly remodeled and expanded CVS Pharmacy. Check out their great collection of organic household items next time you are in the area. There is a Starbucks that operates as a virtual office for many local residents; I know I have had many meeting there myself. For a quick dinner there is a Pizza My Heart or Boston Market located in the shopping center. The many dining choices that Castro Street has to offer is just a stroll away.
If you would like to explore Gemello or St Francis Acres as your next possible lifestyle neighborhood, just give me a call and I will show you around.
Gemello and St Francis Acres are West of El Camino and have El Monte as the division between the two neighborhoods. Gemello borders Los Altos on Jardin Drive and Karen Way. Gemello is named after the winery and orchard owned by John Gemello before being developed in the 1950’s.
Gemello primarily consist of two different developments, Blackfield Village and Excel. Most of the homes developed were 3 bedroom homes with either one bath or one and half bath. There are three parks in the area Gemello Park, Marich Way and Solana Court.
St Frances Acres is bordered by El Camino Real, Permanente Creek and El Monte Avenue. St Frances Acres has great access to local parks such as McKelvey Park, Park Drive and Miramonte Ave. Just across El Camino is Eagle Park located at Shoreline Blvd. and High School Way
What they have in common is close proximity to downtown Mountain View and downtown Los Altos.
Both neighborhoods have more traditional suburban housing with larger yards. Many of the streets in Gemello and St Frances Acres do not have sidewalks or street lights and provide a wonderful walk on a moon lit night in the summer.
Located at the intersection of El Monte and El Camino are major shopping destinations such as a newly remodeled and expanded CVS Pharmacy. Check out their great collection of organic household items next time you are in the area. There is a Starbucks that operates as a virtual office for many local residents; I know I have had many meeting there myself. For a quick dinner there is a Pizza My Heart or Boston Market located in the shopping center. The many dining choices that Castro Street has to offer is just a stroll away.
If you would like to explore Gemello or St Francis Acres as your next possible lifestyle neighborhood, just give me a call and I will show you around.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Recipe: Asparagus and Beef Salad
Asparagus is one of my favorite things that let me know that spring has arrived. Asparagus and Beef make a great salad combination. I love to make salads when it is warm outside and I don't want to cook too much or too long but still want something nice to bring to the table.
I use the French Vinaigrette recipe that I posted a few months ago as the dressing for this salad. Asparagus is one of my favorite things that let me know that spring has arrived. Asparagus and Beef make a great salad combination. I love to make salads when it is warm outside and I don't want to cook too much or too long but still want something nice to bring to the table.
I use the French Vinaigrette recipe that I posted a few months ago as the dressing for this salad. http://siliconvalleyrealestate-blog.com/post/1335811/recipe-real-french-vinaigrette
The trick is to not overcook the asparagus so that it holds up in the salad dressing. I like to marinate it for at least an hour before serving so that the asparagus and mustard flavors really combine.
I also like to use a wide variety of salad greens and a perfect tomato or two to really add another flavor dimension. Most stores carry a bag of mixed baby greens and this salad is a great way to use them. Sometimes I add hearts of palm as well just for another color and texture
For the beef I recommend throwing your favorite boneless steak on the grill and cooking it until it is medium rare. Slice it thinly and put on the top of the salad. Looks elegant tastes great and is very easy.
1 bunch of asparagus (about 16 stalks) blanched and then chopped
1 C of French Vinaigrette, marinate the chopped asparagus in the dressing for at least one hour
1 bag of mixed baby greens
1 tomato-chopped
2-3 ounces of beef per person cooked on the grill medium rare and sliced
Optional-hearts of palms chopped
Combine the salad greens, tomato, and hearts of palm
Serve with the marinated asparagus and grilled beef. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
I use the French Vinaigrette recipe that I posted a few months ago as the dressing for this salad. Asparagus is one of my favorite things that let me know that spring has arrived. Asparagus and Beef make a great salad combination. I love to make salads when it is warm outside and I don't want to cook too much or too long but still want something nice to bring to the table.
I use the French Vinaigrette recipe that I posted a few months ago as the dressing for this salad. http://siliconvalleyrealestate-blog.com/post/1335811/recipe-real-french-vinaigrette
The trick is to not overcook the asparagus so that it holds up in the salad dressing. I like to marinate it for at least an hour before serving so that the asparagus and mustard flavors really combine.
I also like to use a wide variety of salad greens and a perfect tomato or two to really add another flavor dimension. Most stores carry a bag of mixed baby greens and this salad is a great way to use them. Sometimes I add hearts of palm as well just for another color and texture
For the beef I recommend throwing your favorite boneless steak on the grill and cooking it until it is medium rare. Slice it thinly and put on the top of the salad. Looks elegant tastes great and is very easy.
1 bunch of asparagus (about 16 stalks) blanched and then chopped
1 C of French Vinaigrette, marinate the chopped asparagus in the dressing for at least one hour
1 bag of mixed baby greens
1 tomato-chopped
2-3 ounces of beef per person cooked on the grill medium rare and sliced
Optional-hearts of palms chopped
Combine the salad greens, tomato, and hearts of palm
Serve with the marinated asparagus and grilled beef. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Open House May 1st & 2nd Sunnyvale CA 125 Connemara Way #162
Open house May 1st and May 2nd in Sunnyvale CA 125 Connemara Way #162 Listed at $535,000.00
Nice 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo with low HOA's and Cupertino Schools. Freshly painted interior. Drop by say "hello" and get a Mobibucks coupon to redeem with any participating Mobibucks Merchant!
Carla Dimond
Realtor-Lifestyle Neighborhood Specialist
Keller Williams Realty-Cupertino
Cell/Direct: (650) 388-8820
cdimond@kw.com
carladimond.com
DRE # 01871201
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/carladimond
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carla.dimond
Blog: http://siliconvalleyrealestate-blog.com/agent/cdimond
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carladimond
Nice 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom Condo with low HOA's and Cupertino Schools. Freshly painted interior. Drop by say "hello" and get a Mobibucks coupon to redeem with any participating Mobibucks Merchant!
Carla Dimond
Realtor-Lifestyle Neighborhood Specialist
Keller Williams Realty-Cupertino
Cell/Direct: (650) 388-8820
cdimond@kw.com
carladimond.com
DRE # 01871201
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/carladimond
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carla.dimond
Blog: http://siliconvalleyrealestate-blog.com/agent/cdimond
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carladimond
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